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Linda A.S. Dias

Linda A.S. Dias

Lookout, Montserrat

 

About 

I am a passionate innovator who currently holds the position of Deputy Head of the Programme Management Office in the Ministry of Finance & Economic Management in Montserrat.  Here, I support the implementation of capital building projects for the Government of Montserrat, working alongside funding agents such as the UK Department for International Development (DfID), the European Development Fund (EDF), and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

I have previously held the position of Chief Architect for the Government of Montserrat for 5 years.  During this time I established the Architectural & Graphic Design firm Aeon Studios Ltd., which specializes in producing culturally relevant design solutions within the region.  

As a proud member and the 2020 President Elect of the Rotary Club of Montserrat, I use my time and skills to assist in enhancing the Montserrat community.  I am a former board member of the Montserrat National Trust, and have also previously held the position of Vice Chair of the Young Workers’ Committee of the Montserrat Civil Service Association.

I have also received the Leadership & Interpersonal Skills Award for my work in the public service, and in 2012 was honoured by FLOW Montserrat for World Telecommunications & Information Society Day.  I am also a former Chevening Scholar, who is active in the local alumni.

In February 2019 I founded the tech-start-up Bodio, a multi-award winning mobile app that gives musicians and event promoters a platform to network internationally.

Currently, I am hoping to discover ever-more sophisticated and creative ways of how to develop regional infrastructure.


Employment 

Ministry of Finance & Economic Management, Brades, Deputy Head, Programme Management Office

Supporting the implementation of capital projects for the Government of Montserrat.

Jul 2019 - current
 

Bodio Inc., Lookout , Managing Director

Bodio is a mobile networking app for musicians to increase bookings and gain hired work.

Check out www.bodioapp.com for more details.

Feb 2019 - current
 

Aeon Studios Ltd., Lookout, Montserrat, Executive Director

Prepared architectural drawings and graphic design artwork for local, regional, and international clients.

Aeon Studios specializes in developing, planning, and designing in both the fields of Architecture and the Graphic Arts.

NOTABLE PROJECTS:
• Lookout Leisure Park Design, Lookout, Montserrat,
• Official Branding Agent for Montserrat’s 50th Anniversary of Festival,
• Branding Agent of the Office of the Premier & Cabinet Secretariat.

Check out www.aeonstudios.co.uk for more details.

May 2011 - current
 

Ministry of Communications, Works, & Labour - Government of Montserrat, Brades, Montserrat , Government Architect

Principal technical adviser for the Government of Montserrat on matters relating to the development of the built environment, thus providing professional building design and supervision services for the construction and rehabilitation of over fifty (50) structures within Government building stock. As head of the Architectural Division of the Infrastructure Services Department, effectively manage nine (9) professional staff, inclusive of Architects, Quantity Surveyors, CAD Technicians, Clerks of Works, Electricians, and Interns. Additionally, working alongside international development funding agencies such as the United Nations Development Project (UNDP), the UK’s Department for International Development (DfID), and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to implement government initiated infrastructure projects. Projects have ranged in value from US$37k - $1.7mil.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
• Advising parliamentary representatives on design and costing for building projects.
• Budget and policy development related to technical aspects of the built environment.
• Liaising and coordinating with client ministries on design and technical aspects of projects.
• Architectural design of all projects for reconstruction, development and maintenance related to Government buildings.
• Procurement and Tender Document preparation for development and maintenance projects.
• Contract management of all Government building projects.
• Project management of Government building projects.
• Supervising and coordinating building works on site.
• Facilities management of all Government building assets.
• Preparation of Terms of Reference for the appointment of consultants, evaluation of fee bids and make appropriate recommendations.
• Overseeing relevant services provided by professional consultants.
• Review of Planning Applications related to industrial, commercial and residential developments throughout the island.

NOTABLE PROJECTS
• Airport Improvement Project: Phase 1 – Construction of a New Air Traffic Control Tower at the John A. Osborne International Airport (DfID).

• Emergency Social Housing Project – Development of seven 2, 3, and 4-bedroom houses to accommodate low-income families in Montserrat (DfID).

• Montserrat Hospital and Health Care Improvement Project – Rehabilitation of the Glendon Hospital in St. John’s, Montserrat (DfID).

• Environmental Remediation and Rehabilitation Project – Construction of a Viewing Station at Garibaldi Hill Lookout Point, Montserrat (UNDP).

• Natural Disaster Damage Assessment of the Built Environment on Montserrat – Performed assessments of Montserrat’s government, commercial, and residential building stock to submit a comprehensive report to regional and international agencies, 2017. (CDEMA).

Oct 2014 - Jun 2019
 

Ministry of Communications, Works, & Labour - Government of Montserrat, Montserrat, Architect

Provided architectural services to support the corporate and business plans of the Government.

Oct 2011 - Sep 2014
 

Montserrat Development Corporation, Little Bay, Montserrat, Architect (Seconded)

Transferred to assist in the design and project management of the designated new capital city of Little Bay, Montserrat.

Nov 2012 - Aug 2013
 

Ministry of Communications, Works, & Labour - Government of Montserrat, Montserrat, Assistant Architect

Under the supervision of the Government Architect, assisted in the provision of architectural services to support the corporate and business plans of the Government.

Jul 2010 - Sep 2011
 

Education 

University of Westminster, Maryleborne Campus, Masters, Architecture, Cultural Identity & Globalisation

A design-led Masters which explored the relationship between cultural identity and architecture in the context of an increasingly globalised world. This Masters explored a range of techniques to engage, interpret, and design for communities and clients based on an in-depth understanding of their complexed cultural contexts.

Sep 2013 - Sep 2014
 

University of Technology, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica, Bachelors, Architectural Studies

Aug 2006 - May 2010
 

Awards 

Caribbean Tech Entrepreneurship Programme (CTEP) - Ideation Category, 1st Place

My concept for the tech start-up Bodio won the regional pitch competition CTEP.

2019
 

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills Award, 1st Place

I was awarded the Leadership & Interpersonal Skills for my work in the public service, bestowed upon me by the Montserrat Civil Service Association.

2018
 

i2L Pitch Competition, 1st Place

My concept for the tech start-up Bodio (formerly known as Gig-a-Bite) won the 18-35 category of the Innovate To Lead Pitch Competition in Montserrat.

2018
 

Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution to the MCSA Youth Awards, Honorable Mention

Received a recognition award for outstanding contribution to the Montserrat Civil Service Association 2016 Youth Awards. As a part of a small core team of 5 young trade unionists, I assisted in organizing the inaugural Youth Awards for the MCSA Young Workers. This awards ceremony was deemed a first-class success, setting an impressive precedent for future awards ceremonies.

2016
 

Chevening Scholarship, Scholarship

Received one of only two prestigious UK Chevening Scholarships offered to the British Overseas Territories in the year 2013. This highly competitive scholarship will allow me to pursue a Masters of Arts in Architecture, with a focus on Cultural Identity and Globalisation at the University of Westminster in London, UK.

2013
 

Honuree for World Telecommunication & Information Society Day, 2012, Award

For World Telecoms Day 2012, I was identified and honoured by LIME Montserrat as 1 of 7 ladies on island who have contributed in tangible ways to the development of Information & Communication Technology in Montserrat. This year's focus was on women and girls - using the power of ICTs to provide new digital opportunities to end discrimination and empower the female half of the world’s population to achieve their rightful place as equals in the world.

2012
 

Montserrat's Population & Housing Census 2011 Logo Winner, 1st Place

My submission for the 2011 National Population & Housing Census in Montserrat won the logo competition that was hosted by the Statistics Department of Montserrat.

2011
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills