Meredith Budge Email & Phone Number

Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Programs Manager - Community Engagement

Footscray

Project Leader for the state and federal funded, Health Champions initiative. We are developing resources and training materials for Healthy Together Communities (HTC) across 14 selected local government areas to promote healthier communities. HTCs are resourced to recruit community volunteers as Health Champions who are provided with the skills and.

Zambia

• Consultancy Skills
• Project Design: Proposal development; community engagement; project start up and management.
• Government and donor relationships: Partnerships, network coordination, stakeholder management.
• Writing assignments: proposals, donor reports, media releases, websites and blogs.
• Training, workshops, mentoring, technical advisory roles.
• Facilitation skills: team building, skills development, cultural change.

• Managed the NZAID funded, $2.29 million, Integrated Maternal and Child Health Program, leading a team of 14 people to develop innovative, community driven solutions to reduce Zambia’s high Maternal and Child Mortality.
• Delivering significant results in short time period with strong reputation in the community.
• Producing highly commended reports for the donor – set a new standard for the organization.
• Established an easy to use budget reporting system for the team to track expenditure.
• Highly motivated MCH team and Safe Motherhood Action Group volunteers working to reduce maternal mortality.
• Secured US$937,000 Global Funds to manage sub-grants for HIV and AIDS Prevention programs.

Dili, Timor-Leste

Worked with the advocacy, maternal and child health and communications sections of the Alola Foundation to support the team with their women's development and health programs.

• Adviser to the Minister for Victorian Communities Feb 2003 – Dec 2005
• Provided oversight and management of the community development and volunteer grants program on behalf of the Minister for Victorian Communities.
• Persuaded Department of Victorian Communities – DVC (DVC) to better involve local communities in policy and program development;
• Established the DVC Community Advisory Committee, attracting former Premier, Joan Kirner, as chair;
• Ensured frequent Ministerial meetings with community groups and opportunities to visit projects;
• Overhauled government community grant processes. Model of simplified, accountable grants now replicated across government;

Masters In Public Health, International Health And Development

Bachelor Of Applied Science, Occupational Therapy

Associate Diploma Of Arts, Professional Writing And Editing