Amna Berbic
Maribyrnong,VIC
Summary
High performing professional, organized, dedicated with excellent attention for details with extensive experience working with Victorian Public Service and multinational organization focused on the design, development, and effective implementation of good public policy for delivery of priority outcomes for government and the community. As a planner and achieved project officer and departmental liaison officer, who can adapt to change, I am determined build and maintain productive working relationships in support to service delivery, ensuring efficient flow of information and delivery of well-informed advice.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
DEPARTMENTAL LIAISON OFFICER
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Melbourne, VIC
04.2023 - Current
- Continue to facilitate the working relationship between the Minister for Regional Development office and the department by ensuring a smooth flow of information and advice in both directions - using team meetings, and other forms of communication to ensure that I am working collaboratively
- Manage and coordinate administrative and communication requirements and protocols between the Minister’s office and the department, including the monitoring and tracking of departmental responses to ministerial office requests
- Provide high level and proactive advice to senior departmental officers and ministerial staff on relevant administrative and other matters.
PROJECT/POLICY OFFICER
ACTING SENIOR DEPARTMENTAL LIASION OFFICER, PREMIER’S OFFICE
Melbourne, VIC
04.2021 - 04.2023
- I was responsible for review and improvement of processes for successful delivery of Secretariat Role, supporting Victorian Premier in attending and negotiation state priorities with the Commonwealth, participating at National Cabinet Meetings primarily managing National Plan for Transition of Australia’s COVID 19 Response, implementing national health, education, energy and other reforms and providing strategic policy advice in negotiating Commonwealth funding for the state projects of national importance
- I was also a part of the DLO pool and I have held acting role of Senior Departmental Liaison Officer with the Premier’s Office ensuring timely, high quality, evidence-based advice to the Premier
- I managed and developed processes for managing briefings, improve quality and increase responsiveness.
DEPARTMENTAL LIAISON OFFICER
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AMBULANCE SERVICES
MELBOURNE, VIC
07.2022 - 08.2022
- I have facilitated high quality communication between the Office of the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and the Department of Health
- My tasks included establishing strong relationship with the Advisors and the Minister’s Office, divisions and branches across the Department of Health
- I provided high quality information and advice related to health services, legislative and cabinet submissions, and parliament questions
- I liaised and worked closely with regional and divisional contacts, Office of the Secretary and Deputy Secretaries to manage and address client related matters
- I worked closely with Cabinet and Parliament branch to ensure and to process cabinet and parliament submissions, appointments of board members of health and cemetery services including legislative proclamations
- I was also responsible for reviewing and improving processes related to triaging, prioritization of requests, improving quality and efficiency of systems and processes and aligning them with the 11 Principles of the Privacy Act.
EXECUTIVE SUPPORT TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Department of Health and Human Services, North Division
Melbourne, VIC
04.2018 - 04.2021
- I provided executive support and managed functions of the office of the Directorate including managing correspondence, departmental request, external oversight bodies, and providing coordination and administrative support to committees, working groups and meetings
- Specific activities included coordination with offices of key stakeholders, internal and external such as, Deputy Secretary, Secretary, other divisions and branches, Ministers’ Offices and other departments and CSOs
- I coordinated and managed ministerial correspondence briefings and MDPs, incident reports, appeals; organised agendas and follow up actions
- I was working closely with senior leadership, Deputy Secretary Office, and external clients to convey the departments expectations and provide timely advise and referral as appropriate
- I drafted correspondence of high standard for external distribution and final presentation of reports and letters
- I championed the Electronic Data Records Management (EDRM TRIM) for the Directorate and coordinating activities and support admin staff for Housing, Child Protection, Agency Performance and System Support, Population Health and Community Wellbeing to develop and maintain highly classified records and data
- I developed and delivered EDRM TRIM/CM guidelines, Workbook and training for all supporting staff
- I championed OurBriefings for North East Melbourne Area, acting as request manager and quality control before responses are submitted, ensuring all issues raised are addressed
