Agnes Tongur

As Research Coordinator I manage customer relations and collaborate with clients' cross-functional teams to appropriately assess and determine their needs for evaluation, program development and strategic planning. Working with a diverse set of colleagues, I coordinate and communicate with both internal and external partners and clients, to foster a collaborative and innovative work environment.

More specifically I:

• Develop and implement marketing strategies, and strategically plan and handle CRM.
• Evaluate the impact of organizations' processes and outcomes through a variety of research methods (e.g., stakeholder interviews, workshops, focus groups, interviews and surveys).
• I develop project plans and scope, execute and deliver insights, assessing user needs from both quantitative and qualitative data collections and analysis, using various tools and techniques (e.g., heat maps, user interviews, surveys).
• Communicate and present insights through presentations and reports.

As the Strategic Initiatives and Communications Manager at Mentor Foundation USA I worked directly with the CEO and Executive Director, managing the organization's communications to raise awareness about the organization's work on promoting a healthy living and prevent drug abuse among youth, grow partnerships and increase donations.

More specifically I:

• Managed the organization's communication programs through their webpage, monthly newsletters, articles and social media (instagram, facebook and linkedin).
• I assisted in fundraising events and developed a strategy to increase grant-applications. I coordinated the work of the internal team, the board, youth advisory group in our everyday activities.
• Worked on initiatives to develop the organization's operations, for example grants applications and designing new projects.
• Authored a report analyzing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on young people's mental health and substance use, as well as its implications for Mentor Foundation USA's operations.

I managed and coordinated Sweden's participation in the educational programs of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Nordic Council of Ministers, to position Sweden in the field of Educational Policy and foster positive multilateral relationships for knowledge exchange.

More specifically I:

• Planned and hosted meeting and events with international participants from Educational ministries (both politicians and officials).
• Planned and led international educational tours and bilateral meetings, with the purpose of knowledge exchange and bilateral relationship building. This included coordination with stakeholders, local embassy staff and administrating staff, in developing the itinerary, scheduling the program, as well as meeting materials (information, analytics and speaking notes) for the participants (often a delegation lead by the Secretary of Education).
• Managed and coordinated Sweden's participation in steering committees and working groups within the OECD and the Nordic Council of minister's educational programs.
• Analyzed compiled data and reports, providing policy advice, analyses and support to the Political leadership, as well as internal divisions at the Ministry.
• Communicated through reports and oral presentations continuously.

I worked as Project Manager for the international large scale comparative assessments PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) and PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study). I led and implemented the project from start to finish, in alliance with the international requirements of OECD and IEA and its cooperating bodies.

More specifically I:

• Managed the internal working group of 4-5 persons, as well as research experts and reference groups through all steps of the project; survey design and implementation, communication with participants and stakeholders, analyzing results and authoring reports.
• Represented Sweden in international project steering groups, developing the assessment framework, questionnaires and reports to be internationally comparative and reflect each countries curriculum.
• Authored reports, conducted data analyzes and presented the results to stakeholders.
• Managed and coordinated project budget, schedule and milestones continuously.

As Evaluation specialist, I led and participated in evaluations of the Swedish Educational system.

More specifically I:

• Planned and executed studies on the Swedish grading system, national assessments and the implementation of new curriculums, through surveys, interviews and focus groups.
• Led and participated in projects from start to finish, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, data collection, analysis and report writing.
• Authored reports and presented results to the management and public.
• Managed and analyzed qualitative and quantitative datasets.

As Student Mentor I supported students on campus through one-one-one meetings, group-sessions and informational meetings, as well as raising awareness about the possibilities of Higher Education to students in Elementary Schools and High-Schools.

More specifically I:

• Tutored, taught study-techniques, introduced students to the practicalities at the University and provided mental support, as they oriented through their first year of University studies.
• Organized and managed outreach to Elementary Schools and High-Schools advocating for Higher Education and providing information and support for students starting their application process.