Her professional interests lie in pro-poor and eco-tourism, natural resource governance, conservation and rural livelihoods.  Claudine has supported numerous projects which aim to reduce poverty of rural communities whilst ensuring the sustainability of the resources which they depend upon for their livelihoods. She has a particular interest pro-poor, community based and ecotourism, and they ways they can contribute towards conservation of natural resources and poverty reduction. 

Claudine also has approximately extensive experience within the hospitality industry and excellent customer service skills.  She has worked in a number of establishments (hotels, bars and restaurants) in both the UK and Australia in a variety of roles, including maitre’d, receptionist, cashier, waitress and bar steward. 

Key Strengths:

·         Tourism (pro-poor, community based, eco-tourism) strategies and development

·         Natural resource governance, community based natural resource management and rural livelihoods

·         Strong research skills and the ability to review, analyze and disseminate information effectively

·         Project planning and implementation, financial management, contract negotiations, report writing

·         Knowledge of donor procurement procedures and successful tendering for projects

·         Strong organisational skills, ability to manage tasks effectively and meet tight deadlines

·         Excellent written and oral communications skills

·         Excellent computer skills; competent in MS Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, Outlook.

Qualifications:

• MSc Development Management, Open University, UK. (ongoing) including a 6 month Research Project investigating Community Based Tourism in Ghana, India & Ecuador.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Development Management, Open University, UK. (2006)
• BA Honours in Politics (2:1) University of Leicester, UK. (1997)

Career History:

2004 – present          Consultant / Project Manager / Senior Manager

FRR (a division of theIDLgroup Ltd), Bristol, UK

2002 - 2004          Business Development Manager and Project Manager

                   Birks Sinclair & Associates Ltd., Durham, UK.

Feb – July 2001   Project Coordinator, Organisational Effectiveness Unit

                   Melbourne City Council, Melbourne, Australia.

1997 – 1999          Project Officer / PA to Managing Director

                    Birks Sinclair & Associates Ltd, Durham, UK

Country Experience:

Europe:           Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, UK

Asia:             India, Nepal, Vietnam

Africa:           Ghana, Malawi

Americas:           Ecuador

Asia Pacific:           Australia

Professional Experience

Researcher, Community Based Tourism, May – October 2008

The Research Project was carried out as part of the requirements for an MSc in Development Management. It included research design and planning, a detailed literature review, telephone interviews and field-based research. The focus of the research was on appropriate governance mechanisms required at local, inter-organisational and national level, in order to effectively support the development of community based tourism as a means to achieve poverty reduction and conservation of natural resources. 

Consultant / Project Manager, Orissa Forest Sector Support Project, various short-term inputs, FRR (a division of theIDLgroup Ltd), UK. June 2006 – May 2008

The Orissa Forest Sector Support Project (OFSSP) aimed to generate pro-poor economic growth through development of the forest sector in one of India’s poorest states, whilst at the same time ensuring the protection and sustainable utilisation of forest resources. The project implemented a series of innovative pilot projects to promote income generation activities for forest dependant and tribal communities, including development of community based eco-tourism ventures in selected national parks and nature reserves, and providing support and training to local communities in value addition, marketing and certification of key non-timber forest products (NTFPs).  Consultancy inputs included:

1)       Advising on development of eco-tourism facilities at Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary, which are managed and run entirely by young people from the local community. Recommendations were made with regard to additional training needs, additional services and activities which could be offered to tourists; pricing structures; marketing; and development of a reservation system.

2)       Peer review and guidance to national consultants in the development of a draft eco-tourism strategy for Orissa, including discussion on the type of tourists Orissa could potentially attract, capacity requirements to enable government and local communities to cater to tourists, feasibility of public-private partnerships and improving coordination between the State Forest Department and the Tourism Department.  This draft strategy was discussed with the Forest Department.

3)       Review of two pilot projects which are providing support to women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and local village cooperatives in the form of training, skills development and provision of machinery for NTFP value addition, market linkages to local, national and international markets, and possible certification of products through Organic or Fair Trade certification schemes.

4)       Visited new ecotourism facilities being built at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary to advise on environmentally friendly construction, ways to engage local communities, and options to ensure continued support and assistance for development of the venture, after the end of the DFID funded project.

5)       Participated in a workshop on bamboo handicrafts which for the fist time brought together representative of artisans, government officials, private sector and NGOs to discuss policy issues (access to bamboo forests for tribal communities, forest protection, supply of raw materials, pricing, transportation, etc.) relating to the bamboo handicraft industry in Orissa.

Claudine’s role as Project Manager included development of the winning tender, contract negotiations, recruitment and management of local staff, financial management of a budget of £1.5 million pounds, reporting to DFID, quality control and ensuring all outputs were delivered on time. Regular trips were made to oversee project implementation, audit the financial accounts, and provide support and backstopping to the project team. 

