Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Menbere Gardie

Dublin,OH

Summary

Highly motivated and results-oriented individual with a proven track record of success in various industries, including public relations, public diplomacy, consular affairs, social media, researching and producing written materials, event management, and news reporting. Proven ability to develop and execute successful PR campaigns, manage teams, and provide excellent customer service. Proficient in a variety of office software and administrative tasks.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Public Engagement Assistant

U.S. Embassy
11.2019 - 11.2021
  • Collaborated with other teams in the Public Affairs department to meticulously monitor and organize political, social, economic, and cultural developments and events in Ethiopia. This information was then briefed to American officers in a timely and concise manner, enabling them to make informed decisions about US policy and engagement with Ethiopia.
  • Collaborated with political, consular, U.S. Mission to the African Union, and other departments to leverage my team's unique expertise and reach to assist them in communicating with the Ethiopian public on various issues and programs.
  • Served as the main assistant to the Director of American Spaces for Ethiopia and Studying in the U.S., leading the budget management of the American Spaces. This involved collaborating with team members at each center to identify needs, research prices, and coordinate purchases with the procurement department. I also received and distributed items.
  • Led the development and implementation of new programs that promote cultural exchange and dialogue between the two countries, such as the US-Ethiopia Youth Mentorship Program, which has paired over 100 Ethiopian youth with American mentors.
  • Oversaw the operational activities of six American centers/spaces in Ethiopia, which provide Ethiopians with access to information about the U.S., and a wide range of resources to develop their skills. These centers also hosted a variety of events and programs in numerous areas.
  • Attended regular meetings with other American Space teams in East Africa to share experiences.
  • Formulated and proposed strategic objectives, SOPs, and performance standards for the American centers/spaces, ensuring that they were aligned with the US Embassy's mission and priorities. I also planned and led weekly meetings.
  • Facilitated activities and project allocation amongst the centers, ensuring that they were working together effectively to achieve their shared goals.
  • Assessed the performance of each center, identifying areas for improvement, and provided guidance and support to the center directors.
  • Planned and designed promotional materials, creating and executing campaigns to promote events and programs to domestic and international audiences, inviting guests to events and programs, and led and managed teams of hundreds of volunteers.
  • Wrote activity reports and impact assessments to document the success of the American centers/spaces and their programs.
  • Undertook travel to all organizational facilities and outlying areas for the purpose of inspecting physical resources and conducting collaborative meetings with partner organization leaders.
  • Developed and executed a wide range of public programs that promote U.S. culture, education, Alumni engagement and networking, foreign policy, English language, etc., strengthening bilateral relations and collaboration between the two countries.
  • Handled American Spaces grants from start to finish, including developing criteria, announcing openings, evaluating applicants, managing budgets, and ensuring that goals were met.
  • Promoted open dialogue, counteracted negative preconceptions, and built bridges of understanding between the United States and Ethiopia.
  • Actively engaged with visitors and local communities to understand their needs, interests, and feedback on American Spaces offerings.
  • Served as a liaison between American officers and the local community, providing cultural and linguistic support.
  • Handled various administrative works including travel arrangements, led team meetings, greeting and assisting visitors, etc.

Team Leader - Consular Affairs (Immigrant Visa)

U.S. Embassy
07.2018 - 11.2019
  • Received multiple awards for outstanding performance and contributions to the U.S. government, including the Mission Honor Award, Group Eagle Award, Eagle Award, and Team Mission Honor Award.
  • Awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia and Ambassador for U.S. Mission to the African Union.
  • Promoted to team leader position in less than two years for consistently exceeding expectations and demonstrating strong leadership skills.
  • Supervised a team of 3 visa assistants and managed the daily immigrant visa processing operations.
  • Served as an acting supervisor for the largest immigrant visa section in Africa, the youngest person in the section's history to hold this position.
  • Monitored team performance and provided constructive feedback as well as conduct annual and bi-annual evaluations to increase productivity and maintain quality standards.
  • Worked with team to identify areas of improvement and devised solutions based on findings.
  • Mentored and guided employees to foster proper completion of assigned duties.
  • Held weekly team meetings to inform team members on company news and updates.
  • Monitored time and attendance, managed leave requests and arranged covers to facilitate smooth flow of operations.
  • Assisted in recruitment of new team members, hiring highest qualified to build team of top performers.
  • Optimized visa applicants experience by delivering superior and accurate services and effectively troubleshooting issues.
  • Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to ensure high standards of work.
  • Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
  • Led the consular outreach program.
  • Assisted American officers on a daily basis, becoming the "go-to" person for resources for the section.