- I worked with other divisions, branches and units to gather and collaborate high quality responses, reports and information for the Area Director and Deputy Secretary such as Incident reporting, organizational redesign, new government initiatives, Performance and Quality Reports
- I developed OurBriefings handbook and guiding principles for managing Ministerial briefings.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO COMMISSIONER
DISABILITY SERVICES COMMISSIONER
Melbourne, VIC
05.2017 - 08.2018
- I provided high-quality support and assistance in day to day operations and work of the Commissioner
- I managed coordinated the work activities and events including coordination of stakeholders such as the Minister office, DHHS Secretary office, Deputy Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Education and Training, Commonwealth Quality and Safeguards Commission, Health Complaints Commissioners across all jurisdictions, Office of the Public Advocate, Victoria Police, Australian Human Rights Commissioners, Victorian Ombudsman, State Coroners Court, various divisions within DHHS, NDIS, and Service Providers
- I managed complex and demanding diaries of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner based on competing priorities that require coordination with various divisions and departments
- I drafted high quality correspondence for the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to the Minister, Secretary and other departments
- I coordinated events such as National Disability Commissioners’ meeting bi-annually and coordinated with Commissioners across all jurisdictions
- I identified Learning opportunities for DSC staff and drafted the program for the DSC Planning Days This included developing proposal in line with the desired outcomes, organised a facilitator and commissioned consultants to conduct the MBTI, workshop and team building activities
- I have also proposed and commissioned the Cultural Competency Awareness Training for DSC staff and developed the DSC Learning Plan for all teams
- I worked on DSC Policy and Procedures review using self-audit approach; developing inventory of existing policies and procedures, identifying new procedures in line with the legislation changes of 2017 that include new powers for Investigation, Systemic review and Commissioner Initiated Investigations
- I closely worked with managers to ensure follow up actions and activities are completed in time and that the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner have all relevant documentation and information prior to decision making or relevant meetings.
Executive Assistant to the General Manager
AMES Australia, Head Office, Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
03.2016 - 05.2017
- I supported the establishment of Social Participation and International Humanitarian Affairs (SPIHA) division that worked towards delivery of comprehensive services to immigrants, refugees and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities
- I was responsible drafting progress reports, strategic documents and correspondence with various national and international stakeholders such as DIBP, DFAT, Victoria Police
- I was responsible for monitoring and follow up of progress and compliance of projects within SPIHA, financial delivery and cost analysis
- I was coordinating and consolidating development of Business Operational Plans, Risk Assessment for SPIHA and individual programs within, Progress Report on Strategic Priorities
- I also administered recruitment, internship and work placements, and personnel related issues such as selection process, supporting HR in process of contracting, drafting work placement agreements and liaising with Universities on student work placements within the division
- As a person always striving for new and challenging opportunities, I have worked on drafting of the new Youth Participation Framework, providing new ideas and suggestions including mapping of funding opportunities.
Head of Operations
Children's Relief
Sarajevo, Bosnia And Herzegovina
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Children’s Relief is a German non-governmental organization with its core activities aiming to provide emergency and humanitarian assistance to conflict and disaster affected areas in South Eastern Europe and Asia
- As Head of Office in Sarajevo I developed policies, Mid and long-term Strategies for the Program in Western Balkans focusing on Prevention of Gender Based and Sexual Violence, Free legal Aid, Women Empowerment, Human Right promotion and Social Inclusion of children with disabilities
- I designed, managed and implemented Projects related to Support to victims of gender based and sexual violence, families of children with disabilities, including the development of legal analysis and proposed Policy Paper on Protection of families of children with disabilities that were funded by the USAID and Canadian Foreign Ministry in amount of over USD 100,000
- I designed the delivery of Emergency Support to disaster affected areas during the floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina in May and June 2014
- I managed the office, 2 administration staff, 2 consultants and team of volunteers.
