In 2022, torrential monsoon rains triggered the most severe flooding in Pakistan’s history. 33 million people affected with 1,700 people died and 12,867 suffered injuries. More than 2 million houses affected, while many public health facilities, water systems and schools have been destroyed or damaged along with roads, railways bridges and other necessary infrastructures.
As Project Manager, I am leading the implementation of the Housing Reconstruction and Restoration Project in Balochistan, addressing the devastation caused by the 2022 floods in Pakistan. My role involves managing operations, overseeing multi-disciplinary teams and ensuring project compliance with donor requirements, contractual obligations and environmental and social safeguards.
Key scope include:

Spearheading the Resilient Housing Reconstruction and Restoration Project, ensuring adherence to milestones and donor guidelines.
Conducting damage re-verification and validation surveys through MIS systems to authenticate eligibility for housing grants.
Overseeing phased housing construction delivery in compliance with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and Balochistan housing guidelines.
Managing a diverse team, including Engineers, MEAL, Finance, Supply Chain, Social Mobilizers, and Data Enumerators.
Fostering a collaborative work environment, ensuring, deliverables align with project objectives and timelines.
Representing and liaising with key stakeholders, including government authorities, community leaders, UN agencies, INGOs and donors.
Overseeing the project budget, ensuring financial activities align with contractual requirements and funds are disbursed based on milestone achievements.
Managing payments linked to housing reconstruction phases, including damage validation and training sessions.
Engaging with communities for ensuring meaningful engagement, awareness raising to guide beneficiaries and land owners through reconstruction processes, including ensuring Housing Land & Property HLP requirements necessary for grant access.
Leading training programs for masons, craftsmen and community members to promote resilient construction practices according to the guidelines and requirements for incorporating DRR and Climate Change.
Implementing the MEAL framework to monitor project progress and ensure accountability, quality and efficiency.
Preparing comprehensive reports for stakeholders and donors, detailing progress and outcomes.
Ensuring effective communication and coordination between the Area, Field, and Country Offices.
Providing assistance in program development aligned with the Country Strategic Plan and area-specific needs, ensuring contextualized socio-cultural sensitive and gender-responsive programming.
Participating in shaping Islamic Relief Pakistan’s policies on participant eligibility, program requirements and community engagement through seminars, conferences and media appearances.
Performing additional responsibilities as assigned by leadership.

In line with the Islamic Relief Worldwide Global Program Strategy 2023-33 and Pakistan Flood Response Plan 2022, I was responsible for leading and implementing UNDP funded Flood Recovery Program (worth 293 million) in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces with a Community-led approach. I was also providing support in securing and diversifying funding sources through quality concept notes and proposal development.
Scope of the role including:

·       Responsible for planning, implementing and managing project in close coordination with the Area Program Managers, MEAL and Finance units and ensuring adherence to donor’s requirements and IRP’s compliances.
·       Coordinated the effective and efficient implementation of the project, ensuring that commitments are met concerning the targeted communities.
·       Served as a representative of the organization and maintaining coordination with all relevant stakeholders, including community leaders, donors, the Government, UN agencies and other International and National NGOs as required.
·       Proactively contributed to securing new funding avenues by developing high-quality Concept Notes/Proposals to support the achievement of IR Pakistan's strategic goals.
·       Conducted regular field visits, reporting and ensuring all IR personnel understand individual and collective responsibilities for safety and security.

Sustainable Water Resources and Livelihoods Initiative (SWRLI) was IR-USA funded project, aimed to contribute to socio-economic development through instituting the ‘value chain’ approach, to connect farmers to intermediary processors, retailers and end consumers; and improved WASH services in the newly merged district Orakzai and urban settings of Peshawar city. One of the significant intended impact of the intervention was the development of social capital through localization which is key for sustainable development and community resilience. 
Scope of the role included:

Established field office for the implementation of project activities along with district level coordination with external stakeholders including civil/ military authorities and line departments.
Developed project implementation plans and budgets within the framework of the agreed programme, strategy and project management tracker (PMT) and business plan.
Establishing and maintaining constructive working relationships with other NGO’s, UN agencies, provincial and local government, bilateral and multilateral donors and other stakeholders.
Conducted budget reviews to ensure accuracy; grant Management & Periodical Reporting to area/country office.
Ensured compliances with donor’s financial guidelines and led on monthly budget versus actual reviews.
Conducted performance appraisals of project staff and ensure regular feedback and mentoring on individual performance.

