Rebecca Gass Bpr, Ma, Cyi Email & Phone Number

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

In this role, I provide strategic communications advice to Ministers and Deputy Ministers and Senior Management. I plan, coordinate, and implement all departmental announcements with community partners and/or federal counterparts. I provide strategic advice on stakeholder management, support the Senior Mangement Team on internal communications and facilitate media relations training.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

UGIRLS2 is a program aimed to dismantle barriers to education for women and girls in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. The program adopts a holistic and bottom-up approach to the empowerment of youth and girls, helping to break through the barriers to higher education for women, while supporting boys, participants families and their communities. In February 2019, I worked on a Global Affairs of Canada (GAC) proposal for this program and later in 2019 it was awarded for 13 million CAD over a five-year period. I returned to Ethiopia to work on the program implementation plan and a complete gender analysis for the program. My duties include, but are not limited to: • Establishing a Program Implementation Plan (PIP) requirements as per GAC and creating a draft PIP timeline;• Conducting field interviews, shadowing, focus groups with female youth, women, and community members in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region;• Develop partnerships for Cuso International Ethiopia projects and programs;• Coding data from interviews and conducting research analysis to inform the program’s Gender Analysis;• Producing a complete gender analysis for the UGIRLS2 program;• Supporting Cuso International’s Country Program Office (CPO) communications and program wrap-up of previously funded programs. This support includes:  Collaborating with partners/program managers to compose end-of-project reports; Capturing successes of previous programs and creating a content for a summary publication; and, Creating e-volunteer positions for publication design and acting as volunteer supervisor

Ethiopia

As a Cuso International volunteer I worked with the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional Health Bureau, an arm of the Federal Democratic Ministry of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health. As the sole communications officer working in the country on behalf of Cuso International Ethiopia, my duties include, but are not limited to:• Promoting Cuso International’s efforts of poverty reduction, gender equality and social inclusion, and access to health-based resources, with a focus on pregnant women and newborns;• Supporting the Regional Health Bureau through the completion of an in-depth departmental needs assessment, website development, consolidation of social media pages, relationship maintenance and relationship building with media, the maintenance and development of a strategic communications plan• Acting as the sole crisis communication advisor in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region (BGR) on the national HPV Vaccination campaign in conjunction with the World Health Organization and UNICEF. • Collaborating with Cuso International HQ staff and in-country director to write and submit a GAC funding proposal ($15,000,000 CAD) to reduce barriers to education for girls and women through female empowerment in the BGR. *Proposal was awarded by GAC for $13,000,000.• Supporting the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion department of the BSG Regional Health Bureau through capacity building on gender equality. • Writing and submitting a proposal to Embassy of Canada in Ethiopia in response to a “Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives” call for proposals entitled: Treating and preventing sexual gender-based violence in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia for $45,000CAD• Representing the interests of all in-country volunteers on the “Volunteer Engagement Committee” executive team.*Nominated by peers for the 2019 Karen Takacs Award in recognition of feminist advocacy and collaborative leadership in global development given by the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC).

Prince Edward Island, Canada

As the University’s graduate and professional programs advisor, I recruited and advised on the PhD, Master and post-graduate programs offered by the institution in addition to supporting undergraduate recruitment.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

As the University’s events and protocol officer I led institutional events and provided support to departments and faculties in the planning and promotion of their on-campus events. Additionally, I provided advice on off-campus events. This includes donor recognition events, installations, awards ceremonies, visits from delegates, and staff and faculty recognition events. • Acted as a liaison for the Integrated Communications department and UPEI special event committees (such as: Mental Health Week and International Development Week Committee).• Created and carried out critical paths and communication plans specific to UPEI events.• Ran the University’s online event calendar, and internal communication mediums.• Worked closely with the Communications and Media Relations Officer to develop event media plans and identify spokespeople for specific events.• Wrote speaking notes for mangers, directors, vice-presidents, and the chair of the board of governors.• Acted as project manager leading teams of 8-15 people for specific University events.• Coordinated with graphic designers, web developers, and production to generate event materials.• Drafted event and flag policies. • Wrote for the university magazine.

Halifax, Canada Area

Effectively planned and promoted the Multicultural Festival in June of 2012 in Halifax, NS.• Secured $5,000 of advertisements for the 2012 festival program.• Created and executed a communications/media relations plan for the 2012 festival, including advertisements, press conferences, and interviews.• Aided in securing festival performers. • Planned and implemented a donor recognition event for event sponsors.• Wrote emcee scripts.• Acted as point of contact for government dignitaries during the festival’s opening ceremonies.

Halifax, Ns

Master Of Arts - Ma, International And Intercultural Communication, 3.8 Gpa

Bachelor, Public Relations (Co-Operative Education), Graduated With Distinction

Education record

Professional Certificate, Management And Leadership