Federal Court Australia 5th June 1995 on Rachel michele

Current	DAI
Previous	DAI, Reconstruction Operations Centre, Baghdad Iraq, Aegis Specialist Risk Management
Education	Australian National University

500+connections

Background

Summary

Stabilization and political transition program manager with fifteen years of progressively responsible management experience, including ten years in the field in conflict and post-conflict states. Skilled leader and mentor of local and expatriate staff, adept at leveraging project resources to meet and exceed program targets, and maximize impact.

Experience

Principal Global Practice Specialist - Governance

DAI

July 2014 – Present (1 year 2 months)Bethesda, MD

Chief of Party

DAI

January 2013 – Present (2 years 8 months)Tunisia

Chief of Party of the Tunisian Transition Initiative, known locally as 'Bridge to Democracy' (BTD) USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) program in Tunisia, with oversight and responsibility for all aspects of activity design, implementation, and reporting, as well as financial, operations, and personnel management. Accountable to OTI Country Representative for program performance.

Program Description

Over two years after the Tunisian revolution, many key grievances that drove the revolution remain. Though democratic institutions and processes are slowly developing, citizens are frustrated with slow political progress. Many Tunisians, particularly marginalized groups such as youth and women, still lack clear, constructive avenues through which to engage and influence political processes, and are unfamiliar with general democratic principles. Although civil society has grown significantly in the last few years, its lack of capacity limits its effectiveness and influence. Social media and traditional media outlets are still developing the skills to fulfill their role in the new democracy. Tunisia has struggled with its national identity and become increasingly polarized. Violent extremism, on the rise since the revolution, threatens the country’s stability and young men who lack a clear sense of community belonging are particularly susceptible to recruitment by extremist groups.

Program Activities

BTD seeks to support Tunisians in their pursuit of a democratic society by creating viable space for the transition to succeed. Activities are clustered together in order to generate impacts on civic engagement, CSO leadership, political participation by marginalized groups, and countering violent extremis. Through the program subobjectives, OTI supports the political process including the development of a constiution and transparent élections. Activities are typically short-term, in-kind, and respond to emerging political issues.

Program Manager, Security Cooperation Assistance Group

DAI

August 2012 – December 2012 (5 months)Bethesda, MD, USA

Deputy Chief of Party

DAI

March 2010 – August 2012 (2 years 6 months)

Leadership and management of implementation of a cross-sectoral stability program in South East Afghanistan for USAID and the Office of Transition Initiatives, including management of 60 local and international staff and small grants program technical and regulatory compliance. Technical advisor and trainer in the use and continuous improvement of the District Stability Framework (DSF), a program management tool used to identify and target sources of instability in a given area, and evaluate program impact.

(Open)2 recommendations

Akemi Tinder

Deputy Country Representative at USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI)

Having worked with Michele in Iraq, and for her in Afghanistan, I have seen her tackle a wide range of tough problems with...View
Stig Marker Hansen

Chief of Party at Abt Associates

I have worked with Michele for the past two years in the very difficult environment in Afghanistan. But Michele's unique...View

Field Director, Afghanistan

DAI

July 2009 – February 2010 (8 months)

Snr Program Development Officer - Iraq Rapid Assistance Program

DAI

December 2008 – July 2009 (8 months)

Development and supervision of the implementation of projects designed to improve local quality of life and stabilize communities throughout south and west Baghdad in conjunction with Provincial Reconstruction Teams.

Deputy Director of Intelligence

Reconstruction Operations Centre, Baghdad Iraq

July 2006 – July 2008 (2 years 1 month)

Leadership and management of diverse team of consultant threat analysts at national HQ and dispersed throughout Iraq regional offices. Identification of key issues for reconstruction security to be assessed in detail and reported on to the client, the US Army Corps of Engineers.

QA/QC of routine and special threat assessments of operational, social and political developments for the client and the broader reconstruction community. Maintained excellent client relationships and a high degree of client satisfaction with products. Established links with key corporate, Iraqi, and international government identities for information exchange. Capability management and development, including information sources, IT systems and information management.

(Open)2 recommendations

Richard Siebert

C3I Consulting

Michele is a fantastic person with excellent management skills and accumen. She is capable of leading, managing and...View
Nick Charnley

EAME Regional Security Manager at Syngenta

I have worked with Michele for the past three years and found her professional integrity to be consistently high. Michele’s...View

Deputy Director Reconstruction Civil Affairs

Aegis Specialist Risk Management

June 2005 – July 2007 (2 years 2 months)

Management, administration and continuous improvement of a program of low-cost, high impact projects throughout Iraq to facilitate access and information exchange with Iraqi communities in support of the wider reconstruction effort. Close liaison with Coalition reconstruction personnel and local Iraqi leadership and administrators to foster an environment of trust and transparency, and improved mutual security.

(Open)3 recommendations, including:

Tim Miller OBE PGDipSy

Country Director at Erinys Iraq

I worked with Michele whilst running a Regional Reconstruction Operations Centre in Diwaniyah, Iraq. At this time we were...View
Mat Whatley

Chief of Field Office Gori - EUMM Georgia

I worked alongside Michele in Iraq for about 18 months. In that time I came to know her well. Michele is a highly...View

1 more recommendation

Course Member, Australian Command and Staff College

Department of Defence

January 2004 – December 2004 (1 year)

One of seven civilians selected for demanding year-long leadership and management course in a class of 161 middle-ranking military officers from Australia and abroad in preparation for senior command and staff positions. Completed subjects in management, law strategic studies and media awareness. Graduated with distinction.

