Programme Management Specialist with extensive experience in multi-ethnic and economically diverse regions, spanning several countries in emergencies, conflict, and post-conflict contexts Floods, IDPs, Refugees, Earthquake, and Conflict/Non-State Group Actors. I have managed multi-year and multi-sectoral programs of high budget (60 million USD) of bilateral and consortium grants with high impacts with strategic oversight, winning synergies, and building effective relationships with government counterparts on managing and scaling up humanitarian response, early recovery/stabilization, and resilience programs. Experienced in leading large-scale humanitarian operations in fragile and post-conflict environments with implementation experience of USAID PRM/BHA, SIDA, ECW, BMZ, GFFO, RDPP, NORAD, GAC-IHA, MOFA Netherland, UN, FCDO, EU/ECHO funded grants and awards from other Development Foundations. Technical and working experience in implementing humanitarian and development projects, including health, nutrition, education, gender and protection, FSL, WASH, shelter/NFIs, and DRR/CC/Resilience. Experienced in donor liaison, negotiation, strategic engagement, and business management. Excellent understanding of operational challenges in different security contexts and policy issues about INGO access in West and East Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East.
Managing 8 PMs as direct and over 200 as indirect reporting staff, I am responsible for the implementation of quality and safe humanitarian programs for children across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, providing day-to-day support, coaching, and strategic engagements of Area Managers in managing SCIs operations. Leading the delivery of SCIs humanitarian strategy and overall management of SCs humanitarian multi-sectoral (Food Assistance, Livelihood, ERMS, Nutrition, Education, Protection, WASH, Shelter/NFIs, and Localization) Awards in Northeast Nigeria with the current portfolio of USD 35 million. Responsible for quality implementation by providing technical support on effective operations, including quality assurance, financial management, capacity building, mentoring, and knowledge management. Ensure delivery on KPIs, in particular, proper planning to deliver programmes on time and within budgets. Engage field teams in identifying needs through coordinated humanitarian assessments and work with PDQ and Awards teams in the development of successful bids for bilateral consortium bids. Establish working relations with other donor agencies, identify and foster partnerships, and build collaboration with partners to ensure harmonization of approach. Actively plays a strategic role in scaling up SCIs emergency programs to maximize impact and enable positive change for children. Achievements Improved partnerships and localization to ensure effective response and anticipatory actions for localized emergencies with innovative market-driven approaches, reaching vulnerable children.Identified and advocated for resilience and market-based driven programming approaches resulting in a programming shift from typical emergency response to innovative and community-driven transitional development interventions following the humanitarian development and peacebuilding nexus. Raised effective voices and flagged advocacy agenda points in the Humanitarian Country Team.
Managing 8 PMs as direct and over 200 as indirect reporting staff, I am responsible for the implementation of quality and safe humanitarian programs for children across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, providing day-to-day support, coaching, and strategic engagements of Area Managers in managing SCIs operations. Leading the delivery of SCIs humanitarian strategy and overall management of SCs humanitarian multi-sectoral (Food Assistance, Livelihood, ERMS, Nutrition, Education, Protection, WASH, Shelter/NFIs, and Localization) Awards in Northeast Nigeria with the current portfolio of USD 35 million. Responsible for quality implementation by providing technical support on effective operations including quality assurance, financial management, capacity building, mentoring, and knowledge management. Ensure delivery on KPIs, in particular proper planning to deliver programmes on time and within budgets. Engage field teams in identifying needs through coordinated humanitarian assessments and work with PDQ and Awards teams in the development of successful bids for bilateral consortium bids. Establish working relations with other donor agencies, identify and foster partnerships, and build collaboration with partners to ensure harmonization of approach. Actively plays a strategic role in scaling up SCIs emergency programs to maximize impact and enable positive change for children. AchievementsImproved partnerships and localization to ensure effective response and anticipatory actions for localized emergencies with innovative market-driven approaches, reaching vulnerable children.Identified and advocated for resilience and market-based driven programming approaches resulting in a programming shift from typical emergency response to innovative and community-driven transitional development interventions following HDP nexus. Raised effective voices and flagged advocacy agenda points in the Humanitarian Country Team.
· Responsible for providing overall leadership support and strategic directions to program quality development and implementation of multisector projects with involvement of thematic and technical leads ensuring adherence to agreed implementation plans and compliance with HA’s policies.
· Lead the development of country operational and program strategy, and sector specific programming framework in line with the Iraq humanitarian needs and priorities, plus cluster guidelines in FSL; WASH, Women Economic Empowerment, GBV and Child Protection.
· Lead high-quality project design with innovative approaches by supporting HA is positioning to emergency response, early recovery and transitional development funds by identifying in country and global donors.
