Frankie Thompson Email & Phone Number

Kiribati

Egypt

As the Engineering Programme Manager at the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), I oversee a diverse portfolio of construction projects and facilities maintenance tasks, ensuring seamless coordination and resource management. My role involves strategic oversight of people, systems, and resources to drive operational excellence and deliver high-quality infrastructure solutions.Key Responsibilities:• Project Synchronisation & Resource Management: Implement innovative solutions to enhance project coordination and optimize resource allocation.• Monitoring & Evaluation: Conduct regular progress reports with a strong focus on quality assurance and risk management to ensure successful project outcomes.• Strategic Advisory: Provide timely and high-quality advice to senior leadership on resource allocation, funding, and risk management, supporting informed decision-making.• Team Leadership: Lead and manage a diverse, multinational team from ten countries through effective communication and relationship management skills.Secondary Role - Women, Peace, and Security Advisor:In addition to my primary responsibilities, I voluntarily serve as an gender advisor on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, working closely with the MFO, Egyptian Armed Forces, and Egyptian Police. This role includes:• Gender Awareness Training: Deliver comprehensive training sessions to enhance understanding of gender issues in peacekeeping operations.• Organisational Strategy Development: Develop and implement strategies for gender mainstreaming within the organisation.• Advocacy & Inclusion: Promote workplace inclusion through awareness-raising initiatives and advocacy for gender equality

New Zealand

As an Engineering Officer in the New Zealand Defence Force, I have been responsible for the daily operation and strategic management of up to 130 personnel. My role has encompassed leading and coordinating diverse teams of emergency responders, combat engineers, and trades-personnel. Key responsibilities have included team leadership, personnel management, risk management, financial planning, training program oversight, and inter-agency coordination.Key Achievements and Responsibilities:• Team Leadership: Managed and led up to 130 personnel, ensuring effective coordination, welfare, career development, and training.• Crisis Management: During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was seconded to the Canterbury Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC), where I conducted interagency coordination for repatriation flights and established Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities in Christchurch.• Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief: Led the mobilisation and resource allocation for disaster relief responses to earthquakes, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic, both within New Zealand and across Pacific Nations.• Project Management: Directed horizontal and vertical construction projects, including comprehensive user requirement assessments, planning, and execution for domestic and international initiatives.• Senior Advisor: Provided expert guidance during the pandemic, managing the establishment of quarantine facilities and coordinating repatriation efforts for 12,000 German nationals in New Zealand.This role has honed my ability to lead large teams in complex and dynamic environments, ensuring mission success through strategic planning, effective communication, and robust operational management.

Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand

As the Gender Equality Programme Manager for an organisation of 4,500 personnel, I led the implementation of initiatives aimed at improving gender equality within the New Zealand Army. My role encompasses strategic planning, programme oversight, and governance, ensuring that gender minorities were attracted, recruited, retained, and advanced within the organisation. Key responsibilities include providing expert advice to chief executives and operational managers, as well as monitoring and evaluating gender equality risks.Key Achievements:• Policy and Strategy Development: Produced and reviewed strategies and policies to enhance gender equality and implement gender-neutral guidelines across the organisation.• Network Creation and Management: Established gender equality networks across New Zealand, remotely coordinating and managing these networks to empower the volunteer workforce with a robust toolkit of resources.• Mentoring Scheme Establishment: Supported the establishment of a mentoring scheme that successfully paired mentees with mentors, fostering professional development and career advancement.• Training and Development Facilitation: Conducted multi-day gender awareness training for various government agencies, enhancing understanding and commitment to gender equality.• Leadership Development Forum: Delivered a full-day senior women’s leadership development forum.Responsibilities:• Oversee gender equality initiatives within the New Zealand Army.• Conduct comprehensive gender analysis and establish lines of effort and integration plans.• Review and draft policies to promote gender equality.• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and operational managers.• Monitor and evaluate gender equality risks and implement mitigation strategies.My role was crucial in fostering an inclusive environment, promoting diversity and ensuring that all personnel had equal opportunities for growth and advancement.

Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand

As the Principal Advisor (or Aide-de-Camp) to the Governor-General of New Zealand, I provided direct personal and professional support to Dame Patsy Reddy and Dame Cindy Kiro during their terms as Governor General. This 13-month military secondment involved facilitating the Governor General's official and private life and ensuring the seamless execution of Vice-Regal duties.Key Responsibilities:• Support and Liaison: Provided daily support to the Governor-General, acting as the interface between Her Excellency and all official staff and the public.• Briefing and Advisory: Prepared formal written briefings on key engagements, functions, and foreign dignitaries, and delivered daily informal verbal briefings.• Event Coordination: Managed the logistics, planning, and execution of national and international engagements, including detailed event planning for up to four events daily, hosting up to 2,000 attendees, across 50 weeks throughout year.• Stakeholder Management: Maintained strong liaison with government officials and multi-agency stakeholders, ensuring smooth coordination and communication.Key Achievements:• Swearing-In Ceremony: Supported the swearing in of New Zealand’s 22nd Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro, by providing formal and informal briefings, professional advice, and training on Vice-Regal and constitutional duties.• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills, facilitating interactions with regal parties, foreign dignitaries, government officials, and members of the New Zealand public.• Pressure Management: Proven ability to work consistently under pressure for sustained periods, managing simultaneous high-profile events with precision and efficiency.In this role, I was instrumental in ensuring the effective execution of Vice-Regal duties, providing essential support and coordination to the Governor-General, and maintaining high standards of professionalism and dedication.

