Mera Thompson

Experience

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  Ports 1960

  Jul 1997 - Feb 1998

  Marketing Executive

   Responsibilities: To support the Marketing Director in improving brand recognition and retail sales. Achievements: From the Xiamen headquarters, produced market surveys and conducted focus group studies, sourced corporate sponsors for a major television event, and wrote publicity materials. Later request to be transferred to Chengdu to oversee regional product promotion activities. Supervised 20 sales staff and provided training in sales and merchandising techniques.

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  Metro Magazine

  Feb 1998 - Aug 1998

  Editor

   Responsibilities: Overall editorial management of a newly-launched community news and events paper. Achievements: Improved circulation from 3,000 to 10,000 issues per month within a six-month period. Advertisement sales increased by a quarter due to growth in circulation and improved reader satisfaction following re-vamp of key features, graphic layout and regular columns.

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  South China Morning Post

  Aug 1998 - Nov 1998

  Staff Reporter

   Responsibilities: To monitor approximately 20 Chinese-language newspapers daily and select stories of interest for translation or further research.  Achievements: Translated and wrote daily news briefs. Conducted supplemental research work including in-person and phone interviews. Numerous news stories published by the paper.

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  AFP

  Nov 1998 - Nov 1999

  Reporter

   Responsibilities: To report on social and political developments throughout China, with a focus on human rights coverage. Achievements: Covered developing stories out of Tibet, as well as the emerging pro-democracy movement in South China. Provided lead coverage on major stories such as the 50th anniversary of communist rule and the 10th anniversary of Tiananmen Square.

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  BridgeNews (acquired by Reuters News Group in 2001)

  Nov 1999 - Nov 2001

  China Correspondent

   Responsibilities: To cover breaking news in China’s financial markets and to highlight linkages between ongoing economic developments and wider social and political reform prospects.  Achievements: Wrote daily reports on policy/regulatory developments, economic data announcements, and offshore currency and stock market reviews. Particular editorial focus on China’s accession to the WTO. Managed and trained a team of Chinese assistant reporters, directed daily news coverage for the Beijing Bureau, and edited copy. Originally hired as chief correspondent in Beijing, later placed in charge of China-wide coverage based on exemplary performance in the role. Show less

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  The Economist

  Sept 2000 - Dec 2000

  Consultant

   Responsibilities: To write a chapter on "Politics, Economy and Basic Data" for the annual China Hand guidebook, a highly respected publication covering all aspects of China’s development. Achievements: Authored a 91-page chapter for the China Hand which included in-depth research on the political environment and leading personalities in China, national economic structure, growth and reform, population and demographics, agriculture and industry.

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  DFID/Enabling State Programme

  Dec 2002 - May 2003

  Knowledge Management Consultant

   Responsibilities: To support prominent Nepalese subject matter specialists commissioned to write on the civil conflict in order to ensure a logically-ordered, focused and balanced publication (project funded by DFID). Achievements: Worked with the appointed author to develop the book's content and structure, suggested new directions in which to take early drafts, improved clarity, corrected factual inconsistencies and conducted a final edit of the book.

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  Nuns' Welfare Foundation of Nepal

  May 2003 - Oct 2004

  Project Manager

   Responsibilities: Overall management of an education project for disadvantaged/at-risk children from conflict-affected areas, including curriculum design, human resources management, budgetary oversight, fund-raising and procurement. Achievements: Designed an inter-disciplinary curriculum integrating standardized education, gender-based leadership training and Buddhist philosophy. Developed a strategy for strengthening internal capacity, including: creating a monitoring system and chain of responsibility for the children's physical and mental wellbeing; improving accountability flows through weekly planning sessions and monthly progress evaluations; opening up new channels of communication between children, staff, and other community groups; and facilitating a process of organizational learning and integrating feedback into long-term development plans. Recruited, trained and managed academic and support staff. Managed monthly and annual budgets, handling all cash and bank transactions. Reported annually on organizational progress to donors, and issued quarterly updates on children’s educational and developmental progress to sponsors. Show less

