I am a consultant with experience in research and project management, delivering business improvement, corporate communication and research projects in different sectors and in international environments (Western Europe, West and East Africa). I have experience in managing multi-cultural teams, analysis and identification of problem areas. My work to date has involved understanding complex, sensitive and international environments involving multiple stakeholders. I speak French and English fluently.
I am passionate about risk management and development issues in emerging markets and authored or co-authored two books on the subject.
I am well organised, able to deal with stressful situations and stressed people. I enjoy coordinating projects with tight deadlines and when these projects bring together people with very different skills and from different languages and cultures I’m getting quite close to my professional heaven.
I walk fast, eat extremely slowly and tend to smile a lot. I’ve been called a “go getter”, somebody who makes things happen and can show a huge amount of dedication, energy and drive for results. If you present me with a challenging enough situation you’ll catch my attention whether the problem is related to network inventory, the international cotton trade or the lack of framework for a talent project within an international company. I am flexible but rooted in strong core values.
Louis Lengrand & Associés (Paris, La Reunion, Mayotte) - since November 2012 Innovation and public policies: research, studies and consulting - Senior Consultant
Analysis of the impact of ‘Octroi de Mer’, a derogatory tax system in French Ultraperipherical regions, within the larger framework of negotiations with the European Commission for the new version of this tax mechanism introduced in 2014. Support in the writing of the negotiation pitch at both regional and national levels. Coordination of multistakeholder meetings in La Réunion. Support of the qualitative and quantitative collection of macro and micro economic evidence for the Réunion negotiations.
Assignment for the Conseil Général of Mayotte on the tax reform which lead, among others, to the introduction of “Octroi de Mer” on the island on 1st January 2014.
Coordination of LL&A contributions for the Multiple Framework Contracts « Support services facilitating future vision and mission statements to DG Connect »
Bid Management
Agriconsulting (Paris, Brussels and Africa) - since August 2013 Communication expert for the Support Programme for the consolidation of the Action Framework under the EU-Africa Partnership on CottonDissemination of programme related information to the “African cotton ecosystem”:
Communication with programme stakeholders (International organisations and regional Focal points for West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)
Development of comms tools, contents and processes
Promotion and visibility of the Programme
Organisation of workshops, events, conferences
Advise on and support of the communication strategy of the regional focal points
Medair (Paris) - since August 2013
Develop Medair relations with French foundations and Institutional donors
Explore new types of partnerships to enhance Medair visibility in France and support the recruitment of field staff
Coordination of proposal writing
Business development assignments for European investors - projects in West Africa
CAMARO Foundation (Berlin) and Pakita Nemo
Support in the writing and setting up of a circus school project for street children in Benin
La Locale TV - since June 2014 TV debate facilitation
Operational training and “managerial exposure” in collateral management, credit support, field audits, inspection, supervision, monitoring and value chain risk analysis in emerging markets. Focus on the following commodities: cotton, coffee, maize, petroleum products, fertilizers, cashew nuts, rice
Support in the setting up of a new office in Benin (marketing, training, relationship with the HQ...)
Organisational and functional analysis in Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia
Design of management and reporting tools for different departments’ heads
Speaker at UNCTAD Global Commodity Forum in Geneva Theme: the cashew sector in Ivory Coast: issues, ACE's involvement and propositions
Work on KARITOP's development and sales strategy (April 2010 - August 2010)
Project management of an international team coordinating the preparation of a conference on textile, cotton and sustainable development in Burkina Faso, alongside the SIAO and in partnership with the UEMOA and CIJK (June 2010 - November 2010)
Speaker at the "Coton, textile et développement endogène, renouer les fils" conference in Ouagadougou (5th November 2010)
Design of a poster for the Kwame NKrumah exhibition in Ouagadougou for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of African independence - CIJK and Fondation Joseph Ki-Zerbo (November 2010)
Coordination of a Special Edition on cotton for the Geneva based NGO, 2ACD (November 2010 - present)
Internal consulting and business improvement roles in the Centre of Excellence for Contract Management
Work-stream implementation of change management tool for major contracts: internal communications, design and creation of training pack, comms towards internal customers, best practice improvement, roll-out to new contracts, strategy to allow the central funding of the tool and hand-over of the activity to BaU.
Mapping, uncovering of major risks and analysis of the alignment of key BT systems and processes to allow the treatment of complex contract back office activities by an Indian partner within the frame of the newly created Shared Services Unit.
Corporate communications and executive presentations
Supporting the collection and the validation of key facts, ensuring reliability and auditability of these facts which were part of the Board’s documents and official communication collaterals , liaising with Marketing team to allow for real consistency of messages around these facts.
Briefing paper writing for executive meetings.
Industry Analyst Relations
Researching and responding to industry analysts' requests for information, arranging briefings and follow ups with expert spokespeople, and project managing data collection and report writing for specific report submissions (e.g. Gartner MQs, Forrester product catalogues and Ovum Contracts Trackers).
Organisation and execution of events: Administrative assistance on topical Roundtables (Application Assured Infrastructure, Data Centres, Emerging markets…) and arranging showcase demos.
Centre of Excellence for Business Consulting
Conducting research, Creating and delivering internal and external presentations -Customer funded and presales projects
Design of an African ICT research project to be developed in coordination with international and sub-regional African institutions
HR work to transition European graduates into fix roles in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Germany
Concept creation and delivery of training and conference week - Brussels
Support in the coordination of Industry analysts’ events – London
Detailed Description
The organisational problem of the inexistence of a framework to an existing talent programme was a fantastic opportunity to bring together a team I lead to propose a complete brand new organisation. Leading that team of 7 people, for 6 months, based in 6 different countries, I was able to step back from a passionate debate and refocus a very multicultural group on the task at hand and bring out the best of the quieter members. We delivered a 50+KEuros week long event with conferences with senior managers, knowledge sharing sessions and team building events and a series of workshops leading to the creation of a new framework.
BT Operate – conducting of a research project with the network inventory Programme and the Network Control Center in Brussels to understand the link between the quality of the Network inventory and the quality of the service delivered to the customers and help inform future investments in this area.
BT Teleconslt – design of a research project on African ICT needs, existing initiatives and funding opportunities to identogy opportunities in this region, identify “good customers” and sweet spots and understand of to position a European ICT player as valid partner for European Development agencies
Detailed Description
I showed an ability to point out what others miss or feel unable to say and convey my message in the most effective manner depending on the audience. I also displayed an acute sense to see improvement areas and showed proactivity on a matter which was perceived as impossible to tackle because it had been a problem for more than 20 years.
Stock control and ordering of merchandise for l'Occitane in Galeries Lafayette and KaDeWe, luxury shopping outlets in Berlin with international clientele.
Translation (French, German and English) for international customers.