Nicole Mariam Heydari

Nicole Mariam Heydari

Summary: With a strong academic background, a diverse set of language skills, demonstrated cultural adaptability, overseas professional experience, a results-oriented attitude and a high degree of motivatio, Ms. Heydari is well-positioned to meet the demands of a fast-paced environment in non-traditional settings. In her former position, Ms. Heydari was the HQ main liaison for Project Directors in field offices in five countries in Latin America and Africa. In this multi-faceted role, Ms. Heydari, not only became knowledgeable of specific program components and strategies but she also coordinated the financial and operational aspects of these programs (contracts, grants, travel, and budgets) through a substantial knowledge of USAID regulations and procedures. Her expertise within project management includes technical report and monitoring and evaluation plans preparation and presentations, budget preparation, grant financial reviews, procurement, monitoring contract compliance, and quality assurance.

Citizenship USA Secret Security Clearance, US Department of State, July 2006

Education

May 2008 Georgetown University, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS)

B.S Foreign Service, Major: International Politics, Certificate: International Development,

Study Abroad: Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany, Spring 2007

American University in Cairo, Egypt, Fall 2006

May 2004 Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Saltillo, Mexico, High School Certificate

2000-2001 Centre International de Valbonne, Sophia Antipolis, France, 9th Grade French Certificate, BEPC

languages English & Spanish: Native Speaker French & German: Fluent

Farsi/Dari: Conversational Knowledge Arabic: Some Knowledge

Chronology of relevant work experience

2009 July- Present CLI Solutions. Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Human Terrain Analyst

Training as part of the Human Terrain System in the US Army for deployment to Afghanistan.

2008-09 July- April Casals & Associates, Inc. (C&A). USAID Contractor Alexandria, Virginia, Project Coordinator

Coordinated and problem-solved all technical, financial, logistical and operational issues as main HQ liaison for anti-corruption and capacity building projects funded by USAID in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama and Madagascar. Closed down Madagascar Program in December 2008 (traveled in-country, cleared financial accounts with grantees, negotiated budget readjustment with USAID CTO, met with government counterparts, resolved outstanding issues with subcontractor and wrote Program Final Report).

2008 May- July Academy for Educational Development (AED). Center for Global Education, Washington, DC.

Equatorial Guinea Project Intern

Conducted technical, operational and procurement tasks for major project reforming the primary education sector in Equatorial Guinea, in conjunction with Hess Corporation and the Ministry of Education of Equatorial Guinea.

2008 Jan- April United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Learning Resources Center, Washington, DC,

Research Analyst

Prepared country briefings on economic, social, health, political and cultural issues for countries including China, Iran, Iraq, Peru, South Africa, and Rwanda for Foreign Service Officers

2007 Sept-December Dr. Erik Voeten, Georgetown University, “Political Parties’ Opinion of US Foreign Policy”, Research Assistant

Compiled a pool of political party experts contact information from countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe to respond to survey regarding opinions of US foreign policy.

2007 September National Iranian American Council, Washington, DC, Intern

Wrote articles for NIAC website on highlights of Iran-related conferences held in Washington DC area

2007 July-August Organization for Defending Victims of Violence (ODVV), Dept. of Research & Education, Tehran, Iran, Intern

Conducted research, and organized and directed workshop on “Women and Children Trafficking in Iran” for Iranian law professors and students

2007 Jan-March US Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Anti-Terrorism Assistance, Vienna, VA, Intern

Created instructor database, managed course delivery contracts, evaluated “Senior Crisis Management” course for Kyrgyz Republic senior government authorities and submitted recommendations for improvement

2006 July-August U.S House of Representatives, Government Reform Committee, Washington, DC, Intern, US House Hearing Clerk

Conducted background research and wrote memo for hearings: “Retirees Returning to the Rescue:

Re-employing Annuitants in Times of National Need” and “Back to School: Gangs, Drugs and Sexual Predators”

2005-06 Sept-April Georgetown University Hospital, International Services Dept. Washington, DC, Spanish/French Interpreter

Interpreted and translated medical instructions and information between patients, doctors and social workers

2004 Sept-December District of Columbia Public School, Parent Program, Washington, DC, Spanish Literacy and Basic English Teacher

Taught parents basic Spanish & English reading and writing using dynamic methods: music, games, role play

Other skills/activities

Computer Skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, Project, Blackboard, Lotus Notes

2009 June Mixologist Diploma/Techniques of Alcohol Management. Professional Bartending School. Arlington, VA

2008 March Participant in “Public-Private Partnerships” Skills Clinic. Directed by DAI. Georgetown University, Washington, DC

Learned about private sector involvement in development, identifying partnership opportunities, designing a PPP, negotiation skills, and project management.

2006 June Organizer and Moderator of Conference on Immigration, “Mexico: Detras de las Fronteras” Saltillo, Mexico

Presentation of documentary film “DeNadie” by Tin Dirdamal, and panel discussion with National Migration Institute, Human Rights Commission of the State of Coahuila, and ‘Belen House of Immigrants”

2005 May Participant in Oaxaca Immersion Experience, “Enlaces Comunitarios”, “EDUCA”, and Center of Social Justice

Lived with Chatino indigenous community in Oaxaca, Mexico and helped them repair dirt road; worked at Food Bank.

Research papers & essays

2008
Afghanistan Development Assistance Strategy
The Need to Refocus Aid in Afghanistan: Women Empowerment Through Education
Why is Afghanistan a Failed State? Institutions, Culture and Traps
The Women's Movement under the Islamic Regime: Leaders of a democratic political transition?
The Costs of China's One-Child Policy--What can China learn from India?
2007
Colombia and Venezuela- The Evolution of the Party System
Das demokratische Defizit der Europäischen Union nach dem Reformvertrag
Der Konflikt in Sri Lanka
How Nationalism determines Outlooks on Immigration in the United States
Iran- The Paradox of Pro-Americanism
Ist die Politik in der EU mehr als die Summe ihrer Teile?
The Cuban and Singaporean Health Systems-How Financing Affects Performance
The Evolution of the Relationship between Religion and Politics in Contemporary Iran
2006
FARC- Terrorists or Not?
History of the Middle Sector in Latin America
Iran and Turkey- The rise of Islam explained
Neo-Shiism- How did a theological vision become a national agenda?
The Promotion of Islamic Culture through Iranian Films
United States’ Influence on the Establishment of Military Dictatorships in Latin America

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