Olivia Smith
Visiting Scholar & Professor
Montreal,Quebec
Summary
Skilled multitasker with superior work ethic and good teamwork, problem-solving and organizational skills. Willing to take on any task to help team. Reliable and dedicated team player with hardworking and resourceful approach.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
J.W. McConnell Visiting Scholar & Professor in Public Policy
Max Bell School of Public Policy, Faculty of Arts, McGill University
09.2022 - Current
- Coordinated the official Country visit of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery to Quebec and successfully convened a pivotal stakeholders' meeting of private, public and NGO leaders on September 1, 2023.
- Convened a high-impact event, bringing together the Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship and Master of Public Policy (MPP) students.
- Led a team within the Bank of Canada's sponsored policy lab, overseeing an extensive investigation and analysis of the social implications associated with transitioning toward a 'cashless' society.
- Delivered a presentation at a side event during the 53rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on July 4, 2023.
- Submitted policy interventions to the federal government regarding the Immigration Review, labour trafficking, and the management of digital evidence in human trafficking cases
- Conducted research and authored/published policy papers addressing urgent immigration challenges in Canada
- Taught a case studies on human trafficking, sharing valuable insights and expertise with peers and students
- Undertook research and extensive training in SDGs and ESG Sustainability Reports.
O'Brien Fellow in Residence and Affiliate with the Oppenheimer Chair in Public International Law
Faculty of Law, McGill University
05.2022 - 09.2022
- Spearheaded multifaceted research projects assessing Canada's human rights policies and the UN Sustainable Goals, ESG sustainability, gender-related concerns, immigration regulations, and counter-human trafficking initiatives
- Presented comprehensive studies on Human Trafficking in Canada to government authorities and key stakeholders, facilitating informed policy discussions and decisions.
Executive Director
Caribbean Anti-Human Trafficking Foundation
03.2019 - 06.2022
- Developed and led a COVID-19 pandemic humanitarian response for migrant communities in Barbados
- Implemented a people-centred, community-engaged system to oversee the well-being of the migrant community and trafficked victims throughout the COVID-19 national lockdowns, with regular reporting to the IOM, UNHCR, and USAID
- Collaborated with the Barbados Red Cross Society, Soroptimist International, and Salvation Army with vulnerable migrants and human trafficking victims to provide humanitarian assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Provided strategic guidance and expertise annually to IOM, UNODC (Caribbean Office), and the USA Embassy/USAID (Barbados Office) for comprehensive country assessments encompassing Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
National Research Consultant
The British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL)
05.2021 - 10.2021
- Led a project which delivered a comprehensive and in-depth country assessment of human trafficking in Guyana.
- Wrote a report which played a pivotal role in guiding policymakers and stakeholders,on enhancing the effectiveness of their fight against human trafficking.
- Demonstrated outstanding communication skills while conveying research results to pivotal stakeholders, such as government officials, NGOs, and international organizations.
Trafficking In Persons Project Lead - Consultant
The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI)
10.2020 - 04.2021
- Led a project to enhance the Barbados government's anti-trafficking initiatives, driving forward comprehensive efforts to combat human trafficking.
- Crafted training resources and led the training of Court Prosecutors and Judges, and law enforcement officers ensuring a comprehensive and effective knowledge transfer.
- Delivered training sessions to the American Bar Association's staff, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to combat human trafficking effectively.
Lecturer
The University of the West Indies
07.2007 - 01.2021
- Designed curriculum and taught graduate and undergraduate classes in business management, strategic planning, human resources management, and labour migration.
Court Mediator
The Barbados Court-Annexed Mediation Pilot Project-Supreme Court of Barbados
12.2017 - 12.2018
- Collaborated with legal professionals and advised on legal rights and responsibilities
- Conducted mediation sessions and analyzed legal documents and case information
- Drafted comprehensive mediation agreements integrating legal considerations, prepared detailed reports for court records.
Political Specialist
The United States Embassy - Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
03.2017 - 12.2017
- Advised and briefed the Political-Economic Section, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), and Ambassador, enabling informed decision-making and strategic planning.
- Conducted in-depth analytical research, investigated and managed multiple sensitive files, and authored inputs for comprehensive reports on the political, economic, and social landscape of English-speaking Caribbean States.
- These reports were used as inputs for the CIA's Annual Reports, the International Human Rights Reports, and Trafficking in Persons Reports.
Deputy Programme Manager - Free Movement of Labour
CARICOM Secretariat
08.2013 - 03.2017
- Managed the 10th European Union Development Fund work program and budget, overseeing the implementation of legislative and administrative projects for the Single Market and Economy (CSME) regime, governing the free movement of labour across 15 CARICOM Member States.