 

I was responsible for implementing the Community Resilience Activity CRA-North IOM/USAID funded multi-year program in the newly-merged-districts. The program worked with local governments, youth groups, community members and leaders to 1) increase civic engagement; 2) strengthen social cohesion; and 3) support TDP/IDPs reintegration in targeted areas. This community-based activity utilized a tailored approach (localization) to programing that responded to local conditions and has proven effective in such a highly restrictive areas.
Scope of the role included:

Provided overall leadership; managed Area Office (grants, awards, staff and assets) and leaded the representation of the organization with authorities, I/NGOs and donors.
Conducted rapid needs assessment, identified proactive farmers for establishing the proposed value chain of potato and walnut crops.
Provided modern agriculture tools to farmers and conducted several capacity building training based on the identified gaps, involving exports from agriculture research centre.
Rehabilitated over 10,000 rfts irrigation channels, provided land preparation assistance using modern agriculture-technologies and introduced water efficient farming methods.
Established productive coordination with the targeted farmers, agriculture department, district authorities, stakeholders and represented HUJRA-VSO at district level forums.
Ensured implementation of projects as per plan and stipulated budget; documented lessons learned, remained current on program related challenges, bottlenecks and achievements; and write reports on regular basis as per project requirements.

 

Beyondsolutions is a grant management agency providing in-country support and third-party monitoring services to various implementing partners in key areas of a) Project design and planning b) Monitoring and Accountability and c) Technical Assistance. These partners (11 national/local NGOs & government authorities) were implementing Irish Aid funded three programs in Pakistan focusing on key thematic area of gender-based violence, water rights/ food security and supporting brick kiln workers across three provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh.
Scope of the role included:

Provided support to the implementing partners to ensure that projects are delivering in line with their scope, budget, timelines and support them in documenting and reporting these aspects to the donors.
Provided support to Sindh Irrigation & Drainage Authority in developing provincial water policy.
Worked closely with Punjab Labor Department for the rights of brick kiln workers, established and strengthen workers union for ensuring their rights especially minimum wage rates.
Managed diversified partners’ portfolio, overseen grant and financial management and worked closely with partners in areas of accountability, capacity development, financial management and monitoring.
Provided tailored and customized technical backing to partners along with monitoring visits and guiding project staff on project tools and techniques.

 

MH implemented UNOCHA funded WASH intervention for recently returned families in the Newly Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. The project targeted rehabilitation of 8 gravity water schemes, 750 household sanitation facilities, 15 institutional WASH facilities in schools/ health facilities and conducted hygiene awareness raising campaigns followed by hygiene kits distribution.
Scope of the role included:

Conducted project baseline, developed M&E framework, pre and post KAP surveys and end-line assessments for project evaluation.
Developed and implemented project monitoring plan to systematically document project progress.
Ensured the alignment of M&E activities with project’s goals and tracking these activities against the progress with focus on quality assurance.
Provided support in the capacity building of staff; conducted field visits for monitoring, data validation and reporting the challenges and gaps with recommending alternative possible solutions and necessary changes in project activities.
Provided support to project team in planning and implementing M&E systems and activities, data-bases, program decision-making and progress reporting.
Facilitated organizational knowledge management, collaborative learning processes and capturing lessons learned and best practices.

 

