PROFILE
An experienced knowledge management, project coordination and organisational learning professional with over nine years of experience in business (Banking) and public sector (Non-Governmental Organizations, Intergovernmental Organizations, United Nations Organizations). Has worked and lived in four European countries (United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland and Bulgaria).

Strong leadership, people, coordination, communication, planning and writing skills, coupled with a strong interest and aptitude in knowledge sharing approaches and tools, knowledge sharing networks and communities, social media, leadership development, organisational change, design thinking and organisational strategy. Natural coach. Experienced facilitator. Background in corporate responsibility and sustainability approaches and the need for their integration with organisational values, processes and actions.

Results-orientated and a great motivator with outstanding creative, analytical and problem-solving skills. Visionary, imaginative and inspiring, with an excellent grasp of both theory and practice in knowledge management, organisational development and organisational learning.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE

  • Undertook a major review of a pilot two-year phase of cultivating knowledge-sharing networks and communities at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Co-organized five focus groups. Subjected data to a SWOT analysis and derived nine recommendations for improvement. Took these findings to create a checklist to guide the cultivation of networks and communities in the organization, which was subsequently adopted by it. The report of this work is here.
  • Undertook a consultancy study on the approach needed to effectively support knowledge-sharing networks at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Carried out fifteen semi-structured interviews with network coordinators and numerous others with staff. The study revealed the need for a corporate approach to knowledge management, which integrates support of networks in terms of guidance, sensitization and technology. The client said: ‘Nadejda was extremely methodical and was able to make interesting and creative suggestions, which contributed to wider thinking for the whole organization’.
  • Undertook a consultancy study as a dissertation on the effectiveness of and lessons learnt from a major programme of online communities (Learning Networks) at the British Countryside Agency. The programme (total value was £1,000,000) was considered high risk by the organization. The study yielded recommendations for managing of knowledge using Information and Communication Technologies. The organization took the findings and implemented every single recommendation; they also used the study as a basis for ongoing monitoring of the programme.
  • Put together a FAO guide to monitoring and evaluation of knowledge-sharing networks and communities and trained twenty self-selected staff on principles and approaches in it.
  • Undertook a major written review of work aimed at integrating good practices in the work of FAO. Co-facilitated a workshop as well as numerous post-workshop discussions on mechanisms for identifying, capturing, sharing and applying good practices at FAO.
  • Designed and facilitated more than twenty workshops and meetings, among which such on knowledge-sharing networks and communities (nature, facilitation, support technologies), knowledge sharing methods (world café, peer assist), responsible business practices, and knowledge management systems.
  • Organized more than ten panel discussions in areas pertaining to social entrepreneurship, organizational effectiveness, and knowledge management.  Supported the organization and logistics of two large conferences (more than 500 people) and numerous smaller events (20-50 people).
  • As part of a team, organized and facilitated the first inter-Agency Knowledge Share Fair. This took place over the span of three days at the FAO Headquarters in Rome and had over 600 participants from Rome-based International Organizations. Reviewed over 150 knowledge management project submissions, grouped them in seven thematic tracks and designed an agenda to showcase them. Chose a most appropriate knowledge-sharing method format for each session. Guided staff on facilitation, facilitated sessions and supported the overall flow of the event.
  • Undertook a study as a dissertation on the opportunity of integrating business ethics and corporate social responsibility in organizations via organizational learning and knowledge sharing approaches and systems. Because of its high quality, the study was published online here.
  • As part of a team with two others, undertook the writing of a business plan for an Indian social enterprise (SolarRent) selling solar panels to low-income communities. Business plan competed in the final round of the 2006 Global Social Venture Competition.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS

