Vidya Maharaj
Penal
Summary
Analytical and astute office professional experienced in research and planning with 10+ years work experience, seeking a position and opportunity for further development. Ability to skillfully evaluate information, applications and other documentation to aid in effective decision-making. Hard working and determined. Possessing the ability to work efficiently in both teams as well as independently. Excellent leadership skills and the ability to adapt to diverse and volatile environments. Creativity and personal drive. Effective communication skills and detailed oriented researching abilities are assets. Holistic approach to problem solving.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
POLICY AND PLANNING ASSISTANT
Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government
07.2023 - Current
- Management of the Executive Reporting Framework- Corporation-wide data collection and input on a monthly basis- 90-100% compliance since October 2022
- Budgetary Analysis- review of previous and current budgets, highlighting trends to inform administrative decisions
- Assist in developing, implementing and monitoring the Strategic and Business Plans of the Corporation in collaboration with other key personnel; Liaison for Strategic Plan compiled in fiscal 2023.
- Policy Gap Analysis- Developing and reviewing policies which affect the Corporation, as a result of Local Government Reform
- Collect, analyse and compile data on social, economic and political issues.
- Research and Development of working papers, reports, of Responses to Parliamentary Questions, Notes to Council, Cabinet Notes, Legal Briefs designed to aid in the process of planning, policy formulation and problem solving
- Successful financial implementation of Public Sector Investment Programme from fiscal 2018 to present via consistent communication with Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning regarding Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP) and preparation of Requests for Releases, confirmation of Funding, Virement etc in relation to the PSIP.
- Report to Chief Executive Officer on developments and changes in legislation, regulations, international standards and other relevant research
- Process Mapping- successful mapping of 6 processes under the remit of the office to be re-engineered on an effort to improve efficiency
- Research and Preparation of Annual Administrative Reports
Checker Performing Duties of Planning Officer I
Penal/ Debe Regional Corporation
12.2017 - 07.2023
- Executive Reporting Framework- data collection and input
- Budgetary Analysis- review of previous and current budgets, highlighting trends to inform administrative decisions
- Research, analysis and presentation on various socio-economic and environmental issues impacting the Penal/ Debe region e.g
- Littering, Flooding, Recycling, Tourism etc.
- Preparation of Annual Administrative Reports 2014 to 2018
- Research and writing of Responses to Parliamentary Questions, Notes to Council, Cabinet Notes, Legal Briefs and various reports and correspondences to the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government
- Preparation of comprehensive monthly reports of Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP)
- Site Visits in relation to Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP)
- Liaison for the preparation of Strategic Local Area Economic Plan for Penal/ Debe
- Liaison for the conduct of Manpower Audit
- Desk review of various Socio-Economic Reports
- Policy research, development, monitoring and evaluation
- Research and writing of Project Screening Briefs and Proposals for various Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP) projects
- Coordinated data collection for PDRC website
- Manages backend of website (training received in website management)
- Communication with Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning regarding Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP)
- Preparation of Requests for Releases, confirmation of Funding, Virement etc in relation to the PSIP
- Human Resource Management duties- recruitment for specific posts, summer internship programme, staff training programmes
- Special events committee- planning and execution of several small-scale and large-scale social and team-building exercises eg Sports Day, Heads of Sections teambuilding retreats, etc.
- Research, collation, analysis and recommendations into other pressing matters as required by the Chief Executive Officer.
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
SUPERIOR WEALTH AND ADVISORY SERVICES, TTUTC AGENCY
03.2017 - 06.2017
- Financial Advising
- Onboarding of new customers
- Opening new accounts
Policy Planning Trainee
Penal/ Debe Regional Corporation
05.2015 - 05.2016
- Assist in the preparation of Notes to Council, Cabinet Notes, Legal Briefs and various correspondences to the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Local Government.
- Assist in the preparation of Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP) Monthly Reports.
