Kumiko Iwasawa
Trigg,WA
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
International Cooperation Coordinator
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
07.2023 - 09.2024
- Acted as primary liaison between JICA, local governments, NGOs, and communities to deliver international cooperation projects aligned with local and global goals.
- Built strategic partnerships, including collaboration with Urayasu D-Rocks, a pro rugby team, and the Chiba City through a large-scale community awareness initiative.
- Organized seminars, workshops, and public events to boost citizen engagement, deepening understanding of global issues.
- Delivered training and lectures for educators, supporting capacity building within the education sector.
- Improved program outcomes by streamlining coordination across departments and external partners.
Specially Appointed Staff (Cluster Support)
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
07.2021 - 06.2023
- Researched, adapted, and piloted JICA’s educational cooperation outcomes (teaching materials, training approaches) to address learning challenges of EAL/D children in Japan, supporting inclusive education.
- Managed international cooperation education projects in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Malaysia, overseeing two TVET initiatives and a non-cognitive skills program to strengthen human resource development.
- Contributed to a joint research mission with JICA and Japan’s Ministry of Education (MEXT) to Australia, providing comparative insights for the International Comparative Study on Global Education (Phase II).
- Founded and chaired a cross-departmental Knowledge Management Network on multicultural conviviality, fostering organizational learning and strategies to advance inclusive education.
Project Formulation Advisor (Education and TVET)
JICA MYANMAR
08.2016 - 03.2021
- Oversaw JICA’s education and TVET portfolio in Myanmar, spanning primary, vocational, and higher education projects, including the Primary Curriculum Reform, Taungoo Education College construction, engineering higher education initiatives, and nationwide school construction.
- Facilitated communication and coordination with the Ministry of Education and related authorities to formulate new projects and ensure smooth implementation of ongoing initiatives.
- Supported the formulation and launch of three TVET projects with a combined budget exceeding ¥4 billion (approx. AUD 40 million), contributing to technical skills development and workforce readiness.
- Collected and analyzed education sector data to advise JICA Myanmar on targeted support for social cohesion in conflict-affected Rakhine State, improving program alignment with local needs.
- Represented JICA in education coordination forums, serving as Development Partner (DP) co-chair of the Curriculum & Assessment Sub-Sector Working Group to strengthen donor–government collaboration.
Education Specialist
UNICEF LEBANON
02.2013 - 12.2014
- Developed and rolled out a comprehensive Monitoring & Evaluation plan, EU-funded programme implementation plan, and partnership monitoring matrix for education interventions supporting Syrian refugee children in Lebanon.
- Introduced Activity Info, an innovative monitoring/reporting tool, by training education stakeholders and strengthening data-driven decision making across refugee education programmes.
- Partnered with the Ministry of Education to design and launch the Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP), expanding access to non-formal education for out-of-school Syrian refugee and host community children.
- Led an e-learning innovation pilot using Raspberry Pi computers in non-formal education centres, promoting digital inclusion for vulnerable children and youth.
- Managed rehabilitation of 76 schools with three implementing partners, improving safe and inclusive learning environments for refugee and host community children.
- Directed planning, procurement, and distribution of 3.8 million education supplies under the Back-to-Learning programme, developing a supply monitoring tool to ensure equitable access.
- Secured over USD 45 million (AUD 69 million) in donor funding (EU, CIDA, Germany, others) by contributing to high-quality proposal development, significantly expanding education opportunities for Syrian refugee and Lebanese children.
Education Specialist
UNICEF IRAQ
08.2011 - 01.2013
- Managed a €17 million (AUD 30 million) EU-funded education programme from inception to implementation, establishing programme management systems and leading joint planning with partners.
- Piloted and introduced alternative Early Childhood Development (ECD) models to expand pre-primary education opportunities nationwide.
- Led a rollout the Child-Friendly Schools (CFS) initiative in 230 schools across Iraq, strengthening school-based management and learning environments.
- Designed and launched the School-Based Teacher Professional Development programme, creating the CFS teacher training package and implementing training-of-trainers (TOT) nationwide in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
- Contributed to upstream education policy reforms through the Iraq Public Sector Modernization (I-PSM) programme led by UNDP, supporting capacity development and decentralized planning for improved service delivery.
Education Officer (Monitoring & Evaluation)
UNICEF IRAQ
07.2008 - 07.2011
- Developed and implemented Results-Based Management (RBM) monitoring tools, including a Results Framework for the education programme, ensuring accurate tracking of achievements and outcomes.
- Supported the design and rollout of the Child-Friendly Schools Initiative (CFSI), contributing to improved quality learning.
- Led the revision of English textbooks for the Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP), improving relevance and usability for out-of-school children.
- Contributed to the development of the 5-year Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP), including planning, annual reviews, reporting, and results-based budgeting.
- Drafted and finalized 50+ donor reports and proposals, including securing approval for a €17 million (AUD 30 million) EU-funded education programme.
- Managed procurement and distribution of education supplies worth USD 3 million (AUD 4.6 million) annually, ensuring timely delivery and efficient resource use.
