assel kurmantayeva

International Projects Consultant (Freelance, Contracts Based)

Bio Summary

Change across Africa, Central Asia, East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, the Pacific and South Asia. I have experience of working I multicultural environment and virtual mode with different continents and managing secretariat of 7 countries. Moreover, being engaged with local CSOs and grassroots allows me to understand and have specific knowledge on civic development in Central Asia.

I conducted fundraising with donor organizations, identification of new prospective donor organizations, development of new project concepts and proposals. Thus, I mastered my skills in working in multi-cultural and diverse background, as well as strategic development of 300K-500K USD international and inter-regional projects through co-design and adaptive management approach.

I am fluent in English and Russian languages, with experience of working with Central Asia civil society sector and international donor organizations. I have experience of extended global infrastructure and contacts bringing innovations and combating the shrinking of civic space to CSOs, activists, governments, and academia across the region. I am highly motivated professional with the research background in social innovation interested in professional growth opportunities at international level.

Employment History

Project Analyst - Grant Writer

G.M.S. Global Maritime Services Ltd

June 2022 - present

London, UK

Identifying, planning, and writing proposals for R&D projects to acquire new business, develop new technologies and grow Competed the training on Proposal Writing for Research & Innovation Projects by European Academy

International Projects Consultant (Freelance, Contracts Based)

October 2021 - present

Almaty, Kazakhstan

My projects: ▪Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC), Tokyo Democracy Forum 2022: Preparation of the report on “Kazakhstan Defending Civic Space in a time of COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on SDG16+” ...see more

Development Manager

InnovationforChange

September 2019 - October 2021

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Strategic development of the Central Asian hub initiative; programs and project development, fundraising and proposal writing; liaise and network with hubs across Africa, Central Asia, East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbe ...see more

Director Of International Office, Head Of Strategic Planning Department, Part-time Lecturer On “Service Learning” Course

Almaty Management University

September 2014 - July 2019

Almaty, Kazakhstan

▪Director of International Office Developing internationalization of the university: extending partnerships, academic mobility of students, faculty and staff, coordinating Eramus+ projects, coordinating joint international projects and initiatives (forums, conferences), working with international organizations. Implementation of double/triple degree programs. Administration of international grant projects with partner universities. Supervising the process of academic mobility programmes. Project work: Mentorship in Entrepreneurship Camp “Big Ideas Camp” in the frame of the project “Student Entrepreneurship Ecosystem” ▪Head of Strategic Planning Department - strategic development Developing long-term development strategy of the university. Ensure analytical provision for strategic development: analysis of education market in national and international level; analysis of best practices in entrepreneurial education; monitoring government policies in education; competitors analysis; portfolio analysis; labour market forecasts and economic analyses. Preparation of general university reports and plans for management, Board of Trustees. Responsible for maintaining institutional and programme accreditations and rankings, coordinate workload of data analysis, consolidate information for self-assessment reports. Conducting international schools conferences and forums. - projects Liaise and network with external partners for conducting joint projects (research, consulting, event-projects). Participation in application for international and national grants; participation in working group for research for administration of Almaty city (increase of innovation activity in the city; investments attractions strategy), Mangistau administration (investments attraction strategy) and etc. ▪Part-time Lecturer on “Service Learning” course Conducting lectures and practical classes on “Service Learning” for 1st year English track students: essentials of community engagement, human rights, social entrepreneurship, NGO activities and project management for social projects. Contacting and working with NGOs for implementation of social projects by students

Tax Consultant

Deloitte

June 2013 - June 2014

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Individual and corporate tax consultant

Education

Bachelor's in Economics

Essex University

2011

Master's in Business Administration/Management

Almaty Management University

2019

Ph.D in Business Administration/Management

Almaty Management University

2022

Language Skills

English Kazakh Russian

Country Experience

Kazakhstan Poland Turkey

Skills

Environment

Circular Economy

Business

Benchmarking & Best Practice,

Business Case,

Corporate Strategy,

New Business Build,

Growth Strategy,

Scenario Planning,

Strategic Management,

Strategic Planning,

Change & Implementation

Law, Regulation, and Compliance

Quality Control