Alice Bonfatti
Summary
Results-driven strategic leader with extensive experience in driving organisational growth and operational excellence in complex international settings. Expertise in developing and implementing high-impact strategies that align with organisational mission and values, particularly within the fields of social justice, gender equality, and community care. Delivers measurable improvements through strategic mindset and exceptional problem-solving abilities.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
2017
2017
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Head of Operations and Development
Huquqyat
Geneva, Switzerland, | Remote
04.2022 - 01.2025
- Led multiple strategic projects, providing policy recommendations and detailed analysis to shape the direction of organisational priorities
- Advised senior management on governance improvements, enhancing compliance with UK regulations and promoting transparency and accountability.
- Worked closely with senior leaders and leveraged collective knowledge to develop a new fundraising strategy and to ensure alignment of strategic goals with operational objectives.
- Led grant management and fundraising efforts, including identifying funding opportunities, cultivating stakeholder relationships, and preparing proposals for major bids to a variety of local and national funders/foundations.
- Built new operations teams while cultivating a nurturing and collaborative work environment that encouraged innovation and knowledge sharing
- Managed a portfolio of projects, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery, while adapting to evolving priorities and identifying areas for improvement.
MEL and strategic development expert
Huquqyat
Geneva, Switzerland, Remove
10.2021 - 01.2022
- Lead the end-to-end process of drafting the organisation's new strategy, ensuring it aligns with our mission, vision, and values.
- Conducted thorough analysis of the internal and external landscape, including organisational SWOT analysis, market trends, and sector developments.
- Designed and implemented MEL frameworks, tools, systems and processes to ensure robust monitoring mechanisms.
- Trained project and fundraising teams on better designing baseline analysis and monitoring indicators.
- Provided guidance to senior management on embedding MEL processes into decision-making.
- Prepared proposals for major bids to a variety of local and national funders/foundations.
- Lead the design and implementation of learning mechanisms that facilitate reflection, feedback, and improvement across the organisation’s programme portfolio.
- Delivered high-impact presentations and reports to senior stakeholders, confidently articulating strategic recommendations and outcomes.
MENA Associate
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
Geneva, Switzerland
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Liaised with local partners and grassroots organisations to ensure the effective delivery of peace-building initiatives, including capacity-building workshops, advocacy campaigns, and community engagement activities.
- Coordinated the grant-making process for the Syria portfolio, including liaising with partners on contracting, transfer of funds and budget management.
- Conducted research on the impacts of military operations on women's rights in the MENA region.
- Represented WILPF in regional and international forums, networks, and coalitions advocating for women’s participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of WILPF’s MENA programmes, collecting data, assessing progress, and adjusting strategies as needed.
- Contribute to the preparation of donor reports, internal evaluations, and strategic reviews.
- Document lessons learned and best practices to inform future programming and advocacy efforts.
Welfare and Housing Caseworker
Helen Bamber Foundation
London, UK
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Managed welfare and housing casework in a London-based human rights charity providing services and support to survivors of modern slavery in the UK
- Connected modern slavery survivors with asylum support, community, care, housing, and welfare benefits within the remit of homelessness & destitution prevention as a core objective
- Prepared comprehensive reports, enhancing transparency and accountability.
- Built and nurtured positive service user relationships to increase positive outcomes.
- Maintained confidential case documentation in line with data protection regulations.
Education
MA - Near and Middle Easter Studies and Gender Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London
London, UK 01/2015 - 01.2017
BA (Hon) - Translation and Interpreting Studies
University of Salford
Manchester, UK 2011 - 2015
Skills
- Strategic Planning & Development
- Project Management
- Story-telling and Communication
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Analytical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Leadership skills
Languages
English
Native
Italian
Native
Spanish
Fluent
French
Fluent
Arabic
Intermediate
Turkish
Beginner
Certification
- Prince2 Agile Certificate – The Knowledge Academy
- Diploma in Global Security – Italian Institute for International Political Studies
- Project Cycle Management – Italian Institute for International Political Studies
- Feminist Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Training – WILPF
- Result-Based Framework Project Management – WILPF
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of Operations and Development
Huquqyat
04.2022 - 01.2025
MEL and strategic development expert
Huquqyat
10.2021 - 01.2022
MENA Associate
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
01.2021 - 01.2022
Welfare and Housing Caseworker
Helen Bamber Foundation
01.2018 - 01.2021
MA - Near and Middle Easter Studies and Gender Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London
01/2015 - 01.2017
BA (Hon) - Translation and Interpreting Studies
University of Salford
2011 - 2015