Consular Assistant - Consular Affairs (Immigrant)

U.S. Embassy
09.2016 - 07.2018
  • Awarded the Eagle Award, Group Honor Award, Mission Honor Award, and Group Mission Honor Award in 2017 and 2018 for exemplary and outstanding performance on consular outreach work, extraordinary effort and team spirit, outstanding performance as Consular Assistant, and exemplary effort during staffing shortages and policy changes, respectively.
  • Took initiative to clear out the section's old data files, updated the SOPs, and digitized all paper immigrant visa files.
  • Reinvented the consular section's outreach program and spearheaded a multipronged messaging campaign on social media, TV, and radio to amplify awareness of consular programs and combat misinformation.
  • Provided the supervisor and American officers with a comprehensive overview of the unit's priorities, case processing capacity, and resource requirements.
  • Leveraging my previous airline experience, established myself as a trusted liaison between our section and Ethiopian airlines and immigration authorities, preventing ineligible and fraudulent travelers from boarding flights to the U.S.
  • Processed Immigrant Visa applications from start to finish, including data entry, biometrics, visa printing, quality assurance, packaging, and logging.
  • Assisted the Fraud Prevention Manager with consular fraud projects and provided waiver information to ineligible applicants.
  • Served as a subject-matter expert on State Department consular affairs laws and procedures.
  • Prepared periodic reports for annual consular package report.
  • Collaborated with immigrant visa sections worldwide on file transfers and sharing best practices.
  • Provided excellent customer service in all channels.
  • Proactively re-translated immigrant visa section information on website to local language.
  • Proficiently handled interpretation and translation between English and Amharic.
  • Mentored and supported American and local staff on procedural and cultural matters specific to the U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa, earning a reputation as the section's go-to resource.
  • Kept office supplies well organized and sufficiently stocked, placing orders promptly to replenish materials before depleted.
  • Informed and supported American Consular officers through consistent communication and administrative support duties.

Junior Corporate Communications Officer

Ethiopian Airlines
12.2015 - 09.2016
  • Built and maintained positive relationships with public by utilizing strategic plans.
  • Supported public relations managers and C-Suites with writing, researching and preparation of materials including speeches, press releases, website and social media contents.
  • Took the initiative to update the company's website and extensive contact list, and developed and implemented publicity strategies and campaigns.
  • Responded to inquiries from the public, press, and related organizations, and collaborated with the advertisement and promotion department to identify key markets.
  • Created promotional materials using Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.
  • Organized and executed a variety of events and regular visiting programs for groups from local and international organizations as part of public engagement and promotion.
  • Maintained strong relationships with key target markets and industry collaborators, and evaluated and recommended sponsorship requests for airline's social responsibility funds.
  • Produced and distributed brochures, newsletters and press kits.
  • Assessed and advised on sponsorship requests for the airline's social responsibility funds.
  • Engaged in professional networking to maintain strong relationships with communications and media professionals to drive partnerships and effective dissemination of mass communications.

News Reporter

Ethiopian Radio And TV Agency
03.2011 - 02.2012
  • Awarded as one of the Best Employees of the year for consistently demonstrating outstanding performance in reporting especially in investigative reporting.
  • Researched and produced daily news reports.
  • Delivered unscripted breaking news and special event coverage to community.
  • Crafted well-written news stories based on facts and edited content when time and space required it.
  • Interviewed individuals from all walks of life and all cultures for news stories.
  • Provided field reporting during major events to gather and share reactions from individuals directly impacted.
  • Conducted research, interviews, and fact-checking, and collaborated with editors, producers, and sources to produce clear and concise news stories for TV and Radio, ensuring that they were timely, unbiased and relevant.
  • Translated news and articles from English to Amharic. Ensured that translations were accurate, clear, and concise, and met the style and tone of the target audience.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism And Communications

Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
07.2010

Skills

    Communication

    Leadership

    Problem-solving

    Teamwork

    Emotional intelligence

    Analytical skill

    Interpersonal skill

    Policy Analysis

    Public Relations

    Decision making

    Detail oriented

    Adaptability

    Multitasking

    Organizational skills

    Customer Service

    Risk Assessment

Certification

Work-Related Training Certificates

  • Foreign Service National Supervisory Skills (February 11-15, 2019, U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa)
  • Immigrant Visa Local Staff Workshop (March 18-22, 2019, Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State, Arlington, VA)
  • Administrative Professionals: Common Administrative Support Tasks (December 13-16, 2016, Foreign Service Institute online training center)
  • Diversity on the Job: The Importance of Diversity and the Changing Workplace (September 28-29, 2016, Foreign Service Institute online training center)
  • Responsible Leadership on Transparency and Good Governance (May 2017, YALI Network)
  • Development Journalism and Basic Journalism (May 2011, Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency)
  • Detecting Fraudulent Documents and Imposters (December 2014, U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa regional security office)
  • Document Examination, Imposter Recognition, and Passenger Profiling (October 29, 2015, British Immigration Enforcement, Addis Ababa)
  • Document Awareness, Imposter and Fraud Detection (March 28, 2014, Canada Border Service Agency)
  • Customer service and marketing training (second half of 2012 Ethiopian Aviation Academy in the)
  • Service First and Altea DCS software Customer Management program training (April, 2015 Service Quality Institute at the Ethiopian Aviation Academy and Lufthansa German Airlines)

Timeline

Public Engagement Assistant

U.S. Embassy
11.2019 - 11.2021

Team Leader - Consular Affairs (Immigrant Visa)

U.S. Embassy
07.2018 - 11.2019

Consular Assistant - Consular Affairs (Immigrant)

U.S. Embassy
09.2016 - 07.2018

Junior Corporate Communications Officer

Ethiopian Airlines
12.2015 - 09.2016

News Reporter

Ethiopian Radio And TV Agency
03.2011 - 02.2012

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism And Communications

Addis Ababa University

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Menbere Gardie