As a Program Management Specialist with over 13 years of experience and an MPhil in Management, I bring extensive expertise in program implementation, community-centered initiatives, and sustainable development. My career has been dedicated to leading impactful projects that meet the highest standards in program management and align with the goals of organizations and donors.
Having managed over 30 high-impact, multimillion-dollar projects across recovery, rehabilitation, climate change adaptation, child-centered programming, advocacy, food security, livelihoods, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and humanitarian response, I excel at strategic planning, team coordination, and partnership development to ensure sustainable program outcomes.
In my role at Islamic Relief, I have led programs from initial needs assessments through to final evaluations, ensuring that each phase aligns with local priorities and adheres to strict organizational policies. I have demonstrated the ability to ensure quality assurance, integrity, and accountability in compliance with organizational and donor requirements. My approach emphasizes inclusivity, beneficiary protection, and active community engagement to foster stakeholder ownership and long-term impact.
Through embedding robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) frameworks, I ensure programs maintain high standards, generating valuable data-driven insights that guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
I have strong experience in managing regular and emergency/early recovery projects, at both national and regional levels, and in managing project teams through continuous coordination with relevant project managers. My focus on cross-functional coordination has enabled me to resolve issues related to HR, finance, and field operations, ensuring smooth program delivery.
I am committed to robust team building, offering enhanced coordination, motivation, and support to project teams at both the head office and field level. I have worked closely with media and communication teams to provide support in developing materials that support branding, image building, and mass awareness for the organization.
I am adept at identifying and resolving challenges and risks, ensuring the successful execution of program activities on the ground. My expertise extends to providing inputs during the program development phase, including developing work plans and execution strategies, ensuring that interventions are effective and responsive to evolving needs.
I have a strong track record in representing organizations in meetings with donor agencies and key stakeholders at both national and regional levels. I regularly report and present progress on all projects, maintaining a clear communication channel with both organization’s management and donors.
My experience in proposal development, program reporting, and donor relations ensures that projects meet compliance standards and donor expectations.
I have also successfully submitted propositions to organization’s management and donors to upgrade or initiate new interventions, ensuring the continuous growth and impact of programs.
My strong competencies in program implementation, advocacy, team coordination, and stakeholder management align with organization’s mission to achieve high standards in humanitarian and development work. I am committed to advancing program effectiveness and sustainability, supporting organization’s pursuit of positive change across communities.
Core Competencies
·Strategic Donor Engagement & Fundraising
·Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) & Climate Resilience
·Program Design, Monitoring & Evaluation
·Gender Justice & Inclusion
·Data-Driven Decision Making & Reporting
·Stakeholder Collaboration & Relationship Management
·Compliance & Audit Management
.Public Representation & Advocacy Campaigns
Key Focus Areas and Relevant Experience: Donors relations, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), WASH, Climate Resilience, FSL, Poverty Graduation, Gender Justice, and Climate Change Advocacy
·Managed 10 multi-million-dollar projects across three districts, leading a team of 25 personnel in Food Security and Livelihood (FSL), WASH, and emergency response sectors.
·Ensured full compliance with donor requirements, strict adherence to timelines, and the delivery of the highest quality standards.
·Developed and secured strategic proposals aligned with donor and organizational priorities, driving consistent funding growth.
·Spearheaded impactful campaigns on climate resilience, domestic violence, and girls' education, fostering community empowerment and advancing gender justice initiatives.
·Represented the organization at 200+ state-level forums, significantly enhancing visibility and stakeholder engagement.
·Oversaw key operational functions, including finance, supply chain, and risk management, ensuring the seamless execution of projects and full compliance with audit standards.
Achievements:
·Delivered a donor-centric approach by efficiently managing program data and feedback systems.
·Ensured donor satisfaction through transparent communication, timely feedback reports, and impact-focused updates.
·Strengthened partnerships with government entities and academic institutions, fostering cross-sector collaboration.
Technical Proficiency:
.Competent in using systems, email platforms, Microsoft Office, and other software relevant for donor care and Unit4 and ERP.
·Performed other tasks assigned by Management.
Empowering Widows through Enterprise Development Initiative:
·Led and implemented enterprise development project's activities for widows within the CWDP program, ensuring alignment with project documents and processes.
·Conducted assessments, prepared plans, and customized tools to support participant skill-building and project success.
·Collaborated with local government services and social safety providers to secure necessary documentation and resources for families, strengthening support networks.
·Enabled widows' reintegration into the local market by providing solar-powered sewing machines and vocational training, fostering income generation and small-scale enterprise setup.
