sagal ali

Managed short-term projects for Weber Shandwick and Kite Hill PR. Responsible for creating content including opinion articles, social media posts, video scripts, interview briefs, newsletters and blogs. Clients included She Decides, Nursing Now ( under the Royal Patronage of The Duchess of Cambridge), Plan International and the Global Partnership for Education. Built relationships with high-level stakeholders including Kensington Palace and the World Health Organization. Successfully placed articles in CNBC Africa, Africa Business, the Sun and Reuters.

Developed and implemented the annual communications strategy. Organised and led the International Day of the Midwife, which is followed by over 1 million members, various organisations and governments. Created and disseminated social media messages, press releases and the ICM newsletter. Increased open rate of company newsletter from 20% to 53% and increased social media engagement on all platforms by 25%. Led the advocacy strategy for the midwifery network which consists of high level organisations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Secured three top tier media placements in Reuters, the Guardian and NPR. The Reuters piece was in the top 10 most read articles of the week, the Guardian piece was on the top read articles on the day and the NPR article received over 100,000 views in a week.

* Organised and managed the volunteer database by verifying their information and informing them on the upcoming events and workshops. * Promoted the Climate Squad workshop through contacting volunteers and informing them of the benefits of attending, and how it helps educate people under the age of 25 about environmental matters. * Organised the official conference by contacting and booking venues. * Published an article about the new high speed rail system that would help the environment on the company blog. The article was also published on the NGO’s official website and Facebook page.

* Created a campaign leaflet to promote the non-nuclear proliferation treaty and designed an animation for the youth to understand how the issue affects them and what the UN is doing to make the world a peaceful place. * Organised and hosted 2 official conferences, in Leicester and Birmingham, for the youth members of the UNA. * Managed the communication between different regions in the UK by organising Skype calls and emails. * Led meetings/group discussions on climate change, non-nuclear proliferation, and the UN Millennium goals on a regular basis, and encouraged debate and delegated tasks to ensure the smooth running of the office. * Assisted with the drafting and debating policies at the official UNA conference.

* Provided support, advice and information to clients on the developments of international health policy with a focus on improving standards of care for premature babies. * Developed strategic communications based on the needs of the client and the policy environment. * Monitored and produced briefings on the policy implications of the EU elections and provided client feedback on key policy developments. * Organised and developed material for international advisory boards and meetings. * Researched and helped deliver new business pitches and presentations. * Provided administrative support by updating action lists, booking meetings and producing contact reports. * Built and established relationships with international journalists, think tanks and health policy experts.

* Delivered extensive background research briefs for use in international proposals. * Helped draft media articles for placement in national and international including the Guardian and the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) journal. I have also drafted client proposals and case studies for the Unitas communications website. * Edited for the Facebook site Muslim News. I also routinely update the Unitas twitter account. * Researched and wrote media pitches and press releases for Unitas Communications’ clients. * Helped to manage and organise the official Concordia Forum which hosts members of Congress, Members of Parliament, CEOs and leaders of the Muslim communities.

* Responsibilities include: UK government and parliamentary affairs * EU and international lobbying * UK and international media relations * media training * editorial ghost writing * research * copywriting and editing * international conference organisation Successful track record of working with national and local newspapers, specialist publications and broadcast outlets * achieving significant media coverage for clients, including first ever coverage on BBC World Service, BBC Today programme, articles on Guardian online, Islam Channel Client experience includes: Eritrea Focus, Caine Prize * The Nippon Foundation * St George's University, Grenada * Rhino Ark Charitable Trust * The Sasakawa Africa Association Organised events in both House of Commons and Lords for numerous clients and also international events in Geneva * secured parliamentary question relevant to client * secured EU questions Successfully developed skills on crisis management * dealing with media outlets and lawyers * drafting client statements

Activities and Societies: Model United Nations

Modules: * Public Policy (UK, US, Europe) * European Public Policy * International Political Economy * Public management * Dissertation: Conditions of trade between Zambia and China with a comparison to the EU's trade policy