The 2022 International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) on 5-6 July was the British Government’s largest human rights event of the year to date. The conference brought together 800 delegates, including senior religion and belief group leaders, representatives of civil society and delegations from over 100 governments, including 25 Ministers. As joint Head of Policy and Communications, my team was responsible for developing and delivering: the overall conference strategy and objectives; policy outcomes and outputs; a programme involving over 130 panelists and speakers; briefing for senior stakeholders; and the conference communication strategy.

As a manager in the FCDO’s Project Task Force, I led agile teams applying an project management approach to some of the organisation’s highest priority challenges. Projects included: leading on several workstreams reviewing the FCDO’s response to events in Afghanistan in 2021; developing the FCDO’s flexible resourcing model for use during major crises; exploring options and managing the internal communication and engagement plan for a proposal to open a new FCDO headquarters outside of London; and joining a cross-HMG team leading on planning for the Government Spending Review (on deployment to the Cabinet Office).

As Deputy Head of the Internal Communication and Engagement Team at the FCO, I was responsible for engaging the organisation's 14,000 staff in the UK and overseas. I planned and delivered internal communication and engagement activities focused on the FCO's corporate functions. I enjoy finding creative ways to deliver sometimes complex and challenging messages, engaging staff with the changes that will affect them, leading to better decisions and a more motivated and engaged workforce.My work included: providing support and advice to the Chief Operating Officer and other Board members on internal communication and engagement; designing, planning and evaluating IC campaigns and change programmes; creating and editing content for digital and print publication; developing our corporate narrative; planning and running staff engagement events; and deputising for the Head of the Team.

I worked as a part of the FCO's Arab Partnerships team and was responsible for leading on the UK's G8 Presidency of the Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA) initiative, which ran until the end of 2013. My role included working with our Egyptian BMENA co-chairs and civil society partners to deliver a series of activities that enhance links between governments in the region and civil society.I was responsible for managing the relationship with Chatham House, our lead partner in a consortium of UK NGOs and liaising closely with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a time of political transition. The partnership culminated in a series of interlinked workshops covering women's empowerment, economic development and freedom of expression and a major regional ministerial meeting in Cairo in December 2013.

- I led a team of five Commercial Officers assisting UK companies seeking to sell their goods and services in the Chilean market, during a period when UK exports of goods to Chile increased by 270%.- Promotion of opportunities within Chile to a UK audience via web, direct marketing and promotional activities including presentations at road shows. Briefing of companies on the local market.- Development and delivery of the UK’s trade strategy for Chile, identifying and prioritising opportunities and allocating resources accordingly.- Provision of chargeable services to UK companies (including market research, identification of and due diligence on potential partners, events management).- Support for in market companies, including lobbying on commercial matters.- Customer relationship management and development of a network of contacts within Chile.- Reporting on Chilean economy and commercial matters to contacts within the British Government.- Budget and project management.

- Responsible for developing, managing and promoting the Embassy’s online presence.- Developed media strategies to attract press coverage of key activities. - Conceived and led the Think UK campaign in 2007 in response to ministerial initiative to promote the UK in the Republic of Korea, utilising social media to engage with Korea’s highly developed online community.- Managed post’s scholarship scheme, including interviewing applicants and developing an alumni network.- Led a Press and Public Affairs Team of six, including a press officer, online communications, social media and tourism promotion.- Political Officer responsible for monitoring and lobbying on South Korea’s external relations including Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon, multilateral issues and covering DPRK (North Korea) in Political Counsellor’s absence.

- Drafted briefs and submissions for Ministers and senior officials, coordinated briefing for Ministerial visits to Germany and bilaterals.- Maintained and developed overview of bilateral relationship and provided advice on country-specific EU issues.