GLOW Consultants Pvt Limited is a well reputed consulting firm and has niche in Pakistan related work, especially third party monitoring, evaluation & research, large to medium scale surveys, institutional support and contextual analysis.
Few completed assignments were as:
-          2023 - The nature of social cohesion? Lessons from relations between Afghan refugees and their neighbors in Pakistan https://odi.org/en/publications/the-nature-of-social-cohesion-lessons-from-relations-between-afghan-refugees-and-their-neighbours-in-pakistan/
-          Changing gender relations on return from displacement to the newly merged districts of Pakistan (https://www.odi.org/publications/17476-changing-gender-relations-return-displacement-newly-merged-districts-pakistan)
-          2018 - Research Study: “The impact of displacement on gender roles and relations: the case of IDPs from FATA, Pakistan” with Overseas Development Institute. (www.odi.org/publications/11286-impact-displacement-gender-roles-and-relations-case-idps-fata-pakistan)
-          2016 - 2017 - Third Party Monitoring TPM: Monitoring of DFID Multi Year Humanitarian program (Sindh, Punjab and KP provinces in Pakistan).
Key tasks: Conducted field monitoring of the humanitarian assistance provided and possible long-term impact including shelter, WASH, food distribution and DRR etc. through WFP, ACTED, HelpAge International, HANDS, IOM and IRC etc. Methodology mainly involved direct observation, discussions with program beneficiaries and key informants.
-          2017 - Final Project Evaluation: Final evaluation of Community Driven Environmental Health project in three districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for IRC Pakistan.
Key tasks: Reviewed evaluation instruments; trained data enumerators on evaluation methodology and data collection tools; conducted key informant interviews with stakeholders including partner organizations, government authorities, cluster members, NGOs and beneficiaries; reviewed different implementation processes and provided facilitation in final evaluation report according to OECD DAC criteria.
-          2017 - Final Project Evaluation of EGRA/EGMA Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), PTC trainings, Literacy Boost (LB) and Numeracy Boost (NB), Teacher Training and school construction in District Swat for Developments In Literacy DIL.
-          2017 - Final Evaluation of Education in Emergency Program funded by DANADA, RNE and MOFA in integration with Child Protection, FSL and Health on teachers/PTC trainings and school construction for Save The Children Pakistan.
-          2017 - Needs Assessment: Needs Assessment of IDP situation in KP for Care International
-          2017 - Final Project Evaluation: Evaluation of UNOPS supported construction and rehabilitation of irrigation canals and bridges in district Swat of KP.
-          2017 - Final Project Evaluation: Final evaluation of ECHO funded “reducing vulnerability through DRM-Phase-III” implemented by ACF in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan.
-          2016 - Final Evaluation: Impact evaluation of Phase I, II and III of Terre des homes (Tdh) “WASH in schools program in flood affected two districts in KP Pakistan.
-          2016 - Functionality Review & Final Evaluation: Asset functionality review of NCA supported WASH intervention in three provinces of Pakistan.
-          2017 - Final Program Evaluation: of HSB funded WaterAid five-year WASH program in Pakistan.
-          2016 - Third Party Field Monitoring: Third party monitoring of ACTED program funded by OFDA in KP and FATA (shelter and WASH).
-          Final Program Evaluation: of ECHO funded CBDRM program for Care International
 

Muslim Hands implemented UNHABITAT/ ECHO funded grant worth USD 17 million in Tirrah Valley of Khyber Agency Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).  This included door to door damages assessments followed by distribution of 1800 shelter roofing kits, 1800 sanitation kits, hygiene awareness raising campaigns, hygiene kits distribution, rehabilitating of 5 gravity based drinking water supply schemes and training of local artisans.
Scope of the role included:

Project planning, assessment, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of shelter materials and capacity building of local artisans for mainstreaming DRR in shelter construction.
Ensured timely recruitment, mobilization and utilization of program personnel, trainings and inputs.
Coordinated the establishment of field office, implemented, managed and supervised project activities and reported to Senior Management, donor and line departments.
Develop and disseminate promotional materials related to build back better shelter, mainstreaming DRR and hygiene awareness rising campaign.
Represented Muslim Hands in shelter and WASH working groups and clusters and managed expenditures, ensured follow-up and control of budget.

 

ACTED as implementing partner of UNHABITAT initiated the project implementation in Tirrah valley-FATA but later on, access/NOC request was refused by the authorities thus UNH came into partnership with Muslim Hands and I, as Project Coordinator completed the project under the umbrella of Muslim Hands. While working with ACTED, I observed the below as distinctive features of its system and organizational environment:

Collaboration of the program unit and Appraisal, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (AMEU) to assess need, monitor activities and evaluate projects.
Remaining current and alert to opportunities arising for learning, collaboration and partnership that may enhance program quality and responsiveness .