  • Excellent people skills and ability to work as part of a team. Enjoys working with people. Great supervisor, with an inspiring, motivating and encouraging approach.
  • Visionary thinker, passionate for international development and corporate social responsibility.
  • Excellent communication skills. Ability to inspire and attract followers.
  • Outstanding networker, well able to link up people and expertise. Enjoys networking for the sake of helping someone and/or to achieve a particular target.
  • Knowledge and understanding of various domains and how they interrelate and interact. Ability to see linkages among people and work areas and identify opportunities.
  • A driven and independent self-starter. Takes initiative and works strategically to achieve targets and milestones.
  • A big-picture thinker and doer with nonetheless attention to detail. A ‘finisher’.
  • Committed, personable and reliable. When something needs to be done gets it done.
  • Excellent proficiency in Mac OS, Windows OS, Spreadsheets (Excel), Lotus Notes, Outlook, Word-processing tools (MS Word, WordPerfect), MS PowerPoint, MS Project, MS Visio, statistics packages (SPSS, Minitab), electronic discussion forums, Development groups (DGroups), wikis, blogs and other social networking tools (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Ning, Plaxo, Ammado, Yammer).
  • Fluent speaker of English, French, and Bulgarian. Functional knowledge of Russian and Italian.

CAREER SUMMARY


Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning Consulting

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome Headquarters, Italy
Training and Facilitation: Promotes and trains in knowledge sharing methods (world café, peer assist etc). Designs and facilitates training sessions in networks and communities. Designs, implements, facilitates and delivers, as part of a team, e-learning courses on networks and communities for FAO staff. With the team, plans and facilitates workshops and meetings.
Strategy Development: Works as part of a team to put together the FAO Knowledge Strategy and in particular integrate a ‘people’ and knowledge networking aspect into it.
Advisory: Supports and coaches knowledge networking initiatives. Co-developed a FAO-centric knowledge network/community purpose checklist. Developed guidelines for monitoring and evaluating of knowledge sharing networks and communities.
Electronic Platform Integration: With a team, integrates a knowledge sharing platform into the work of the organization.
Event Design and Delivery: Supported the organisation and co-facilitated a Knowledge Sharing Fair (an inter-Agency collaboration initiative that brought together 700 people to share initiatives in facilitated formats over 3 consecutive days). Preparations took six months.

Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, Geneva, Switzerland
Designed, organized and co-facilitated a one-day workshop in how to design, plan and implement knowledge management systems in international organizations.

International Federation of the Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland
Surveyed 15 IFRC knowledge networks to identify their needs for support and development. The research showed a need for a support approach that cut across three different work units. Facilitated a process of discovery across the work units. Advised on electronic communication tools in support of the networks.

United Nations World Food Programme, Rome Headquarters, Italy
Organized and led the launch of an electronic discussion forum to improve internal communications within a geographically-distributed group of staff working to implement organizational change.


Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning Internships

United Nations World Food Programme, Rome Headquarters, Italy
Led the configuration, development and usability testing of an electronic discussion forum to support the mainstreaming of organizational change.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Sofia Project Office, Bulgaria
Advised on how to enable and support a geographically-distributed community of stakeholders  with the purpose to coordinate technical assistance projects aimed at preventing heroin trafficking from Afghanistan.

The Countryside Agency, Cheltenham Headquarters, United Kingdom
Surveyed three geographically distributed knowledge communities on how to improve knowledge sharing with in them, reviewed literature and drew recommendations based on which the initiatives were evaluated.


Project Coordination

Hebros Bank, Corporate Office, Sofia, Bulgaria
Coordinated the implementation of a bank information system developed and implemented by an international team. Provided translation, interpretation and other administrative support.


Other

Bootham Park Psychiatric Hospital, York, United Kingdom
Supervised psychiatric patients during day and night shifts at Bootham Park Hospital.


Volunteer Experience

KM4Dev (Knowledge Management for Development Group) Rome Community, Rome, Italy – Core Team Member

Partnership News’, Brunel Research Centre in Enterprise, Innovation, Sustainability and Ethics, United Kingdom  – Partnerships News Information Officer

Net Impact Europe Conference, Geneva, Switzerland  – Conference Panel Manager

Geneva Net Impact Student Chapter University of Geneva  – Founding Member

UN World Food Programme, Rome, Italy  – Walk the World Information Facilitator

Alzheimer’s Society York Branch, York, United Kingdom  – Befriender

York Primary Schools, York, United Kingdom  – Student Tutor