Ciara Simon Email & Phone Number

Birmingham, United Kingdom

• Lead team through key areas of programme delivery, including funding application process and project reporting• Carry out monitoring and evaluation visits to ensure accurate budget reporting and programme implementation is compliant with Erasmus+ guidelines• Support the assurance team through internal and external audits, to ensure programme delivery is compliant with European Commission regulations• Critically appraise project proposals submitted by UK organisations for funding from the European Commission’s Erasmus+ programme initiative• Analyse and appraise interim and final reports to ensure value for money and address any compliance issues during the project lifecycle• Manage channels of communication between Ecorys UK and project beneficiaries. Network and build relationships with other European partners to maximise funding and market the Erasmus+ programme• Use agile management techniques to execute quality programme delivery

Birmingham, United Kingdom

• Accrued a wealth of stakeholder engagement experience• Supported the Monitoring & Evaluation team within IRW, reviewed existing projects and carried out stakeholder engagement research analysis• Led monitoring visits in developing countries which included working closely with the teams on the ground, developing the Terms of Reference, carrying out M&E activities in the field across live projects, capturing lessons learned and identifying ways to improve project delivery• Bid development experience- developed a bid for WFP (World Food Programme) funding, supported international development team through execution of bid proposal for DEC (Disaster Emergency Committee)• Established partnerships with WFP and secured £11million for IRW humanitarian efforts in Yemen• Built relationships with IRW's institutional donors including DFID, UNHCR and UNOCHA• Cross team experience- managed internal channels of communication between the CEO office, internal departments and international IRW offices• Developed Islamic Relief’s first ever climate change policy• Played an important part in establishing Islamic Relief’s ‘faith in development’ discourse, including articles for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees• Input into press releases and articles that concern the CEO or organisational priorities• Occasional provision of policy support, ad hoc research and group support duties for the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors

• Part of the donor relations team within Human Appeal International, supporting the start-up of the first Human Appeal office in Ireland• Stakeholder engagement- established new partnerships and relationships with other Irish charities and associations• Event management- drove corporate participation through the launch of charity events and acted as an ambassador for the organisation at a national level across charity networking event• Programme management- Created and launched the office’s first volunteer recruitment programme, built relationships with student societies, and externally represented the organisation at graduate & volunteer recruitment events

Sage Uki, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24

• Responsible for establishing loyal relationships with new and existing customers by promoting the SAGE brand and its services/products. Contributed to approx. 20 percent of the annual retention target for SAGE Ireland.• Competencies: Donor retention, database management, communication and presentation skills, the ability to work to deadlines and meet challenging targets, excellent team player skills.

Belfield, Dublin 4

Master'S Degree, Development Practice- Joint Masters With Ucd, 2.1

Master'S Degree, Development Economics And International Development, 2Nd Class Honours (2.1)

Activities and Societies: Active member of Law society, Debate teamModules included: Human & Economic Development, Governing the Global.

Bachelor'S Degree, Political Science And Government, 2Nd Class Honours (2.1)

Activities and Societies: Ambassador to UCD for 2 years. Member of LawSoc, FOSISModules included: International Justice, The Sovereign.

Higher Diploma, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Distinction