 

KAMORE implemented health component of GIZ/BMZ funded FATA development programme (FDP) to foster a constructive dialogue between health workforce and community with aim of improving the quality of health services through CBOs/ Local Quality Teams (LQTs) in 42 health facilities in KP/ FATA. Under the supervision of programme director health, I was responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the program.
Scope of the role included:

Managed and monitored overall project activities including project planning, Implementation and coordination and supervised the team on objectives, expected outcomes and overall implementation strategy.
Designed and conducted baseline survey in consultation with subject matter experts to analyze the actual number and nature of the project’s schemes and suggested relative changes if necessary.
Conducted regular field visits to program areas to assess the quality and effectiveness of the project deliverables and impact on the target beneficiaries
Ensured effective and efficient resource mobilization and timely financial management of the budgeted activities

 

Under the overall supervision of the area manager FATA and direct supervision of programme manager shelter, coordinated and established NRC field office in FATA for armed conflict and natural disaster affected IDPs and returnees in volatile security environment and implemented several humanitarian emergency response, shelter, WASH, livelihoods, cash/ voucher and education multi million and multi donors funded projects including, ECHO, German Embassy, NMFA, DFID, EU etc.
Scope of the role included:

Established new field office in the tribal area for responding to IDPs/ returnees after the military operation against the non-state actors in the area.
Planning, implementation, monitoring, assessment and evaluation of multi-sectoral and multi donor’s projects including IDPs registration, large caseload of distributions, rehabilitation of shelter/infrastructure, schools and drinking water supply schemes, livelihoods/ cash-based-interventions and managed overall team of over 60 members including civil engineers, social and support/operation staff.
Designed, piloted and scaled up self-recovery integrated programs of shelter, WASH, education and livelihoods for IDPs and returnees.
Represented NRC in external meetings, provincial forums and maintained effective relations with relevant stakeholders.
Documented lessons learned on self-help community driven approach with other NRC offices and personnel within Pakistan and outside (Afghanistan) through exposure visits.
Participated in organizational strategic review and access strategy development meetings and remained part of recruitment panel, appraised staff performances and managed budgets.
Remained current on organizational priorities, policies and hierarchy.

In 2010 Pakistan was hit by devastating flood, approximately one-fifth land of the country was under water and 30 million families were affected along with over 2,000 died. Roads, bridges, schools, railway and houses were damaged. Monsoon rains remained continued, and the affected families were in immediate need of rescue, food and none food items and on the other hands access was too challenging for humanitarian aid actors.
Scope of the role included:

Led and managed emergency response team of 18 and over 100 community volunteers with revising/ updating the emergency preparedness plan and manual and ensured the team members are working in line with the policy, strategy, guidelines and plan.
Prepared quarterly spend plan with monthly phased expense plan linked with work plan and BVAs (Budget Vs Actual) and worked closely with supply chain to ensure that procurements are made in a timely manner while remaining in compliance with FRD and donor requirements.
Ensured that programs are implemented in a cost effective, consultative and gender sensitive way.
Managed and maintained information systems to ensure accurate, timely and complete data and information of assessments, distributions, monitoring and evaluation, decision-making, internal and external reporting, future planning and program learning.

 

In May 2009 the state army launched military action against militants in district Swat of KP province. Over two million people displaced in a span of two weeks. The capacity of government and UN system was limited to establish enough camps to accommodate all IDPs families thus the IDPs seek shelter in government school buildings and in host communities which further made the situation challenging for the government and international community in the delivery of swift assistance to the vulnerable populations.
Scope of the role included:

Issued IDPs registration and documentation (birth certificates, ID cards) to camp inhabitants.
Provided support in creating humanitarian space for the effective delivery of protection/ assistance and facilitated access of humanitarian agencies.
Coordinated roles and responsibilities including ensuring adherence to IASC standards and operational guidelines.
Conducted situational assessment, strategic and operational planning, monitored implementation and established dialogue to discuss any problem of poor performance.
Ensured that all partners have access to and share, operational data at the camp to help identify and address gaps and avoid duplication of services.
Maintained close coordination with UN agencies, ICRC and developed cooperative partnerships for upholding the rights of the displaced population.