Profile
I’m a diligent and self-motivated post-graduate with eleven years of proficient experience in social research and policy development roles across the civil service and policing. My introduction into the Civil Service was secured via a place on the 2005 ‘Summer Development Programme’- fast-stream level internship. Recently I completed over six years working as a ‘Research and Policy Analyst’ within the Strategic Development Department at the British Transport Police (BTP). During this time I successfully project managed a forcewide strategic level project – ‘Policy Reform Project’; looking at transforming the way that BTP develops policies. This was achieved by streamlining the policy development process, creating a new ‘policy toolkit’, redesigning the policy framework and creating a new centralised front end ‘Policy Portal’ to publish policies on which is user-friendly and intuitive in layout. My competency and dedication as a ‘Research and Policy Analyst’ was recognised in the ‘Exceptional rating’ I was awarded in my end of year appraisals (Personal Development Reports) for the past three years. In October 2014 I left the UK to spend time in Kenya as my fiancé secured a senior teaching post in Nairobi. Since then whilst in Nairobi I have been providing advisory work within a research analysis/project management capacity for the children’s charity ‘Vision Africa’. In addition I recently completed almost three months working as a Consultant for an established Pan-African Risk Management and Security Consultancy-‘Salama Fikira’ in their ‘Special Projects and Investigations Team’.
Education & Qualifications
2006- 2007:
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON (UCL) – JILL DANDO INSTITUTE OF CRIME SCIENCE – MSc. in Crime Science (Pass)
Studying how science/scientific techniques can be implemented to achieve reductions in crime, by understanding crime issues, developing prevention strategies, and understanding patterns of offending and effective detection methods. I also completed a 10,000 word dissertation on “examining patterns/hotspots of racially/religiously motivated hate crimes/incidents across Greater Manchester and evaluating correlations between locations of these incidents and areas of social and income deprivation”.
2001- 2004:
UNIVERSITY OF KENT- BA (Hons) in Criminology & Sociology – 2:1
1998- 2001:
BRAINTREE COLLEGE, ESSEX – AS Levels/ A –Levels – Law, History, Business Studies.
Employment History
MOST RECENT ROLE- based in Nairobi, Kenya
SALAMA FIKIRA
(Feb 2015 -May 2015) – Consultant – Special Projects and Investigations
Salama Fikira is a Pan- African Risk Management and Security Consultancy. As a Consultant within the Nairobi Office, working within the ‘Special Projects and Investigations Team’ supporting the different functions within the team working on various high profile projects and investigations. This includes writing and reviewing project proposals, reviewing intelligence reports, designing implementation plans, responsibility for procurement duties such as invoicing to clients, processing staff invoices, satisfying audit inspections, petty cash reconciliations, recruitment duties (sifting, interviewing), compliance management -(policies and procedures), representing team at corporate events (i.e. Salama Fikira Derby 2015).
PREVIOUS ROLES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER- based in the UK
BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE (BTP)
(June 2008- October 2014) – Research and Policy Analyst
As a Research and Policy Analyst, I designed and carried out qualitative and quantitative research, conducted interviews, surveys, focus groups and working groups. My work ensured that all BTP Policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and associated documents were published to a high corporate standard compliant with relevant legislation and ACPO/NPIA guidance. I conducted Impact Assessments with stakeholders, and worked with departments to develop Implementation Plans. I produced briefings to Senior Management regarding policy issues, making recommendations taking into consideration budgetary and resource implications. I represented BTP policy at numerous strategic level meetings and submitted monthly and quarterly reports to update Senior Management. In the performance year of 2013-2014 I was awarded an ‘Exceptional rating’ in my annual Appraisal, in recognition of my Project Management. This was the ‘third’ Exceptional rating I was awarded at BTP.
BTP SIX MONTHS INTERNAL SECONDMENT:
(November 2011- May 2012) Employee Relations Case Officer
In this role within the Professional Standards Department (PSD) I conducted high level research and casework in relation to various disciplinary matters, disclosure around employment tribunal claims and acting as a single point of contact (SPoC) for disciplinary issues. I was responsible for providing case material for employment tribunal claims involving liaising with Force solicitors, PSD Intelligence Unit, and Disclosure Unit; to determine which documentation to be disclosed. I also determined disclosure of information for subject access requests, grievances, misconduct cases and complaints.
HOME OFFICE:
(November 2007 – June 2008) – Policy and Project Officer
-Human Resources Unit (HR) – ‘Assessment and Consultancy Unit’:
Dealing with different elements involved in the recruitment of senior civil servants.
-Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) – ‘Intelligence and Security Liaison Unit’: Working on a communications data project pertaining to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
CABINET OFFICE:
(August 2006 – September 2006) – Project Support
Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit: Stakeholders Engagement Team’-preparing for launching the ‘Social Exclusion Action Plan’.
HOME OFFICE:
(November 2005 – July 2006) – Policy Officer
‘Police Reform Unit’, the ‘Public Order and Police Co-operation Unit’ and the ‘Violent Crime Unit’: I worked within different policy units liaising with Police Forces and various government departments as well as non-departmental government bodies (e.g. the Security Industry Authority).
NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE:
(October 2005 – November 2005)- Administrative Support
Robert Hamill Inquiry- Providing administrative support to the legal team on this confidential government Inquiry into the death of Robert Hamill.
CHELMSFORD CITY COUNCIL:
(March 2005 – June 2005)- Cashier
Finance Department- providing assistance to customers in relation to processing various financial transactions and processing essential back-office money functions.
PAID INTERNSHIP:
Fast Stream Civil Service Summer Development Programme (SDP)
HOME OFFICE:
Performance and Delivery Unit (PDU):
(June 2005 – August 2005)
I conducted a fast stream level project within PDU, conducting qualitative research including semi structured interviews, facilitating a workshop, and providing a final report to senior management with recommendations they implemented. I also attended a residential training course and networking sessions.
VOLUNTEERING:
VISION AFRICA: (October 2014 onwards): Nairobi, Kenya
Providing some advisory work within a research analysis/project management capacity for this UK based children’s charity which supports both vulnerable and disadvantaged children who live in Kenya. This is particularly around impact assessments and survey methodology in relation to their existing programmes and for new projects they are developing.
THE FAWCETT SOCIETY: (November 2004 – January 2005)- 3 Months Internship: London, UK
Volunteering providing administrative and membership support for this campaign organisation, which campaigns for equal rights for men and women in various sectors including criminal justice.
Training & Other Qualifications
Professional Training Courses: ‘Project Management’, ‘Lean Management’, ‘Fundamental Skills in Consultancy’, ‘Diversity Awareness’, ‘Springboard’, ‘Proof-reading’, ‘Understanding Impact Assessments’, ‘Facilitating Focus Groups’, ‘5 Day Evidence Base Camp Programme’ (College of Policing).
Qualifications: ‘PRINCE II Practitioner’, ‘Certificate in Management Consultancy Essentials’, and ‘Management of Portfolios (MOP) Foundation’, Hold a full British Driving Licence and Grade 5 Clarinet.
Hobbies/Additional Information
Playing/earning clarinet, Sport (cycling, tennis, swimming, yoga), Nairobi Choir, photography, learning French (Alliance Francaise, Nairobi), reading, enjoying cultural activities.
References
Available on request
