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SUMMARY

I’m an experienced writer, journalist, and communications professional with a solid background in international development and the not-for-profit sector. Most recently I was the communications officer at an Oxford-based NGO. I spent six years as a journalist at a mid-sized daily newspaper and two at a national multicultural TV show. I then moved into communications at a top Canadian university, where I honed my expertise in copywriting, communications strategy, media relations, digital content, and social media. I have a Master of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in international development studies and English. Originally from Canada, I have lived in six countries and speak four languages.

EMPLOYMENT

Jan. 2012 – June 2013

Communications Officer, INTRAC (International NGO Training and Research Centre), Oxford, England

- Wrote, designed, and laid out marketing materials

- Edited, disseminated, and publicised papers, reports, newsletter, blog

- Developed and implemented social media strategy

- Led redevelopment of home page content, maintained web content

Communications Officer, Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, Canada

1. -Created comprehensive communications strategy where none existed
   

2. -Led content portion of website redesign, laid out content plan for a year
   

3. -Wrote stories and produced videos showcasing faculty’s achievements
   

4. -Wrote news releases, placed op-eds in media, liaised with journalists
   

5. -Hired and supervised interns, planned and managed their projects
   

6. -Produced interactive social media content, cultivated online community
   

Communications Officer, Communications and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo

1. -Led writing of major report on university’s audiences for digital content
   

2. -Led media training to prepare faculty and student leaders for interviews
   

3. -Coached university president on preparing for broadcast interviews
   

4. -Acted as assistant editor and writer for alumni magazine
   

5. -Wrote stories and copy for website and print materials, created videos
   

6. -Assisted in developing communications plans for events and projects
   

Copy editor, Waterloo Region Record, Canada

1. -Edited local and wire copy for accuracy, clarity, style and length
   

2. -Designed and laid out pages, wrote headlines, updated website
   

Reporter, Waterloo Region Record, Canada

1. -Started in general assignment, later became education beat reporter
   

2. -Proposed and wrote news and feature stories on wide range of topics
   

3. -Regularly anchored daily web newscasts
   

Intern Reporter, Hamilton Spectator, Canada

- Wrote news and feature stories on daily deadlines, on wide range of topics

Video journalist, Culture Shock/Culture-choc, CBC Newsworld / Réseau d’Information, Toronto/Vancouver

- Produced, researched, shot, wrote and narrated television features and short documentaries in English and French

Researcher, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Toronto

1. -Researched for and assisted in production of documentaries and news
   

2. -Lined up guests, prepared briefings and questions for interviewers
   

Co-ordinator of international relations, Naokawa, Japan

1. -Planned various events to bring international awareness to small town
   

2. -Taught English and international cooking classes to groups of all ages
   

3. -Helped plan and chaperone secondary school exchange trip to Guam
   

Co-coordinator, Trent Women’s Centre, Peterborough, Canada

- Co-managed all activities of university women’s centre, including
  advocacy, events, publications, peer support, and resource centre.

Post-graduate diploma, Creative Writing, Humber College, Canada

1. -Seven-month correspondence programme
   

2. -James Appel Scholarship, 2010
   

3. -Produced approximately 300 pages of writing
   

Master of Journalism, The University of British Columbia, Canada

1. -William Rea Fellowship Award in Television, 2003-2004
   

2. -University Graduate Fellowship Award, 2003-2004
   

3. -Canadian Association of Broadcasters Jim Allard Broadcast Journalism Scholarship, 2002
   

4. -CBC Newsworld Joan Donaldson Scholarship, 2002
   

5. -Maintained A average
   

Bachelor of Arts, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada

1. -International development studies year abroad program in Ecuador, 1995-1996
   

2. -On scholarship, did summer course and internship in Zimbabwe, 1997
   

3. -Peter Robinson College medal for highest academic average, 1998
   

4. -Entrance scholarship, 1994
   

5. -Maintained A average
   

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

- Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit, ABC Canada Literacy Foundation media award, 2008

- Finalist, novice reporting award, Ontario Newspaper Awards, 2005

VOLUNTEER AND FREELANCE EXPERIENCE (selected)

July 2010

May 2004

May 1998

Columnist, Kitchener Post, Canada

- Wrote regular freelance parenting column for community newspaper

Board secretary, Paintin’ Place Co-op Daycare, Waterloo, Canada

1. -Kept minutes for volunteer board, helped plan fundraising/social events
   

2. -Helped create policies and plans, evaluate supervisor, monitor budget
   

Tutor, Pathways To Education, Kitchener, Canada

1. -Tutored disadvantaged students in English, French, history, geography
   

Circle of Friends Volunteer, Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada

- Befriended refugee family transitioning out of homelessness. Met with family regularly, helped with issues such as budgeting, accessing community resources.

Host Programme Volunteer, Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada

- Befriended and regularly met with recent immigrants to Canada, introduced them to community facilities, informally helped them improve conversational English.

Editor, Association of Japan Exchange and Teaching, Japan

- Edited, wrote articles, laid out and distributed monthly magazine-style newsletter for expatriates in Oita Prefecture, Japan

Intern, Promoción de la Mujer, Cuenca and area, Ecuador

- Helped rural women’s collectives write business plans, funding applications and individual life stories

2011-2013

2011-2012

2008-2009

2006-2008

2006-2008

1999-2000

1995-1996

SKILLS

- Highly proficient writer, editor, researcher, interviewer – almost any style, length, format or topic

- Shooting digital video using a variety of cameras, microphones, tripods, lighting kits or natural light

- Editing digital video using iMovie or Final Cut Pro

- Highly skilled user of software including: Microsoft Office suite, Mac and Windows operating systems, CCI NewsGate, Quark Xpress, Drupal-based content management systems, Adobe Photoshop, GIMP

- Skilled user of social media and web applications including: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+, WordPress, Blogspot, Google Sites, Flickr, Picasa, YouTube, Skype

- Working competence with software including: Raiser’s Edge, Adobe Illustrator, Apple Pages, iWeb

- Languages: French (advanced, writing and speaking), Japanese (speaking advanced, writing intermediate), Spanish (intermediate, writing and speaking).

See writing and video samples on my website, www.kawawada.net. References upon request.

I am legally eligible to live and work in the United Kingdom.

Oct. 2010 - Jan. 2012

Mar. 2009 – Sept. 2010,

July – August 2008

Sept. 2004 – Mar. 2009

May – Aug. 2004

Sept. 2002 – May 2004

May – Aug. 2002

Aug. 1998 – Aug. 2000

May 1997 – April 1998

Jan. 2014 – July 2014