· Ensure an appropriate monitoring and evaluation system is in place and is functioning satisfactorily with implementation of accountability mechanism to ensure programme deliverables and quantitative targets are achieved on time and per grant/donor agreement and requirements.
· Ensures coordination with logistics, finance, IT, and HR to ensure optimal program implementation. Ensures adherence to HA policies and procedures related to finance, logistics, HR and security.
· Build efficient field structures through systematic reviews of field operations, bringing in high element of delivery of support mechanism to contribute to the delivery of quality programmes.
· Ensure high quality and accurate reporting to donors, regional office and HQ by developing the reporting mechanisms and information management system.
· Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives; and provide regular constructive performance feedback and periodic appraisals.
· Oversight field operations in coordination with Country Security Manager to ensure HA operates in high risk areas with security measures in place and implementation of security rules and regulations.
· Budget management by reviewing the budget variance analysis by engaging field teams and development of spending plans to ensure funds are adequately and timely spent in accordance with grant agreements.
· Effective representation of HA and coordination with NCCI, UN Clusters, relevant central and field level government authorities and ministries, local networks and NGOs.
Completed following assignments in individual capacity as well as through different consulting firms.1. Evaluation of All We Can (AWC) Programme 2015-2020 in Uganda and Zimbabwe (2019)2. Development of Third Party Monitoring Strategy for Coffey International for KPMD/GLOW (2019)3. Data Mapping and Partners Profiling in NMDs of KP for DFID-funded KPMD/GLOW (2019)4. Development of Rehabilitation Programme Strategy for PRCS (2019) 5. Capacity building of local partners in Afghanistan on cash transfer programming (2018)6. Report on Climate Public Expenditure Review 2014 2018 for Government of Punjab, Pakistan. (2018)7. Manual development and training of local government on the budget-making process (2018)8. Organizational capacity and training needs assessment of Commissionarate of Afghan Refugees (2019)9. Evidencing and Learning Report of DFID-funded BDRP (2018)10. Documenting best practices, lessons learned, and missed opportunities BDRP (2018)11. Donor Mapping on climate change funding in Pakistan for German Red Cross (2018)
Responsible for the implementation, operational delivery and management of CAREs core humanitarian (relief and recovery) and development programs ensuring the highest level of project quality, financial oversight, accountability and compliance. The post oversees the initiation, development and testing of new and innovative ideas, models and approaches to build the gender and governance programme. Led the development and implementation of strategic programs and annual plans/strategies to impact the social injustice, promoting changes and innovative solutions. Directly supervised the senior technical coordinators and coordinated the technical and implementation arms, ensuring quality program are designed and implemented. Led the field programme teams the delivery and achievement of the goals in Women Economic Development, Education, Gender and Governance and Humanitarian Response to IDPs/protracted crises in Food Security and Livelihood WASH, Protection and DRR/Resilience. Major Achievements -Led the resource mobilization strategy and donors engagement plans with the outcome of rebuilding donors trust, mobilized additional resources of 5 million USD for programmes in KP/FATA and Sindh. -Built institutional relations with the effect of signing MOUs with government bodies resulted in entrusting and buying in of government authorities, managing fund timelines and deliverables. -Country Presence Review Strategy for CARE Pakistan with Gender in Emergencies, Dignified Work, and GBV in focus. Further, effectively strategized CARE programmes in Resilience, Livelihood, Gender and WASH sectors for FATA through a comprehensive conflict and poverty analysis to support return and economic revitalization.
Reporting to the Country Director and member of Country Leadership Team. Responsible for providing strategic leadership on humanitarian programming focusing Gender in Emergencies and Resilience in a senior management role. Led the emergency preparedness and response program planning, need assessments, strategies development, fundraising and financial oversight. Provided overall technical direction and assisted in the management of humanitarian operations, contingency and preparedness plans by conducting humanitarian contextual analysis, funding analysis and partnerships/consortium. Represented CARE in UN coordination meeting, technical working group, civil society forums meetings. Regular liaison and coordination with key actors, such as donors, host government, international agencies and NGOs. Ensured safety and security of staff and partner by adhering to security and safety policies and systems in coordination with risks management unit. Major achievements:
• Managed a humanitarian portfolio of 10 million USD in Food Security and Livelihood, WASH, Education, Shelter/NFIs, Nutrition sectors in both relief and early recovery and transitional development. Sectoral integration of Health and WASH through cash transfer programming.
• Led CARE emergency response through initial diagnoses and situational analysis, development of emergency response strategies, budgeting
• Developed strategic partnerships with disaster management authorities (NDMA, PDMA, FDMA, WFP) and Ministries, civil society and private sectors on institutional strengthening, improved preparedness at system levels and building community resilience.
• Developed and rolled out emergency preparedness plans with partners through conflict sensitivity and gender in emergencies findings.
