Salim October

Experience

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  Youth Challenge International

  Mar 2000 - May 2004

  Responsible for the management of security, health, risks and logistics for field program operations to ensure the safety, security, health and wellbeing of staff and international volunteers operating in remote locations across Guyana. Conducted cross cultural communication, safety and security orientation training to prepare staff and youth volunteers for field deployment (volunteers drawn from Costa Rica, Canada, Vanuattu, Solomon Islands, Australia and the USA). Identified and designed over 15 remote and hinterland community development grassroots projects for volunteer implementation. Show less

  • Assistant Field Programme Manager

    Sept 2001 - May 2004

  • Assistant Programme Manager-High School Programme

    Mar 2000 - Aug 2001
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  Population Services International

  Feb 2004 - Jan 2005

  VCT Network Manager

  Supported the design, development and implementation of the first Mobile HIV VCT Service in Guyana. Supervised the implementation of the PSI branded New Start VCT counseling and testing facilities in partnership with NGOs. Co-facilitated training of VCT Counselors and Rapid Testers. Offered mobile counseling services throughout remote and hinterland locations targeting shop owners, community residents, migrant and transient workers such as prostitutes and gold miners.

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  The Lifesavers Centre

  Jan 2005 - Mar 2006

  Basic Life Support Instructor

  Delivered fixed courses on field risk management and Emergency First Aid to seamen, NGO Staff, tour guides, offshore workers and general industry practitioners. HIV risk factors and prevention were standard module inclusions of every course which were accredited by the American Safety and Health Institute.

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  International HIV/AIDS Alliance

  Mar 2006 - Jun 2009

  HIV and AIDS Prevention Programme Officer

  Designed, sourced and delivered HIV technical services to scale up prevention in the Eastern Caribbean. Lead capacity development aimed at enhancing efforts of NGOs, HIV Support Groups and Government stakeholders. Directly managed and trained teams of Community Animators to deliver context based HIV education and services in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Provided support to partner led projects in Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada. Coordinated the establishment and management of the St Vincent and the Grenadines country office. Supported the development of the National Strategic Plan on HIV of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Show less

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  UNDP

  Jul 2009 - Sept 2010

  Programme Officer/Analyst - Dutch and English Speaking Caribbean

  Contributed to the enhancement of UNDP’s credibility in the HIV and AIDS development practice; offered coherence and advocacy on Sexual Diversity and Gender issues. Represented UNDP’s Caribbean HIV Practice in strategic advocacy and planning in the Dutch and English speaking Caribbean countries, Panama, New York, Dominican Republic and Thailand. Worked closely with counterparts including PAHO, UNAIDS and PANCAP; one resultant being the recruitment and placement of the first Transgender Intern at UNDP in Trinidad. As a member of the UN Theme Group contributed to the Trinidad and Tobago National Strategic Plan 2013-2018. Show less

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  Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society

  Oct 2011 - Dec 2012

  Documentation & Research Officer

  Coordinated monitoring and learning activities across the HIV Programme; developed key materials to enhance staff and volunteer capacity to effectively document and report on activities. Implemented quality monitoring and training of outreach volunteers and staff. Aligned the organization’s reports based on the global indicators for HIV programs. Designed and lead research to identify the needs and formulated appropriate responses to youths incarcerated in the Youth Training Centre, The Cyril Ross Home for Children Living with HIV and the Transition Home for positive youth. Show less

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  Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2016

  Workplace Advocacy Officer

  Supported the implementation of the National Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS. Delivered HIV and AIDS technical support, training and programming activities within government ministries and non-governmental organisations. Provided technical guidance and oversight that facilitated the establishment of HIV/AIDS policies and programs. Negotiated the signing of enterprise level cooperative agreements between tripartite entities and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. Designed and produced an HIV and Human Rights pamphlet for Low Wage Earning Workers. Show less

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  ChiYoWo Empowerment Initiative

  Feb 2016 - Apr 2016

  Independent Consultant

  Designed the conceptual and strategic framework for the establishment of the organisation focused on Children, Youth and Women empowerment and sustained livelihoods. Provided technical advice and support to the Executive Director in the structural formulation of the entire organisation, the Board of Directors, Program Design, Resource Mobilization Strategy and Strategic Plan for 2016 – 2018. Provided guidance and developed content for the organization’s website. Developed tools for monitoring and reporting and created a communications strategy to guide external relations. Show less

