Mindfulness, video games, spotify music and audio books, cooking and baking, watching movies
Geetashni Chand
Policy Officer
Edmondson Park
Summary
Skilled policy professional with expertise in proven research and strategic policy development. Well-versed in developing proposals with exceptional policy analysis and program management skills. Familiar with designing surveys and generating results. Critical thinking, problem solving and time management abilities.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
27
27
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Policy Officer - Regulatory Policy and Economics, Strategy & Engagement
NSW Department of Primary Industries
04.2023 - Current
- Undertake policy and project support activities that contribute to the development of policy initiatives, legislative reviews, programs and services to achieve the strategic objectives of NSW DPI
- Participate on project teams to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of policy delivery and inform policy development
- Prepare advice in the form of briefs, policy and discussion papers to respond to Ministerial, Cabinet or Departmental requests
- Establish and foster productive consultative relationships with industry stakeholders and key peak body representatives to support effective policy development
- Undertake research, analysis and review of options to contribute to the policy process to inform decision making, and contribute to the evaluation and reporting on policy outcomes
- Contribute to the delivery of the Division’s cabinet, legislative and regulatory programs.
Policy Advisor - Policy and Government Relations
Consult Australia
03.2022 - 03.2023
- Performed research, review and analysis of government policies and industry issues across focus areas to identify member interests
- Prepared timely, well researched and articulated guides, briefings, services for members and colleagues on relevant issues, in line with member-led policy positions
- Prepared timely, well researched and reasoned submissions and correspondence to government and parliamentary committees, with clearly articulated solutions/recommendations
- Assisted in ensuring a close member-led approach to policy and advocacy positions (e.g., updates to committees/roundtables)
- Developed clear understanding of strategic objectives and messaging relating to policy and advocacy including support for local state/territory
- Assisted in communicating policy and advocacy activities with members and engaged positively with all stakeholders to enhance Consult Australia’s reputation
- Designed online surveys and developed customized survey questions using SurveyMonkey platform to collect member feedback and developed findings report
- Provided support with the running of relevant roundtables/working groups (including meeting logistics and governance)
- Support the maintenance of accurate contact records in Salesforce
- Draft media statements, social media content and responses to member enquiries
- Assist with Consult Australia events such as Annual Gala Awards night
Training Coordinator
REACH for Training – Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
03.2021 - 03.2022
- Coordinated vocational training courses and maintained trainer profiles including updating records in VETRAK
- Established compliance framework to ensure adherence to RTO and Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) Standards
- Performed compliance against key phases of the student experience including marketing, enrolment, student progression, training and assessment and completion
- Provided support with maintenance of RTO scope of registration including qualification updates, extensions of scope and funding applications
- Performed review and updating of policies, procedures and work instructions across all aspects of RTO operations
- Delivered professional development sessions to trainers and administration staff.
Principal Budget Analyst – Budget and Planning Division
Ministry of Economy - Fiji
08.2016 - 11.2020
- Provided sound economic and financial policy advice to Permanent Secretary and Minister for Economy, and other stakeholders on issues that contributed to the achievement of Government’s strategic outcomes and long-term planning objectives
- Managed the successful implementation of all phases of the annual budget through appropriate consultation with sector agencies, including statutory bodies
- Provided technical expertise to the design and planning of projects and programmes for possible government funding
- Developed policy and cabinet papers, and vetting of subordinate comments for multiple government agencies
- Coordinated the successful implementation of annual budget through timely processing of requisitions and additional funding requests for agencies
- Conducted regular reviews of existing policies and programs, identifying areas for improvement or revision as necessary.
- Coordinated the effective implementation of National Development Plan (NDP) priorities through regular monitoring of policies and strategies
- Prepared ministerial briefings and statements, parliamentary responses and speaking notes including response to audit queries.
- Represented the organisation at national, regional and international level conferences
Senior Economic Planning Officer
Ministry of Economy - Fiji
08.2010 - 10.2012
- Provided quality advice on Government expenditure policy and assisted in the formulation and development of policy papers.
Contributed to the successful formulation, implementation and monitoring of Government’s Annual Budget
Contributed to the effective implementation of the NDP and other Government policy initiatives through regular monitoring of policies and strategies - Performed regular project site visits and inspections e.g., major infrastructure projects
- Assisted in the provision of technical input into presentations, ministerial statements, parliamentary responses, press releases and speaking notes
- Participated in various meetings and consultative forums including budget awareness, dissemination of key information to other government agencies and stakeholders
- Contributed actively to all corporate requirements including planning, budgeting, performance management and selection activities where require.