Executive Officer, Defence Renewal Branch

Department of Defence

February 2003 – December 2003 (11 months)

Led teams in the design and implementation of organizational development activities for the Department of Defence. Developed curriculum and crafted program plans and budgets for leadership workshops and organizational renewal conferences to improve alignment with government strategy, accountability to taxpayers and the overall quality of organizational leadership across the organization.

Civilian Liaison Officer

Peace Monitoring Group, Bougainville

February 2003 – August 2003 (7 months)Buka, Papua New Guinea

Seconded to a remote civil-military liaison team, gathered information and disseminated key messages about disarmament and the process to establish a new Constitution for Bougainville, Papua New Guinea in the aftermath of its eight-year civil war. Initiated weekly women’s meetings to assist them to develop a consistent position in the weapons disposal and constitutional process. Negotiated weapons containments with former combatants in remote areas, including a number who had previously refused to be brought into the process, and assisted them to obtain UN logistic support for reconciliation meetings. Delivered a weekly peace broadcast on Radio Bougainville with island-wide listenership. Repaired and updated the Lotus-based project database for the Buka area of operations, dramatically improving the standard of data management in support of ceasefire violation reporting.

Staff Officer Training, RMC

Department of Defence

2001 – 2002 (1 year)

(Open)1 recommendation

Dave McGuire

Managing Director at Gripfast Consulting

Michele was a major contributor to the development of Defence's All-Corps Officer Training Continuum. The training continuum was the first, and most comprehensive military training continuum developed in the world at the time and was used as a...View

Skills

Top Skills

Michele also knows about...

Education

Australian National University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Political Science

1992 – 1996

Australian Command and Staff College

psc(j), Australian Defence and Security Studies

2004 – 2004

Organizations

American Society for Industrial Security

Recommendations

Deputy Chief of Party

DAI

Akemi Tinder

Deputy Country Representative at USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI)

Having worked with Michele in Iraq, and for her in Afghanistan, I have seen her tackle a wide range of tough problems with poise, confidence and technical proficiency. She’s a hands-on manager who leads by example and doesn’t flinch in the face of a crisis. Her instincts are spot on.

June 10, 2012, Akemi reported to Michele at DAI

Stig Marker Hansen

Chief of Party at Abt Associates

I have worked with Michele for the past two years in the very difficult environment in Afghanistan. But Michele's unique professional, social and people skills greatly helped us adapt to the intricate realities. Michele is very comfortable when dealing with staff and project partners and takes pleasure in establishing the best working relations with all interlocutors. As...more

June 8, 2012, Stig managed Michele at DAI
Deputy Director of Intelligence

Reconstruction Operations Centre, Baghdad Iraq

Richard Siebert

C3I Consulting

Michele is a fantastic person with excellent management skills and accumen. She is capable of leading, managing and inspiring small teams or wider organisational networks, with vision, voice and verve.

October 2, 2008, Richard managed Michele at Reconstruction Operations Centre, Baghdad Iraq

Nick Charnley

EAME Regional Security Manager at Syngenta

I have worked with Michele for the past three years and found her professional integrity to be consistently high. Michele’s analytical skills when dealing with a complex environment are excellent. It is Michele's people skills, however, that really set her apart from the crowds, in terms of both management and supervision of a large number of geographically-separated staff...more

February 9, 2008, Nick worked directly with Michele at Reconstruction Operations Centre, Baghdad Iraq
Deputy Director Reconstruction Civil Affairs

Aegis Specialist Risk Management

Tim Miller OBE PGDipSy

Country Director at Erinys Iraq

I worked with Michele whilst running a Regional Reconstruction Operations Centre in Diwaniyah, Iraq. At this time we were organising a number of welfare projects across our region in conjunction with Michele. The support we received from Michele was excellent, and she was always focussed and enthusiastic about the projects. She was never frightened to get her hands dirty,...more

July 9, 2009, Tim Miller worked directly with Michele at Aegis Specialist Risk Management

Mat Whatley

Chief of Field Office Gori - EUMM Georgia

I worked alongside Michele in Iraq for about 18 months. In that time I came to know her well. Michele is a highly intelligent manager, she has vast experience in a number of fields, and can be relied upon to give thoughtful and useful advice. Her greatest strengths are her efficiency, and her skillful management of people, especially in trying and demanding circumstances....more

September 30, 2008, Mat worked with Michele at Aegis Specialist Risk Management

David Cooper

Independent Human Resources Professional

Michele is a thoroughly reliable and able manager. Her ability to maintain overall aims whilst at the same time managing detail is admirable. Her relationships with subordinate members of staff is effective, and can be relied upon to generate their best performance and goodwill.

September 30, 2008, David managed Michele at Aegis Specialist Risk Management
Staff Officer Training, RMC

Department of Defence

Dave McGuire

Managing Director at Gripfast Consulting

Michele was a major contributor to the development of Defence's All-Corps Officer Training Continuum. The training continuum was the first, and most comprehensive military training continuum developed in the world at the time and was used as a template by the US, UK and Canadian Armies in developing their own training continuum. Michelle played a lead role in analysing and...more

April 11, 2010, Dave managed Michele at Department of Defence

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