Jennifer Smith

Research and development of new programs and curricula
Review and adaptation of professional skills training courses
Re-design of M&E systems
Support for business development and proposal writing

Technical advisor for all Amideast WDE programs across the MENA
Research and development of new programs and curricula
Review and adaptation of professional skills training courses to align with international best practices
Re-design of M&E systems to inform project implementation and capture impact
Support for business development and proposal writing

Restored a historic property to create a guesthouse and restaurant
Managed project cycle from conception to execution

Restored a historic urban property in the UNESCO medina of Fez to create a successful guesthouse and restaurant
Development of a comprehensive business plan including extensive research on local regulations and market conditions, cash flow projections, risk, and SWOT analysis
Coordination and management of local builders and subcontractors, sourcing materials, negotiation of contracts, monitoring, and quality control of works in progress
Creation of targeted print and online media marketing strategies
Recruitment, training and support of a team of 13 local staff in both front-of-house and back office skills and small business management
Collaboration with local community and colleagues to develop new tourism products to increase the average nightly stay in Fes and improve visitor experience and engagement

Review and adaptation of entrepreneurship training courses
Re-design of M&E systems
Creation and monitoring of work plans
Management of donor relationships

Independent Consultancy to support the workforce development and entrepreneurship programs in southern Morocco
Review and adaptation of entrepreneurship training courses to align with international best practices
Re-design of M&E systems to inform project implementation and capture impact
Creation and monitoring of workplans to ensure agreed targets are met
Management of donor relationships

Leadership of a US non-profit organization's operations
Recruitment, guidance, and development of staff
Budget forecasts and management
Cultivation of key relationships with stakeholders

Leadership of a US non-profit organization’s operations in Tunisia and Libya, with focus upon workforce skills development for youth and women, civil society development, and youth empowerment programs for marginalized communities
Recruitment, guidance, and development of 90+ staff and consultants, including 10 senior management direct reports
Budget forecasts and management of a $3 million portfolio of diverse donor-funded and fee-for-service programs
Translation of organizational objectives and priorities agreed with HQ and the Board of Directors into effective workplans developed with departmental teams
Cultivation of key relationships with State Department, international donors, government agencies, and diverse civil society associations to develop and support programs across the region

Managed the national office
Served as lead consultant
Business development for donor-funded projects
Recruitment and training of expat and local staff

Managed the national office of a regional development consulting firm and served as lead consultant
Provided data-driven assessments, evaluations, and advisory services to private and public sector clients such as the World Bank, USAID, UN, Save the Children, and Mercy Corps
Business development for donor-funded projects, winning over $800,000 of revenue in 2017
Coordination of up to 15 local and international project teams at any given time
Recruitment and training of expat and local staff
Financial management of the business, cash flow projections, monitoring of budgets and financial targets
Representation of the organization at national and regional fora and working groups

Monitored quality of training program
Developed and delivered new modules
Expanded training and employment opportunities

Country Coordinator of the 2-year residential vocational social enterprise training program for marginalized / disadvantaged youth and victims of human trafficking
Monitored quality of existing training program, developed and delivered new modules as necessary in line with international standards
Expanded training and employment opportunities for staff and students
Supervision, assessment, and capacity building of a team of 16 national staff and 20+ students
Financial management / budgetary authority of the project, reporting to HQ, the Board, and key stakeholders

Expansion and consolidation of client relationships
Identified and mitigated potential risks in transactions

Expansion and consolidation of client relationships with commodity traders and producers in the Middle East & North Africa
Identified and mitigated potential risks in the transaction, i.e. market shocks due to disasters or political instability, structural risks, performance risk, and payment risk