Snezana Saramandova

Curriculum Vitae PERSONAL INFORMATION Snezhana Saramandova Snezhana Saramandova Jane Sandanski 3, 1480 Gevgelija, Macedonia - -Sex Female| Date of birth 04/06/1984| Nationality Macedonian WORK EXPERIENCE (September 2020 – September 2021) Math Teacher – SOU Bogdanci, Bogdanci Teaching math full time (20 classes per week), according state educational program, to students from 1st year (high school, medical nurse, textile technician), 2nd year (textile technician), 3rd year (high school), 4th year (high school). Developing project and writing grant application for the Regional Challenge Fund, which was one of 13 selected from N. Macedonia for submitting full application. (December 2007– August 2020) Program Manager Apollonia Foundation, Gevgelija Plan develop and implement a variety of programs for children, young people and marginalised and at social risk groups. Created and secured funding for a program for social inclusion of children with special needs in the Gevgelija municipality. Planned and executed the “Nature Day” project with 100 activities per year for environmental education of children, with more than 600 children participating in the project. Initiated recycling project for plastic in one private company and two primary schools as part of SPA USAID project. Developed creative workshops for children, as well as organised charity events to raise funds for children with special needs by selling handmade crafts. Established a ground-breaking volunteer program for youth (aged 15-29) to combat unemployment and promote volunteerism. Wrote and edited 60 monthly newsletters for activities of the foundation, 3 yearly reports, and many grant proposals. Logistics of cultural events – art commune, exhibitions, concerts, blood drives. Worked on creation of marketing materials for website, social media and administration. (March 2017 – June 2019) Project Coordinator – part time EU project “Changes for Sustainability”– Association Konekt and Apollonia Foundation 1. Coordinating and implementing project activities led by Apollonia Foundation that included: organization of 1training for CSOs from all regions, 3 regional policy forums, 1 conference, 6 workshops with follow up mentoring, recruiting participants, communication with speakers, evaluation reports 2. Researching grass-root organizations, their needs and recruiting them and other NGOs to join "Network for financial sustainability" having 110 members 3. Procurement's, administrative documents, program and financial reports input for donor, communication, review of documentation for 2 audits 4. Supporting partner organization Konekt in their re-granting process, presenting at 1 info session, participating in administrative evaluation on 2 calls and 130 applications from CSOs, requesting additional documents from applicants, reviewing financial documentation and reports of 16 grantees, mediator in providing documents from them to auditors 5. Follow up of mentor-ship process of external expert for networking working with 26 NGOs Page1 / 4 Curriculum Vitae (September 2016 – June 2017) SnezhanaSaramandova Physics teacher – part time Primary school “RistoShuklev”Negorci Teaching physics to 8th and 9th grade students in primary school. Planning and implementing educational program based on state curriculum. Preparing talented student for state completion on physics. (February 2016– June 2016) Teacher of Math – part time High School “JosifJosifovski”Gevgelija Mathematics Teacher, preparing classes according state educational curriculum to over 100 High School students that study for cooks and waiters. These students had very little knowledge and interest of mathematics, and there were also students with special needs in all classes, which required combining different teaching methods, non-traditional techniques (games, group problemsolving, and use of custom-made materials). (February 2014 – February 2015) Project Manager EU project "Program for full socialization of special needs children" - Apollonia Foundation Researching the needs, developing project activities and writing the grant proposal submitted to EU - EIDHR program. Prepared, organized and managed all project activities that included: equipping 3 sensory rooms in schools in Dojran, Bogdanci and Valandovo, 1 therapy room at state daily center for special needs people in Gevgelija; establishing individual classes at these rooms with specialized staff; organizing 11 seminars for teachers, parents and community members on: ABA, PECS, Social Inclusion, Sensory Therapy, Art Therapy, Brain Gym, Autism Forums, Visual strategies, Montessori with international and local experts; producing educational website www.socialinclusion.mk; 20 events for social inclusion with children from schools in 4 municipalities; parents support group meetings. Prepared communication