Summary

A development professional with 22 years of work experience with various NGOs/INGOS and UN agencies in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. She managed large scale projects/programmes on education, women economiic empowerment, child rights, urban regeneration and rural development. In her last assignment she led Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the the Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN) as the implementing partner of the government of Pakistan's flagship programme 'Waseela e Taleem' with Benzair Income Support Programme (BISP). 


Projects

Waseela e Taleem
Community Activism for Improved Access to Quality Education & Local Account
Alif Ailaan - Parent Ittehad to Demand Access to Quality Education

Experience

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Team Leader Waseela e Taleem
Rural Support Programmes Network
Mar 2018 - May 2020 | Islamabad, Pakistan

Responsible for overall management (operational and programmatic) of Waseela e Taleem. Provision of strategic leadership and oversight to the programme for mobilization and capacity building of 469,000 BISP beneficiary women (who stand at the poverty band of 16.2 & below on the poverty scorecard). Oversight of the BISP beneficiaries and their children (1.05 million) database. Management and coordination with the implementing partners, BISP (Client), NADRA and the Provincial Education Departments (stakeholders). Line management of the key experts at the Project Management Unit (PMU) and presentation of the intervention at high profile forums. Quality assurance and ensuring timely delivery against agreed deliverables and overall contractual compliance are the key features of my position. 

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Project Manager - Alif Ailaan
Rural Support Programme Network (RSPN)
Dec 2015 - Feb 2018 | Islamabad, Pakistan

1. To oversee the advocacy campaign (Alif Ailaan) activities implementation with implementing partners i.e. NRSP, BRSP and SRSP 2. To monitor IPs activitires for development of evidende based advocacy matrerials for larger dissemination in the programme areas to the legislators and government functioaries/ district administration 3. To keep check on the media cocerage of the campaign activities and providing technical suppoet for pressers and tickers in the local media networks 4.Conducting monthly meetings with the finance team to review budget and expenditure 5. To conduct weekly meetings with the M&E staff to check alignment with the activity calendar and quality of data submitted by the partners.6.To conduct weekly meetings with the donor to share programmatic updates and emerging impacts. 7. To review project work plan and LFA on quarterly basis and update it wit the partners 8. To represent RSPN at various fora for networking and visibility. 9. To visit project districts for ensuring implementation of activities against work plan and provide feedback to partners.

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External Evaluator
Norwegian Church Aid
Dec 2016 - Jan 2017 | Islamabad, Pakistan

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Team Lead (External Evaluation)
Norwegian Church Aid
Oct 2016 - Nov 2016 | Islamabad, Pakistan

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External Evaluator for Human Rights Commission of Pakistan
Embassy of Norway in Pakistan
Sep 2015 - Oct 2015 | Islamabad, Pakistan

To work as an independent evaluator to review Human Rights Commission of Pakistan project \'Realization of Human Rights in Pakistan: Pak-0001-14/0008\' funded jointly by Norwegian and Dutch Embassies for a period of two years i.e. January 2015-January 2017. Review looked in to the scope of work i.e. efficiency, effectiveness, risk management, anti corruption practices and audit.

It was 18 days assignment.

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External Evaluator
Sungi Development Foundation
Jun 2015 - Jul 2015 | Islamabad, Pakistan

As an independent Evaluator, commissioned to conduct end project evaluation of Sungi Development Foundation project ‘Building Communities Resilience through integrated (livelihood, WASH and DRR) Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction Approach’. Scope of work included questions under fields i.e. efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and financial management.

The project was implemented in AJK (Muzzafarbad and Hattian Bala). It was funded by Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe.

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External Evaluator
Save the children Iraq
Dec 2014 - Jan 2015 | Sulymania, Iraq

It was end project evaluation of \'Salam\' a 17 months initiative to integrate youth (at high risk of violence) through trainings on modern civic values and life skills. Save the Children Iraq implemented the project with financial assistance of US Department for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). The evaluation was conducted using DAC principles of evaluation.

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External Evaluator for Save the Children \'Balochistan Education Programme\'
Sustainable Development Consultants
Aug 2014 - Sep 2014 | Islamabad, Pakistan

An evaluation team member for the project funded by the Dutch Government and prepared tools (quantitative and qualitative) for the assignment.
It was a massive support programme for the government of Blaochistan in education.
Evaluation was carried out under DAC principles for evaluation.

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Consultant to develop \"Pre departure manuals for emigrant workers\'
International Labor Organization ( ILO- United Nations)
Apr 2014 - May 2014 | Islamabad, Pakistan

As a freelance Consultant supported ILO to develop guide books for the potential migrant workers in Pakistan on how to protect their rights while working in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. The activity was carried out under ILO \'South Asia Labour Migration\' project. The activity involved rigorous consultations with the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Pakistanis, Overseas Pakistanis Foundation and Overseas Employment Promoters.

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Consultant for development of \'District Education Plans\'
Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP)
Dec 2013 - Jan 2014 | Peshawar, Pakistan

Funded by UNICEF it was a pilot initiative to develop district education plans for Kohistan and Torghar (two districts with lowest education outcomes in KPK). The activity involved rigorous assessment and consultations with teachers, parents, children and the department of education along with education reform support office and UNICEF KPK. The activity culminated in the formation of district education plans for 5 years with strategies for each actor to implement the plan.

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Evaluator for ILO Project against Bonded Labour in Pakistan
International Labour Organization
Nov 2013 - Dec 2013 | Islamabad, Pakistan

Evaluated ILO project \'Strengthening Law Enforcement Responses and Actions against Internal Trafficking and Bonded Labour in Pakistan\'. The project was implemented with financial assistance of US Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Person (JTIP). The project evaluation followed UN Evaluation guidelines and looked in to areas: Relevance, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Impact and Sustainability. Lessons learned were drawn from the findings and recommendations for future were provided.

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Evaluator for \'Women Parliamentarians Governance Training\'
Search for Common Ground
Oct 2013 - Dec 2013 | Islamabad, Pakistan

Worked as Team Lead to evaluate the project. The project was implemented in 4 provinces of Pakistan with focus on training women parliamentarians and inspiring women leaders on governance. It received financial support from the US Department for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour (DRL). The assignment was initially commissioned as End project review but later DRL moved with extension and the assignment was converted in to the mid term evaluation. It looked qualitatively in to: relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and implementation mechanisms.

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Consultant to document good practices for Mother & Child Health Initiative
Rural Support Programme Network
Jul 2013 - Aug 2013 | Islamabad, Pakistan

As a freelance Consultant I was commissioned to review RSPN project \'Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care\' (EMONC) for developing case studies to share with the donor Research and Advocacy Fund in Pakistan.

The project was implemented in 4 union councils of Daddu (a district in Sindh). The intervention was specifically designed for the area where there was no Lady Health Worker programme. Objective of the intervention was to develop a community referral system (under RSPs social mobilization approach) for safe pregnancies and institutional deliveries.

The developed case studies were widely circulated among partners in government, non government organizations and donors.

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Evaluator \'Police Training on Anti Sexual Harassment Law 2010\' project
Strengthening Participatory Organization
May 2013 - Jun 2013 | Islamabad, Pakistan

Reviewed SPO\'s work under the intervention in Khanewal (a district in Punjab). The assignment focussed on assessing the work done with Police on the anti harassment law and their level of sensitivity to handle the issue. A number of interviews and meetings were conducted with the police officials (male and females) under the scope of work that mandated to see the effectiveness of training imparted to the target group. Objective of the intervention was to handle the cases under the mentioned law with objectivity and sensitivity.

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External Evaluator for Trocaire Early Recovery Programme
AAN Associates
Mar 2013 - Apr 2013 | Islamabad, Pakistan

As an independent Evaluator reviewed Trocaire Pakistan Early Recovery Programme implemented through a consortium of 8 organizations in KPK and Sindh. The project was implemented in response to 2010 flash floods and the review study looked at the humanitarian principles and standards applied under the intervention. Lessons learned were drawn and the recommendations were provided.

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Consultant - End Project Evaluation
Alif Laila Book Bus Society
Dec 2012 - Dec 2012 | Lahore, Pakistan

Evaluated Alif Laila Book Bus Society project \'Living Libraries\' implemented with the financial assistance of Open Society Foundation in District Sheikhupura, Punjab for the period of 2 years.
Evaluation looked in to the elements: Relevance, Efficiency, Effectiveness and Audit practices of the organization viz a viz project and provided recommendations for full scale intervention after the pilot.

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Consultant- External Evaluator
Pakistan Coalition for Educaiton (PCE)
Nov 2012 - Dec 2012 | Islamabad, Pakistan

As an external Evaluator reviewed PCE structure, governance, membership criterion and the mandate. The study focussed on objective review of all the mentioned elements and provided recommendations for improving systems and standards with strategies.

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Consultant Mid Term Review
Royal Norwegian Embassy
Oct 2012 - Oct 2012 | Islamabad, Pakistan

Team leader to evaluate Aurat Foundation\'s \'Legislative Watch\'Project funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Pakistan.
Scope of work included areas: efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, financial management, risk management and anti corruption measures. The project in its universe formed legislative watch groups in 21 districts of Pakistan and reached 353,000 in direct beneficiaries through 10,760 direct beneficiaries.

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Consultant - Reporting Specialist
(UNDP)
Jun 2012 - Sep 2012 | Islamabad, Pakistan

1. To develop web contents for UNDP election project \' Electoral Cycle Support to the Election Commission of Pakistan\'
2. To develop FAQs and answers on election and electioneering for ECP website.
3. To develop monthly bulletin for the project and its dissemination
4. Coordination with UNDP Communications officer for content uploads on UNDP site.
5. To support procurement team for sifting voter education campaign bids and preparing competitive sheets for selection of vendors.

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Consultant
The Royal Norwegian Embassy
Sep 2011 - Oct 2011 | Islamabad, Pakistan

Independent Evaluator for Norwegian Embassy\'s \'Gender Research Programme in Pakistan\'.
Implementing partner for the programme was Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC). The evaluation scope of work included principles from DAC criterion for evaluation and the questions from its fields i.e. Efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability. The assignment focused on review of various components and provided recommendations for future.

