CURRICULUM VITAE MRS. SELMA THOMPSON, M.A., B.A., Para-Legal Hillaby, St. Andrew, Barbados Tel: 438-6582 (H) 822-3558 (C) E-mail selmaythompson@hotmail.com CAREER OBJECTIVES AREAS OF EXPERTISE MOST RECENT POST The pursuance of and the consistent delivery of service excellence with the primary focus of optimum productivity. Project Management Tourism Development Administration Tourism Development Officer I (Ag) Ministry of Tourism Mandate To develop, implement and execute cultural-heritage tourism programmes and projects within a given Financial Year. As Tourism Development Officer I (ag.), I hold responsibility for all Cultural Heritage Tourism matters. In this regard my responsibilities include but are not limited to: (i) Conceptualising, developing, implementing and executing cultural heritage tourism programmes/ projects. (ii) Monitoring said programmes to ensure effectiveness. (iii) Liaising and collaborating with related agencies within the local, regional and international arenas. (iv) Representing Barbados and the Ministry of Tourism at conferences, seminars and meetings both locally and overseas. (v) Representing the Ministry of Tourism on the Boards of Directors of agencies such as the Barbados National Trust; the Barbados Museum and Historical Society and the Barbados Historical Garrison Consortium Inc. (vi) Co-ordination and execution of conferences and meetings and the co-ordination and production of major events sponsored/hosted by the Ministry of Tourism. (vii) Interfacing with the media through radio, television and print interviews on tourism and other related matters, on the behalf of the Permanent Secretary to raise awareness in respect of the tourism industry and the mandate of the Ministry of Tourism as it relates to National development. (viii) Perform any other related duties as may be assigned. RECENT SUBSTANTIVE POST Administrative Officer II Ministry Of Tourism Duties COMPUTER ROFICIENCY (i) Research and analyse administrative problems and formulate proposed solutions for submission to the Senior Administrative Officer. (ii) Action and follow-up of general administrative matters pertinent to those agencies that fall under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism. (iii) Assist in the co-ordination and execution of major conferences, meetings and tourism events. (iv) Document preparation inclusive of speeches and messages; reports, cabinet papers, position papers and briefs. (v) Follow-up of investigation processes as it relates to complaints made by visitors to Barbados as submitted to the Ministry of Tourism. (vi) Arrange and service meetings hosted by the Ministry of Tourism. This is inclusive of recording and reproducing the related Minutes of Meetings and making arrangements for refreshments where necessary. (vii) Represent the Ministry of Tourism at external meetings, as directed by the Permanent Secretary. Ms Word, Ms Excel 2 PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES I am a dedicated hardworking and enthusiastic individual with excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills. I am also capable of working independently or with minimum direction and supervision as well as of part of a team. I am able to perform my duties well even in a pressured environment and have the ability to lead, manage and execute projects. This quality was evidenced for example, when in my capacity as Secretary to the Barbados-Carolina Committee, I was called to lead the Planning Process, as Barbados prepared to host over eighty (80) visitors from the State of South Carolina, United States of America for a week of cultural heritage tourism activities held October 22 to 26, 2008. Those duties included but were not limited to: (i) Liaising (inclusive of arranging and participating in conference calls) with the Director of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor over the course of one full year, preceding the convening of the week of activities. (ii) Arranging and servicing meetings of the BarbadosCarolina Connection Committee, as that Committee met to plan suitable activities for the visitors. The Committee met, in the first instance on a monthly basis and later, on a weekly or bi-weekly basis as was required. (iii) Arranging airport transfers, ground transportation, visitor accommodation and study tours for the visitors. (iv) Developing the complete agenda for the Week of Activities. The year 2012 provided additional opportunity to demonstrate my problem solving skills and strong response to challenge when I was called upon to function as the Co-ordinator of the 8th African Diaspora Heritage Trail (ADHT) Conference which Barbados hosted, September 17 to 19, 2012. Conference coordination included constant interface with the Bermuda based ADHT Foundation as well as overseas and local delegates. As conference co-ordinator I was also required to work closely with officers who were tasked with responsibility for conference components such as the: i) Programme of events 3 ii) Conference venue arrangements iii) Technical requirements iv) Hotel accommodation v) Airport transfers; and vi) Social activities. Acting Appointments As Administrative Officer I During the following periods of time, I undertook responsibilities as Administrative Officer