CV

07/2010 – 07/2011: Communications Associate at SWECHHA youth NGO, Delhi, India, through VSO.

01/2008-03/2010: Design and communications, Enda Pronat NGO, Dakar, Senegal.

• Development of textile product prototypes (accessories and home furnishings) in hand-spun, hand-woven organic fair trade cotton with Fédération Yakaar Niani Wulli (producers of ECOCERT/FLOCERT certified crops - http://www.yaniwulli.org/indexA.html) in rural villages and in Dakar.
• Producing spec books with technical drawings, notes, and product photos.
• Training a group of village tailors to sew organic fair trade products to quality standards using paper patterns.
• Member of Enda’s cotton and textiles working group on ‘development of fair trade practices in Senegal’, with other actors in the textiles chain – process of creating local certification body in collaboration with West African producers.
• Representative at the SIAO 2008 (International Art and Handicraft Fair of Ouagadougou), Burkina Faso. Participation in seminars; PowerPoint presentations; presenting organic fair trade cotton products to professionals and the public.
• Brand management and designing communication materials (labels, leaflets, designing website for online sales).
• Accompaniment of a local designer/tailor in Dakar.

04/2008-11/2008: Communications consultant, Oxfam America West Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal.

• Copywriting for publications (leaflets, annual report…).
• Research and production of internal reports, strategy papers and concept notes – individually and collaboratively.
• Note taking and production of reports for staff meetings and international seminars/forums (e.g. West African Popular Mobilisation Forum).

09/2007–03/2010: Translator, Pesticide Action Network Africa NGO, Dakar, Senegal (freelance).

• Translation from French to English of research documents on the risks linked to chemical pesticides, and alternative techniques such as organic agriculture in Africa.
• Additional support offered through proofreading and assistance with desktop publishing.

07/2007-09/2007: Communications, IFAT certified Fair Trade Organisation Taftaf – online sales in the arts and crafts sector, Dakar, Senegal.

• Graphic design; web design; evaluation of practices against fair trade criteria.
  

09/2002-06/2006: BA (hons) Fashion Design (2:1), University of Westminster, London.

• Graduate collection of womenswear in organic cotton
• Thesis entitled ‘Guilt-free shopping - Can entrepreneurial environmental activism really support its underlying goal of combining ecological sustainability with free market practice?’ – awarded 1st class grade

09/2001-06/2002: BTEC Foundation Studies in Art and Design, UCCA, Farnham – Merit.

09/1994-06/2001: Nottingham High School for Girls with 6th Form Scholarship:

• A-levels:  Art and Design A; French A; Psychology A; General Studies A
• S-level French - Merit
• 9 GCSEs: 7A*s, 1A, 1B

• 06-08/2006: End of degree work placement at Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Africa NGO in Dakar, Senegal. Translation, seminar organisation, desktop publishing.
• 02/2004: Work experience at Howies Clothing, Cardigan, Wales. Technical drawing, stocktaking, quality control.
• 01/2004: Placement at Tatty Devine accessories boutique, Brick Lane, London. Jewellery and accessory design and manufacture.
• 06/2000: Design work experience at Urban-G clothing, Hockley, Nottingham, UK. Technical drawing, sample production.

• IT: Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Publisher, Photoshop, Illustrator; Xpress, Dreamweaver....
• Design and creation: clothing and accessories, graphics, websites, blogging, publications.
• Communications: copywriting, research, report-writing, proofreading, editing, branding.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Languages – fluent in English and French; intermediate level Italian; beginners’ courses followed in Russian and Arabic.
• Adaptability to new working environments and quick-learner.

• 2009: International correspondent covering West Africa for Ethical Fashion Forum’s ‘The Source’ website.
• 2008: Writing for Oxfam UK’s Generation Why? website on fair trade
• 2007-2008: Proofreading and translation of preparatory documents for the European Fair Trade Fair.
• 2007: Translation of seminar documents for the association RJJS, Senegal.
• 08/2007: Speaker on fair trade arts and crafts at the PEACE (African Student Platform for Fair Trade) summer university, St. Louis, Senegal.
• Spring 2006: Writing for project database for UNA Exchange international voluntary work charity, London, UK.
• 2001-2005: Volunteer on 6 international voluntary summer projects as part of a team with International Voluntary Service, throughout Europe, Russia and the Middle East.
• 2004-2005: WWOOF volunteer on organic farms in Italy).
• 2004: Speaker at International Voluntary Service preparation days for new volunteers.

Travel | Drawing & photography | Blogging and social media | Sewing and crafts | Indian food | Second-hand markets

 

Image: Gorée Island, Dakar, Senegal.