Kabul Province, Afghanistan

Deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan for a 11-month duration, I served as a Senior Advisor on the NATO Mission - Operation Resolute Support, working as part of a coalition multinational force. My role focused on providing expert advice, mentoring, training, and professional guidance to both male and female local military instructors, as well as overseeing gender equality initiatives.Key Responsibilities:• Mentoring and Training: Delivered mentoring, training, and professional guidance to male and female leaders at both tactical and strategic levels, ensuring high standards of leadership and instruction.• Program Management: Managed, coordinated, and delivered detailed coalition training programs, with a specific focus on establishing female training programs to support gender integration within Afghan Army training.• Gender Advisor: Acted as the lead gender advisor, monitoring, evaluating, and implementing gender equality initiatives. Provided monthly reporting into NATO headquarters, including risk assessments and role assignments.• Multinational Integration: Successfully integrated into a complex and austere multinational operating environment, collaborating with coalition forces to achieve mission objectives.Key Achievements:• Gender Mainstreaming: Established gender mainstreaming within the local Military Academy, developing initiatives that received national recognition for advancing gender equality.• Strategic Contributions: Provided expert advice and guidance to senior military personnel, supporting problem-solving and decision-making processes for senior leadership.• National Recognition: Received national recognition upon returning to New Zealand for unrelenting determination and empathy in advancing gender initiatives in an environment of female inferiority.My role was pivotal in enhancing the capabilities of the Afghan National Army Officer Academy through strategic mentorship, robust training programs, and dedicated gender equality advocacy.

New Zealand

Provided direct professional oversight of 40 soldiers from diverse backgrounds, providing daily mentoring, management, and guidance. Concurrently providing daily operations oversight and developing and implementing future strategies.

Palmerston North, Linton Military Camp

My first command position within the New Zealand Army, and I had direct responsibility of 58. I was responsible for all of the New Zealand Army plant equipment, plant operators and horizontal construction. I conducted my first overseas engineering reconnaissance and needs analysis, in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea for road construction, and continuously conducted humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) planning and domestic response as required.

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Selected as a New Zealand Army officer to represent New Zealand internationally and attend a prestigious year-long military course at the Royal Military College of Duntroon (RMC-D). This course is designed to develop leadership and military skills. During this intensive program, I:• Obtained my Queen's Commission, marking my formal appointment as a commissioned officer in the New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Engineers.• Earned a diploma in leadership, demonstrating proficiency in both theoretical and practical aspects of military leadership and management.• Completed 12 months of rigorous military training, encompassing physical conditioning, tactical exercises, and leadership development.• Developed key skills in strategic planning, decision-making, and team leadership in challenging environments.• Notably, I was awarded the prize as the top international cadet out of my graduating class of 152, a testament to my dedication, performance, and leadership abilities.This experience provided a strong foundation in military leadership and equipped me with the skills necessary to lead effectively in diverse and dynamic operational settings.

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

As one of three military officers selected to represent New Zealand, I undertook an intensive and comprehensive training program at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). During my tenure, I pursued and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with Honours, while also engaging in rigorous military training and leadership development.Key Achievements:• Top International Student: Awarded the prestigious prize for being the top international student, demonstrating excellence in both academic and military disciplines.• Academic Excellence: Graduated with Honours in Civil Engineering, reflecting a strong dedication to my studies and expertise in engineering principles.• Leadership Development: Enhanced leadership skills through a structured military training program, preparing for roles that require strategic thinking, resilience, and effective team management.• International Representation: Proudly represented New Zealand, fostering strong bilateral relations and cultural exchange between the New Zealand and Australian Defence Forces.My time at ADFA was marked by a commitment to academic excellence and military proficiency, setting a solid foundation for my future career in the New Zealand Army. This experience not only honed my technical skills but also instilled a deep sense of duty, discipline, and leadership.

Masters Of International Development, International Development, Gender & Development, Distinction

Diploma, Military Leadership

Certificate Iv In Business, Business

Outdoor Education

Bachelor Of Engineering - Be, Civil Engineering, First Class Honours

French Language And Literature