I, primarily at the Ministry of Tourism and the Office of the Prime Minister. December 4, 2006 to January 5, 2007 January 8, 2007 to February 2, 2007 February 13, 2006 to March 3, 2006 December 19, 2005 to January 20, 2006 September 6, 2004 to October 4, 2004 July 8, 2002 to July 26, 2002 January 16, 2002 to February 8, 2002 November 19, 2001 to December 28, 2001 January 29, 2001 to March 23, 2001 October 28, 2000 to December 29, 2000 September 30, 2000 to October 27, 2000 August 29, 2000 to September 29, 2000 OTHER POSITIONS PREVIOUSLY HELD Legal Assistant Inland Revenue Department: February 1986 to August 1999 Duties Preparation of legal documentation on the behalf of the Commissioner of Inland Revenue 4 Filing and registering of documents in the Magistrates and the Supreme Courts of Barbados on the behalf of the Commissioner of Inland Revenue Legal research Serving of legal documents Additional Experience From September 1992 to August 1999, I simultaneously undertook the portfolios of Legal Assistant to the Barbados Inland Revenue Department and Secretary to the Barbados Income Tax Appeal Board. My duties to the Board included: Attending meetings convened by the Chairman of the Board of Directors Arranging and servicing of all Board Meetings including the recording and reproduction of the related Minutes of Meetings in verbatim format. Interfacing with appellants. Preparation of and issuance of correspondence. Follow up of Matters. Legal Assistant Department of Corporate Affairs & Intellectual Property: February 1985 to January 1986 Duties Registration of Companies and Trademarks and other related matters Clerical Officer Registration Department: April 1978 to January 1985 Clerical Officer Welfare Department: August 1972 to March 1978 QUALIFICATIONS Master of Arts (MA) Heritage Studies: University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus – September 2003 to August 2005 5 Research Paper – Grade B+ “Mass Tourism and the Barbadian Environment: Sustainability with Growth?” Bachelor of Arts (BA) (History) University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus September 1994 to May 1998. (Upper Second Class Honours) BA course work also included the flowing elective courses in Law: Administrative Law Law of Contract Constitutional Law Law and Legal Systems Public Law Remedies Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP) April to July 2001. Certificate- Basic Bookkeeping & Accounts: Capitol Business Solutions -1999 Certificate: Information Technology Professional: Barbados Community College September 1983 to June 1985 Certificate in Para-Legal Studies In-Service Training Certificates Tourism Management and Development - April 2006 Document Preparation - March 2003 Preparation of Cabinet Papers - July 2002 Time Management - June 2001 6 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES & MEETINGS ATTENDED o Co-ordinated the Eight International African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference which Barbados hosted September 17 to 19, 2012, under the theme – Our Freedom, Our Identity: Uncover, Recover, Discover. o Attended the Seventh International African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference, held September 22 to 24, 2011 in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada, under the theme – Preserve, Promote, Protect. Presented a Paper titled: “What Tourists Want: The Cultural Experience”. o Attended the Second Barbadian Extravaganza held August 31 to September 5, 2011 in South Carolina, United States of America. The Extravaganza was hosted by the Team Barbados at the Consulate General of Barbados at Miami in collaboration with the Barbados Ministry of Tourism. o Attended the Sixth International African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference, held October 14 to 17, 2010 in Hamilton, Bermuda, under the theme-“Evolution of the Trail- History, Culture, Global Communities and Economic Empowerment”. Functioned as one of the Conference Panellists for Discussion of the Topic “The Successful Development of African Diaspora Heritage Trails In Participating Destinations”. o Attended the 2010 International Heritage Development Conference – June 27 to July 1, 2010, sponsored by the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, Charleston South Carolina: under the theme – “Advancing Beyond Borders”. o Attended the Fifth International African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference, held October 25 to 31, 2009 in the United Republic of Tanzania and Zanzibar, under the theme – “An African Homecoming” Exploring Origins of the Diaspora and transforming Cultural Heritage Assets into Tourism Destinations. o Attended the Fourth International African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference, held July 26 to 30, 2008 in Hamilton, Bermuda, under the theme – “Catching the Fire”. o Attended the Third International African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference held October 10 to 14, 2007 in the 7 Commonwealth of the Bahamas, under the theme - “From Slave Ship to Self Determined Destinations”. REFEREES Dr Karl Watson No. 2 Dolphin Court The Garrison St. Michael Barbados Tel: 427-4509 Mr. Alyson Forte Durants Village St. James Barbados Tel: 432-1653 8