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  United Nations Volunteers

  Jun 2016 - Apr 2017

  Trainer of Trainers for Amerindian Village Economic Development

  Deployed at UNDP Guyana within the Environment Portfolio to support Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). I co-designed a Training of Trainers Resource Guide focused on Project, Financial Management and Monitoring and Evaluation. Currently using this manual to deliver a series of ‘5-days’ training of Amerindian Village leaders to enhance the implementation and management of their Community Development Plan (CDP) Income Generating Projects. Responsible for conducting this training across 75 hinterland and remote villages. This initiative reflects a collaborative effort between UNDP and the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs. Show less

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  UN Migration Agency (IOM)

  Jun 2017 - Dec 2017

  Programme Assistant

  Coordinate the provision of HIV prevention education and testing services to benefit female sex workers, miners and loggers in remote hinterland communities. Provide technical guidance on HIV and mainstream gender within programmes. Manage the safety and well being of 16 deployed Field Staff. Monitor quality and delivery of programme by validating field data. Collate monthly field data and draft donor and partner reports.

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  Civil Defence Commission

  Apr 2018 - Jul 2018

  Operations and Training Officer

  Responded to all hazard impacts and disasters across the country by providing humanitarian assistance and relief to affected communities. Ensured the daily functioning of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) inclusive of National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS), Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC), Regional Risk Management Committee (RRMC) and the Venue Operations Center (VOC) whenever these were activated. Prepared operations reports and other documentation. Supervised the Duty Officers working with the NEMS, NEOC, etc. Conducted Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) as the need arose. Lead the planning and implementation of training events in keeping with the CDCs mandate. Planned and coordinated training and educational exercises within CDC, its volunteers and among its stakeholders in Disaster Risk Management (DRM). Supported community-based needs assessments and risk analysis activities. Show less

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  Civil Defence Commission

  Jan 2019 - Dec 2022

  Develop, implement and maintain national disaster preparedness, response and prevention programmes incorporating the sectors/services of the central, regional government, along with non-governmental organizations and the citizenry into a national disaster response mechanism. Design and implement DRM programs that are aimed at building institutional capacity (local and national levels). Supervise and provide technical support to various DRM-related projects and consultancies executed by the CDC. Support the development of DRM work programs, plans, polices and strategies. Lead the management and coordination of preparedness and response activities to emergency events and disasters throughout the country. Ensure operational readiness of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) through preparation and implementation of training programs for staff and stakeholders of the CDC in EOC management, and assignment of roles to all staff members; and oversee training of external agencies and assignment of roles and responsibilities. Coordinate rescue, evacuation, shelter, relief and rehabilitation services in emergency/disaster situations3.9 Manage and implement community, regional and national exercises to increase disaster preparedness, resilience and response capacity across the country. Show less Responded to all hazard impacts and disasters across the country by providing humanitarian assistance and relief to affected communities. Ensured the daily functioning of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) inclusive of National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS), Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC), Regional Risk Management Committee (RRMC) and the Venue Operations Center (VOC) whenever these were activated. Responsible for updated all maps, state/information charts, log sheets and other records of the emergency operations centre. Prepared operations reports and other documentation. Supervised the Duty Officers working with the NEMS, NEOC, etc. Conducted Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) as the need arose. Participated in the planning and implementation of training events in keeping with the CDCs mandate. Show less

  • Preparedness and Response Manager

    Oct 2020 - Dec 2022

  • Senior Response Officer

    Jan 2019 - Sept 2020
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  Guyana Shore Base Inc

  Oct 2022 - now

  Port Facility Security Officer

  Responsible for the development and implementation of the Port Facility Security Plan in accordance with the ISPS Code and MARAD Regulations. I led the design and roll out of the Visitor Management System Application to manage visitors’ HSSE, security & emergency response compliance. Conduct mandatory Port Facility Security Assessments. Contributed to the review and updating of emergency response procedures, entry exit procedures, SOPs and other security plans. Plan and coordinate security drills and exercises. Support the design and implementation of relevant training programs that focuses on capacity enhancement of personnel with port security roles and those with non-security roles. Show less