Eco-tourism Advisor, CRACYP, San Luis de Pambil, Ecuador. Oct – Dec 2007

Two month assignment to review the design and development plan for a community based eco-tourism project in rural Ecuador. The objective of the project is to generate a sustainable, alternative source of income for the local communities and create incentives for protection of the remaining forest resources. Activities included market research into other pro-poor, responsible and eco-friendly tourism operations in Ecuador, consultation with representatives from the local community, training participants, reviewing the proposed project plan making recommendations, assessing opportunities for tourism development in the area and devising a range of tour itineraries.  An inception report was prepared outlining initial analysis and a proposed workplan, and a final report was produced providing recommendations on various models for development of tourism operations in the area.

Backstopping Support and Rapporteur for DFID Middle East and North Africa (MENAD) Regional Team In-Day, London, UK. theIDLgroup Ltd.  September 2007

Supporting the preparation, delivery and report writing, for a DFID MENAD Regional Team in-day which aimed to develop a Team Logframe to clarify and communicate the Team’s role, both within DFID and Whitehall.

Fact-Finding Mission for tender proposal for the Livelihoods and Forestry Programme (LFP) Nepal. theIDLgroup Ltd, July 2007

A one week fact-finding mission to Kathmandu to investigate issues relating to community forestry, rural livelihoods, local governance systems and social inclusion, in preparation for a tender for Phase 2 of the DFID LFP Programme.  Meetings were held with various stakeholders, including the Forestry Department, FECOFUN, ICIMOD, DFID Nepal and other donors such as SNV and UNEP, local experts, consulting companies and women’s groups. 

Researcher and Co-author, “Options Paper on DFID’s Role in Addressing HMG’s Commitment on “Conflict Resources.” theIDLgroup Ltd.  UK. March 2007

Desk-based Research into the relevance and effectiveness of international regulatory frameworks and certification schemes, such as the Kimberly Process, the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEG-T) initiative, in monitoring and controlling the contribution of “conflict resources” to the outbreak and proliferation of conflict and civil unrest in West Africa.  Reviewed and edited the final report.

Project Manager, Ghana Forest Sector Development Project II, FRR Ltd. 2004-2006

FSDP II was a £7.4 million DFID funded project which aimed to transform the Ghanaian forest sector into a more open, equitable and transparent environment. The project worked with the Forestry Commission, government and parliamentarians, NGOs and local communities. Claudine’s role involved day to day oversight of the project, financial management and budget control, reporting to DFID and organising study visits. She also escorted a delegation of Ghanaian MPs on a UK study tour to explore issues surrounding the supply of legal and sustainable timber to EU markets.

Project Manager, Forest Plantation Initiative, Malawi, for FRR Ltd. UK. 2004-2006

Project Manager for a £2.5 million DFID funded project which aimed to improve the management of Malawi’s pine plantations by encouraging private sector involvement in the running of the plantations and ensuring local communities also benefited from the forest resource. Responsibilities included project cycle management and control of the project budget.  Two field visits in November 2005 and April 2006.

Business Development, FRR East Asia, Hanoi, Vietnam, FRR Ltd. UK. Jan – Feb 2005

FRR East Asia works predominantly on biodiversity conservation, protected area management, capacity building for park authorities, and initiatives to improve alternative livelihood opportunities for communities living in or around protected areas.  Undertook a three week assignment to advise the local team on ways to improve the efficiency of the organisation and generate new business opportunities. Provided peer review and supported the development of a project proposal with TRAFFIC and WWF to develop mechanisms to control the trade in endangered flora and fauna in South East Asia. 

Business Development Manager & Project Manager, Birks Sinclair & Associates Ltd.  Durham, UK.  Sept 02 – May 04

Birks Sinclair is a development consultancy specialising in socio-economic development and social protection in transition economies in Central and Eastern Europe.

As Business Development Manager, Claudine contributed to development and implementation of the company’s Business Development Strategy and led the process of tendering for new contracts.  Claudine was also Lead Author of a report, commissioned by Birks Sinclair, to analyse potential business development opportunities and constraints for the company under the EC’s PHARE, TACIS and CARDS programmes.

As Project Manager, Claudine was responsible for implementation of a number of donor projects, including a £5million pound DFID contract to Support Poverty Reduction in Leningrad Oblast.  Her responsibilities included: 

·         ensuring high quality outputs delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with contractual obligations;

·         project planning and monitoring, including use of spreadsheets, Gantt charts, etc;

·         financial management, authorisation of invoices, monitoring project expenditure and producing accurate financial reports and forecasts;

·         identifying and engaging suitably qualified experts for particular assignments and preparing ToRs, contracts and managing consultants inputs;

·         editing, quality control, and submission of progress reports and project outputs; and

·         maintaining effective working relationships with clients, donors, partners, consultants and local office staff.

