Monique Soesman

Background

About Monique Soesman

At present I have had the exciting opportunity to work for more than 25 years in Indonesia and neighboring countries as trainer, interim director, facilitator, consultant and researcher for International Non-Governmental Organizations. This has made me into a multi employable development professional. I love to empower teams to get out the best in each individual and together achieve optimal results. Whilst working in the public health sector for the USAID funded project in the Dutch Tuberculosis Foundation (KNCV) and for NLR (one of the major change-makers in the fight against leprosy in the past 50 years and into the future until No Leprosy Remains) I became convinced we should involve and empower persons affected, persons with disabilities, LGBTI communities in everything we do and value the dignity, talents and backgrounds of all people. When I joined Rutgers, through the projects on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Diversity and Gender Equity I became passionate about applying Gender Transformative Approaches to transform harmful, inequitable gender norms and values into positive ones. This lengthy but rewarding process often results in improving sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all, including LGBTIQ, and prevent gender-based violence (GBV). The Interim management positions provided me with the opportunity to design change processes and learn how to link the public health and gender issues with PMEL and operational processes. I found that by encouraging colleagues, young professionals, the Change Management trajectory was such an inspiring journey for all. This included jointly revise HR manuals, Code of Conducts, develop in-house training on sexual harassment, child rights, discrimination in the workplace and held numerous (strategic) planning workshops. During various consultancies for International NGO’s and UN organizations I worked with small teams in Indonesia and other Asian Countries on development issues to ensure that we leave no one behind. For IOM we conducted assessments on human trafficking in Indonesia, for the Dutch Faith Based Network a study on education in Papua, for Terre des Hommes on Mother and Child Health and Child Exploitation and for COC Nederland (LGBT organisation with special consultative status with the UN) workshops. As a trainer/facilitator I enjoy designing and implementing training programs and workshops in Result Based Management, PMEL, Human Resources Management and Leadership skills, as well as Strategic Planning.