MARCO LA ROCCA

• Led and successfully executed planning and management of 4 Community Grants Program aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19, utilizing effective project planning techniques to ensure processes and requirements were met. Total grants value of 2.5mil AUD.
• Led successful delivery of state-wide Capacity Building project aimed at enhancing the understanding of service providers and enabling them to improve their program delivery to targeted groups, including Multicultural communities, People with Disabilities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. total budget of 250K AUD.
• Conducted comprehensive needs assessments and utilized data-driven insights to inform the development of capacity building strategies and initiatives.
• Provided strategic advice to proactively anticipate, respond to, and mitigate stakeholder-related risks and impacts during the project planning and decision-making processes.
• Ensured meticulous analysis prior to procurement activities and sought appropriate approvals for funding requests, maintaining compliance with established protocols.
• Cultivated and nurtured strong relationships with diverse stakeholders from various disciplines, fostering collaboration and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Produced high-quality written briefings, reports, options papers, and proposals for key stakeholders and decision makers, playing a crucial role in supporting the successful implementation of programs.

• Played a key role in establishing a Consortium comprising organizations from Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Australia to collaborate on Law of the Sea projects and initiatives.
• Contributed to the successful publication of the inaugural editorial experience for ASCOMARE - Volume 1 of the ASCOMARE Yearbook on the Law of the Sea (YLoS), titled "Law of the Sea, Interpretation and Definitions."
• Coordinated and led the data collection efforts on Small Fishery in Italy, diligently capturing relevant information and findings.
• Drafted a comprehensive report to summarize the research findings on Small Fishery, presenting the data in a clear and concise manner.
• Played a vital role in raising awareness and promoting informed discussions on maritime boundary delimitation in the East European region through the successful implementation of the webinar series and related initiatives.
• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills, collaborating effectively with stakeholders and subject matter experts from various organizations.

Under the Working for Victoria program and the Victoria Cultural Connection Consortium, I actively participated in the COVID-19 Outreach Project and undertook the following tasks:

• Developed comprehensive Guidelines and Safety Plans for Mosques to ensure the safety and well-being of the community in response to COVID-19.
• Served as a member of the ICV Advisory Committee, consisting of representatives from the Department of Health, Board members, and General Practitioners.
• Collaborated with the Advisory Committee to provide guidance and informed messaging around COVID-19, as well as brainstormed effective ways to engage and interact with the community.
• Contributed to the Islamophobia project, working closely with key stakeholders such as Victoria Police, Victoria Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, ICV, and community members.
• Implemented a robust review process for these stakeholders to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Islamophobia support system.
• Developed operational guidelines for the Islamophobia Support Program, outlining the necessary steps and procedures to be followed by ICV staff members during their work.
• Created informative documents to facilitate a streamlined reporting process, enabling ICV staff members to access essential information and resources efficiently.

• Monitored deadlines and milestones, ensuring adherence to the project schedule and timely delivery of informative resources to clients in the field of clean energy.
• Proactively developed and strengthened relationships with key stakeholders involved in the clean energy project, fostering collaboration and cooperation to achieve project objectives.
• Leveraged strong interpersonal skills to foster positive working relationships, building trust and rapport with key stakeholders in the clean energy sector.

• Assisted in preparing the five-year regulatory revenue proposal for Powercor, United Energy, and CitiPower.
• Edited and proofread Business Cases submitted to the Australian government, conducted trend analysis, and researched alternative programs employed by other energy distributors.
• Supported submissions on proposed electricity market rule changes by collecting crucial information and organizing meetings with key stakeholders.
• Participated in stakeholder meetings and focus group discussions to gather public opinion on the five-year regulatory proposal.
• Provided support for projects centered around Solar Enablement and sustainability.
• Managed financial administration tasks for the department, including purchase orders, invoices, and expenses.

• ngaged in mid-donor engagement activities, collaborating closely with the development team to facilitate connections between Amnesty International Australia and its donors.
• Liaised with donors to provide excellent customer care, delivering professional and timely communication via email, phone, and mail.
• Followed up with mid-donor supporters to ensure they received relevant communications from Amnesty International, while verifying and updating their contact details.
• Proactively sought ways to improve and enhance donor care processes and procedures, identifying opportunities for increased efficiency and effectiveness.

• Assisted in managing a 100k AUD DFAT seven-year Continuous Professional Development program for humanitarian roster members, including budget management, logistics coordination, and trainee selection.
• Played a key role in recruiting suitable candidates for training with UN agencies, ensuring the selection of highly qualified individuals.
• Improved data recording processes and tailored them to the specific needs of Department of Foreign affairs and trade (DFAT), enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
• Administered the five-year 7.5M AUD Australia Assists program, overseeing its implementation and compliance.
• Supported the recruitment of high-skilled personnel for deployments in international emergencies on behalf of an Australian humanitarian organization.
• Assisted the team in formulating briefings, debriefings, grant proposals, and authored Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) reports.