CV

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

• Initiated and produced annual reports and first monthly e-newsletters as part of a wider communications strategy in which I defined tailored communications guidelines for staff.
• Revamped communications materials by producing new leaflets, web content, catalogues, posters (text/content and design).
• Designed new recycled product ranges for Green the Gap project and produced online shop www.greenthegap.com (site design and content). Trained colleague on managing online shop system. Set up systems for recording production, stock and sales.
• Initiated and managed WFTO fair trade certification for Green the Gap – included writing and implementing policies on fair trade, recruitment, participation and quality control.
• Co-managed tailors’ workshop – supervising and sourcing/selecting raw materials.

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

• Convinced team to develop village-level finished products in hand-spun, hand-woven organic fair trade cotton by designing and sampling appropriate accessories, toys and home furnishings with Yakaar Niani Wulli farmers’ association (http://www.yaniwulli.org).
• Produced detailed spec books with technical drawings, notes, and product photos.
• Developed and carried out training sessions to teach groups of tailors in Koussanar village and Dakar to sew organic fair trade products to high standards using paper patterns.
• Participated in developing African fair trade policies through Enda’s cotton and textiles working group on creating a local certification body in collaboration with local producers.
• Promoted organic fair trade cotton project and products via PowerPoint at African textiles conference at 2008 (International Art and Handicraft Fair of Ouagadougou), Burkina Faso.
• Created brand identity for cotton project by designing bilingual communication materials (labels, leaflets, website for online sales - http://ynw.jarinio.sn).

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

• Copywriting for publications (leaflets, annual report…).
• Research and writing for communications strategy for West Africa.
• Note taking and production of reports for staff meetings and international forums.

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.
• Speaker on fair trade arts and crafts at the PEACE summer university, St. Louis, Senegal.
  

09/2011-09/2012: MSc Business and Community, University of Bath (in progress).

• Masters degree in School of Social and Policy Science. Focus on ethical business/corporate social responsibility, plus international development.

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 scholarship:

• A Levels:  Art and Design A, French A, Psychology A, General Studies A; 9 GCSEs: 7A*s, 1A, 1B

• 04/2011: Design & training people with disabilities in tailoring at Equipindia, Hubli, India.
• 2009-present: International correspondent from Senegal and India 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.
• 06-08/2006: PAN Africa, Dakar, Senegal: translation, seminar organisation, desktop publishing.
• Spring 2006: Writing for project database for UNA Exchange international volunteering charity, London, UK.
• 2001-2005: 6 summer projects 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.

Image: embroidery and tailoring workshop at Equip India, Hubli, India.