Project Officer “Reforming Systems & Structures of Central & Local Social Policy Regimes in Bosnia & Herzegovina” Birks Sinclair & Associates Ltd. Jan–Sept 2002

This DFID £4.2 million DFID funded project aimed to strengthen the social policy regime in BiH at central and local level in order to mitigate poverty, inequality and social exclusion in post-conflict BiH.  Claudine’s responsibilities included programme management, preparing contracts, project planning and monitoring, financial forecasting, monitoring and management, organising international missions and study visits, editing and quality control of progress reports and project outputs and maintaining electronic and hard copy filing systems. She undertook a four-week mission to BiH in March 2002 to assist with project planning and provide training and capacity building for local partner staff.  She also reviewed and edited a major Municipal Level Review of the financial, legal and administrative structures of social welfare provision in BiH.

Organizational Effectiveness Unit, Melbourne City Council, Australia, Mar–Jun 2001

Working with the Organizational Effectiveness Manager, to produce Melbourne City Council’s Corporate Plan for 2002 to 2005. Responsibilities included liasing with each of the Council’s 33 Departments to ensure that Departmental Quarterly Progress Reports were received, on schedule, from each Department, and incorporating these reports into the City Council’s Annual Report 2002 to 2003, the Municipal Strategic Statement, and the City Council’s Three Year Corporate Plan for 2002 - 2005.

Front of House, Receptionist and Cashier, Riva St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia. Nov 2000 – May 2001 

Full time and part-time work for a busy restaurant in St Kilda Marina offering fine dining in the restaurants and wedding parties in the function room. Carried out a range of roles from receptionist, taking bookings, drawing up table plans, front of house and cashier. Assisted in organising and running a New Year event for over 150 guests.

Bar Steward, Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Club, Darwin, Australia. June–Oct 2000

Full time position as bar steward, responsible for serving customers, clearing tables, stocking up, cashier and taking bookings for the berths in the marina.

Travel Coordinator and Project Officer, Birks Sinclair & Associates Ltd, Oct 1997 – Nov 1999

Initially employed as Travel Coordinator for a large Framework Contract for Central and Eastern Europe.  The role entailed liaising with consultants and travel agents to make international travel bookings (air and rail) often involving complicated routes with multiple connections and carriers; organising travel visas; making hotel reservations and negotiating discounted rates for the company’s travellers; ensuring all booking classes, ticketing restrictions and routings were in-line with EU restrictions. Through this role, Claudine developed a sound understanding of the international air travel industry.

Promoted to Personal Assistant to the Managing Director after one year with the firm. As well as regular PA duties this role included supporting ongoing projects, liasing with clients and stakeholders, preparing contracts and ToRs for technical experts, editing and submission of reports, co-ordinating project activities and supporting experts in the field.

Waitress/Bar Person, O’Neills’ Irish Bars. Bass Breweries, Leicester & Durham, UK. March 1996 - Dec 1997

Part time position as bar person working as part of a highly motivated team.  Responsible for serving customers, stocking up, taking food orders, waitress and clearing tables. The Durham venue incorporated a hotel and work involved taking bookings, checking in guests and showing them to their rooms. Extensive training was provided by Bass Breweries in Food Hygene, Bar Management and Customer Service.  

Waitress, Bar Person and Hotel Receptionist, Mansion House Hotel, Carmarthen, Wales.  1991 – 1995

The Mansion House Hotel is a well established hotel, with a bar, two restaurants, accommodation and function rooms for weddings, conferences and parties.  The work involved waitress for weddings, the popular Sunday Lunch sittings, and also in the a la carte restaurant, as well as food service for buffets. I also gained some kitchen experience, helping with the preparation of starters and deserts. After turning 18 I worked as bar steward and drinks server, and as the receptionist for the hotel, taking bookings, checking guests in, showing them to their rooms, and making sure they had everything they required. 

Additional Details

Year of birth:

1976

Nationality:

British

Languages:

English (mother tongue)

Spanish (good)

French (basic)

Professional Development and other Qualifications:

·         The Art and Skill of Facilitation (3 day course), IDL, 2007

·         Coaching Skills for Managers, Business West, Bristol, 2005

·         Bidding Effectively with the World Bank Group, October 2005

·         Excelling as a First Time Manager, SkillPath, Southampton, 2004

·         USAID Procurement & Contracting Procedures, Washington DC, 2004

·         Mapping and Modeling Techniques and Negotiation Skills, Open University Residential School, August 2003

·         Seminar Series on Corporate Social Responsibility, ODI, 2002

·         PADI Open Water Diver and Advanced Diver, Thailand, 2000

·         Level 1 Certificate in Spanish, New College Durham, 1999

·         Basic Food Hygiene Certificate, February 1996

·         Bronze Bar Service Certificate, February 1996