- Research and Development of Recreation Grounds Policy for PDRC. 2015/2016 Budgetary & Financial Analysis
- Launched PDRC Magazine Editorial Committee (Publication date December 2015)
Associate Professional, Teacher
Shiva Boys’ Hindu College via Ministry of Public Administration, Scholarships and Advanced Training Division
02.2013 - 10.2014
- Business Department -Social Studies, Principles of Business and Management of Business teacher (Forms 2-6); Substitute Visual Arts instructor
Associate Professional, policy research and planning
Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development via Ministry of Public Administration, Scholarships and Advanced Training Division
10.2012 - 02.2013
- Research and development of:
- Anti- Bullying Campaign- Respect me, Respect you (aired in 2015)
- Child Friendly Spaces
- Halfway Houses (for children who have been rescued from abusive situations)
- Mental Health Awareness Programmes
- Procedure for the Monitoring and Evaluation Government Subventions
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Shiva Boys’ Hindu College, Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education
11.2008 - 08.2009
- Special Projects:
- Production of SBHC first yearbook magazine (Publication Date July 2009)
- Organisation and coordination of various events- graduation ceremony, Divali programme
DATA COLLECTION
MBI CARIBBEAN
12.2016
- Market Research data collection via calls to previous research participants
Education
Master of Science in Sociology -
University of The West Indies
St Augustine02.2024
Bachelor of Science in Psychology -
University of The West Indies
St AugustineSkills
- Project and Policy Research and Development
- Social Media Marketing
- Statistical Analysis
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power-point, Publisher)
- Report Writing
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Adaptability
- Creativity
- Resourcefulness
Certification
- University of the West Indies- ROYTEC – Change Leadership and Management, 01/2024
- Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana- Initiative for the dissemination of Colombian culture through the teaching of Spanish - Course 2021- A2 Level (PRE-INTERMEDIATE), 08/2021, 11/2021
- MIC- Institute of Technology- Introduction to Mobile Application Development, 06/2022, 07/2022
Special Projects Publications
Social Science Research Consultant- Investigation into the School Transportation System of St Vincent and the Grenadines for the Caribbean Development Bank, project completed June 2019
Awards
- Government of Trinidad and Tobago National Scholarship Winner (Open, Business) 2008
- Awardee- Penal Debe Regional Corporation Annual Civic Awards Ceremony- Category- Academic Achievement (2008)
- Awardee- Siparia Women’s Association- Academic Achievement (2008)
References
Betty Ramdass-Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Mayaro Rio Claro Regional Corporation, Rann’s Plaza, High Street Rio Claro, 743-3545, Supervisor (CEO) at Penal/ Debe Regional Corporation from April 2019- December 2021
Hobbies and Interests
- Freelance Writing & Art
- Photography & Cinematography
- Graphics Design, Mobile Application Development
- Volunteer and Philanthropic work
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
POLICY AND PLANNING ASSISTANT
Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government
07.2023 - Current
Checker Performing Duties of Planning Officer I
Penal/ Debe Regional Corporation
12.2017 - 07.2023
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
SUPERIOR WEALTH AND ADVISORY SERVICES, TTUTC AGENCY
03.2017 - 06.2017
DATA COLLECTION
MBI CARIBBEAN
12.2016
Policy Planning Trainee
Penal/ Debe Regional Corporation
05.2015 - 05.2016
Associate Professional, Teacher
Shiva Boys’ Hindu College via Ministry of Public Administration, Scholarships and Advanced Training Division
02.2013 - 10.2014
Associate Professional, policy research and planning
Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development via Ministry of Public Administration, Scholarships and Advanced Training Division
10.2012 - 02.2013
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Shiva Boys’ Hindu College, Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education
11.2008 - 08.2009
Master of Science in Sociology -
University of The West Indies
Bachelor of Science in Psychology -
University of The West Indies
- University of the West Indies- ROYTEC – Change Leadership and Management, 01/2024
- Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana- Initiative for the dissemination of Colombian culture through the teaching of Spanish - Course 2021- A2 Level (PRE-INTERMEDIATE), 08/2021, 11/2021
- MIC- Institute of Technology- Introduction to Mobile Application Development, 06/2022, 07/2022
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