Emilia Paulus-Kolmer
Rennes
Summary
Accomplished and highly adaptable International Project Manager with extensive experience directing high-stakes initiatives for prominent global organizations, including Reporters Without Borders, across Africa. Backed by an academic foundation in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) and Public Relations, this background offers an elite combination of market intelligence, business strategy involving SWOT analysis and market studies, and strict financial accountability. Proven track record in complex multi-stakeholder negotiations, cross-border operational coordination, and managing strict compliance budgets. Exceptionally skilled at navigating executive-level hierarchies, securing high-value account buy-in, and leveraging an extensive regional network and bilingual English proficiency to drive market development and territory footprint expansion.
Overview
1
1
Certificate
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Media Consultant and Founder
Boss Media Consultants
Rennes, France
10.2021 - Current
- Established and scaled an independent consulting practice upon relocating to France, managing end-to-end client portfolios, service delivery, and autonomous business development.
- Spearhead brand messaging and target content strategies tailored to diverse international client objectives.
- Cultivate trust-based, long-term relationships with global clients while managing project lifecycles, deliverables, and financial agreements independently.
Journalism Trust Initiative Namibia Representative
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
10.2021 - Current
- Championed the regional roll-out and corporate adoption of the Journalism Trust Initiative compliance framework, positioning it as a vital corporate sustainability standard for major media conglomerates.
- Navigated corporate hierarchies and negotiated directly with C-suite executives and directors to secure official framework buy-in and institutional adoption.
- Leveraged an extensive, pre-existing professional network built over years of operating across the African continent to accelerate organizational footprint expansion and establish immediate brand trust.
Project Manager
Namibia Media Trust (NMT)
Windhoek, Namibia
10.2017 - 09.2021
- Conducted rigorous market studies and SWOT analyses for prospective international projects, aligning organizational capabilities with regional market dynamics to optimize project-matching results.
- Spearheaded end-to-end project monitoring and evaluation frameworks, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to report on strategic performance and return on investment.
- Cultivated and managed premium relationships with high-level international corporate and diplomatic funders, including UNESCO, Reporters Without Borders, the EU Embassy, and the Embassy of Finland.
- Designed high-value competitive project proposals and robust operational budgets, tracking project expenditures and executing detailed financial and narrative reporting.
- Managed internal financial audits collaboratively with external auditors to ensure strict compliance, while directing regional procurement through sourcing quotes and negotiating competitive vendor rates.
ACTION Coordinator
Access to Information (ACTION) Coalition
Namibia
10.2017 - 09.2021
- Supervised international donor portfolios directly, managing campaign resource allocations and strict project spending parameters.
- Coordinated complex travel, safety, and event logistics for both local and international stakeholders to ensure seamless cross-border mobility.
Senior Journalist and Reporter
Elegance Magazine
Windhoek, Namibia
01.2012 - 12.2017
- Researched, verified, and wrote news features and editorials explicitly aligned with the strategic business models of the publication.
- Partnered actively with the sales department by identifying potential clients and sourcing advertisements to drive commercial growth and revenue.
- Managed tight editorial production schedules and synchronized content workflows to ensure consistent, on-time publication delivery.
Child Rights Support Officer
Media Institute of Southern Africa
01.2014 - 12.2016
- Managed institutional account relations and project delivery for Save the Children International as the primary international funding partner.
- Developed and facilitated targeted sensitization campaigns on children's rights for active journalists and regional policy makers.
- Multi-Country Jurisdiction spanning Lesotho, Zambia, South Africa, and Namibia
Journalist
Confidente Newspaper
Windhoek, Namibia
01.2013 - 01.2013
- Investigated data and compiled rigorous analytical reports under strict daily and weekly deadlines.
- Partnered closely with senior management and editors to refine strategic presentations and optimize target audience engagement.
Education
Projet Professionnel, Prépa Projet - Media Studies, Public Relations, and Sociology
University of Namibia
Windhoek, Namibia01-2015
French Language Courses - Levels A1, A2, and B1
CLPS Centre de Formation Professionnelle
Rennes, France01-2024
Bachelor of Arts Honours - Media Studies, Public Relations, and Sociology
University of Namibia
Windhoek, Namibia01-2015
National Diploma - Public Relations
University of Namibia
01-2011
Skills
- International Project Management and Cross-Border Coordination
- B2B Solution Selling and Executive Negotiation
- Market Intelligence, Market Studies, and SWOT Analysis
- Multi-Stakeholder Relations and High-Value Account Management
- Compliance Budgeting, Financial Tracking, and Auditing
- Fluent English and Professional French
Interests
Reading & Writing, Horticulture & Gardening, Gastronomy
Certification
- Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape, Stellenbosch University, Hybrid, South Africa
- Digital Security and Open Source Tools for Investigative Journalists, AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, 2019
- Internet Governance Frameworks, African School on Internet Governance, N’Djamena, 2019
- Media Development and Train the Trainer, Deutsche Welle Akademie, 2019
Timeline
Media Consultant and Founder
Boss Media Consultants
10.2021 - Current
Journalism Trust Initiative Namibia Representative
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
10.2021 - Current
Project Manager
Namibia Media Trust (NMT)
10.2017 - 09.2021
ACTION Coordinator
Access to Information (ACTION) Coalition
10.2017 - 09.2021
Child Rights Support Officer
Media Institute of Southern Africa
01.2014 - 12.2016
Journalist
Confidente Newspaper
01.2013 - 01.2013
Senior Journalist and Reporter
Elegance Magazine
01.2012 - 12.2017
French Language Courses - Levels A1, A2, and B1
CLPS Centre de Formation Professionnelle
National Diploma - Public Relations
University of Namibia
Projet Professionnel, Prépa Projet - Media Studies, Public Relations, and Sociology
University of Namibia
Bachelor of Arts Honours - Media Studies, Public Relations, and Sociology
University of Namibia