MELISSA WALLACE
Kingston
Summary
- Knowledgeable, results-driven professional, with over 15 years of successfully working in both team-based and self-directed capacities. Adept at handling multiple projects and prioritizing tasks with a willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
- 8 years' of professional experience in an international development environment supporting senior executives who coordinate and monitor programs/projects that focus on supporting countries to address their development challenges.
- Extensive knowledge in collaborating/coordinating with senior management across different organizations (public and private), governments; locally, regionally and on the international scene (Governments of Grenada, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; USAID, GAC, DFID, IADB, UN, CDB).
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Assistant
World Bank, Kingston, Jamaica
09.2021 - Current
- Provide comprehensive administrative and operational support to the Department’s Operations Manager and Operations team on all aspects of portfolio monitoring
- Attend project review meetings with the Operations Manager and support in circulating actions and following up.
- Contribute to monitoring of project status and reporting for the Caribbean portfolio;
- Coordinate stakeholder engagements (government and donors) for the Jamaica Country Partnership Framework FY24-27;
- Coordinate logistical arrangements for the Grenada and Jamaica Portfolio Reviews (CPPR) in FY23 .
- Organize and support conferences, meetings, missions, workshops and videoconferences organized by the department;
- Draft letters, emails conforming to Bank and Regional Standard as well as (proofreading and formatting) documents as required;
- Create, maintain and track short-term contracts, as well as provide support with travel arrangements.
Executive Assistant
Jamaica Country
01.2018 - 08.2021
- Manage and prioritize the Resident Representative’s schedule to ensure that his time is focused on critical, strategic issues; Use Microsoft Tool to prioritize approximately 300 emails weekly
- Coordinate communications, track and follow up on requests and identify those of importance which require immediate attention, draft correspondence to government officials and other stakeholders
- Responsible for accurate and effective planning of events and visits of senior executive of the Bank, utilize outlook To DO as well as outlook to schedule clients, accommodate unforeseen changes and last-minute appointments
- Coordinated external events for the Bank: Farewell reception for outgoing Manager and the World Bank’s 55th anniversary celebration, inclusive of venue, catering and managing the guest list and invitations
- Facilitate timely access to development partners across government, civil society, academia and other country offices by cultivating a responsive network of contacts
- Anticipate and proactively address workflow needs, adjusting staffing levels to account for peak and moderate periods, and ensuring optimal performance of team by coordinating work, providing motivation and guidance, and facilitating access to training as needed
- Act as the point of contact for employees, clients and other external stakeholders
- Oversee the daily operation of the office; including overseeing the janitorial staff.
Project Office Assistant
INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
03.2015 - 01.2018
- Managed meeting calendar for Country Representative and Chief of Operations and increased time available for critical activities by taking over the preparation of routine correspondences, providing feedback to requests received from government officials and reviewing all documents for completeness and accuracy before submitting for signature
- Provided administrative support to multiple Project Specialists and was responsible for developing and coordinating project schedules.
- Managed all travel arrangements, maintained relevant project correspondence.
- Built and maintained contacts network comprised of government agencies, donors, civil society organizations and other stakeholders, ensuring distribution and contact lists were kept current
- Performed special tasks as assigned by Specialists, Operation Analysts and Administrative Section, providing project assistance and using technology skills to format documents in accordance with guidelines
Administrative Assistant (Faculty Representative)
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES
05.2012 - 01.2014
- Assisted team with execution of core faculty activities and coordination of seminars and events
- Received clients and advised students of admissions, registration, and examination processes
- Processed request documents and entered information on main and subsidiary systems
- Communicated decisions relating to enrolment application to students and departments and liaised with graduate programme coordinators to resolve student issues
- Composed and edited email correspondence and memoranda; copied, collated, mailed, faxed and shipped sensitive examination material to examiners and other university personnel
- Facilitated degree-awarding process for graduate students, liaising with other departments to gather information needed for the processing of theses and research papers
- Administered the examination process, maintaining communication with students and examiners.
Customer Service Representative
01.2012 - 05.2012
- Served as primary contact for prospective and continuing graduate students, promptly addressing concerns and queries, providing programme information, and preparing status letters as requested
- Manned telephone lines, directing calls to relevant staff or department.
Assistant Customer Relations Manager
Texas Rotisserie & Grill
05.2010 - 12.2011
Records Management Assistant
University of the West Indies
12.2005 - 06.2008
Education
MSc - Public Sector Management
University of The West Indies
University Of The West Indies07.2018
Advanced Diploma - Project Management
City University of New York
2012
Certificate, Office Administration - undefined
US Career Institute
Fort Collins, CO2010
BSc - International Relations & Public Administration
University of the West Indies
2005
Skills
- Project Management
- Event planning and coordination
- Administrative Support
- Document preparation and proofreading
- Meeting & Event Coordination
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Recruitment & Onboarding
- Time Management and organization
- Relationship Management
- Communication Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
- Calendar Management
- Microsoft To Do
- Microsoft Teams
- Webex
- Zoom
Affiliations
IDB SPOT Award Recipient | Production team member for cultural short film, “Jamaica 101” 2016
Certificate | Introduction to Procurement on Projects Financed by the Caribbean Development Bank 2016
Timeline
Program Assistant
World Bank, Kingston, Jamaica
09.2021 - Current
Executive Assistant
Jamaica Country
01.2018 - 08.2021
Project Office Assistant
INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
03.2015 - 01.2018
Administrative Assistant (Faculty Representative)
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES
05.2012 - 01.2014
Customer Service Representative
01.2012 - 05.2012
Assistant Customer Relations Manager
Texas Rotisserie & Grill
05.2010 - 12.2011
Records Management Assistant
University of the West Indies
12.2005 - 06.2008
MSc - Public Sector Management
University of The West Indies
Advanced Diploma - Project Management
City University of New York
Certificate, Office Administration - undefined
US Career Institute
BSc - International Relations & Public Administration
University of the West Indies
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