- Spearheaded policy-related initiatives for Member States, contributing significantly to negotiation processes and facilitating intergovernmental meetings.
- Collaborated with the International Labour Organization's Trinidad Office to successfully launch a regional tripartite social dialogue mechanism. This initiative played a pivotal role in establishing a robust social protection framework within CARICOM, benefiting 15 Caribbean nations.
Senior Technical Officer (ag.)
Technical & Vocational Education & Training Council
08.2003 - 03.2016
- Led and directed the Quality Assurance Unit, ensuring adherence to standards and guidelines in Technical and Vocational Education & Training
- Managed the implementation of the Government of Barbados' Human Resource Development Strategy .On secondment from TVET Council (2013): to the European Delegation of the European Union to Barbados , the Eastern Caribbean Countries, and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, January - July 2013.
- On secondment to CARICOM Secretariat,August 2013 - March 2016.
Education
Ph.D. - Political Science
The University of The West Indies - Cave Hill Campus
Barbados 09.2024 - 10.2016
Post Graduate Diploma - Forced Migration
The University of Oxford
Oxford, UKMaster of Business Administration (MBA) - undefined
The University of The West Indies - Cave Hill Sagicor School of Business
Bachelor of Arts - History & Political Science
The University of The West Indies - Cave Hill Campus
Skills
Policy AnalysisStakeholder EngagementPartnership managementStrategic PlanningDecision MakingProgram managementConflict Resolution
Excellent Communication
Websites
Awards
- JW McConnell Visiting Scholar, Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University, 2022, 2024
- Forced Migration Fellowship, University of Oxford, Refugees Studies Centre, 2013
- O’Brien Fellowship in Residence - Human Rights, McGill University, Faculty of Law, 2021
Publications
- Academic, Human Trafficking and the Digital Divide, 2023, Max Policy, Max Bell School of Public Policy McGill University, https://www.mcgill.ca/maxbellschool/max-policy/human-trafficking-and-digital-divide
- Academic, Labour Trafficking—Even in Canada, 2023, Max Policy, Max Bell School of Public Policy McGill University, https://www.mcgill.ca/maxbellschool/max-policy/labour-trafficking
- Report, Determinants of Anti-Trafficking Efforts Final Report, https://www.biicl.org/documents/11413_guyana.pdf
- Report, Guide on Combating Human Trafficking for Court Prosecutors & Judges in Barbados, 2021, Olivia Smith and Jason Haynes, Rule of Law Insights - The ABA Rule of Law Initiative Blog, https://abaruleoflaw.blogspot.com/
Training
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, McGill University, Executive Institute
- Teaching Public Service in The Digital Age, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University
- Certificate, SCID Systematic Curriculum and Instructional Development, Ohio State University
- Certificate Effective Management of Project Stakeholders, University of Ottawa
- Certificate In Building a Lean and Agile Organization, McGill University, Executive Institute
- Certificate Advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution, Stitt Feld Handy Group and Windsor University, Canada
Timeline
Ph.D. - Political Science
The University of The West Indies - Cave Hill Campus
09.2024 - 10.2016
J.W. McConnell Visiting Scholar & Professor in Public Policy
Max Bell School of Public Policy, Faculty of Arts, McGill University
09.2022 - Current
O'Brien Fellow in Residence and Affiliate with the Oppenheimer Chair in Public International Law
Faculty of Law, McGill University
05.2022 - 09.2022
National Research Consultant
The British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL)
05.2021 - 10.2021
Trafficking In Persons Project Lead - Consultant
The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI)
10.2020 - 04.2021
Executive Director
Caribbean Anti-Human Trafficking Foundation
03.2019 - 06.2022
Court Mediator
The Barbados Court-Annexed Mediation Pilot Project-Supreme Court of Barbados
12.2017 - 12.2018
Political Specialist
The United States Embassy - Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
03.2017 - 12.2017
Deputy Programme Manager - Free Movement of Labour
CARICOM Secretariat
08.2013 - 03.2017
Lecturer
The University of the West Indies
07.2007 - 01.2021
Senior Technical Officer (ag.)
Technical & Vocational Education & Training Council
08.2003 - 03.2016
Post Graduate Diploma - Forced Migration
The University of Oxford
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - undefined
The University of The West Indies - Cave Hill Sagicor School of Business
Bachelor of Arts - History & Political Science
The University of The West Indies - Cave Hill Campus