Experience

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  Australia-Indonesia Consulting

  • Australia and Indonesia

  • Director

    • May 2018 - Present
    • Australia and Indonesia

    With more than ten years’ experience in higher education and the non-profit sectors in Indonesia, I consult for a variety of organisations seeking insight and expertise on Australia-Indonesia relations, intercultural training, and doing business in Indonesia.Strengths I bring to consultancy projects include:• A specialised understanding of the current context of international higher education and outbound student mobility to Indonesia, including federal and state funding structures (eg. New Colombo Plan, Hamer scholarships) and an understanding of risk management and international compliance procedures; • Strong business development skills, having grown organisations and worked with a wide variety of stakeholders from the government, non-government, academic and business sectors;• High quality written deliverables: with a background in freelance writing and editing, I produce media releases, concept notes, background briefings, research papers and other products for both academic and non-academic audiences;• Demonstrated interpersonal and verbal communication skills: I regularly present at conferences, speak on panels and share insights on the Australia-Indonesia relationship, student mobility, higher education, and gender and development projects in Indonesia. Recent speaking engagements include events with: The Sydney Southeast Asia Centre, The Australia-Indonesia Business Council, Universities Australia, The International Education Association of Australia, WA Government, Cowater International (KONEKSI), The Australian International Education Conference (AIEC);• Demonstrated project, program and team management skills, especially in cross-cultural settings, with an emphasis on building long-lasting relationships and partnerships.If you’re seeking detailed expertise on Indonesia, please feel free to view my recommendations below and get in touch via LinkedIn or email – I’d love to have a chat and see what we can create together.

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  Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • Canberra, Australia

  • Australia-Indonesia Institute Board member

    • Aug 2018 - Present
    • Canberra, Australia

    Appointed to the board of DFAT's Australia-Indonesia Institute by Foreign Affairs Minister, the Hon. Marise Payne. The AII aims to contribute to a more enduring relationship between Australia and Indonesia and to project positive images of Australia and Indonesia in each other's country. The AII coordinates grants to foster mutual understanding between Australia and Indonesia, and several programs each year, including: The Muslim Exchange Program, The Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program, BRIDGE program, and the Elizabeth O'Neill Journalism Award. For more information, please visit: https://dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/foundations-councils-institutes/australia-indonesia-institute/Pages/australia-indonesia-institute.aspx

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  Cowater International

  • Jakarta, Indonesia

  • Expert Peer Reviewer- KONEKSI Grants (DFAT)

    • May 2023 - Present
    • Jakarta, Indonesia

    The Knowledge Partnership Platform (KPP) or ‘KONEKSI’ is Australia’s flagship program in Indonesia’s knowledge and innovation sector. The Program is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) with a budget of AUD 50 million over five years (2023-2027). Building on existing experience, expertise, and relationships and reflecting the maturity of the Indonesia – Australia bilateral relationship, KONEKSI will develop knowledge that is relevant to both countries and that contributes to Indonesia’s economic transition from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy. KONEKSI will fund and support partnerships between Australian and Indonesian knowledge organisations to carry out and disseminate high-quality, multidisciplinary applied research on complex socio-economic problems that reflect priorities of mutual interest.Applications that meet the hurdle requirements will be reviewed by peer review panels selected from a pool of expert detailed assessors. This pool will comprise of appropriate Indonesian Academics and Australian Fellows in the relevant fields, including environment and climate change research, GEDSI-responsive research, and Indonesian country expertise. The review panels will be assigned specific criteria to review grant applications based on their research, academic and technical merit.

