CHRISTINE E. DAFFAN
Springfield,VA
Summary
Accomplished Senior Technical Advisor with a proven track record in delivering strategic guidance for complex technical projects. Expertise in identifying technological trends and implementing effective problem-solving strategies has led to significant improvements in project efficiency. Successfully navigated teams through intricate phases of project execution, optimizing resource utilization and enhancing operational workflows.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISOR (GS-14)
USDA, FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE (FNS)
02.2006 - Current
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Led cross-functional projects by engaging stakeholders across various levels.
- Executed project oversight through monitoring risks, deliverables, budgets, and contractor performance.
- Coordinate creation and deployment of innovative initiatives involving various stakeholders.
- Analyzed challenges to develop actionable recommendations.
- Developed and executed risk management strategies for all projects.
- Analyzes and evaluates alternative solutions, and presents recommendations based on findings.
- Evaluated policy and strategy effectiveness through consistent monitoring.
- Enhances division-level pilot program by analyzing risk reporting significantly.
- Leverage concepts, best practices, and techniques to pinpoint, engage, influence, and oversee stakeholder relationships.
- Detect challenges and provide solutions to support decision-making.
- Shares project insights with program staff and leadership upon request.
- Bridges communication gaps between team members, leaders, and contract partners.
- Directed SNAP Mission Data Platform operations, enhancing data visualization and trend analysis.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- CURRENT RELEVANT PROJECTS
- SNAP Longitudinal Data Project (LDP) Feasibility Report to Congress: Awarded and managed a contract to estimate the costs, benefits, and considerations of a nationwide Longitudinal Data Warehouse for SNAP research.
- SNAP LDP Grant Program: Awarded $20 million in grant funds to 11 state agencies to support participation in the SNAP LDP.
- Interagency Agreement (IAA) with the Census Bureau: Manage and facilitate an IAA with the Census Bureau in order to collaborate on the SNAP LDP by leveraging their existing process to ingest data, and ensure all privacy and security protocols are met.
- SNAP Risk Management Program: Awarded and managed a contract to coordinate and develop a risk management program, focusing on root cause analysis and mitigation strategies.
- Program Analysis and Technical Assistance Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA): Awarded a 5-year contract to assist with program support in Quality Control, recipient integrity, program, and policy analysis, and technical assistance.
- SNAP Mission Data Platform (MDP): Collaborated with the FNCS Central Analytics Team to establish a data warehouse to consolidate multiple data sources in one secure location, and provide tools and support services to SNAP staff for data analysis and visualization.
- Utilized clear, effective communication both orally and in writing.
- Built strong alliances with organizations and stakeholders focused on supporting FNS initiatives.
- Liaised between division staff, supervisors, and Contracts Management Division.
- Facilitated inter-agency collaboration for the advancement of platforms and pilots, including SNAP Mission Data Platform.
- Ensures prompt distribution of essential project information within and outside the organization.
- Reviewed, analyzed and optimized existing processes for maximum efficiency.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify areas of improvement in the organization's technology infrastructure.
- Maintained positive working relationship with fellow staff and management.
- Conducted research and developed solutions to technical challenges encountered by the organization.
- Facilitated communication between business stakeholders and development team during the design phase of projects.
- Developed and implemented technical strategies to ensure successful project delivery.
- Provided guidance and mentorship to junior staff members on complex technical issues.
- Maintained composure and patience in face of difficult customer situations, applying de-escalation techniques and positive customer support.
- Generated reports outlining project progress and status updates on a regular basis.
- Managed vendor relationships for maintenance contracts and license renewals.
- Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
- Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR (GS-13)
USDA, FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE (FNS)
12.2011 - 02.2016
- Company Overview: SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)
- Executed strategic planning and management of special projects.
- Managed responsibilities as COR for diverse projects focused on fraud prevention and detection initiatives.
- Coordinated planning workgroup for National Recipient Integrity Meeting with over 30 employees in March 2015.
- Coordinated division-level training programs to align with staff requirements.
- Offered support and guidance to Division and FNS Regional Officers as required, primarily focusing on Program Integrity, SNAP Nutrition Education, and Quality Control.
- Coordinated materials and drafted communications on objectives, procedures, and requests.
- Drafted memoranda, position papers, and diverse policy-related materials.
- Built and sustained strong communication channels across internal teams and outside organizations.
- Supported identification of employee development areas through assessment processes.
- Facilitated fulfilment of every reporting obligation within the division.
- Communicated agency policies to stakeholders through written and verbal methods.
- Evaluated candidates during interview and hiring processes.
- SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)
- Researched and prepared information for presentations to high-level executives.
- Developed and maintained relationships with external partners and vendors.
- Executed special objectives and projects in response to executive team and board member requests.
- Coordinated communication between departments by relaying messages from the Director to staff members.
- Conducted research on topics related to the organization's mission or goals for use in strategic decision-making processes.
- Assisted in developing and implementing strategic plans to achieve organizational goals.
- Facilitated onboarding of new employees by providing orientation materials and answering questions about policies and procedures.
- Met with stakeholders to address issues and implement solutions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Development
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNICA INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
07.2004
Skills
- Cross-functional communication
- Risk management
- Training and mentoring
- Contract drafting
- Procurement processes
- Proposal evaluation
- Procurement
- Contract performance monitoring
- Contract reviews and edits
- Requests for information
- Requests for proposals
- Professional relationship building
- Interpersonal and written communication
- Contract closeout
- Risk management skills
- Risk management abilities
- Risk Management Knowledge
- Policy evaluation
- Writing white papers
- Evaluating legislation
- Policy formulation
- Process re-engineering
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Written communication
- Organizing and prioritizing work
- Relationship building
- Technical writing
- Analytical thinking
- Critical thinking
Training
- ECornell Project Management Professional Course - Completed 10/14/22
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
- Graduate of the Leadership Institute Class of 2014
Pronouns
she/her/hers
Certification
- Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) Certification, Level III
Timeline
ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR (GS-13)
USDA, FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE (FNS)
12.2011 - 02.2016
SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISOR (GS-14)
USDA, FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE (FNS)
02.2006 - Current
- Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) Certification, Level III
Bachelor of Science - Human Development
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNICA INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
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