COMMSCONSULT - Key Persons
Farai Samhungu has worked in development communications and media for over 20 years. The trajectory of her career has involved developing successful communications strategies, communications programmes and projects; as well as mobilising resources for their effective implementation. As communications lead, Farai supported institutions and programmes to document their project processes and advising on advocacy strategies to feed into various policy making processes. As Advocacy Adviser for UNFPA in Zimbabwe, she guided advocacy work in the areas of population, HIV/AIDS, gender and sexual and reproductive rights.
As a senior member of staff at both IPS and Intermediate Technology Development Group (now Practical Action), she gained extensive knowledge and skills in management and organisational development through her contributions to the vision and strategic direction of both organisations, as well as management of operations.
She has knowledge and practical experience of working on programmes to influence policy as well as advising and mentoring organisations on effective policy influence.
Job Titles:
- Project Officer
- Writer, Publishing
Inés is a Project Officer at CommsConsult, providing logistical and editorial support on client projects. She originally joined the organisation to provide editorial support for Research to Action's Impact Practitioner initiative that brings together summaries of global resources to help people monitor the impact of their research.
Ines is an avid writer, publishing articles for news outlets and political blogs, and has been a contributing writer for a book. Previous experience includes interning at The DailyTelegraph newspaper and Brunswick Group LLP. Alongside her work at CommsConsult, she is the Senior Deputy Editor for Europinion, where she has provided coverage on Spanish and Pacific region politics.
Isobel Fisher is the Marketing Associate for CommsConsult, focusing on the growth of the Research to Action platform. She has been working with the University of Essex on the EIRA project which supports innovation in the East of England by providing businesses with access to academic expertise, including consultancy and collaborative research, specialist facilities and funding. Isobel also worked with the University's Research and Enterprise Office, being a key support for webinars, online events, grant-funded projects, and communications.
Isobel has worked in a variety of sectors looking at effective marketing from a range of different views and stakeholders, from the hairdressing industry to estate agency. With a passion to make the world a better place, Isobel has also recently launched her own Etsy business (Thistle & Flame) focusing on sustainable home fragrance.
Job Titles:
- Editor, Research to Action
Background
Kimberly Clarke has worked in communications for development for 30 years. A Canadian/British dual citizen, she is currently living in Exeter, UK.
She had a dream job at IT Publications from 1988 to 2000, editing the Waterlines and Appropriate Technology Journal fieldworker magazines along with editing and managing the production of numerous books. Working with authors from around the world to help them get their message across to readers (many were not native English speakers) was both fun and rewarding. As each issue of Appropriate Technology focused on a different issue, she worked with people from all corners of the globe, learning about renewable energy one issue, the challenges of mountain communities the next, and then perhaps barefoot vets.
As Marketing and Publications Coordinator at IIED from 2001 to 2003 she learned a whole new side of development communications, drafting the communications strategy for IIED's Business Plan and, as a member of a small team, supporting researchers and administrators to improve the impact of their work through better communications. She surveyed the information needs of both staff and IIED audiences, and produced guidelines for staff on publications production, marketing, and House Style. Kimberly produced annual publications catalogues and developed a monthly new publications e-bulletin that greatly increased downloads of publications. She organised successful exhibitions for IIED at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and the World Forestry Congress in Quebec City, both of which substantially increased visits to the website.
Since going freelance (1996-2001 and 2003-present) Kimberly has managed complex multi-language publications projects to strict budgets from conception to printing. She has reviewed the communications work of six of DFID's Research Programme Consortia (in health, education, and poverty reduction) as part of their Mid-Term Reviews. Kimberly wrote and edited an ‘Impact Stories' brochure for DFID Central America, including commissioning design and layout, liaising with NGOs in English and Spanish, and translating material into English. While living in Central America Kimberly visited WWF's sustainable community forestry project in Darién, Panama, to document evidence of and write an article about change in the community. She met with WWF staff in Colombia and Panama, interviewed partners from UNDP, Ministry of Environment, and the government's sustainable development unit among others, and stayed with and interviewed the indigenous community in Darién.
Job Titles:
- Editorial Specialist
- Senior Associate: Editorial
Laurie Huggett is the CommsConsult Editorial specialist. She oversees a Unit with a strong track record in producing content which both engages existing audiences and creates new communities. With experience in research communication, digital journalism and marketing, Laurie has worked on a wide range of communication projects within global development.
A specialist in digital storytelling and online communities, she has a diverse editorial portfolio including: the management of international news portals; film production and script writing; publication critiques and strategy development; and interactive storytelling and community development at events. She is also experienced in advising on best practice in identifying, engaging and influencing stakeholders.
With a background in English language and literary history, Laurie is fascinated by the process of cultural representation and construction through words and stories. She is interested in the way in which communities respond to particular language use and structure and, specifically, how this can be used to facilitate positive social change. She has an interest in ‘story communities' and believes all narratives can be strengthened by identifying the literary and linguistic context of your audience.
Megan has worked for more than 25 years in the development sector. She is co-founder of CommsConsult (with Farai Samhungu) and Director of the UK company CommsConsult Ltd. She has been, at different stages of her career, a science journalist, a policymaker, an NGO development worker and a trainer.
Megan Lloyd-Laney has quality assured the strategic communication and policy influence of up to £30m global public goodresearch while working for DFID's Research and Evidence Division. She has developed protocols and guidelines to help researchers systematise their communication throughout the research cycle to maximise uptake; and has conducted numerous evaluations of the policy uptake and impact of multicountry, multi-partnership, long-term research programmes. She has led teams that help policymakers such as the World Bank to understand and meet demand for information, and on improving the effectiveness of knowledge networks. She has reviewed the effectiveness of many organisations' communications and influencing activities, such as IFPRI, and performed trouble-shooting assignments for both research and development projects such as DFID-funded AAWAZ Voice and Accountability Programme in Pakistan.
Nyasha Musandu is the CommsConsult Training specialist. She manages a unit which delivers tailor made, fit-for-purpose capacity building solutions for development practitioners dealing with complex communication challenges. She is a strategic communication and tactical support specialist with experience in leading and supporting communication and policy engagement interventions for researchers, knowledge intermediaries and development practitioners. Her role includes identifying and developing capacity strengthening modules to meet the varying communication needs of organisations.
Zara Maddock-Wills is the Administrator and Project Assistant for CommsConsult. Born and bred in the beautiful county of Cornwall, Zara started her career as a Wedding and Events Planner. After the birth of her daughter, Zara decided to re-train as a Medical Administrator which allowed her to move around more freely to be close to her military husband. After living in sunny Gibraltar for nearly two years Zara and her family have moved back to their home in Cornwall. She currently juggles two part-time roles, working both as a Personal Assistant for a Director at the local hospital and being CommsConsult's Administrator.