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Manager Communications
Turquoise Mountain
Dec 2010 - Aug 2011 | Kabul, Afghanistan

• Manage relations and communications with the donors (CIDA&USAID), media and government stakeholders to reflect our work in the threefold objectives; urban regeneration, creating livelihood for local Afghans and reviving traditional art & architecture to build national pride.
• Build capacity of sub grantees on quality assurance and reporting to donors.
• Preparation of programmatic reports, planning and monitoring and evaluation of programs for the USAID, CIDA and other donors’ programs.
• Contractual compliance for all projects including reporting procedures, branding departmental liaison and data collection.
• Work closely with finance department to ensure smooth functioning of donor relations.

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Programme Officer
UNIFEM
Aug 2009 - Dec 2009 | Islamabad, Pakistan

• Developing proposals for uplift of women social status in Pakistan.
• Assessing the implementing capacity of UNIFEM partners for project management and providing technical support to bridge the required gaps
• Managing Provincial Gender Equality Advisors, supporting Provincial Governments for mainstreaming international commitments to uplift the status of women made under UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
• Coordination with Provincial and Federal National Women Machineries (NWMs)to provide technical support for implementing CEDAW and other women rights frameworks
• Supporting Senior Gender Advisor UNIFEM to extend technical support to MOWD for its repositioning

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Programme Manager - Education
Voluntary Service Overseas
Aug 2006 - Jul 2009 | Islamabad, Pakistan

•Taking lead on developing programme strategies with emphasis on girl child education in alignment with Country Strategic Plan (CSP) and ensuring compliance with VSO corporate Education objectives and policies
•Developing learning & review framework for education programme and ensuring that programme is going in alignment.
•Assessing programme partnership for providing small grants and technical support to the organizations working in Education sector in Punjab and NWFP
•Taking lead in devising country advocacy strategy with support from programme learning and Review team based in London
•Developing funding proposals for scaling up VSO Education programme activities in Pakistan and extending small grants to partners for implementing their EFA related activities.

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Programme Manager
SAHIL
Sep 2002 - Jul 2006 | Islamabad, Pakistan

1. Overseeing Programme design, development, quality assurance and implementation on child rights and protection as cross cutting theme
2. Liaison with the donors, government departments and other civil society stake holders on policy advocacy and child rights
3. Supervision of Sahil print & electronic media campaigns on child protection
4. Representation of Sahil at various forums like working group on formulation of child rights policy in Pakistan with National Commission on Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD).

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Punjab Coordinator
Community Information and Epidemiological Technology (CIET)
Oct 2001 - Jul 2002 | Islamabad, Pakistan

1. To oversee CIET liaison office in Islamabad
2. To maintain relation and coordination with UNDP gender programme in Pakistan
3. To identify women rights champions for interviewing in the \'social audit study on violence against women\' for Pakistan.
4. To do desk review of material on women issues and dynamics to contribute in the secondary data review chapter of upcoming report.
5. To facilitate CIET Canada office in getting technical information on research issues in Pakistan.

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Community Development Officer
Plan International
Mar 2000 - Sep 2001 | Vehari, Pakistan

• Programme coordination in five domains: Health, Education, Institutional Building, Environment and Learning
• Community mobilization and Community Capacity Building for project management
• Promote linkages with NGOs and Line departments for promoting child centered community development approach in the above mentioned domains
• Producing product reports for international offices based in USA, UK and Japan

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Social Organizor
National Rural Support Programme
May 1998 - Feb 2000 | Vehari, Pakistan

•To make contact with women in local communities and organizing them in the form of women organizations (WOs) and to strengthen their linkages with area NGOs and government line departments for finding sustainable development solutions.
•To train local women in maintaining institutional records and developing plans for acquisition and utilization of skill training at the grass root level.
•To manage for the interventions such as micro credit, natural resource management, human resource development and Social Services activities such as mother & child health and non-formal education programme.

Education

Center for Advanced Studies in Engineering (CASE)
Certification, Project Management‎
Scope, time management, contract management
Completed
2006
University of Mahidol
Certification, Advocacy on Gender Based Violence‎
Qualitative Research and Lobbying
Completed
2005
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
Certification, NGO Management‎
Operational management, finacial management, strategic managment and resource mobilization
Completed
2004
Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU)
Diploma, Women Studies‎
Qualitative research, Role of women in literature, Feminism
Completed
2002
Bahauddin Zakariya University
Masters, Masters in Arts, English Language and Literature‎
English Language and Literature
1996

Skills

Expert Advocacy skills
Expert Analytical Skills
Expert Cooordination Skills
Expert Influencing Skills
Expert Managerial Skills
Expert Political Economy
Expert Programme Management
Expert Project Planning & Implementation
Expert PTP Protocols
Intermediate Recruitment and Selection
Expert Security Principles
Expert Service-oriented Attitude

Languages

Intermediate Saraiki
Expert Punjabi
Expert Urdu
Expert English

Companies Followed

Humera Contacts

Muhammad Ismail
Women Children Welfare Association
Hamza Sajjad
Gamescotch Studios
Saqib Ali khan
Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP)
Hafiz Ullah
World Health org