·Coordinated with key providers such as Baitul Mal, Women development and Social Welfare Departments to ensure targeted support for widows and vulnerable families.
·Developed case studies and reports to highlight individual progress and support broader advocacy campaigns on women’s rights, child protection, and community empowerment.
· Partnered with government and vocational skills providers for educational seminars to further empower rightholders.
·Fostered sustainable income generation and developed pathways for integrating psychosocial services.
·Coordinated with project managers, technical leads, and stakeholders to ensure cohesive work plans across departments.
·Developed and submitted impact and financial reports aligned with donor expectations, ensuring transparency and accountability.
·Facilitated community advocacy efforts, empowering beneficiaries to raise awareness of their needs and influence decision-making.
·Maintained records, prepared detailed reports (completion & learning). Identified and documented project successes through case studies.
Summary: Provided strategic leadership in overseeing humanitarian programs in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, leading a multidisciplinary team with expertise in strategic planning, risk management, and securing funding for climate change, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and resilience projects. Demonstrated excellence in establishing district offices, training volunteers, and implementing cost-effective Disaster risk reduction strategies.
Achievements:
·Strategic Team Management: Led a multidisciplinary team of program coordinators, District Project Officers, supply chain/administration, media & communications, human resources, and finance personnel, effectively overseeing their respective functions to enhance operational efficiency.
·Program Planning and Execution: Oversaw the planning and execution of Integrated Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and climate change projects, ensuring alignment with the project’s Logical Framework and local adoption plans for community-based initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to strategic alignment.
·Risk Management Expertise: Identified and managed project risks, including hazards and vulnerabilities, effectively escalating significant issues to program leads and operations as required, showcasing a proactive approach to risk mitigation.
·Cost-Effective Disaster Risk Reduction: Implemented cost-effective risk reduction strategies and disseminated information to raise awareness of climate-related hazards and risks, emphasizing a strategic approach to community engagement.
·Social and Behavior Change Strategies: Developed and executed comprehensive social and behavior change strategies, ensuring engagement of children and communities throughout all project phases, from formative research to strategy development and implementation.
·Youth/ Volunteers Training and Enrollment: Trained and enrolled 2,000 volunteers at district and state levels for disaster response, enhancing community resilience through strategic capacity building.
·Disaster Response Preparedness: Conducted simulation exercises to train staff and volunteers for disaster response, while establishing and sustaining four district offices to enhance operational effectiveness.
·Emergency Preparedness Planning: Updated and developed emergency preparedness plans in collaboration with the National Response Team, IFRC, and other counterparts, demonstrating strategic foresight in disaster risk management.
·Capacity Building in Disaster Preparedness: Enhanced team capacity in disaster preparedness and response, leading disaster response teams and training staff to ensure effective implementation of strategies.
·Stakeholder Engagement: Fostered strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, parliamentarians, SDMA/NDMA, UN agencies, donors, and international counterparts, facilitating collaboration and support for disaster risk management initiatives.
·Accountability and Compliance: Submitted timely financial and narrative reports to donors and stakeholders, ensuring accountability and compliance with organizational and donor requirements.
.Conducted flood assessments and managed camp operations for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), SWABI
·Led an emergency response team of 20 in Sindh in 2008. Established a field medical hospital, developed proposals for recovery and rehabilitation, and provided clean water, food, medicine, and non-food items in interior Sindh. (QUBO SAEED KHAN, LARKANA, JALMAXI AND SHAHDADKOT)
·In 2015, I led the baseline assessment and designed the shelter construction project for two union councils in Rajanpur, South Punjab. This involved conducting a thorough needs analysis, developing construction plans tailored to the specific needs of the communities, and ensuring that the project met both safety and sustainability standards.
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS:
·Member of the Area Management Team and Disaster Response Team for Islamic Relief Pakistan.
·Trainer for DDRT, BDRT, and NDRT at PRCS in 2009.
·Lead Consultant for Disaster Preparedness and Response for HelpAge International in 2011. (JACKABAD, SAKAR SINDH JAOARABAD PUNJAB)
·Lead Consultant for Disaster Preparedness and Response for Action Aid Pakistan/ STF in 2011 (AJK)
·Lead Consultant for Disaster Preparedness and Response/ First Aid for IRC/ NRSP International in 2010 (AJK)
·Developed Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) manuals for both community and professional use. (AJK)
·Developed Community-Based Disaster Response Plans.
·Member of the Climate Policy Implementation committee for the Government of AJK. MUZAFFARABAD
·Led a team of 6 members and provided technical backstopping for the implementation of the project in 3 districts around policy advocacy and campaign.
