Sonja Anderson
Seattle
Summary
Experienced in leading high-performing, geographically dispersed teams, I’m a humanitarian professional passionate about delivering meaningful, impactful solutions in challenging environments. I excel at building consensus and nurturing strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, using thoughtful and diplomatic communication. Whether speaking or writing, I focus on clarity and detail. Highly organized, my expertise in project management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement helps me foster a collaborative team culture that drives success and impact.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Team Lead (Senior Officer), Data and Evidence
Inter-agency Network For Education In Emergencies
09.2022 - Current
- Strategic Leadership: Spearhead the strategic direction of INEE’s data and evidence initiatives, focusing on the democratization of knowledge production and fostering collaboration across regional and global network spaces to inform and enhance organizational strategies.
- Team Leadership and Development: Recruit, mentor, and empower a high-performing Data & Evidence Team by fostering a collaborative environment that encourages professional growth and skill enhancement.
- Project Management: Lead the implementation of complex, high-impact projects by defining objectives, developing work plans, and ensuring timely execution.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with INEE network members, partners, and key stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration and collective action.
- Partner Development and Grant Management: Actively identify and pursue new funding opportunities to support strategic initiatives. Oversee grant management processes, including budgeting and reporting.
- Representation and Advocacy: Represent INEE in high-level strategic and technical meetings, conferences, and coordination platforms, advocating for the organization’s interests and enhancing its strategic position within the sector.
- Transparent Communication: Facilitate multi-directional information flows between the Data & Evidence Team, Director, and the INEE Steering Group.
- Organizational Compliance: Guide staff on the policies of INEE and its fiscal hosts, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
Evidence Coordinator
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies
09.2017 - 09.2022
- Research Fund Management: Managed the Dubai Cares E-Cubed Research Fund ($10M) and reviewed up to 175 proposals annually.
- Global Education in Emergencies (EiE) Evidence Leadership: Led global and regional consultations (of over 225 researchers and practitioners) to identify evidence gaps in EiE.
- Platform Development: Oversaw the development of the INEE Evidence Platform and the INEE Measurement Library.
- Event planning and Member Consultation: Support bi-annual organization and facilitation of INEE Working Group Meetings to identify priorities and build consensus on collective action to strengthen EiE.
Communications Coordinator
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies
10.2016 - 09.2017
- Interim Communications Lead: Managed all INEE communications while the Senior Communications Coordinator was on leave.
- Digital Content & Website Management: Compiled and prepared INEE e-communications via Mailchimp and maintained website content, translations, and updates on Drupal.
Education Consultant
International Committee of the Red Cross/Swissnex
01.2016 - 05.2017
- Background Research and Fieldwork: Compiled literature review and mapping, conducted 53 semi-structured interviews over two months in Lebanon and Jordan with NGOs, UN agencies, and donors on integrated education programs for refugee youth.
- Policy and Program Analysis: Produced a detailed report identifying strategic entry points for the ICRC to inform the development of their first Framework for Access to Education (2018-2020).
- Stakeholder Engagement and Uptake: Facilitated an education roundtable with the ICRC and Swissnex, and participated in internal strategy dialogues to drive uptake of research findings.
Program Assessment Officer
Open Learning Exchange
09.2015 - 05.2017
- Program Development: Researched best practices in community-based refugee education for adolescent girls and developed a baseline survey for the TIGER (These Inspiring Girls Enjoy Reading) program in Za’atari Refugee Camp (Jordan).
- Data Analysis and Evaluation: Analyzed baseline survey data using Stata and Excel, presented findings in a program report, and established monitoring and evaluation standards.
Student Researcher
Harvard Kennedy School
01.2016 - 02.2016
- Field Research and Stakeholder Engagement: Analyzed strategic challenges in humanitarian field missions and organized meetings with local NGOs, Ministry Officials, and refugees to map Morocco's migration policy development.
- Policy Analysis and Presentation: Produced a policy paper and podcast on Morocco's migration experience in the context of the European refugee crisis, presented at the Migration Policy Centre in Florence, Italy.
Education
Critical Language Scholarship - Arabic
Noor Majan Training Institute
Ibri, Omman08.2016
Ed.M. - International Education Policy
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Cambridge, MA05.2016
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations, Minor in Middle Eastern Politics
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA12.2013
Arabic Study Abroad and Cultural Exchange - Arabic
Amideast
Rabat, Morocco 05.2012
Skills
- Vision and long-term strategy development
- Project and budget management
- Development and implementation of sustainable and scalable processes
- Diplomacy and relationship building
- Grant writing and reporting
- Talent acquisition
- Team leadership
- Organization and attention to detail
- Research and data analysis
- Event management
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Professional Working
Arabic
Limited Working
Timeline
Team Lead (Senior Officer), Data and Evidence
Inter-agency Network For Education In Emergencies
09.2022 - Current
Evidence Coordinator
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies
09.2017 - 09.2022
Communications Coordinator
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies
10.2016 - 09.2017
Education Consultant
International Committee of the Red Cross/Swissnex
01.2016 - 05.2017
Student Researcher
Harvard Kennedy School
01.2016 - 02.2016
Program Assessment Officer
Open Learning Exchange
09.2015 - 05.2017
Critical Language Scholarship - Arabic
Noor Majan Training Institute
Ed.M. - International Education Policy
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations, Minor in Middle Eastern Politics
University of San Francisco
Arabic Study Abroad and Cultural Exchange - Arabic
Amideast
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