NGO Strategy
Government Advisory
EU Project Management

Services

EU Funding & Project Management: Turn complex ideas into successful EU projects.

Project design and proposal development Proposal review Project management and reporting Multidisciplinary consortium coordination Communication, Dissemination, Exploitation Horizon Europe, EU4Health, EP PerMed

Strategic Consulting for NGOs: Build a clearer strategy and stronger organisation.

Strategic planning Governance advisory Organisational development Policy development and review Organisational and programme evaluation Partnership development

Government Advisory: Independent strategic and policy advice for government.

Governance Policy advice and review Programme evaluation Social policy specialist Strategic and legislative reviews Research and analysis

experience

Complex projects. International partnerships. Real delivery experience.

EU Funding & Project Management

EU Funding & Project Management

6+ years' experience in this field, including: €23m+ in EU-funded projects 20+ international partner countries Coordinated 17-partner multinational consortia Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, EU4Health, ERAPerMed, EP PerMed

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Strategic Consulting for NGOs

Strategic Consulting for NGOs

6+ years' experience, including: Strategic advice and strategy development Organisational development Governance advice Management advice Practical advice for small and medium-sized NGOs.

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Government Advisory

Government Advisory

25+ years' experience working with and for government departments Executive-level experience Knowledge of central government + multiple portfolios Australian experience - federal and state levels

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About
I help organisations navigate complex projects, funding and policy challenges.
I'm Ainslie O'Connor, Principal Consultant at Collaborate Consulting.

With more than 25 years' experience across government, research, not-for-profit and international settings, I work with organisations that are trying to make a difference - but need experienced strategic support to turn ideas into action.

My work spans three areas: European project development and management, strategic consulting for NGOs, and government advisory.

I work with European research and innovation organisations, small and medium NGOs and Australian governments.

Australian-born and based in Germany, I bring experience from working across cultures, sectors and international partnerships. I have worked with a organisations in more than 20 countries.

what clients say

 Ainslie is a trusted partner of Peg Consulting, having made a valuable contribution to a number of projects over a number of years. Ainslie is strategic and insightful. She reliably delivers high quality analysis, reflection and content. 

Ingrid Haythrope - Managing Director
Government Advisory Services  |  Peg Consulting

 Letting you know that Exec has approved our policy and documents, with no changes. Thank you so much for your perspectives and expertise. 

Executive, South Australian Government

 As President of the European Alliance against Depression (EAAD) I have had the great pleasure over the past 6 years to cooperate with Ainslie O'Connor both as an employee and now on a consultancy basis. From the very beginning, I was deeply impressed by the excellence of her work which was not only done in light speed but also with wisdom and profound experience in handling international social interactions and issues. EAAD is deeply thankful to Ainslie, because the successful application for three EU-grants was in a large part due to her contributions. Finally, and this is a rare virtue, Ainslie is not only doing a job in an excellent manner, but she is fully committed far beyond that in her collaboration with EAAD, the team and the aims of this NGO. 

European Alliance Against Depression
Professor Ulrich Hegerl, President  |  EAAD Website

 Ainslie has excellent interpersonal and communications skills, which greatly facilitate the smooth and low-friction delivery of large-scale projects involving multiple world-leading experts across a range of disciplines. Ainslie effectively steers multidisciplinary teams of scientists, administrators, researchers and industry actors, to deliver complex multi-year multi-national projects, such as those funded under the European Union’s Horizon programmes. She engages and addresses challenges and issues as they arise in large-scale projects, by combining her own experience and knowledge with the specific capabilities of her collaborators. She maintains a clear focus on solving problems in a timely manner, so that broader-scale impacts are avoided and thus projects proceed smoothly and effectively. 

Ciaran Clissmann
Director  |  Pintail Limited

 We have appreciated the curiosity and rigour that Ingrid, Tahnya and Ainslie have brought to the evaluation. 

Department of Human Services, South Australia
Director

 Ainslie through Pintail Limited beautifully managed the PHOENIX project. 

Research Leader - Italy

 Thanks Ainslie for partnering with us, the draft is looking great! 

Executive, South Australian Government
  

Contact

Have a project, strategy or policy challenge?

Let's have an initial, no charge or committment conversation about what you need and whether I can help.