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  Population Services International (PSI)

  Jul 2005 - Dec 2005

  Short-Term Technical Advisor

   Responsibilities: To support the organization’s Senior Management Team to strengthen quality of assessment, monitoring and knowledge management tools for a USAID-funded project. Achievements: Developed a best practices documentation package and assessment tool. Carried out a monitoring and evaluation exercise to improve the quality and reporting of networked health care providers under the program. Designed external communications and media outreach documents to raise the profile of program activities and achievements. Developed inter-personal and media-based behavior change communication materials to promote and enforce key messages for program beneficiaries. Conducted a localized conflict analysis and programming assessment. Show less

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  USAID

  Dec 2005 - Jan 2009

  Deputy Director, Office of Democracy and Conflict Mitigation, and Education Team Leader

   Responsibilities: As Deputy Director of the O/DCM, responsible for program design, results monitoring, reporting and budgetary planning for an annual portfolio of approximately $12 million, as well as for the development, oversight and evaluation of program activities in the areas of education, conflict mitigation, human rights, good governance and democracy, trafficking in persons and rule of law. To serve as head of office with full signatory authority during absences of the Director. As Education Team Leader, to serve as the Mission’s chief advisor on education issues and strategy in Nepal, to represent the US Government to the National Planning Commission, the Ministry of Education, donor coordination groups and other government line agencies. Achievements: Developed a comprehensive performance monitoring plan (PMP) across sectors (education, democracy & governance, anti-trafficking, rule of law, and human rights) and provided guidance to mission staff and external partners to ensure integrity of all M&E data. Successfully solicited an additional $3 million in funding from the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) fund and other central sources for Mission programs. Designed, procured and managed the Mission’s $15-million flagship non-formal education program for vulnerable youth and ex-combatants. Designed an $11-million Early Childhood Development (ECD) program to support the Ministry of Education. Led sub-sector technical appraisals for Nepal’s $5 billion Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), balancing government capacity, donor funding and beneficiary needs to develop a quality, realistic and sustainable sector reform plan. Coordinated the compilation of technical narratives and indicator data for the Mission’s Annual Report, Congressional Budget Justification and Operational Plan documents. Recognized for superior technical and leadership achievements with the Mission’s Performance Award in 2006 and the Distinguished Group Award for 2007-08. Show less

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  UNICEF

  Jan 2009 - May 2010

   Responsibilities: To lead coordination of the inter-agency education response (NGOs, UN agencies, community organizations and government – known as the Education Cluster) following the earthquake in Haiti. To support the Ministry of Education in visualizing and drafting a strategy to transform the education system. To secure funding for emergency education projects and to provide technical support to implementing agencies. To ensure that emergency education projects respond to the needs and gaps identified through the Rapid Joint Needs Assessment. To build the capacity of government and non-profit agencies to provide effective, quality education services in an emergency context. Achievements: Secured funding commitments from humanitarian actors through the $93 million Flash Appeal. Provided technical advice on implementation of activities and linkages between emergency programs and the national “Go To School” campaign. Ensured programmatic responses were in line with existing policy guidance, technical standards and relevant government regulations. Provided training for education humanitarian personnel on Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, the cluster approach, disaster risk reduction, contingency planning. Developed a meaningful leadership arrangement for the Education Cluster including delineation of responsibilities and a rational allocation of resources. Represented the interests of the Cluster at the inter-cluster working group, Groupe Sectoriel d’Education, and at the Ministry of Education. Wrote weekly Sit Reps, managed and developed content for the OneResponse website and developed clear and effective reporting mechanisms between sub-national clusters and national cluster. Show less community organizations and government – known as the Education Cluster) amidst the ongoing and complex crises (conflict, drought, flood, displacement) in Somalia. To provide guidance to the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia on priorities for education funding and provision of services. To support the Ministries of Education (there are four in Somalia) in strategy formulation and the articulation of a ‘Road Map’ to ensure an education response for emergency-affected populations. To provide technical leadership and capacity building to ensure a well coordinated, coherent, strategic, and effective education response. Achievements: Developed and revised annual strategy and work plan for education programming based on evolving beneficiary needs, provider capacity, available funding, and donor priorities. Advocated for the interests of the Education Cluster with key international donors (EC, ECHO, DfID, USAID) and directed the fundraising efforts through the annual CAP appeal process ($29 million for 2009). Ensured the development of adequate monitoring mechanisms to review impact of education interventions and progress against implementation plans; conducted analytical interpretations of best available information in order to benchmark progress of the emergency response over time (monitoring indicators, target population data including desegregation by sex, age, etc).To improve communication with field staff, launched and built capacity of six field-based sub-clusters. Implemented a series of First Responder trainings involving more than 120 field staff. Elected Co-Chair of the Education Sector Committee under the Somali Support Secretariat. Show less