Associate, Overseas Dept. Economic Development Div.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT CONSULTANTS, INC.
10.2007 - 04.2008
- Appraised 150+ proposals, facilitating funding for 50+ development projects in Vietnam and Laos and securing approx. JPY 1 billion (AUD 10 million) for initiatives in education, health, psychosocial support, WASH, and women’s empowerment.
- Conducted evaluation of 100+ projects funded by the NGO grant programme, meeting DAC quality evaluation criteria.
- Conducted field evaluation of skills development project for women in human-trafficking affected area along Mekong river in Laos.
- Served as a gender expert and panel member for the Japan Platform, Japanese humanitarian aid organisation, providing technical advice to ensure timely and gender-sensitive allocation of relief funding.
Grant Coordinator, Economic Cooperation Divion
EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN ETHIOPIA
05.2005 - 08.2006
- Coordinated the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) , managing end-to-end grant processes from proposal appraisal to partner capacity assessments.
- Mobilised USD 4.1million (AUD 6.2m) in funding for 50+ community development projects, strengthening grassroots initiatives in education, health, water/sanitation, and livelihoods.
- Conducted monitoring and evaluation missions across the country, ensuring accountability and impact measurement.
- Designed an integrated rural development programme under the African Village Initiative (AVI), facilitating participatory planning meetings that resulted in four community-driven projects.
Programme Associate, Economic Cooperation Division
EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN YEMEN
03.2003 - 03.2005
- Appraised and recommended proposals from local partner organisations, leading to the approval and delivery of 26+ development projects and the mobilisation of USD 2 million (AUD 2.9M) for initiatives in water, education, solid waste management, and women’s empowerment.
- Designed monitoring and evaluation tools to strengthen grant oversight, improve accountability, and enhance measurement of project outcomes.
- Guided applicant organisations in refining project proposals and budgets, lifting approval rates and ensuring alignment with donor priorities.
- Developed a youth skills development project in Taiz governorate, expanding livelihood opportunities and addressing youth unemployment.
Arabic - Japanese Translator
KIKKO
09.2001 - 09.2002
- Translated Arabic video footage into accurate Japanese scripts for broadcast use, ensuring clarity, nuance, and timeliness for national TV news programs for major TV Networks – TBS, NHK, Fuji TV, Asahi TV, NTV
- Collaborated with editorial teams under strict deadlines to deliver content aligned with journalistic standards.
- Provided Japanese translations of Osama bin Laden’s speeches during the Afghan conflict, a major contribution to nationally broadcast news coverage.
Education
MA IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT (MERIT) - Livelihoods, Gender and Development
University of Sussex, Centre for Culture, Development and the Environment (CDE)
01.2007
BA IN LANGUAGE AND AREA STUDIES - Gender Studies, Sociology
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Fac. of Languages, Dept. of South West Asian Studies
03.2003
Skills
- Fluent in English, Japanese (Native) and Arabic (UN proficiency certificate), intermediate in French and Persian, and basic knowledge of Burmese, Amharic and Italian
- Japanese language teaching certification
Certification
Japanese language teaching certification
Timeline
International Cooperation Coordinator
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
07.2023 - 09.2024
Specially Appointed Staff (Cluster Support)
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
07.2021 - 06.2023
Project Formulation Advisor (Education and TVET)
JICA MYANMAR
08.2016 - 03.2021
Education Specialist
UNICEF LEBANON
02.2013 - 12.2014
Education Specialist
UNICEF IRAQ
08.2011 - 01.2013
Education Officer (Monitoring & Evaluation)
UNICEF IRAQ
07.2008 - 07.2011
Associate, Overseas Dept. Economic Development Div.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT CONSULTANTS, INC.
10.2007 - 04.2008
Grant Coordinator, Economic Cooperation Divion
EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN ETHIOPIA
05.2005 - 08.2006
Programme Associate, Economic Cooperation Division
EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN YEMEN
03.2003 - 03.2005
Arabic - Japanese Translator
KIKKO
09.2001 - 09.2002
MA IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT (MERIT) - Livelihoods, Gender and Development
University of Sussex, Centre for Culture, Development and the Environment (CDE)
BA IN LANGUAGE AND AREA STUDIES - Gender Studies, Sociology
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Fac. of Languages, Dept. of South West Asian Studies
Training
- Research Study for Improving Japanese Language Proficiency Assessment Methods, Language Proficiency Assessment Workshop for EAL/D children (Online Workshop), Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT), contributing to development of the National Framework for Japanese Language Education for EAL/D students, 2023 - 2024
- Course on Japanese Language Learning Support and Cultural Understanding (Online Training & Certification), Chiba Prefectural Government, 2022
- Japanese Language Teacher Training Course (Distance Learning), U-CAN, 2021
- Regional Teachers Professional Development (Workshop), Cairo, Egypt, UNICEF MENARO, 2011
- Measurement for Effective Result-Based Management (Training), UN Staff System College, 2009
Languages
- Japanese – Native | English – Full Professional Fluency | Arabic – UN Proficiency Certificate
- Additional: Persian (Intermediate), French (Intermediate), Burmese (Basic)
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