JOHN MENDY
Akron,OH
Summary
Policy and diplomacy professional with 10+ years of experience spanning foreign affairs protocol, confidential case/file administration, policy research, academic instruction, and organizational leadership. Proven ability to draft high-stakes diplomatic and legal correspondence, coordinate high-level delegations and official engagements, and manage complex stakeholder relationships across government, universities, and international organizations. Recognized for discretion, professionalism, and strong cross-cultural communication in Africa, North America, and Europe.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Protocol Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
07.2020
- Represent the Ministry and the State nationally and internationally by attending conferences, delivering speeches, and preparing reports.
- Provide consular services, including facilitation of visa issuance; issuance and cancellation of diplomatic and service passports; and legalization of documents.
- Manage official correspondence, including drafting notes verbales, memos, and letters, and support bilateral and multilateral relations through negotiation and requests for agreement.
- Serve as liaison for international organizations, embassies, and the diplomatic and consular corps on matters including welfare, diplomatic IDs, license plates, duty waivers, hospitality and protocol, security, landing permits, flags, and procurement.
- Achievements
- Successfully coordinated the Gambian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in the United States.
- Represented the country internationally on multiple occasions.
- Served as a lead coordinator for a presidential inauguration.
- Trained interns and colleagues and managed diplomatic files efficiently.
- Successfully coordinated Africa’s Summit on Curriculum organized by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
President (Founder)
Union of Gambian Scholars in North America (UGSNA), U.S. & Canada (NGO)
05.2024 - Current
- Founded and formalized a cross-border scholar association, establishing governance structures and operational systems.
- Drafted and implemented a constitution, internal policies, and administrative procedures; led registration and institutional setup.
- Built membership database, contribution tracking, emergency relief mechanisms, and longer-term fundraising systems.
- Established operational departments (Legal Affairs, Psychosocial Support, Education/Academic Affairs, Focal Persons Network).
- Coordinated confidential member case support (welfare, academic navigation, referrals, and integration support).
- Organized workshops, partnerships, and cultural events with universities and the Gambian Embassy.
Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant
Kent State University
08.2023 - Current
- Teach and grade university-level coursework and administer examinations.
- Lead study groups and provide academic support to undergraduate students.
- Assist with classroom instruction and course preparation.
- Conduct graduate-level research and assist faculty members with research projects, as requested.
Research and Policy Analyst
Geneva Centre for Security Sector Reform
04.2023 - 07.2023
- Conducted research, policy analysis, policy briefings, and provided administrative and logistical support.
Secretary and Personal Assistant
Goodwill Ambassador of Sport (Tijan Jaiteh)
11.2020 - 11.2022
- Carried out administrative functions, including handling official correspondence, writing project proposals, organizing meetings with foreign leaders, preparing briefs, drafting reports, and recording motions and minutes.
- Negotiated agreements and managed records, correspondence, and speeches, and assisted the Ambassador in overseeing projects.
- Achievements
- Led the national volleyball team to its first international competition.
- Initiated, developed, and supported regional teams at the local level.
- Donated sporting materials to institutions and underprivileged communities and secured state land for the construction of a national sports center.
Work-Study Student Helper
University of The Gambia
03.2020 - 09.2022
- Assisted professors with administrative tasks, research activities, presentations, and grading examination scripts.
- Delivered presentations, lectured, counseled students, and presented academic papers.
- Achievement
- Demonstrated excellent performance, leading to promotion to Adjunct Lecturer at the University of The Gambia.
- Assisted researchers and students during thesis writing and research.
President
Amdallai Youths for Change
01.2012 - 08.2022
- Introduced community funding schemes to support business startups and family livelihoods.
- Led tree-planting and community cleansing initiatives to combat climate change.
- Established counseling programs and supported community schools and churches.
- Introduced community dialogue initiatives to promote peaceful coexistence.
VIP Lounge Manager
Banju International Airport (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
09.2021 - 02.2022
- Managed the VIP lounge and supervised junior staff.
- Facilitated diplomatic and VIP arrivals and departures.
- Received and acted on official correspondence and addressed complex security issues.
- Represented the Government and the President by providing protocol and hospitality services to heads of state, prime ministers, ambassadors, and ministers.
- Served as a liaison between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority.
- Achievement
- Met schedules through effective planning and coordination, supervising team members to deliver results despite unpredictable schedule changes.
Lecturer
University of The Gambia
09.2020 - 02.2022
- Courses Taught:
- Gambia’s Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
- Contemporary Gambian Politics and Culture
- Designed, researched, planned, and delivered lectures and assessments in accordance with curriculum requirements using both onsite and online platforms.
- Worked independently and collaboratively, built internal contacts, and participated in external networks to support future academic collaboration.
- Achievements
- Organized seminars, symposiums, and debates and encouraged young scholars to present research papers.
- Trained a former student who is currently in Germany and engaged in advanced scholarly work.
President & Founder
Foundation for Education, Democracy, and Development
02.2017 - 01.2021
- Provided first-aid training to remote rural and underserved communities with limited access to healthcare.
- Led annual nationwide campaigns against drug abuse, gender-based violence, and child marriage.
- Conducted mentorship, career guidance, and human rights advocacy through radio, television, symposiums, schools, and community outreach programs.
Senior Teacher
St. Joseph Senior Secondary School
10.2018 - 06.2020
- Courses Taught: Government and History
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans aligned with curriculum guidelines and standards, using diverse teaching strategies to meet student needs.
- Improved student performance through feedback, counseling, mentoring, and disciplinary measures when necessary.
- Collaborated with staff to plan lessons that promoted debate, engagement, and student participation.
- Achievement
- Mentored a demoralized female student from a single-parent household, helping her return to school, excel academically, win national and university debate championships, and secure a university scholarship.
Vice President & Co-Founder
Banjul Open Debate
01.2017 - 06.2020
- Provided direct support to persons with disabilities.
- Trained over 5,000 young people in public speaking, debate, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
- Organized the first nationwide debate and public speaking competition for four consecutive years.
- Promoted civic awareness and democratic values in the post-authoritarian era through social media, television, and radio programs.
President
Youth Power Network International
07.2015 - 06.2020
- Achievements
- Initiated a rural library project to promote reading culture in Soma.
- Promoted sub-regional youth peace dialogue.
- Established poultry farms, coffee shops, and restaurants to support SDGs 1 and 2.
- Provided leadership training and capacity-building programs for institutions, civil society organizations, and community leaders.
- Successfully organized annual interfaith dialogues to promote religious tolerance.
Speaker
Independent Electoral Commission (University of The Gambia)
09.2017 - 09.2018
- Achievement
- Introduced spot counting, welcomed external election observers, and supported the conduct of free and transparent elections, as noted in observer reports.
Teacher (Government)
Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education
11.2013 - 09.2018
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards using varied teaching strategies to address diverse student needs.
- Collaborated with colleagues and administrators to improve teaching effectiveness and student engagement.
- Achievements
- Worked beyond regular hours to support students and parents.
- Volunteered to support slow learners and students with special needs.
- Won the Teacher of the Year Award (2016).
- Initiated voluntary weekend radio recordings to support blind students in underfunded schools, leading to significant academic improvement; the students later completed college and are now employed.
President
University of The Gambia Social Science Students Association
09.2016 - 09.2017
- Achievements
- Represented students in staff meetings and secured free campus internet access.
- Resolved student–staff issues and led nationwide advocacy and volunteer programs.
- Established a debate club and counseling center.
- Won a national debate championship and organized a national debate and public speaking competition.
Secretary General
Peace Ambassadors The Gambia
01.2015 - 02.2017
- Achievements
- Mediated community disputes and trained over 4,000 peace ambassadors.
- Led national and sub-regional peace advocacy initiatives in The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau, empowering communities to lead locally owned peacebuilding processes.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Political Science, Conflict Analysis and Management, Transnational and Comparative Politics
Kent State University
Kent, Ohio01.2027
Master’s degree - advanced European and International Governance
University of Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland01.2023
Postgraduate Course - Successful Negotiation—Essential Strategies and Skills
University of Michigan
Michigan, United States01.2022
Postgraduate Professional Course - Negotiation, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution
ESSEC Business School
Paris, France01.2022
Professional Certificate - Diplomatic Practice
Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service
New Delhi, India01.2021
Postgraduate Certificate - Global Diplomacy—Diplomacy in the Modern World
University of London
London, United Kingdom01.2021
Master of Science - International Relations and Diplomacy
University of The Gambia
Kanifing, Gambia01.2019
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
University of The Gambia
Faraba, Gambia01.2019
Skills
- Case & File Administration
- Diplomatic Protocol & Liaison
- Policy Research & Brief Writing
- Legal/Diplomatic Correspondence (notes verbales, memos, reports)
- Mediation/Negotiation Support
- Confidential Records Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Scheduling & Event Coordination
- Higher Education Teaching/Assessment
- Data Management (Excel, online systems)
- Conflict Resolution
- Governance & Organizational Leadership
Timeline
President (Founder)
Union of Gambian Scholars in North America (UGSNA), U.S. & Canada (NGO)
05.2024 - Current
Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant
Kent State University
08.2023 - Current
Research and Policy Analyst
Geneva Centre for Security Sector Reform
04.2023 - 07.2023
VIP Lounge Manager
Banju International Airport (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
09.2021 - 02.2022
Secretary and Personal Assistant
Goodwill Ambassador of Sport (Tijan Jaiteh)
11.2020 - 11.2022
Lecturer
University of The Gambia
09.2020 - 02.2022
Protocol Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
07.2020
Work-Study Student Helper
University of The Gambia
03.2020 - 09.2022
Senior Teacher
St. Joseph Senior Secondary School
10.2018 - 06.2020
Speaker
Independent Electoral Commission (University of The Gambia)
09.2017 - 09.2018
President & Founder
Foundation for Education, Democracy, and Development
02.2017 - 01.2021
Vice President & Co-Founder
Banjul Open Debate
01.2017 - 06.2020
President
University of The Gambia Social Science Students Association
09.2016 - 09.2017
President
Youth Power Network International
07.2015 - 06.2020
Secretary General
Peace Ambassadors The Gambia
01.2015 - 02.2017
Teacher (Government)
Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education
11.2013 - 09.2018
President
Amdallai Youths for Change
01.2012 - 08.2022
Master’s degree - advanced European and International Governance
University of Geneva
Postgraduate Course - Successful Negotiation—Essential Strategies and Skills
University of Michigan
Postgraduate Professional Course - Negotiation, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution
ESSEC Business School
Professional Certificate - Diplomatic Practice
Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service
Postgraduate Certificate - Global Diplomacy—Diplomacy in the Modern World
University of London
Master of Science - International Relations and Diplomacy
University of The Gambia
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
University of The Gambia
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Political Science, Conflict Analysis and Management, Transnational and Comparative Politics
Kent State University
AWARDS
2019: Urban Youth Thinkers Award, United Nations Development Programme and National Youth Council, 2017: Outstanding President Award, University of The Gambia, 2017: Analyst and Civic Education Award, University of The Gambia, 2017: Human Rights and Good Governance Advocate Award, 2017: Organizer and Coordinator, Nationwide Tour Teaching and Sensitization Award, University of The Gambia, 2017: TAP Master and Founder of SOSHSA Debate; First University of The Gambia President to Organize a National Debate Championship, 2016: Leader of the Year Award, University of The Gambia, 2016: Peace Educator Award, Peace Ambassadors of The Gambia, 2016: Teacher of the Year Award, Jamisa Senior Secondary School, 2015: President of the Year Award, Amdallai Youth for Change, 2014: Community Leader of the Year Award, Amdallai Youth for Change
Target Fields
- Diplomacy & Protocol
- Policy & Governance
- Case Administration
- Higher Education
- Conflict Management