Abdullah is a dedicated development professional with over 15 years of comprehensive experience in project management, education, and community mobilization. He is committed to transforming the lives of underserved populations through strategic initiatives that empower out-of-school children and marginalized communities.
Currently, Abdullah serves as a Community Mobilization Associate (Community Engagement - WASH) at UNOPS, where he works on the program "Improved Access to Water and Sanitation Services in Sindh," funded by USAID, since January 2024. In this role, he acts as the Contract Management focal point for the Implementing Partner in Sindh, overseeing the management and execution of planned activities per the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP). His key responsibilities include drafting activity concept notes, designing budgeted activities, reviewing project Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, and forecasting budgets. Abdullah is also responsible for preparing annual and quarterly project work plans, as well as generating project reports. This includes preparing budget revisions, monitoring budgetary commitments, and ensuring the accuracy and consistency of fund-code-wise financial reports against approved budgets.
With a proven track record, Abdullah has successfully managed multi-million dollar humanitarian and development projects in areas such as non-formal education, shelter, food security, livelihoods, economic empowerment, water resource management, WASH, and formal education at both national and international levels. Notably, he has established 900 non-formal education (NFE) centers in Sindh through the FCDO-funded project SENSA and 100 post-primary NFE centers through UNICEF. He has successfully graduated 11,000 NFE learners to nearby post-primary government schools and revitalized over 650 School Management Committees across Sindh, significantly enhancing educational access and quality.
Abdullah is adept at understanding the culture and norms of disadvantaged communities, enabling effective program design and implementation. He has worked closely with a range of donors, including the U.S. Department of State, USAID SBEP, JICA NFE, UNICEF, FCDO, UNDP, WFP, and UNOPS, ensuring compliance and delivering value for money.
As a dynamic leader, he has led high-performance teams, managing portfolios exceeding £40 million annually with a 100% success rate in achieving project goals. He thrives in competitive and challenging environments, consistently driving organizational success.
As the Contract Management focal point for the Implementing Partner (IP) in Sindh, responsible for overseeing the management and execution of planned activities per the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), ensuring alignment with agreed terms and conditions. Key responsibilities include drafting activity concept notes, designing activities with budgets, reviewing project Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, and forecasting budgets for activities. Additionally, responsible for preparing annual and quarterly project work plans and quarterly, monthly, and yearly project reports. This role involves preparing budget revisions based on approved work plans and justifications, monitoring project budgetary commitments, and generating the required financial reports promptly. It also includes checking and examining fund-code-wise financial reports for accuracy and consistency against approved budgets.
As a Program Assistant, I was responsible for participating in the preparation of annual and quarterly project work plans, facilitating relevant planning meetings with office staff and counterparts, and compiling, summarizing, and presenting data on the country program and specific projects. I facilitated program and project review meetings by drafting minutes and providing logistical support, and I conducted monitoring visits to project sites to verify assets annually. Additionally, I assisted in preparing budget revisions based on approved work plans, monitored budgetary commitments, and generated timely financial reports while ensuring the accuracy of fund-code-wise project financial reports against approved budgets. I also followed up with implementation partners to ensure the timely submission of progress reports and Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditure forms. Furthermore, I created requisitions and purchase orders in Quantum, processed vendor payments in AODOCX, and managed event logistics, including booking flights for national and international staff. I facilitated staff in processing F-10 forms within the system.
As a Project Coordinator, I coordinated correspondence and evaluated principals’ performance biannually against specified criteria. I developed and implemented Improvement Plans for underperforming principals, ensuring quarterly performance. I was played a key role in hiring principals and overseeing teaching and learning activities while setting annual student enrollment targets for principals and monitoring student learning outcomes by subject and teacher. Additionally, I reviewed and cross-checked the GR register to ensure principals updated student information according to the provided birth certificates.