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  The Australian National University

  • Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

  • Academic Tutor

    • Jul 2021 - Present
    • Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

    Tutor in the College of Asia & The Pacific’s Coral Bell School course, ‘POLS3004: Emotions in International Politics.’ Prepare and lead two weekly tutorials both in person and over Zoom on key topics, hold student consultations, and mark all student assignments and essays. Received rankings above 96% in ANU’s Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching surveys in 2021, and an invitation to deliver this course again in 2022. Feedback from students about my teaching in 2021 included:- ‘Elena is a really knowledgeable, engaging teacher. I liked how concepts from earlier weeks were brought back in later weeks. I also liked the case studies. The quick turnaround for the assessment was really great, as were the comprehensive comments.’- ‘This was by far my favourite course this semester! The course was well organised and the assessment items supported my learning, were engaging and challenged my essay writing and analytical skills.’ - ‘Valuable course, with content that was hugely informative to my overall degree yet hadn't been discussed in any of my previous courses. Critical discussions of politics and security, gave great insight into contemporary politics and new frameworks to analyse/understand international affairs. Assessment feedback was provided really quickly and was really helpful.’https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2020/course/pols3004

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  Coffey

  • Joint Selection Team member, Australia Awards Indonesia Scholarships

    • Aug 2021 - Present

    Selected as an Australian member of Tetra Tech (Coffey’s) Joint Selection Team (JST) to evaluate and rank Indonesian candidates for competitive DFAT-funded Australia Awards postgraduate scholarships to be undertaken in Australia each year. Based on my detailed knowledge of both Australian and Indonesian higher education settings, as a team member I am responsible for interviewing and vetting Indonesian candidates, working collaboratively with fellow team members to rank candidates’ applications, and providing detailed reports on interviews and selection outcomes.

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  Beasley Intercultural

  • Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

  • Senior Consultant

    • Aug 2021 - Present
    • Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

    With Beasley Intercultural I deliver intercultural and diversity training across the Asia-Pacific region for leaders and team members in the government sector. Since 2021 I have also worked on a large-scale gender training review for a government client, conducting focus group discussions and interviews with key stakeholders, and compiling evaluation materials.

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  Asia Society Australia

  • Melbourne, Australia

  • Associate Director

    • May 2019 - Oct 2019
    • Melbourne, Australia

    As the Associate Director for Development, I led the acquisition, engagement and retention of corporate and individual members, secured new funding opportunities and grew Asia Society Australia's new Centre in Melbourne. In this role I worked closely with the Victorian Government, higher education providers, arts organisations, and other key stakeholders to promote deeper engagement and understanding between Asia and Australia through Asia Society's Melbourne Centre.

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  The Australian Consortium for '​In-Country'​ Indonesian Studies

  • Australia
  • Education Administration Programs
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Special Advisor to the Consortium Director

    • Jan 2018 - Mar 2018

    Following my 4.5 year tenure as ACICIS' Resident Director, I worked with ACICIS' Consortium Director on a short-term consultancy to map out ACICIS' in-country operations moving forward, and to ensure organisational sustainability in ACICIS' management strategies moving forward.

  • Resident Director

    • Jun 2013 - Jan 2018

    As the Indonesia-based Resident Director for ACICIS (www.acicis.edu.au), I managed a team of up to 40 staff and volunteers and coordinated programs for 250+ Australian and international students annually. Since the launch of the federal government's 'New Colombo Plan' initiative in 2014, ACICIS has been successful in securing more than $10 million in grant funding, becoming the leading provider of in-country student mobility programs, tripling student numbers, and designing new programs in response to member university and student demand. As Resident Director I contributed to the design, delivery and evaluation of new programs funded through the New Colombo Plan, including ACICIS': * Agriculture Professional Practicum* Agriculture Semester Program* Business Professional Practicum* Creative Arts & Design Professional Practicum* Indonesian Language Short Course* Law Professional Practicum, and* Public Health Study TourLeading the ACICIS team on the ground, I was responsible for delivering high-quality and timely risk management advice to students, staff and ACICIS' university members, maintaining ACICIS' excellent reputation in risk management and pastoral care abroad. As vocational education has grown in undergraduate degree programs, I also worked closely with key stakeholders in the NGO, government and private sectors to create internship opportunities for our students, and established new vocational pathways in eight ACICIS programs. I also regularly represented ACICIS at academic and government conferences regarding the growth of student mobility and the importance of intercultural learning, in both Australia and Indonesia. As an ACICIS alumna, the opportunity to give back to an organisation which shaped my life so significantly has been an immensely rewarding career highlight. Read more about ACICIS' work here: www.acicis.edu.au