Sector Leader, Security and Justice Portfolio
United nations Development Program Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo, Bosnia And Herzegovina
03.2009 - 12.2012
- United Nations Development Programme is one of the largest UN Agency working towards achievements of UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through building and strengthening national capacities and ensuring delivery of services to people in over 140 countries worldwide
- During my role I was responsible for managing a program of 20 mil USD annually and team of 15 staff members in a complex political environment that was constantly challenged by ethnic tensions
- I was closely working with different state institutions such as State Parliament, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and provided technical advice on the compliance with United Nations Instruments and Conventions related to disaster risk reduction, defence and security reforms, justice reforms that included support to implementation of Strategy for Processing of War Crimes, one of the most challenging and sensitive processes
- I was responsible for establishing and maintaining partnership with the donor community including US Embassy, European Delegation, United Nations agencies such as UNHCR, UNDAF, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and UNODC
- As a result of our efforts the program was fully funded with the new project on Disaster Risk Reduction in pipeline that was later fully funded
- I provided technical advice and support to UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative on developing strategic documents and position papers including discussions with President, Prime Ministers and Ministers
- I contributed to the development of reports on the political situation to the UN HQ in New York
- I have commissioned and worked with consultants on numerous Surveys of high political and sensitive nature and complexity utilized to develop UN country-specific goals and subsequent programs in support to addressing the most pressing issues and challenges posed to the security and stability of the country
- Those included a reduction in weapons and ammunition stockpiles, weapons import and export control, Witness and Victims Support, Free Legal Aid
- I was invited and delivered numerous presentations to the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), United Nations forums and conferences for regional cooperation and weapons control
- I was also assigned to provide program support and identify issues and opportunities for project development and effective partnership to the United Nations in Georgia and United Nations Development Program in Serbia.
Project Manager, Chief Technical Advisor
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Sarajevo, Bosnia And Herzegovina
03.2003 - 03.2009
- As a Project Manager and CTA, I was responsible for establishing a comprehensive program addressing the need to reduce weapons and ammunition in post war country in support to defense reforms that included transformation of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Initially I have started working on project preparatory phase with zero funds available
- I have therefore worked to establish fully fledged project documents, organizing fundraising events and submitting funding applications to number of bilateral donors
- The project was co-designed with the Ministries of Defence, European Union Forces in BiH and NATO forces in BiH in coordination with other organisations such as Office of the High Representative and Office for Security Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
- The project was developed to support the country’s efforts towards Euro Atlantic Integrations and support the local facilities through environmentally benign disposal methods using the local capacities
- It was funded by the Government of United Kingdom, Government of Norway and European Union in amount of USD 5 million
- The project and its significance was well represented through media and had a major impact on peace keeping efforts
- I was interviewed by CNN on weapons collection programs that I pioneered through lottery and had a crucial impact on government’s approaches to buy-back programs
- The weapons collection project was highly cost beneficial compared to buy back approach and was used in other countries dealing with similar issues
- As a result, a National Weapons Control Strategy was developed and endorsed and the process for legislation harmonization was initiated.