Economic Planning Officer
Ministry of Economy - Fiji
09.2006 - 07.2010
- Contributed to the successful formulation and implementation of Government’s Annual Budget
- Performed regular review and analysis of ongoing and new initiatives for policy recommendations
- Contributed to the effective implementation of NDP and other Government policy initiatives through regular monitoring of policies and strategies
- Performed regular project site visits and developed findings report
- Liaised with government agencies and statutory bodies to formulate policy proposals and assessment of budget and aid submissions
- Participated in workshops and forums as and when required
- Assisted with meeting logistics and governance.
Other Positions Held
Ministry Of Economy
03.2006 - 07.2012
- Acting Principal Economic Planning Officer (November 2012 - July 2016)
- Acting Senior Economic Planning Officer (July 2010 - August 2012)
- Project Officer (March 2006 - August 2006)
Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Economics -
University of The South Pacific
Fiji 04.2001 - Current
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Information System -
University of The South Pacific
Fiji 04.2001 - 04.2005
Master of Commerce in Economics -
University of The South Pacific
FijiSkills
Financial Management Information System
undefinedInterests
References
Available on request
Training
- International (2008 - 2019)
- International Study Tour on Tackling Childcare, Bangladesh
- Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting, Indonesia
- Strengthening Budget Institutions, Singapore
- Core Statistics/Indicators of Development including Pacific Headline Sustainable Development Goals Indicators, New Caledonia
- Regional Consultation on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Western Pacific, Philippines
- Capacity Building to Implement Multilateral Environment Agreements in the African, Caribbean and Pacific, Samoa
- National Reporting to Commission on Sustainable Development, USA
- 3rd Policy Consultation Forum of Seoul Initiative Network on Green Growth, Philippines
- Project Planning and Implementation, Fiji
- Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability, Fiji
- Writing of Cabinet and Policy Papers, Fiji
- Exploring Collaboration and Partnership for Development, Fiji
- Post Disaster Needs Assessment, Fiji
- Fiji Country Gender Assessment, Fiji
- Other in-house trainings, Fiji such as Open-Merit Recruitment Process, Financial Management Information System, Budgeting and Planning, etc
- DRNSW (April 2023 to present)
- Sharpen your Briefing Notes
- Cabinet 101
- Cabinet Masterclass
- Government 101
- Public Interest Disclosure Training
- Disability Awareness for Regional NSW Staff
- Cyber security awareness for Regional NSW
- Work Health and Safety
- Code of Ethics and Conduct
- Fraud and Corruption Awareness and Prevention
- Respectful Workplaces
- Aboriginal Cultural Competency
- NSW Government Procurement Foundations training
- Maintaining Wellbeing through Change
- CM9
Accomplishments
- Contributed to the preparation of submissions and responses for NSW Parliamentary Inquiries, Jobs and Skills Australia, Productivity Commission, Infrastructure Australia etc
- Designed online surveys e.g. Skills survey, Industry Health Check survey etc. which helped improve member advocacy.
- Managed government budgets effectively, prioritizing resource allocation for maximum impact on departmental goals e.g, Education (approx. $500m) and Health (approx. $400m)
- Contributed to the formulation of strategic policies by providing expert advice and information to decisionmakers on key government initiatives e.g, Transport Subsidy, Free Education Grant, Free Medicine Programme, Major Infrastructure projects etc
- Designed an effective monitoring template (annual work programme and quarterly project performance template) to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritizing tasks for timely completion
- Led the official and ministerial level budget consultations to present expenditure projections and assessment of budget submissions that significantly influenced allocation decisions
- Engaged with organisations e.g., ADB and World Bank to support and encourage opportunities for private sector investment
Timeline
Policy Officer - Regulatory Policy and Economics, Strategy & Engagement
NSW Department of Primary Industries
04.2023 - Current
Policy Advisor - Policy and Government Relations
Consult Australia
03.2022 - 03.2023
Training Coordinator
REACH for Training – Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
03.2021 - 03.2022
Principal Budget Analyst – Budget and Planning Division
Ministry of Economy - Fiji
08.2016 - 11.2020
Senior Economic Planning Officer
Ministry of Economy - Fiji
08.2010 - 10.2012
Economic Planning Officer
Ministry of Economy - Fiji
09.2006 - 07.2010
Other Positions Held
Ministry Of Economy
03.2006 - 07.2012
Postgraduate Diploma in Economics -
University of The South Pacific
04.2001 - Current
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Information System -
University of The South Pacific
04.2001 - 04.2005
Master of Commerce in Economics -
University of The South Pacific
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