Experience

UNICEF Aotearoa

• New Zealand
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Policy and Advocacy Manager

  • Dec 2022 - Present



Hamilton City Council

• New Zealand
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Mayor's Advisor

  • May 2022 - Dec 2022

  I am seconded to this role in the Mayor's Office, advising the Mayor of Hamilton City on projects, engagements and strategic matters related to the leadership of Hamilton City.

• Policy and Bylaw Lead

  • Jul 2020 - Dec 2022



UNICEF Pacific

• Fiji
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• National Early Childhood Development Advisor

  • Oct 2019 - May 2020

  Supporting UNICEF Solomon Islands to strengthen the implementation of its early childhood development (ECD) programme. This was done through key actions including: Improving multi-sectoral coordination across government ministries for ECD; and enhancing government capacity and increasing commitment to ECD, at the national and sub-national level. Supporting UNICEF Solomon Islands to strengthen the implementation of its early childhood development (ECD) programme. This was done through key actions including: Improving multi-sectoral coordination across government ministries for ECD; and enhancing government capacity and increasing commitment to ECD, at the national and sub-national level.



Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children

• New Zealand
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Policy Analyst

  • Oct 2017 - Sep 2019

  • Built strong working relationships, engaged and collaborated across government • Advocated for some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people • Led, planned and managed significant components of large policy projects, including: • the establishment of the Transitions Support Service • the Review of Financial Support for Caregivers • Delivered high-quality child-centred policy analysis and advice • Planned and delivered stakeholder consultation hui and fono with caregivers • Supported co-design workshops with front line staff to shape the Transitions Support Service • Presented advice for different audiences/stakeholders, via a range of policy products (reports, A3s, options papers, discussion papers, aide-memoires, presentations) • Worked with evidence and actuarial data to articulate benefits of policy proposals • Worked on business cases and Budget Bids • Advised on the development of a monitoring framework for a significant new service area • Worked closely, mentoring, allocating work and building the capacity of our intern • Led initiatives to build positive team culture. Show less



Chios Eastern Shore Response Team

• Chios, Greece

• Volunteer (full-time)

  • Jul 2017 - Sep 2017

  CESRT provides emergency humanitarian support and daily activities for refugees in Chios. Most refugees in Chios arrive in inflatable boats from Turkey and are living in refugee camps. In this role my primary responsibility was to coordinate and work in the Parents and Children’s Centre and teach English to adult refugees. I was also on call in the night to provide emergency support when boats arrived to the coast of Chios. Key roles: - Coordinator - Parents and Children's House - English Language Teacher CESRT main information page: https://www.facebook.com/chiosesrt/?ref=br_rs Show less



New Zealand Qualifications Authority | Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa

• New Zealand
• Education Administration Programs
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Policy Analyst

  • Jan 2015 - Jul 2017

  Key activities and responsibilities in this role included: Analysis and advice • Completing high-quality policy analysis, development, research and information-gathering on quality assurance and international education/qualification issues • Mapping the New Zealand Qualifications Framework to overseas frameworks and negotiating issues • Interpreting legislation, NZQA Rules and operational policy and providing advice • Preparing official correspondence, papers, reports and ministerial submissions, briefing and speech notes, presentations, ministerial and parliamentary questions and OIA requests • Reporting to Ministers, NZQA Board and Strategic Management Team, and steering groups • Managing individual and collaborative projects Relationships, collaboration and stakeholder engagement • Developing strong, productive working relationships • Representing NZQA externally, including internationally • Managing relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including working groups • Supporting and advising partner agencies, working groups, and international organisations • Collaborating with overseas government agencies to achieve strategic objectives Strategy, negotiation and diplomacy • Travelling internationally to advise and support the Deputy Chief Executive at meetings with the European Commission, international counterpart agencies, and for international conferences, to advance New Zealand’s interests • Contributing to New Zealand’s work performed under education clauses of free trade agreements • Hosting foreign government officials and delegations. Show less



Hamilton East Primary School

• Hamilton, New Zealand

• Teacher Aide

  • Sep 2014 - Dec 2014

  • Working with individuals and groups of children with higher needs (intellectual disabilities, health needs, behaviour management needs, ESOL and no English language and accelerated learners), both within and outside of the classroom, to support their learning and development • Building strong, positive relationships with children to drive good outcomes • Working and thinking strategically to help manage unpredictable behaviour and adapting to change in a highly variable context. • Working with individuals and groups of children with higher needs (intellectual disabilities, health needs, behaviour management needs, ESOL and no English language and accelerated learners), both within and outside of the classroom, to support their learning and development • Building strong, positive relationships with children to drive good outcomes • Working and thinking strategically to help manage unpredictable behaviour and adapting to change in a highly variable context.



Victoria University of Wellington

• New Zealand
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Tutor

  • Jun 2011 - Dec 2013

  Teaching groups of up to 20 students about the law of statutory interpretation as well as general learning, assignment and exam techniques. Teaching groups of up to 20 students about the law of statutory interpretation as well as general learning, assignment and exam techniques.



The University of Waikato

• New Zealand
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Summer Research Scholar

  • Nov 2011 - Feb 2012

  Working full-time for Dr. Yaghoob Foroutan on Family Representation in Education research project. Responsibilities included information gathering, qualitative and quantitative analysis, interpretation, reporting and presenting on results. Working full-time for Dr. Yaghoob Foroutan on Family Representation in Education research project. Responsibilities included information gathering, qualitative and quantitative analysis, interpretation, reporting and presenting on results.