Education
FinCloud, COS, CTM, GIPS, ABC Solutions -
01.2021
eMinisterials and OurBriefings – DFFH and DH -
01.2019
EDRM TRIM Power User and End User -
01.2019
Child Safe Standards, DSC -
01.2018
Information Sharing Training, DSC -
01.2018
Managing Aggressive and Challenging Behaviors, Careniche -
01.2018
Victorian Government, DHHS, Procurement and Procurement Card Training -
01.2017
IPAA Grammar and Punctuation Course, Victorian Government -
01.2017
Victorian Government, DHHS, Procurement and Procurement Card Training -
01.2017
IPAA Grammar and Punctuation Course, Victorian Government -
01.2017
Diploma in Business Administration -
01.2016
MS Excel 2010 – Intermediate/Advanced -
01.2016
Business Writing Advance course, AMES Australia -
01.2016
Cross-cultural Communication, AMES Australia -
01.2016
Conflict Management ADVANCED, AMES Australia -
01.2016
Diploma in Business Administration -
01.2016
MS Excel 2010 – Intermediate/Advanced -
01.2016
Business Writing Advance course, AMES Australia -
01.2016
Cross-cultural Communication, AMES Australia -
01.2016
Conflict Management ADVANCED, AMES Australia -
01.2016
Diploma in Community Practice (Case Management) -
Diploma in Community Practice (Case Management) -
United Nations Course in Management, PRINCE II Foundations -
United Nations Course for Programme Officers -
United Nations Courses on Conflict Management -
United Nations Course on Emotional Intelligence -
United Nations Course on Business Writing -
Skills
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Strategic Partnerships
- High-Pressure Environments
- Team Collaboration
- Policies and Procedures Implementation
- Project Planning
- Incidents Management
- Intercultural Awareness
- Communication Improvements
- Recordkeeping
- Activity Planning
- Reporting
- Issue Resolution
References
- Hugh Thomas, Director, Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Premier and Cabinet, 0467 717 745, hugh.thomas@dpc.vic.gov.au
- Louise Hallahan, Senior Departmental Liaison Officer, Office of the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, 0459 937 876, louise.hallahan@health.vic.gov.au
- Angela Papoutsoglou, Executive Director, North East Melbourne Area, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), 03 9479 0646, angela.papoutsoglou@dffh.vic.gov.au
- Laurie Harkin, AM, Emeritus Disability Services Commissioner, 0408 551 468, llaurenceharkin@gmail.com
Timeline
DEPARTMENTAL LIAISON OFFICER
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
04.2023 - Current
DEPARTMENTAL LIAISON OFFICER
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AMBULANCE SERVICES
07.2022 - 08.2022
PROJECT/POLICY OFFICER
ACTING SENIOR DEPARTMENTAL LIASION OFFICER, PREMIER’S OFFICE
04.2021 - 04.2023
EXECUTIVE SUPPORT TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Department of Health and Human Services, North Division
04.2018 - 04.2021
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO COMMISSIONER
DISABILITY SERVICES COMMISSIONER
05.2017 - 08.2018
Executive Assistant to the General Manager
AMES Australia, Head Office, Melbourne
03.2016 - 05.2017
Head of Operations
Children's Relief
01.2012 - 01.2014
Sector Leader, Security and Justice Portfolio
United nations Development Program Bosnia and Herzegovina
03.2009 - 12.2012
Project Manager, Chief Technical Advisor
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
03.2003 - 03.2009
FinCloud, COS, CTM, GIPS, ABC Solutions -
eMinisterials and OurBriefings – DFFH and DH -
EDRM TRIM Power User and End User -
Child Safe Standards, DSC -
Information Sharing Training, DSC -
Managing Aggressive and Challenging Behaviors, Careniche -
Victorian Government, DHHS, Procurement and Procurement Card Training -
IPAA Grammar and Punctuation Course, Victorian Government -
Victorian Government, DHHS, Procurement and Procurement Card Training -
IPAA Grammar and Punctuation Course, Victorian Government -
Diploma in Business Administration -
MS Excel 2010 – Intermediate/Advanced -
Business Writing Advance course, AMES Australia -
Cross-cultural Communication, AMES Australia -
Conflict Management ADVANCED, AMES Australia -
Diploma in Business Administration -
MS Excel 2010 – Intermediate/Advanced -
Business Writing Advance course, AMES Australia -
Cross-cultural Communication, AMES Australia -
Conflict Management ADVANCED, AMES Australia -
Diploma in Community Practice (Case Management) -
Diploma in Community Practice (Case Management) -
United Nations Course in Management, PRINCE II Foundations -
United Nations Course for Programme Officers -
United Nations Courses on Conflict Management -
United Nations Course on Emotional Intelligence -
United Nations Course on Business Writing -
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