Irina Faion
Senior Policy Officer, Project Manager and Consultant
- Irina Faion
Professional Information
Irina
Faion
Senior Policy Officer, Project Manager and Consultant
Irina Faion
Program Development
Education, Honors & Awards
Yale University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; USA; Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. Sofia,Bulgaria
Master of Arts, International Relations - Yale University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 1995 – 1997; Master's Degree, English Language and Literature/Letters - Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, 1980 – 1986
Russian Studies
1997
Yes
Merit Diploma for Excellence, 2012
Personal Information
United States
New York
New York
Member - APSA; International Women; Yale Alumni Association
Film; Dance; Photography, Hiking; Yoga, Reading; Swimming
I have a wonderful son who resides in London who is the love and pride of my life. My brother and his family are a loving couple that are my closest people and inspiration. I am blessed with wonderful parents who support and love me, motivate and cherish me and whom I give the same.
I work in the area of international development (public sector reforms in Eastern Europe, focus on education, social inclusion, social innovations and local governance). I have worked for government donors and international grant-making foundations.
16-20 Years
writing projects for international development (education, social inclusion, local governance, regional development, non-profit management, civic participation)
management of international programs with government and private donors (US and EU), budgeting, monitoring and evaluations; executive trainings (trainer and facilitator), selection and admission of students to graduate policy programs, international exchanges of students and faculty, coaching and mentoring of young professionals, building networks for professional development, analytical, networking, diplomatic skills, flexibility, sense of diverse cultures, ability to complete projects to end and deliver results.
Coming originally from an East European country, which now is a member of the EU, I have been dedicated to work on reforming the social sector, civic engagement and education in many of these countries. I have started with a human rights and journalism organization where I traced cases of harassed and killed journalists and reported to top news agents and human rights groups. Then I worked with the UNDP office in NY on and early warning system in the aftermath of the Balkans wars in Yugoslavia. Later, I moved to Bulgaria to work on an anti-corruption efforts of civil society on a USAID program there. In 2005, I joined the Open Society Foundations where I have been a Senior Program Manager for local governance programs in Eastern Europe, and a Senior Policy Officer on Social inclusion of disadvantaged groups. Towards the end of 2013 I embarked on a consulting career and have been advising strategically the EUROCITIES, a Brussels-based public network of local authorities in Europe and the Open Society Foundation in Sofia, Bulgaria. I carry a degree from Yale University in International Relations and speak native English, Bulgarian and Russian. I also have basic knowledge of French, German and Polish.
Management of international projects, grant making, monitoring and evaluation of implemented international projects, creating networks of civic groups and local governments, organizing and facilitating policy research, policy and advocacy forums; areas of interest: non-profit development, local governance, social inclusion and innovations, education management. also personal coaching.
Policy Analysis; Proal Writing; Public Policy; Human Rights; International Relations; Civil Society; Grants; NGOs
Program Management; Program Evaluation; Research; Community Development Governance; Nonprofits; Analysis; Politics; Public Speaking; Qualitative Research; Economic Development