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  UN Women

  • Jakarta

  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Manager (Gender Programs)

    • Jun 2012 - Jun 2013
    • Jakarta

    Working with UN Women’s Indonesia country office to implement an overall in-country Monitoring and Evaluation program across the agency’s gender programs. Working internally to strengthen UN Women’s staff capacity and externally with local partner organisations in Aceh, Papua, Nusa Tenggara Timur and Yogyakarta. Responsible for developing training and research materials around key M and E concepts including: Results-Based Management systems, Logical Framework Approaches, indicator design, qualitative and quantitative data collection methodologies.

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  --

  • Sydney and Jakarta

  • Writer, Translator, Researcher

    • Jan 2003 - Jan 2012
    • Sydney and Jakarta

    Since 2003 I have contributed original non-fiction and fictional work to numerous print and online publications, including The Sydney Morning Herald, International Feminist Journal of Politics, Inside Indonesia online; and Southerly, The Griffith Review and the UTS Writers’ Anthology. As a copy-writer and editor I have managed and edited website content and drafted grant proposals and tenders for local government and businesses, The Australian National University (Australian Journal of International Affairs and the East Asia Forum) and international NGOs including Oxfam Australia and The Asia Foundation.

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  Reconciliation Australia

  • Canberra

  • Researcher

    • Jun 2011 - Sep 2011
    • Canberra

    Carried out Monitoring and Evaluation reviews of Reconciliation Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plans across Australia. In this role I interviewed key stakeholders, wrote and edited lengthy case study review briefings, and tabled qualitative data regarding the Reconciliation Action Plan’s Key Performance Indicator outcomes (available online at: http://www.reconciliation.org.au/home/reconciliation-action-plans/rap-impact-measurement-report). This role required strong cross-cultural communication skills, a sound understanding of Australian and international Indigenous issues, and excellent written communication skills.

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  Australian Consortium for '​In-Country'​ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS)

  • Yogyakarta, Indonesia

  • Program Manager

    • Aug 2008 - Aug 2010
    • Yogyakarta, Indonesia

    Managed the programs of the leading Australian consortium for ‘in-country’ Indonesian studies and research in Yogyakarta, Central Java. Responsible for the development, promotion and implementation of semester and summer-long study programs with three local host universities. Responsible for providing orientation and evaluation to students, academic and research supervision, and aiding students’ language and cultural development. Also responsible for managing a team of local staff, acting as Resident Director in the Director’s absence, and representing ACICIS at all official Indonesian university, media and government functions in Bahasa Indonesia. Between 2009 – 2010 was also responsible for managing ACICIS’ Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)-funded Indonesian Language Teachers’ Immersion programs, for which I co-wrote final grant application materials which resulted in ACICIS receiving seed funding from the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program initiative.

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  Oxfam

  • Sydney, Australia; Bandung and Tangerang, Indonesia

  • Researcher and Campaigns Assistant

    • May 2005 - Mar 2007
    • Sydney, Australia; Bandung and Tangerang, Indonesia

    Conducted interviews and fieldwork in Bahasa Indonesia for Oxfam Australia in Bandung, West Java, interviewing female members of two trade unions regarding their experiences with international NGOs, local legal aid organisations, and international sportswear buyers. The findings from these interviews were later published in Oxfam International’s 2006 report, Offside! Labour Rights and Sportswear Production in Asia (available online at: http://www.oxfam.org.au/resources/filestore/originals/OAus-OffsideLabourRightsAsia-1206.pdf).