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Gender and development expert with over 15 years wealth of professional and applied research experience in social development programs, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and research in Ghana and the United States. Seeking challenging opportunities in international community and development organizations. Can relocate immediately. |
 Contact Elizabeth Koomson
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Area of Expertise: |
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Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
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Professional Experience: |
I am a gender and development specialist, with a focus on promoting gender justice for improving women’s wellbeing. I have over 15 years of international professional and applied research experience in social development programs; program implementation, monitoring and evaluation; and research. Most of this experience has been in Ghana, but some of it has been in the United States. I am committed to the effective delivery of development service, with excellent creative and collaborative skills, and the ability to interact effectively with team members.
Currently, I am pursuing a PhD degree in Social Work and Anthropology after graduating with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in 2010. During my graduate studies, I have engaged in many research opportunities including a qualitative study to assess postings and retention of doctors and nurses into rural, remote areas in Ghana and a quantitative analysis of a longitudinal data on the effectiveness of savings as an incentive for college entry. I have provided team effectiveness and leadership development as a program assistant for undergraduate study abroad programs in Ghana, run by the Department of African American and African Studies (DAAS) and the Center for Intercultural and Global Studies (CGIS) in the University of Michigan from the summer of 2011 to 2013. In addition, I am knowledgeable in program evaluation, evaluating the effectiveness of the introduction of Africentric methods in teaching MSW classes.
As a requirement for my MSW degree, I worked as a social work intern for the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED) and the Community Action Network (CAN) for two years. I interacted with CEED clients and CAN participants to build a successful working relationship to promote loan repayment schedules as well as set up an online market place where small business owners meet to brainstorm improved practices for their business. I am highly skilled in grant writing, recruitment and hiring procedures, and used my exceptional writing and communication skills to apply for VISTA grants to recruit volunteers for CEED outreach programs.
To gain high-performing strategic-thinking experience in service delivery, I worked with a target-oriented organization after my undergraduate education called Coconut Sector Development Project (CSDP). CSDP was a joint funded, five-year project of the Ghana and French governments. The mandate of the project was to rehabilitate coconut plantations devastated by the Cape Saint Paul Wilts Disease in Ghana. I worked with the project management and research teams, sensitizing women, and offering them capacity-building programs. With expertise in establishing rapport and building trust, I created a network of coconut planters and oil producers that led to a strong producer-processor chain. At the end of each year, I conducted an impact assessment survey of the program, analyzed by the research team for the annual project reports.
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Education: |
2017 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI,
USA
PhD in Social Work and
Anthropology
Dissertation Title: Transforming Customary Systems: Women’s Participation in Small-scale Gold Mining and Access to Resources in Talensi District in Ghana.
2010 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI,
USA
Master in Social Work in Community
Organization, Community & Social
Systems
1989 University of Ghana, Legon
Bachelor of Science in Family and
Consumer Science
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Affiliations and Achievements: |
Professional Affiliation
Society for Social Work Research (SSWR) Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program (Ghana) Social Work Association of Ghana Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA) American Evaluation Association
Honors and Awards
Research Grants
2014 Rackham Graduate Research
Grant, University of
Michigan.
2014 African Studies Center
Research Grant, University of
Michigan.
2011-2013 Office of Vice President of
Research (OVPR) Grant,
University of Michigan.
2009-2011 Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation Research Grant.
Fellowships
2016 Mary Malcomson Raphael Fellowship.
Center for the Education of Women,
University of Michigan.
2016 Sweetland Writing Center Summer
Fellowship, University of Michigan.
2016 Rackham Underrepresented Students
Award, University of Michigan.
2013 Rosemary Sarri Award, School of
Social Work, University of Michigan. 2012 Robin Wright Graduate Fellowship,
Center for the Education of Women,
University of Michigan. 2011 Rackham International Students
Fellowship, University of Michigan.
Travel Grants
2012 Rackham Conference Travel Grant,
University of Michigan.
2011 Rackham Conference Travel Grant,
University of Michigan.
2011 African Studies Center Conference
Travel Grant, University of Michigan.
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