materials, press releases, program reports, financial reports, evaluation documents for training, communication with donor. EDUCATION AND TRAINING (October 2002 –June 2006) Professor for Mathematics and Physics in primary school Level 6 University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics, Skopje, North Macedonia PERSONAL SKILLS Mother tongue(s) Macedonian Other language(s) UNDERSTANDING SPEAKING WRITING Listening Reading Spoken interaction Spoken production English C1 C1 C1 C1 C1 Spanish A2 A1 A1 A1 A1 Page2 / 4 Curriculum Vitae Snezhana Saramandova Communication skills • good communication skills gained through my experience as project manager, teacher, event coordinator of cultural program of Apollonia Foundation in Apollonia Hotel, given numerous TV interviews ▪ good writing skills gained through writing and editing 55 Newsletters (Macedonian and English versions) to inform people of events and achievements of Apollonia Foundation, many written press releases and social media/website articles and Apollonia Foundation annual reports ▪ intercultural skills gained though working as counterpart of 5 American Peace Corps volunteers, external support on projects of 4 Peace Corps volunteers serving in other NGOs in south-east Macedonia, counterpart of 18 different nationalities - international NGO leaders as part of same USA State Department exchange program IVLP - International Visitor Leadership Program Organizational / managerial skills ▪ Leadership ▪ Ability to work independently including planning & executing activities with minimum supervision ▪ Project management learned by several trainings and experience with managing the projects of Apollonia Foundation, 2 EU funded project, and 4 grant projects funded by US and other international donors ▪ Organizing, planning and managing appointments with Board of directors, staff, partners is projects ▪ Networking with stakeholders, NGOs, local community, public authorities Other job-related skills ▪ Flexibility and adaptability. Working with social groups, deferent stakeholders and actors on simultaneous projects. Demonstrated ability to be flexible and able to adapt to challenges) ▪ Entrepreneurship. I have developed many project ideas in several areas of Apollonia Foundation that were supported by donors and local community ▪ Creativity. Personal skill that comes from the logical problem-solving skills I acquired with the study of math and as result of working in transition country with low income and few grant opportunities Digital competence SELF-ASSESSMENT Information processing Communication Content creation Safety Problem solving Proficient user Proficient user Independent user Independent user Independent user • good command of office suite (word processor, spread sheet, presentation software, using Microsoft and Mac programs) Teams, Zoom ▪ good command of photo editing software gained as an amateur photographer ▪ good command of online programs to design marketing materials, like flyers, reports ▪ basic knowledge of video creation program gained on workshop and as amateur video maker Other skills Driving license traditional folk dancer, acquired as 9 years member of folk group Josif Josifovski in Gevgelija Yes, B category ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Presentations Projects ▪ “Center for People with disabilities” at Regional Scientific Conference “RESEARCHING SOCIAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BALKANS” (17-18 November 2016) ▪ Workplace Culture and Relationship Building” at Pre-service training of Peace Corps volunteers (6 October 2016) ▪ “Sustainability” at sustainability workshop organized for NGOs, schools and state institutions, by Peace Corps Macedonia (19 October 2012) ▪ Plastic Recycling project in Gevgelija, USAID funded through SPA programme, work with American Peace Corps Volunteer Kristen Halset in designing, fundraising and implementation (2008/2009) Page3 / 4 Curriculum Vitae SnezhanaSaramandova ▪ “Socialization of children with special needs in Nature Day project”, Nato Charity Bazaar funded project, design, apply for granting, implement (2011/2012) ▪ “Art Therapy and Social Inclusion for Children with Special Needs”, work with American Peace Corps Volunteer Jennifer Upton in designing, fundraising and implementation (September 2012November 2014). ▪ “Volunteer Center for youth”, USAID funded through SPA programme, work with American Peace Corps Volunteer Jennifer Upton in designing, fundraising and implementation, (April 2014December 2015) ▪ “Programme for Full Socialization of children with special needs into their communities”, EU funded project, design project and project management, (16 February 2014- 16 February 2017) ▪ “Set up of social enterprise – Center for people with disabilities”, funded by Caritas Italiana as part of international