As a Project Manager, I led UNICEF's initiative to undertake a new partnership development with its long-standing implementing partner, Indus Resource Center (IRC), to establish post-primary Non-Formal Education (NFE) and Alternative Learning Programs (ALPs) over a 10-month duration. This initiative aimed to create a robust model for post-primary level learning pathways for out-of-school children, enabling the Sindh Government to scale up the project effectively. I oversaw the establishment of 50 post-primary Non-Formal Education Centers (NFEs) and ALPs, targeting middle-level education up to grade 8 for out-of-school children and adolescents. The complete duration of the ALP program was 20 months (Packages D and E). I was responsible for ensuring the enrollment of 1,400 adolescents in these centers, with a strong focus on inclusivity, aiming for 80% of participants to be girls.
As a Project Manager, I coordinated with UNICEF, STEDA, and AKU to design and implement overall project activities. I ensured seamless collaboration with all stakeholders at the provincial and district levels to facilitate project execution. I led the planning of the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) activity, gathering essential data in collaboration with UNICEF and TNA experts. Additionally, I coordinated with module developers to ensure the timely completion of training modules in accordance with established guidelines. I designed training plans for Head Teachers and Master Trainers of STEDA, focusing on teaching and learning activities under the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) program, while working closely with Master Trainers from Sukkur IBA to enhance training effectiveness. I facilitated coordination between Sukkur IBA experts and AKU-IED experts for module development and collaborated with the AKU-IED team to create comprehensive training modules and plans.
As an Operations and Compliance Manager, I oversaw and implemented appropriate resources to ensure the effective operations of the organization. I coordinated fundraising efforts in collaboration with the Executive Director and developed a detailed project plan to monitor and track the progress of all ongoing projects. I was responsible for developing, implementing, and reviewing operational policies and procedures while overseeing budgeting, reporting, planning, and auditing processes. Additionally, I ensured that all legal and regulatory documents were accurately filed and monitored compliance with applicable laws and regulations. I built alliances and partnerships with other organizations to enhance collaborative efforts and measured project performance using appropriate tools and techniques as required by the organization.
As a Project Manager, I made critical planning and strategy decisions by setting annual KPIs and performance expectations while conducting objective reviews of end results. I oversaw budgeting, reporting, and auditing processes, managing financial planning and risk mitigation for the portfolio. I built alliances and partnerships with government entities and other organizations to expand targeted networks effectively. I ensured the timely organization of project kick-off and close-out meetings at the Sindh level and maintained an updated implementation strategy and work plan throughout the project lifecycle. Collaborating with Consortium Coordinators at the Islamabad level, I planned various stages of project implementation, prioritizing and organizing activities and resources to achieve project objectives. I oversaw the project implementation at the Sindh level, ensuring that technical requirements and quality standards were consistently met. Furthermore, I successfully established 250 Non-Formal Alternative Learning Programs (ALPs) and Literacy and Numeracy Centers for adolescents in the Districts of Kashmore and Jacobabad, funded by FCDO.
As a District Manager, I ensured smooth operations and effective execution of education-related interventions across EMO Schools in the Dadu and Kambar districts, delivering the highest quality of education. I supported Independent Auditors during their field visits by providing the necessary information related to SBEP Schools. I ensured that schools fostered a conducive learning environment, which included maintaining utilities, facilities, and access to essential teaching and learning resources such as textbooks, teacher guides, and assessment papers. I coordinated with USAID CMP officials regarding consolidation and merging policies and focused on building the capacity of Cluster Managers and Principals through mentoring and training sessions. Additionally, I prepared district-level budgets, ensuring efficient management of financial resources, and coordinated with Independent Experts in the SBEP for data collection, documentation, and timely reporting.
As a Manager of Operations for education projects funded by FCDO, I planned training modules, developed manuals, and created supplementary resources to enhance educational effectiveness. I designed monthly training planners, assessed participant engagement to identify strengths and weaknesses, and identified schools with out-of-school children per BRAC policy. I ensured project milestones were met within approved budgets and coordinated with Education Department officials to implement the BRAC education Non-Formal Education (NFE) model. Additionally, I managed operational logistics, monitored compliance with FCDO regulations, and optimized resource allocation to achieve program outcomes, while maintaining regular communication with stakeholders to align project goals with funding requirements and educational standards.
