Global Head of Policy Programs
Resume:
MENEN WONDWOSEN
*****.*********@*****.***
QUALIFICATION SUMMARY
POLICY: Global policy specialist with 9 years’ experience and a passion for commercially oriented sustainability initiatives.
MANAGEMENT: An expert stakeholder manager that succeeds in challenging, fast paced environments from war zones to newly acquired businesses with triple growth performance targets.
PARTNERSHIPS: A believer that programs implemented in collaboration creates efficiencies while gaining scale. A knack for forging alliances in emerging markets, particularly with government, industry groups, and private sector.
COMMUNICATIONS: Effective communicator, capable of translating complex subjects into clear messages for press, employees, executives and partners to enhance understanding and corporate brand. EXPERIENCE
DIAGEO September 2014 – Present
Global Head of Alcohol in Society Campaigns Washington DC (currently on assignment in Singapore) Lead public policy programs globally in 21 markets and develop Diageo’s strategy to reduce harmful drinking. Manage and coordinate the industry’s efforts to ensure meaningful impact in reducing drunk driving, underage consumption, heavy episodic drinking and other alcohol related issues. Develop a communication strategy to ensure Diageo is recognized as a leader and to create an enhanced corporate profile. Co-managed a budget of 1.5m GBP. Lead a team of 2 managers with indirect reporting lines to 40 managers globally.
Key Deliverables
Global partnerships with Uber, UNITAR, Collingwood Learning and other organizations to combat harmful drinking through education and awareness campaigns; build and maintain relationships with key influencers (gov’t, media) in multiple markets
50 new public policy programs implemented in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe that ensured Diageo’s leadership position in creating a positive role for alcohol in society and mitigated against restrictive policies
Breakthrough strategy to engage Ministries of Health, Education, Social Affairs and alcohol industry in multiple countries
Communication tools to relay key accomplishments in alcohol policy and programs; lead localization process with market teams
E-learning tool on alcohol consumption available on DrinkiQ.com; localize for 22 markets and external partners
Regional public policy strategies that halted or delayed aggressive polices that threatened business continuity in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, South Africa and Indonesia Meta Abo Brewery SC (A DIAGEO Company) May 2012 – August 2014 Corporate Relations Director Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Led the government affairs, community investment, strategy, and communications teams for the newly acquired Meta Abo Brewery (£45M sales). Setup and directed the corporate relations function to ensure business continuity through employee and external engagement, inclusive business and community programs, and strategic partnerships with government, NGOs and others. Lead a team of 5 managers.
Key Deliverables
Government stakeholder engagement to mitigate against restrictive trade, marketing polices, and to resolve forex challenges
Negotiated favorable investment terms that allowed for an additional 50MGBP investment into the expansion of the brewery
A local sourcing program with 7K small-holder farmers resulting in a 40% reduction in raw materials imported, 1MGBP saved.
Introduced innovative technology to streamline the contracting process of small-holder farmers
Launched first ever Don’t Drink and Drive campaign in Ethiopia with government and commercial partners
Implemented Water of Life programs impacting over 12,000 beneficiaries in Ethiopia TechnoServe November 2010 – May 2011
Consultant New York City, NY
Evaluated household nutrition levels and proposed market-based solutions that would improve the nutritional intake of the productive population in Ethiopia.
Key Deliverables:
Mapped current approaches to improving household nutrition inclusive of government, donor, NGO and private sector strategies
Proposed impactful market-based interventions for improving household-level nutrition in Ethiopia Center for Development Consulting May 2010 – August 2010 Research Consultant Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Provided technical support in producing proposals and ensure successful tendering process of donor contracts to implement health, capacity building and civil society programs in Ethiopia. Key Deliverables:
Produced the technical and financial sections of proposals
Participated and served as the Center’s representative at the annual African Peer Review Mechanism conference in Kampala, Uganda
Management Systems International (MSI) April 2007 – July 2009 Tatweer – USAID Contract Baghdad, Iraq & Washington DC Iraq, Strengthening National Capacity in Public Management (340M USD) Chief of Staff
Provided technical and management counsel to the Chief of Party, USAID and MSI to ensure effective implementation of a high priority project for the US Government (USG). Consulted on special projects and institutional development programs that delivered technical support and capacity building to over 50,000 Iraqi civil servants in public administration. Provided oversight on strategic and high value issues for the USAID/Tatweer Program. Performed budgetary review of program expenditures, ensured compliance with USG procurement regulations. Traveled to Kurdistan and surrounding districts in Baghdad to evaluate program sites.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Phenom Pen, Cambodia – UNESCAP Workshop – “Road Safety Goals and Targets for APAC” September 2017
Jeju, South Korea – UNITAR Conference “Strengthening Road Safety in Cities: Asia-Pacific”, June 2017
Durban, South Africa – UNITAR Conference “Improving Road Safety and Transports Systems in Cities”, February 2017
Lagos, Nigeria – UNITAR Conference “ Road Safety and Sustainable Transport Systems”, December 2016
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Diageo Press Conference & Launch of “Shoom Shufair”, January 2014
Maputo, Mozambique – African Green Revolution Forum – “Diageo Local Sourcing Program”, August 2013 SHORT TERM ASSIGNMENTS
Consultant, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (Italy) May 2006 – Sept 2006 Community Organizer, Los Niños Del Lago (Guatemala) Aug 2005 – Jan 2006 Research Assistant to Rep. Don Young (AK) United States House of Representatives (USA) Jan 2005 – May 2005 Research Assistant to Jonathan Shaw, MP, House of Commons, UK Parliament (England) May 2004 – Sept 2004 EDUCATION
2011, Columbia University, School of International & Public Affairs, New York, NY Master of International Affairs, Economic & Political Development 2005, The Catholic University of America, Washington DC Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
LANGUAGES
English, Amharic (Ethiopia), Spanish (working knowledge)
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