Erica Mason

Area of Expertise:

• Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
• Environment, Climate, Energy, Water, Sanitation
• Government, Governance, Reforms
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research, Analysis
• Social, Education, Gender, Youth, Child

Professional Experience:

I have a record of success defining and achieving objectives for global and domestic organizations that work with vulnerable populations. My current position at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB Scotland) in Scotland requires me to build internal and external networks to successfully deliver on nature and climate policy objectives for an evidence-based non-governmental organization. As part of this work, for which I manage a team of three, I must consider the needs of individual communities and successfully co-create a vision of the future for policymakers, researchers and the public that incorporates best practice for environmental conservation.

At the American Center, US Embassy Rangoon, I enhanced my professional skills working with governmental and non-governmental funding streams to fulfill short-term project objectives and long-term mission goals. This required a fundamental ability to communicate clearly, work as part of a team and forge cross-cultural relationships. In addition, in my first month in the position, I planned and implemented activities for Women's Month at the American Center that engaged over 360 stakeholders, and designed and implemented a new course curriculum for TOEFL test preparation which is still in use and increased the number of students interested in American exchange programs.

Early in my career, I worked as a director of two successful After School programs in Boston and as a classroom teacher. My leadership, organizational and budget experience were applicable in my next job as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Zambia, facilitating change and building capacity. As a program specialist and education volunteer, I taught teachers, community members and government officials to increase community members’, orphans’ and vulnerable children’s (OVC's) access to education. I was asked to participate on a committee that evaluated and redesigned the program and volunteer roles in order to make both more effective, resulting in a redefinition of program goals and more specific training for volunteers. I was also asked to stay beyond my original contract for a third year as a training and outreach specialist for a program that was in the initial stages of USAID and PEPFAR funding.

As a consultant in Colorado in the United States, I used many of the same skills I developed as a Peace Corps volunteer, working on a variety of needs assessments and primary research projects in local communities using targeted funding on short-term projects. I worked directly with rural health providers to improve service delivery and trained staff to improve data analysis.

Over the course of my career, I have developed strong communication skills and an ability to work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds toward a common goal. Both have served me well as an Equality and Diversity Champion at the RSPB and as a Head Foreign Teacher and trainer in the Republic of Korea, where I was asked to facilitate nationwide teaching methods and curricula training to teachers from many countries. I managed a staff of 6, while teaching and working closely with both school administration and the parents of my students.

I have balanced multiple responsibilities and roles and have taught others to do so as well. I have learned to quickly evaluate a situation and to focus limited resources on efforts that will maximize the most effective and widespread outcomes and I take pride in working as part of a team to strengthen communities.

Specific cv available upon request.