As a District Monitor for MEASALS, I was responsible for validating and compiling data for the Provincial EPI office. I reported security incidents affecting WHO staff and non-staff offices and assets on a 24-hour basis, ensuring proper follow-up on any arrests and detentions of WHO staff and eligible dependents following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). I provided support to field teams and the provincial team regarding administration, logistics, and security clearance. Additionally, I collected reports through Google Drive and assisted the field team with trip profiles and security clearance. I developed program-related tracking tools to analyze data effectively and managed overall program planning, implementation, coordination, and partnerships while ensuring security, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E). I coordinated with all UN Volunteers regarding program activities and liaised with government and other line departments concerning WHO activities at the district level.
As a Regional Program Manager, I was responsible for the planning, implementation, and management of the education program in the region. I coordinated with District Education officials to ensure the effective implementation of the BRAC non-formal education model and methodology. I prepared and submitted detailed fortnightly and monthly progress reports while ensuring quality education through the supervision and monitoring of staff and schools. I also managed the timely procurement of funds from the Head Office for the program through the Program Manager for Education. Additionally, I supervised Area Managers, evaluated staff performance—including Area Managers, Branch Managers, and Program Officers—and ensured that educational materials met branch requirements. I observed and followed up on teacher training sessions, refreshers, and parent meetings, and organized meetings, workshops, and training sessions to promote staff development.
As a Programme Auditor, I examined and analyzed program performance to assess whether projects effectively accomplished their goals. I evaluated compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies, particularly those outlined in agreements with various donors, and reported any instances of noncompliance. Under the supervision of the Head of Internal Audit and the directives of the Audit Committee, I undertook special investigations as needed. I provided intermediate reports on any occurrences of fraud, potential fraud risks, mismanagement, malpractices, ensuring that all findings were supported by evidence.
As a Project Manager, I administered and supervised overall teams and programs at the district level while monitoring and evaluating school performance in alignment with the USAID SBEP Vision. I guided and coordinated the community mobilization team on the small grants component of the Community Mobilization Program (CMP) and oversaw training events related to Financial and Grants Management conducted by the team. Additionally, I monitored the activities of School Management Committees (SMCs) after they received small grants from IRD/CMP. I organized capacity-building trainings, workshops, and special sessions focused on advocacy for girls' enrollment and gender mainstreaming for SMCs and their subcommittees, supported by field staff. Furthermore, I prepared budgeted activities for CMP on a CLIN-wise basis and developed a training manual for SMC and SMC subcommittee training.
As an Information Officer at IOM, I coordinated with provincial government departments, DCO officers, and national and international organizations involved in early recovery activities in emergency areas, specifically during flood situations. I shared weekly progress reports with relevant government departments, DCO offices, and partner organizations during program implementation. I identified information gaps related to flood response efforts and communicated these to organizations working in affected areas. Additionally, I prepared a service matrix and provided timely information to affected populations regarding how, when, and where to access resources, including planned and implemented early recovery activities and available support for restoring facilities and infrastructure
As a Field Monitor at World Vision International based in Sukkur, I focused on the delivery of Non-Food Items (NFIs) to targeted beneficiaries, providing advice and leadership to the response team at the provincial level. I oversaw and managed all provincial NFI functions within the flood emergency relief operations. Collaborating closely with distribution teams, I ensured the accurate tracking and tracing of all NFI movements and distributions. I conducted capacity assessments as needed, sharing findings with the appropriate food team manager and stakeholders. My role involved monitoring and evaluating NFI activities to ensure services were delivered in a cost-effective, efficient, and timely manner. I coordinated efforts with DCOs, EDOs, UN officials, cluster representatives, and various national and local NGOs. Additionally, I provided regular reports to the concerned department regarding our daily activities.