About Me

Tzvetelina Bonova EXPERTISE Communications, fundraising and development professional with over seven years of experience in managing communication, advocacy and fundraising campaigns and programs. Extensive experience in fundraising and resource development: managed multi-years fundraising strategies and plans, established major corporate partnerships. Extensive experience in communication for development, advocacy and children’s rights projects, media relations, special events organization. Knowledge of UNICEF, children’s rights, human rights, international development and humanitarian assistance. Master’s in international law and international humanitarian assistance. Fluent and experienced in working in English and French. EXPERIENCE Communications Officer, UNICEF Bulgaria September 2006 – July 2011 Strategic and day-to-day management of communications, fundraising and advocacy programs for UNICEF Bulgaria. Budget manager of the communication, fundraising and advocacy programs. • Fundraising and resource development: Developed and managed the first fundraising program for UNICEF in Bulgaria. Created and carried out development of multi-years fundraising strategies and plans, established and managed the UNICEF fundraising department. Managed all aspects of individuals and corporate fundraising, annual and capital campaigns. Developed and managed the monthly giving program for UNICEF. Managed and supervised stewardship, donor relations and donor communications cycle. Implemented and managed direct marketing campaigns, telethons and special fundraising events. Managed and supervised corporate partnerships including cause related marketing projects, customers fundraising and employees’ engagement. Managed UNICEF TV fundraising shows. • Advocacy: Developed and managed the social mobilization part of UNICEF advocacy program. Supported the creation of National Network for Children, Child Friendly Municipality Initiative in Bulgaria. Assisted major legislation change initiatives, organized high level conferences, attended high level meetings. Advocacy campaigns covered children’s rights: children with disabilities, children in institutional care, foster care, early childhood development, child participation and prevention of abandonment. • Program communication/ communication for development: Managed major behavior change communication campaigns on foster care, parenting, early childhood development and prevention of violence against children. Monitored implementation of the campaigns and analyzed results. • Media relations, brand management and visibility: Carried out media relations and public relations for UNICEF Bulgaria. Served as spoke person and focal point for national and international media. Prepared press releases, media briefs. Carried out crisis communications. Managed goodwill ambassador program, emergency response and visibility campaigns. Organized field missions with corporate partners, media and high profile supporters to Haiti and Cote d’Ivoire. • Online communication Developed and managed UNICEF Bulgaria online communication strategy. Created web site (www.unicef.bg), social profiles, emails campaigns, viral campaigns, search engine marketing. Achievements • 15 % increase in UNICEF brand awareness. More than 100 high profile supporters involved in UNICEF campaigns. Established major media partnerships with all media. Negotiated three pro bono TV fundraising shows for UNICEF. • Raised more than 4 million USD. The UNICEF monthly donation program recruited more than 2000 individual pledge donors for the first 2 months. Developed and supervised more than 50 corporate partnerships. • Number of foster families in Bulgaria doubled. Legislation on institutional care for children was changed and additional government resources ware invested to implement the reforms; new alternative social services for children with disabilities were created and now financed by the government. Program Officer, International Committee of the Red Cross January 2005 – August 2006 Regional Delegation for Central Europe, Budapest, Hungary (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia). • Advocacy and communication: Planned and implemented Red Cross Communication strategy of influence in the region: supported development of media network, research institutes, non-profits. Organized communication events – media round tables; awareness campaigns; photo exhibitions, conferences etc. Managed the Information and Documentation Center for dissemination of communication and advocacy materials in the region. Monitored and analyzed political, social and economic developments in the region. • Program management: Managed and implemented the "Exploring Humanitarian Law” program (international education program for young people between 13 and 18 years). Assessed national authorities’ needs and capacities; coordinated and negotiated the implementation process. Achievements • Developed a think tank network on humanitarian assistance and humanitarian law. • Implemented "Exploring Humanitarian Law” program in six countries. • Supported development of media regional network. Academic and European Affairs Coordinator, UNHCR Bulgaria January – December 2004 Supported development of the “Academic Refugee Studies Initiative” Project. Supported and coordinated teaching and training sessions, round tables, academic conferences. Supported the planning and implementing of UNHCR strategy for Bulgaria through contact with national authorities, NGOs, research and academic circles. Monitored EU legal developments in the area of asylum and migration. Organized public awareness campaign and events on the occasion of the 2004 World Refugee Day. Intern, East Timor Desk, Avocats sans Frontières, Brussels, Belgium July 2003 – December 2003 Researched traditional justice in East Timor. Supported the ASF program evaluation in East Timor. Supported donor reporting. Contributed to the planning of activities for 2004-2006. Cultural Mediator, A.L.C. (ASSIC), Nice, France January 2002 – June 2003 Supported implementation of social and legal aid project for human trafficking victims from Central and Eastern Europe. Developed partnerships with EU institutions and other European countries on human trafficking prevention and assistance to victims. EDUCATION 2002 – 2003 M.A. International Humanitarian Assistance/ International Field Jurist, Law School, Université Paul Cézanne (Aix-Marseille III), Aix-en-Provence, France 2000 – 2001 B.A. International Law, Law School, University of Nice, France PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Certificate in Integrated Marketing Communication for Behavioral Impact in Health and Social Development, New York University (NYU) Non-profit Management Certificate, University of South Florida UNICEF Fundraising Forums (2007-2011) Advocacy training organized by UNICEF Central and Eastern Europe Communication for development global meeting and training, UNICEF HQ Training in competency based interviewing – certified interviewer LANGUAGES English Fluent French Fluent Spanish Beginners level Russian Conversational Bulgarian Native speaker COMPUTER SKILLS Word, Excel, Power Point, Group Wise, Lotus Notes, Outlook, PROMS REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST