About Siobhán
I'm a humanitarian ME(AL) specialist who is passionate about collaborating with program and ME(AL) staff to find practical and effective solutions to strengthen ME(AL) systems and support ME(AL) teams.
I seek to work with crisis response organisations that understand and value accountability to communities; that commit to supporting locally-driven response; that see gender and inclusion as non-negotiable cross-cutting issues; and that take responsible and forward-thinking approaches to digital ME(AL) and data management.
I hold a Master of Humanitarian Assistance from Deakin University, a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and a Bachelor of Social Science (Sustainable Development ) from Curtin University. I am currently Europe-based.
View my full profile and connect with me on LinkedIn.
I seek to work with crisis response organisations that understand and value accountability to communities; that commit to supporting locally-driven response; that see gender and inclusion as non-negotiable cross-cutting issues; and that take responsible and forward-thinking approaches to digital ME(AL) and data management.
I hold a Master of Humanitarian Assistance from Deakin University, a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and a Bachelor of Social Science (Sustainable Development ) from Curtin University. I am currently Europe-based.
View my full profile and connect with me on LinkedIn.
About The ME(AL) T.A.
A well-functioning ME(AL) system is essential for ensuring high quality programming; without it, we're implementing in the dark. Yet investing in ME(AL) teams and systems is a consistent challenge. Funding availability and consistency can make it difficult for organisations to have permanent ME(AL) technical advisors at hand. ME(AL) budgets are often whittled away by the program. The natural peaks and troughs that occur during a project cycle can make it difficult to justify full time senior ME(AL) technical support. ME(AL) training programs often robustly teach theory but the practical advice on how to adapt and implement theory needs to come through feedback and on-the-job training. Hiring experts with the right skills and depth of knowledge to guide a ME(AL) team can be a challenge, especially in the area of humanitarian ME(AL).
I have started the ME(AL) T.A. to address this: I want program and ME(AL) teams to have access to expert advice when they need it, through an approach that puts on-the-job skill building at the forefront and through a service model that is cost-effective and tailored to operational realities. The ME(AL) T.A. offers targeted ME(AL) system assessments, flexible on demand advice, and consulting services. The ME(AL) T.A. website and YouTube channel will also share free resources and tutorials aimed at supporting ME(AL) teams and program teams with limited access to ME(AL) support.
I have started the ME(AL) T.A. to address this: I want program and ME(AL) teams to have access to expert advice when they need it, through an approach that puts on-the-job skill building at the forefront and through a service model that is cost-effective and tailored to operational realities. The ME(AL) T.A. offers targeted ME(AL) system assessments, flexible on demand advice, and consulting services. The ME(AL) T.A. website and YouTube channel will also share free resources and tutorials aimed at supporting ME(AL) teams and program teams with limited access to ME(AL) support.
Experience
I transitioned to the humanitarian sector in 2015 from the Australian public service, where I worked in areas including evaluation, compliance, grant management, database development, data protection and records (information) management.
My humanitarian ME(AL) experience includes:
My humanitarian ME(AL) experience includes:
- Sudden onset response and early recovery in Cyclone Pam (Vanuatu), Cyclone Winston (Fiji), Cyclone Idai (Mozambique) and the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai disaster (Tonga)
- Slow onset response for El Nino (Pacific) and drought (East Africa)
- Refugee, displacement and migration contexts (Libya, Greece, Serbia)
- Recovery and preparedness contexts (Liberia, Pacific)
- Regional (East & Horn Africa, Pacific) and global ME(AL) technical advisory positions for humanitarian and development programs
- Independent remote consulting (including ME(AL) technical advice and frameworks, assessments, studies, baseline and endline reports, training)
- Partnership and coordination leadership roles
Approach
A high portion of my work has been the provision of remote ME(AL) support, long before COVID-19 compelled this push to the virtual space. As a result, I have well established remote working practices, high digital literacy and experience navigating the communication, technological and logistical challenges of remote collaboration.
My personal goal is to be more thoughtful about deciding when to accept in-country work and when it does not justify the carbon footprint or expense. While connection with in-country operating environments is vital for providing actionable ME(AL) advice, well-delivered remote technical advice has clear advantages in terms of climate change adaptation and locally led-response and measurement.
Therefore, my services will remain virtual as much as possible. I am always interested in discussing with clients how remote support options can work to achieve their MEA(L) goals and am happy to discuss how remote ME(AL) T.A. services can benefit your team. I am also open to working or partnering with locally-based consultants and service providers in client locations.
My personal goal is to be more thoughtful about deciding when to accept in-country work and when it does not justify the carbon footprint or expense. While connection with in-country operating environments is vital for providing actionable ME(AL) advice, well-delivered remote technical advice has clear advantages in terms of climate change adaptation and locally led-response and measurement.
Therefore, my services will remain virtual as much as possible. I am always interested in discussing with clients how remote support options can work to achieve their MEA(L) goals and am happy to discuss how remote ME(AL) T.A. services can benefit your team. I am also open to working or partnering with locally-based consultants and service providers in client locations.