project “ELBA” implemented in 7 countries in South-East Europe, design project proposal, delegate and follow up activities, and responsible for communication and reporting (October 2016-January 2017) ▪ “HUBilities– Set up of poly-functional Center for people with special needs in Gevgelija”, project funded by Renovabis and Caritas Italiana, work on project proposal, coordination with all partners and donors, project management (January 2017 – March 2019) ▪ “Changes for Sustainability”, project funded by European Union, implemented by Association Konekt, Apollonia Foundation and Center for Tax Policy, work on project implementation and reporting (March 2017 – June 2019) Seminars and Trainings Membership ▪ Participated in International Visitors Leadership Program, exchange for selected leaders to visit and learn in USA, sponsored by US State Department - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, focus on "NGO Management" from- - ▪ Training on "Financial management of CSO’s, transparency and accountability", organized by Association Konekt Skopje (22, 23 February 2018) ▪ 2 modules of training: "Communication, accountability and transparency for successful fundraising from local sources", Skopje (12,13 October 2016) and "Mobilizing funds from businesses and citizens", Ohrid (30,31 August 2016) - Association Konekt ▪ Seminar on "Applying visual strategies in working with special needs children in school", Gevgelija (11 December 2014) - held by Macedonian Scientific Society for Autism, organized by Apollonia Foundation (www.socialinclusion.mk) ▪ 14 hours workshop participation on "Sharing experience for practical work in sensory room" (Gevgelija and Dojran, 12/13 June 2014) - held by Macedonian Scientific Society for Autism, organized by Apollonia Foundation ▪ Participated in two 7 hours Forum about autism - held by Macedonian Scientific Society for Autism (Gevgelija, 7 May 2014) and D-r NecipCemKinaci from Turkey (Gevgelija, 3 April 2014) ▪ 14 hours seminar participation on "Inclusion of children with special educational needs" (Gevgelija, 17/18 March 2014) - held by Macedonian Scientific Society for Autism, organized by Apollonia Foundation ▪ Participated in 7 hours seminar on "Sensory Integration: Interventions to Maximize Developmental Skills" - held by Elizabeth Shaffer, OTR/L (Gevgelija, 15 June 2012) ▪ Participated in 3-day interactive training on "Project Design and Management Workshop" (Skopje, 19-21 May, 2010) organized by Peace Corps Macedonia ▪ 3-day training on "Project Management Basics" (Gevgelija, 23, 24 and 25 March 2009) held by TenStep Academy Macedonia ▪ Participated in 2-days training "Education for Social Justice", as part of the project "Creative Teaching and Learning" organized by Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia, (Ohrid, 2007) - as student representative of Faculty for Mathematics ▪ Participated in 2-days training for educational methodologies "With reading and writing to critical thinking", as part of the project "Creative Teaching and Learning" organized by Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia, (Ohrid, 2006) ▪ Member of Macedonian American Alumni Association from March 2020 ▪ IVLP – International Visitor Leadership Program Alumni 2020 ▪ Coordinator and member of informal National network for Agro biodiversity of CSOs, university professors, institutions and individuals interested for conservation and protection of heirloom plants. Page4 / 4 Portfolio – fundraising, grant writing Snezhana Saramandova 1. Ministry for Culture of Republic of Macedonia annual applications for: “Musical Moments – Classical concert series” – approved 3 years, received budget : 813 EUR (2010), 813 EUR (2011), 650 EUR (2013) Ministry for Culture of Republic of Macedonia written 2 annual applications for: “Apollonia art commune”- not approved for financing 2. Gevgelija Municipality application for cultural summer events for project: “Exhibition of photography from Gevgelija” – approved 163 EUR (2010) 3. Nato Charity Bazaar application for project “Socialization of children with special needs in environmental Nature Day program” – approved grant, received budget: 1400 EUR 4. European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights 2012-13, call from EU delegation in Macedonia (EuropeAid/134-015/L/ACT/MK), application with concept note and full proposal for project: “A program for full socialization of special needs children into their communities” – approved grant, received budget: 82.589 EUR (2014) 5. Interreg Balkan-Mediterranean 2014 –2020 European Regional Development Fund, application documents and budget for Apollonia Foundation as one of 7 project partners, for project: “Heading to Employment for ASD individuals with Riding Treatments” (2016) – not approved grant, requested budget: 151.860 EUD for Apollonia Foundation. 6. Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) Sustainable Civil Society, call from CFCD Ministry of Finance (Europe Aid136-000/L/ACT/MK), concept note for project: “Volunteer Resource Center for an Active Civil Society” (2014) – not approved grant, requested budget: 64,332 EUD for Apollonia Foundation 7. IPA II 2017 Action Programme of the EU Support for Education, Employment and Social Policy, Support for the De-institutionalisation Process in Social Sector, call from EU Delegation Macedonia (EuropeAid/165543/DD/ACT/MK), concept note for project: “Bringing social services IN-HOME” (2019) - not approved grant, requested budget: 310.000 EUR for Apollonia Foundation and Inter Municipal Centar for Social Work Gevgelija 8. IPA- Human Resource Development, Fostering Social Inclusion, call from CFCD Ministry of Finance (EuropeAid/135-012/M/ACT/MK), concept note for project: “Creation of Center for Social Inclusion and Professional Development” (2013) – not approved grant, requested budget: 92,549 EUR for Apollonia Foundation and Inter Municipal Centar for Social Work Gevgelija 9. Interreg – IPA CBC Greece FYROM, cross border call from EU, supporting documents and budget for project: “WAR.FRIENDSHIP CULTURAL TORUSIM CBC NETWORK” (2016) - not approved grant, requested budget: 55,000 EUR for Apollonia Foundation 10. USAID/Macedonia’s APS for Expanding Participation of People with Disabilities Program -2014 Disability Funding, concept note and budget for project: “Disabilities in Gevgelija – Portfolio – fundraising, grant writing Snezhana Saramandova Empowering Special Needs Individuals Through Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Community Education” (2015), not approved grant, requested budget: 82,030 USD for Apollonia Foundation 11. Tender for Start Up of Social Enterprises in South East Europe, as part of wider project of Caritas Italy - ELBA, project application and budget for project: “Set up of Center for people with disabilities in Gevgelija” (2016), approved grant, requested budget: 15.468 EUR for Association “National Alliance for People with Disabilities” 12. Renovabis Germany, application form with budget and relevant documentation for project: “HUBilities – Development of Centre Mother Teresa for People with Special Needs in Gevgelija” (2016), approved grant, requested budget: 290.000 EUR for Association “National Alliance for People with Disabilities”, Catholic Church and Apollonia Foundation 13. Gevgelija municipality, application form and documents for annual call to fund NGOs, for project: “Vocational program and work integration of people with special needs” (2018), approved grant, received budget: 3.253 EUR for Association “National Alliance for People with Disabilities” 14. Stopanska Bank, project description for small grants for NGOs for project: “Chinese therapy according to the needs of children and youth in Gevgelija” (2018), approved grant, requested budget: 4.000 EUR for Association “National Alliance for People with Disabilities” 15. USAID Small Project Assistance Programme available for Peace Corps, application and budget for project: “Potentials for preservation, maintenance and promotion of agrobiodiversity” (2020), approved grant, requested budget: 6.195 EUR for Apollonia Foundation 16. EU for Municipalities. Improving Local Government Services through Innovative Concepts, call from IPA II Annual Action Programme for Republic of North Macedonia for 2020 (EuropeAid/170320/DD/ACT/MK), concept note for project: ”Innovative, Smart e-City for you IS-eC-4U” (2020), not approved grant, requested budget: 752.000 EUR for Gevgelija Municipality and Apollonia Foundation 17. 2020 EIDHR Supporting a civil society through Country-Based Support Schemes in North Macedonia, call from EU delegation Skopje (EuropeAid/172218/DD/ACT/MK), concept note for project: “Improving access to health care services for people with disabilities” (2020), not approved, requested budget: 150.500 EUR for Association for improving the quality of life of people with autism spectrum disorders "Blue Firefly" 18. EUROPE FOR CITIZENS 2.2: Network of Towns ,Strand2: Democratic engagement and civic participation (EACEA-), application for project: “Inter-cultural diversity, social cohesion and integration among local population, migrants, refugees and country minority groups” (2020), not approved, requested budget: 110.880 EUR for Gevgelija Municiplaity and six more international partners Portfolio – fundraising, grant writing Snezhana Saramandova 19. Regional Challenge Fund grant support programme, approved express of interest, in preparation full application for project: “A look into my future” (2021), requested budget: 450.000 for Vocational educational Consortium of High School SOU Bogdanci and 8 partners (private companies and public hospital) – under evaluation