· Recruited project staff in accordance with the organization's policies and the donor's directives.
·Represented the organization in advocacy and knowledge-sharing platforms to ensure valuable interactions with networks.
Summary: Led the implementation of disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives across four districts in AJK, overseeing a multidisciplinary team of over 50 staff members from administration, human resources, and finance. Demonstrated strong leadership by fostering collaboration among team members and maintaining close coordination with key stakeholders, including UNICEF, government agencies, and other partners.
·Led the execution of school-based disaster risk reduction initiatives across four districts in AJK in collaboration with the Government Education Department.
·Trained over 5,000 teachers and students in disaster risk reduction and disaster response mechanisms.
·Developed and published disaster risk reduction plans and formally handed over to the government.
·Submitted timely financial and narrative reports.
Project: Water Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion at School and Community Level
•Monitored partner organizations' Islamic Relief Pakistan PATS Project implementation and provided technical support in the implementation of project activities in the program area.
•Developed and managed relationships with ‘partner organizations, especially in the AJ&K for effective implementation of sustainable WASH/PHATS project.
•Worked closely with the Islamic Relief Pakistan’s District, Field staff, and management to ensure that advocacy and influencing work is properly linked with the line department and community.
•Conducted technical briefing and coordinated pre-visit information.
•Produced high-quality reports and case studies.
Summary: Led the implementation of community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) programs, effectively monitoring activities to ensure timely execution. Strengthened community structures for disaster preparedness, developed CBDRR plans addressing climate change risks and promoted sustainability. Conducted Hazard, Vulnerability, and Capacity Assessments (HVCA) to integrate findings into Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) plans. Supported and executed mitigation projects in collaboration with Village Disaster Management Committees (VDMCs) and emphasized localization principles to empower communities and build long-term resilience.
Output and Achievements:
·Led the implementation of community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) program management, including the effective monitoring of activities to ensure timely and successful execution.
·Established and strengthened community structures focused on disaster preparedness, enabling communities to respond efficiently to disasters while reducing the impact on vulnerable populations through prevention and mitigation strategies.
·Developed and implemented community-based disaster risk reduction plans to help communities manage risks associated with climate change, both in the present and future. These plans promoted community action on sustainability and environmental protection, while also fostering the creation and empowerment of new community groups to build active, cohesive, and resilient communities.
·Conducted Hazard, Vulnerability, and Capacity Assessments (HVCA) to identify CBDRR activities and map hazards for community members. Facilitated the integration of these assessments into comprehensive Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) plans at both village and district levels.
·Supported the implementation of large & small-scale mitigation projects, identified through IVCA, LAPA & CBDRM plans, in collaboration with Village Disaster Management Committees (VDMCs). These initiatives strengthened local capacity to prevent, prepare for, and mitigate disaster risks.
·Advocated for and applied localization principles in DRR initiatives, empowering communities to take ownership of disaster risk reduction efforts and ensuring that interventions were tailored to local needs, knowledge, and capacities.
·Participated in the determination of organization policies regarding participant eligibility, program requirements, and project benefits.
·Provided facilitation during seminars, conferences, and interviews for Red Cross/ IFRCs promotion purposes.
·Spoke to community groups to explain and interpret agency purposes, programs, and policies.
·Highlighted impact reports in case studies.
.Performed any other official assignments given by the supervisor.
·Led a team of field engineers, social mobilization, and livelihood team.
·Led project planning, implementation, and monitoring of livelihood, WASH, and rehabilitation initiatives.
·Provided leadership in the rehabilitation of WASH and DRR related interventions, including drinking water supply schemes, water tanks, link roads, walking tracks, and livelihood interventions.
·Successfully constructed 50 houses and rehabilitated 1000 families in earthquake-affected areas, and led seasonal programs for Ramadan and Qurbani.
·Coordinated with government agencies, NGOs, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure collaboration and maximize project impact.
·Delivered expert technical guidance and strategic feedback to project teams and partners on sector-specific issues, enhancing the effectiveness of interventions.
· Represented the organization at high-level coordination platforms, including WASH and Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) clusters, ensuring clear communication, advocacy, and alignment with global standards.
·Highlighted impact reports in case studies.
·Performed any other official assignments given by the supervisor.
·Planned and organized events, including youth summer camps, school/university training sessions, and volunteer recruitment drives.
·Led and organized three state-level youth and volunteer camps and facilitated two national camps in Islamabad.
·Implemented the Community-Based Health and First Aid Project in Muzaffarabad and Bagh AJK.