Ana Veljkovic

Family returned from China to New Zealand and soon after moved to Melbourne, Australia. Supported family transition and traveled overseas to visit extended family that I hadn't been able to see during COVID-19 times while in China. I used this time to gain new perspectives, engage in volunteer activities in different communities and do professional upskilling. Overall, this gap was period of personal and professional development that prepared me to be a more effective team member in ever-changing environment.

• Delivered strategic approach to internal communications, including dealing with sensitive topics and responding to crises and stressful events
• Built and maintained relationships with key internal stakeholders
• Worked with senior leadership to continue to embed Embassy staff values
• Implemented 4 large-scale Network-wide internal communications campaigns as well as drafting/managing day-to-day internal communication needs for teams across United Kingdom government departments in fast paced and complex environment
• Supported campaigns team in their wider work engaging and interacting with public to promote UK's ‘soft power' messages across China.

Various activities to promote New Zealand's culture, trade and education in China within New Zealand embassy and wider domestic and diplomatic community.

Please note that China does not allow New Zealand diplomats' spouses to be in paid work. The only option was to work in a like-minded embassy, which I did as soon as opportunity arouse in the UK Embassy (from May 2022).

• Senior leader, level 3 position in New Zealand Qualification Authority
• Managed and led team of 3 teams with 24 staff including budget management and forecast spending
• Delivered strategic planning and relationship management with proven ability to manage programmes of work to successful completion
• Managed and supported business unit and staff for development and maintenance of 117 New Zealand qualifications and standards which are generic in nature, based on indigenous values focused and/or reflect areas of Government priority
• Provided policy and specialist advice on standards and qualifications for project development, ensuring efficient and high-quality academic administration, compliance, and student support
• Played key role in managing transition of some NZQA developed qualifications to Workforce Development Councils with multiple stakeholder involvements and interests
• Led change management, working across secondary-tertiary interface including work with RTOs.

• Analysed business and service delivery risks, issues and trends, and recommend mitigation strategies
• Led cross-functional teams to execute projects on time, within budget, and with high-quality outcomes.
• Led 3 key programmes, initiatives and projects aligned with NZQA's statement of intent ( addressing teaching shortage supply in New Zealand, Case Management System replacement Product Owner, Operating Model design and delivery)
• Led through transition for better ways of working
• Monitored and reported team performance against business unit objectives, including analysing and interpreting reporting statistics to manage team workflow/outputs
• Conducted regular quality assurance and develop systems to ensure evaluation outcomes are consistent and fit-for-purpose
• Nurtured team environment that supports, fosters and develops effective, collaborative and respectful working relationships amongst team and business unit members
• Manage and led team of 12 staff in assessing applications.

• Delivered to organisational strategic and academic portfolio planning while considering short and long-term influences and requirements
• Planned and monitored implementation of technology-based learning programs.
• Facilitated work with 3 Faculty and other business units to develop Academic Cases and other documents required for accreditation purposes
• Provided professional advice on academic quality, particularly in relation to programme structure
• Developed mechanism for monitoring and reviewing programmes including responsiveness to Māori and other groups targeted for educational achievement success
• Managed internal and external stakeholder engagement and relationships.

• Performed consultatively with business to understand business needs, offer informed advice, and translate into well-defined specifications
• Managed 6 project delivery using relevant methodologies suitable to projects, including Agile/Scrum approach
• Delivered user stories using agile, scrum, lean methodology to define solution scope & prioritisation
• Applied honed problem-solving skills to analyze and resolve issues impacting business operations and goal achievement.
• Overseen application system developments (e.g Course Evaluations, Literacy and Numeracy Invitation tool, Engagement tool), enhancements and package implementations including business analysis, specification, testing and deployment of new or updated solutions
• Supported ownership and continuous improvement of team's practice
• Managed and coached staff including monitoring of performance objectives of positions, reporting to Software Development Manager.

• Provided innovative and problem-solving approach to Faculty driven projects and policy and programme development as specified by organisational strategy
• Evaluated, reviewed, improved and developed 5 new systems and processes, with coherent approach that is aligned with Polytechnic's strategic direction, performance planning and in support of faculty-wide initiatives
• Responsible for professional leadership in Faculty projects and with Faculty staff members
• Design and build of online products and services based on student-centred learning with specific responsibility for migration of all online courses in Moodle
• Collaborated with faculty, staff and students to identify and address institutional challenges.