Jenny currently works as a Senior Improvement Policy Adviser on Cyber, Digital and Technology at the Local Government Association, where she focuses on digital inequalities and inclusive governance. She has eight years of experience in policy development and analysis, community engagement, research, and project management in a variety of geographies and sectors.
Before joining the fellowship, Jenny worked for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), first as a gender and governance programme officer in South Africa, designing and delivering projects with a focus on gender-based violence, and the use of digital innovations to strengthen civic engagement at sub-national and national levels. She then moved to working with UNDP at its headquarters in New York, supporting the Head of Governance on the further development of the UNDP governance offer in areas such as parliamentary strengthening, electoral cycle support, civic engagement, addressing mis/disinformation, youth empowerment, and digital governance.
Previously, Jenny was also involved with a grassroots feminist activist network as policy coordinator. There she supported young feminists to engage in policy processes to effect change on issues such as reproductive healthcare, sex work decriminalisation and welfare reform. In recognition of the impact the conflict had on women’s political participation, Jenny achieved funding from the Northern Ireland government to design a multimedia project using the stories of women from the region’s history to engage young women in a conversation about their future role.
Jenny has also worked in public affairs in the private sector in Northern Ireland, in community development and civic engagement in the NGO sector, and in counter-extremism, building and implementing community initiatives to address radicalisation and extremism narratives.
Jenny holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology and a MSc in Inequalities and Social Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Most of the great change I’ve had the privilege to witness and play a small part in has occurred when different actors, from activists to political leaders, have collaborated in a meaningful and inclusive way. It happened when each played their own unique role in pushing for reform, and all were committed to a shared vision. Reproductive healthcare reform in Ireland is an excellent example, and one that inspires me daily.Jenny McEneaney