  • Cluster Coordinator

    Feb 2010 - May 2010

  • Cluster Coordinator

    Jan 2009 - Feb 2010
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  USAID

  Jun 2010 - Oct 2010

  Senior Instructor, Education in Conflict Affected and Fragile Environments

   Responsibilities: To design and implement a pilot training for senior-level education officers on Education in Conflict Affected and Fragile Environments. Achievements: Independently designed and facilitated an interactive training course to improve the capacity of USAID education officers to assess, develop, implement and monitor education programs in conflict affected and fragile states. Developed theoretical training modules focused on analysis of how education can affect fragility, how fragility impacts education, and how education can mitigate conflict and promote stability; M&E in fragile environments; and practical training working with case studies and assessment tools to develop programs. Ranked as an “excellent” trainer based on participant feedback on facilitator effectiveness (received an average score of 4.68 out of a possible 5 marks). Show less

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  Save the Children UK

  Aug 2010 - Nov 2010

  Regional Education Coordinator - Somaliland/Somalia Programme

   Responsibilities: To manage the implementation and financial progress of education projects in accordance with donor requirements and to ensure that project activities are implemented in the most efficient, effective and sustainable manner. To provide innovative technical support to ensure better access, equity and quality of education. To carry out monitoring and evaluation tools to asses project progress. Achievements: Due to increased security concerns following an abduction incident, led the shut-down and relocation process for four education programs. Negotiated project asset handover agreements with local government authorities and community education committees, and designed a needs assessment framework to relocate education projects in another region. Prepared and revised project budgets in consultation with finance office and education program staff. Produced monthly project cash flow reports and managed project budgets as per SC minimum standards and donors’ requirements. Monitored project budget utilization (budget/expenditure) against project implementation progress (variance reports) and proposed necessary adjustments or actions. Developed and monitored program-specific procurement plans to ensure the timely delivery of goods and services. Show less

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  USAID/Creative Consultants International Inc (CAII)

  Sept 2010 - Dec 2010

  Teacher Training Consultant

   Responsibilities: To review, revise and develop additional modules for a teachers’ training package for the USAID-funded HEAR Sudan Project.  Achievements: Through field visits, focus group discussions with key project staff and stakeholders (including local government counter-parts) and independent research, produced a teachers’ training manual for a seven-day Core Course (including modules on Pupil-Centered Instruction; teaching through a skills-based approach; health and hygiene education; developing schemes of work and lesson plans; classroom management) and a training manual for a four-day Supplementary Course (skills-based instruction on trachoma, Vitamin A and HIV/AIDS, ongoing student assessment; peace-building; development of teaching/learning aids from local resources). Show less

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  International Rescue Committee

  Nov 2010 - Oct 2011

  Capacity Building Advisor

   Responsibilities: Hired by The International Rescue Committee (IRC) to serve as a subject matter specialist and capacity building advisor for a regional initiative to create a hub of expertise in Education in Emergencies (EiE) at the University of Nairobi’s School of Education. Expected to prepare 10 senior professors to teach six courses for Master’s-level students within a six-month period. Further required to provide technical inputs into curriculum development and to co-teach courses.  Achievements: Designed/facilitated capacity building workshops for UoN professors, gathering and analyzing input to suggest new workshop topics. Designed models for short-term and long-term training activities, supported with selected reading assignments and activities to assess ongoing learning achievement. Contributed to the development of a peer-reviewed 13-module core course and five elective courses. Co-taught, in collaboration with UoN faculty, the core course for graduate students (including modules on theoretical approaches to EiE, intersections of education and conflict/fragility, global aid architecture, planning and implementing EiE programs, disaster risk reduction, effective and quality teaching, post-conflict transformation).Identified emerging issues in the field of EiE in preparation for future research projects. Facilitated faculty peer support meetings and regular discussion/debate groups. Oversaw monitoring and evaluation plan for faculty development program. Show less

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  Norwegian Refugee Council

  Oct 2011 - Jan 2012

  Refugee Strategy Advisor

   Responsibilities: Hired by the NRC to design a Refugee Education Strategy to be rolled out in Dadaab, and potentially extended into Kakuma. Initial design focused on working with the UNHCR to develop and implement an Out-of-School Youth Assessment survey sampling the 100,000+ youth in Dadaab; working with the Kenyan Ministry of Education to co-develop an Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) curriculum to bridge over-age children into the formal system; develop funding proposals; and represent the NRC at donor, government and consortia fora to establish NRC as a leader in non-formal education. Achievements: Worked with assessment specialists to define the Out-of-School Youth Assessment metrics, survey tools and enumerator training package, coordinating resources with the UNCHR and other implementing NGOs in Dadaab; worked with the MoE to define available accelerated curriculum materials and to highlight curricular materials needed to successfully pilot an ALP; developed proposals for the UNHCR and BPRM, receiving ~$500,000 in funds for an ALP pilot; represented NRC to key donors, particularly the EU and UNHCR, to position NRC as the leading authority on education for out-of-school youth. Show less

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  McKinsey & Company

  Feb 2012 - Mar 2014

  Associate

   Responsibilities: McKinsey is recognized as one of the most prestigious consulting firms in the world, serves more than 80% of Fortune’s most admired companies, and has proportionally produced more CEOs in large-scale corporations than any other company. Associates serve on client teams across industry (ie health/pharmaceuticals, mining, retail) and functional (ie organizational transformation, sales and marketing, strategy) practices to build capabilities and leadership skills at all levels. Project focus ranges from helping clients achieve, sustain, and regain market leadership; working with organizations to explore growth opportunities, investigate entry into foreign markets, and find and capitalize on new technologies; and evaluating portfolio strategies to minimize risk and stay ahead of competitors. Achievements: Please note that McKinsey’s client confidentiality policy does not allow for disclosure of specific client names or details of project work. Show less

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  UNICEF

  Apr 2014 - Nov 2015

  Cluster Coordinator

   Responsibilities: To lead NGOs, UN agencies and the Ministry of Education in a coherent and effective education response across the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. To advise the Humanitarian Coordinator for Palestine, heads of agencies and donors on key gaps and required solutions in the multi-actor education response. To set strategic and operational priorities across agencies, ensuring inclusion of key actors, coverage of key areas, and leading on advocacy and fundraising. To lead the transition of key cluster functions to Ministry of Education counterparts and to spearhead required capacity building and resourcing efforts. To provide briefings and presentations on key humanitarian education concerns to visiting delegations, diplomats and donors. Achievements: Coordinated humanitarian education response to the 50-day war on Gaza in July/Aug 2014, including daily monitoring of attacks on schools and real time needs assessments; secured funding for rehabilitation of all 189 damaged schools; worked with Ministry to re-open schools within 3 weeks of ceasefire agreement and developed ‘Back to School’ package focusing on psycho-social support and recreational activities. Flash Appeal fundraising, and prioritization of the immediate response post-ceasefire in order to re-open schools and provide support to the most affected children. Launched East Jerusalem Education Working Group focused on building a community of diplomatic support for improved access to and quality of education. Initiated direct communication forum with authorities to table monitoring reports on attacks on education and development joint protection strategies. Worked with MoE to reform the Education Sector Working Group to include an Emergency Education Thematic group to transition cluster functions to a permanent, Ministry-owned body. Show less

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  Aga Khan Foundation

  Nov 2015 - Jan 2017

  Regional Head of Programmes (Education), East Africa

  Responsibilities: Provide strategic leadership in education and early childhood development sector strategy development, and country specific programme concepts and proposals; Provide technical support in education and early childhood development project implementation; Participate in networks and discussions on strategy formulation for education and early childhood development policies in East Africa; Proactively establish partnerships with external donors in the private sector, government and civil society; and Lead the communication of programme learning to ensure findings are shared across and between countries. Show less

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  Save the Children International

  Jan 2017 - Aug 2019

  Regional Director of Programme Development and Quality, Middle East and Eastern Europe

   Responsibilities: To provide leadership, programmatic guidance and strategic direction for country and regional program teams in designing and delivering high impact, evidence-based quality programs across 16 countries in the MEEE region (with an annual budget of ~USD200 million). Responsible for ensuring quality in the full cycle of program design, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning, and supporting organizational strategic and annual planning and reporting requirements, in all contexts. Chief advisor to the Regional Director on all matters related to strategy, programming and technical excellence. Led cross-thematic program initiatives, including sourcing program quality support, Technical Expertise (TE) provision, continuous improvement, partnerships, and other strategic and business projects. Managed a regional team of 19 Technical Advisors, Project Directors/Managers, MEAL Advisors and Admin Support; dotted line management over 16 country-based Programme Directors. Achievements: Led the Country Strategic Planning (CSP) process across 16 countries, providing guidance and quality assurance along a multi-dimensional 9-month process; grew the regional technical advisory and project management unit from a staff of six to 19 within a one-year period (including fundraising for all new positions); led the development of regional priorities and positioning piece to share with members and donors to support the focusing of regional programme work; piloted initiatives to improve cross-functional collaboration for improved quality of programming. Show less

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  UNRWA

  Aug 2019 - Aug 2023

  Deputy Director (Programmes)

   Responsibilities: To manage Education, Health, Infrastructure and Relief and Social Services programmes, implemented by approximately 2,000 agency staff and providing services to 200,000 Palestine refugees across Lebanon. Oversaw the Donor Relations team to ensure the development of high-quality project proposals, donor reports and standard communication, and compliance. Managed the Programme Support team to ensure the development, preparation, coordination and monitoring of the Field Implementation Plan, Biennium Budget, Mid-Term Strategy, exercising decision-making authority over human and financial resources and capital assets. Liaised with government and local authorities to ensure their cooperation in facilitating the Agency’s operations, assisted the Field Director in managing and promoting interagency and donor relations, and acted for the Director of UNRWA Affairs during his absence, with full responsibility for the Lebanon Field operation. Show less

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  Danish Red Cross

  Oct 2023 - now

  Country Director - Lebanon

  Responsible for the strategic direction of DRC engagement in the country, management of the partnership with the Lebanese Red Cross as well as the Palestine Red Crescent Society - Lebanon branch, and support to continuing capacity development of LRC and PRCS. Managed the country team and represented DRC within the RCRC Movement and non-Movement partners, and other key stakeholders such as MFA, ECHO and EU representatives. Oversaw the development and management of projects, and expansion of the programme strategy in Lebanon. Show less