• Strengthened the capacities of National Humanitarian Network on humanitarian programming, advocacy and principal/need based response strategies and networking.
Responsible for providing technical support in designing, implementing and monitoring of livelihood and economic development through effective cash transfers programming, enterprise development and women engagement strategies. Major achievements:
• Involved in humanitarian situation analysis, need and market assessments in IDPs and Flood emergencies that led the initiation of timely and appropriate cash/livelihood response interventions within 72 hours of crises.
• Designed emergency response and early recovery strategies for emergency livelihood and cash transfer by through appropriate interventions (food, seeds, poultry and livestock, agriculture tools through capacity building, vocational trainings, in-kind distribution and cash transfer modalities CFW, FFW, CfT, commodity vouchers).
• Established cash flow model for CFW modality through financial institutions with adequate operational measures, risk management and mitigation measures.
• Built staff and partners’ capacity on appropriate modalities, cash and vouchers activities, implementation and monitoring.
• Represented CARE in FSL Food and Nutrition Clusters and Cash Working Group (CWG). Led the technical discussions for cash harmonization for various humanitarian contexts in Pakistan.
I was entrusted as Consortium Project Manager for ECHO funded DIPECHO 7th action in Pakistan with total funding of 0.8 million Euros. The responsibilities included coordination and manage DRR project for the three agencies: CARE, Save the Children, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe as per agreed proposal. Worked closely with the consortium partners and other project stakeholders including disaster management authorities, implementing partners, ECHO Partners and DRR forum and national civil society network, with overall responsibility for the project implementation, quality assurance, safety and security, monitoring, and reporting. I rendered technical assistance and training to partners on technical report writing and project management. Key Achievements:
- DRM RoadMap for Khyber Pakthukhwa (KP) Pakistan – the piloted initiative that was widely recognized. Later this was replicated in other provinces i.e. Azad Jammu Kashmir, Sindh and now in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
- CBDRM model was built as part of ECHO grant in consortium. Later the same model is contextualized in urban situations of District Peshawar and now to FATA context. Trained cadre of community leaders/trainers and government officers on CBDRM through National Institute of Disaster Management.
- Conceived Urban Resilience Programming in KP province with successful implementation and institutionalization of DRR into development planning.
- Numerous research studies (DRR Financing, Urban DRM Profiling, Seismic Analysis, Climate Profiling), effecting in bridging the citizen government gap, allocation of resources for DRR/resilience work and public awareness together with advocacy campaigns.
- Strategizing capacity building of National Humanitarian Network (NHN)
With demonstrated leadership skills, I was responsible to develop emergency response initiatives and support implementation of CARE response to floods through integrated Health, Nutrition, Food Security and Livelihood and WASH interventions. I led a team of 17 CARE and 2 partner organizations in ECHO funded PEFSA Food Security and Livelihood integrated program implementation by building trust and work relationships with consortium partners, people management, decision-making authority, performance management and accountability, staff development and capacity building. Led the delivery of CARE’s response and provide guidance on utilization of cash programming modalities, including cash and vouchers by engaging corporate financial services. Played an active role in co-ordination, support and advocacy with other stakeholders with special focus on the food security and nutrition. Ensured compliance to partnership principles, partnership contracts, grants management, project agreement, donors and consortium framework requirements. Ensured safety and security of staff and partners. The program reached 2,946 vulnerable flood affected families through cash grants with a grant of 1.4 million Euro.
Responsible for providing overall leadership and strategic direction to BHR’s programme and its quality implementation in Pakistan. Led BHR humanitarian operations of Shelter and Education in response to floods 2011 with a budget of 2 million USD. Involved in identifying and securing donor funding and an expectation to increase BHR’s profile through representation to external actors and advocacy. Ensured that all grants are appropriately administered and implemented in compliance with donor and BHR policies. Coordinated reporting to external donors by supporting program and support teams that was effective in meeting deadlines, and communicate effectively, comply with contractual requirements and ensure adequate time for country and head office sign-off. Networked BHR to different forums including PHF, MCF, donor coordination and built partnerships with UNHCR, AusAid, Dfid, EU, Unicef and IOM.
Led Save the Children’s emergency response to floods 2010 and 2011 within the sphere of Save the Children’s decentralized implementation structure. Responsible for program, coordination, networking, security and grants management for a budget of USD 8 million and staff of 140 in a challenging environment characterized with volatile security situations. Assured effective and efficient financial and operational frameworks at hub level in a multi-ethnic area of DIK. Ensured compliance with grant agreements’ requirements and internal quality controls, including donor reporting and safety and security of staff. The multi-sectoral (WASH, Food Security & Livelihood, Health, Education, DRR and Child Protection) program delivery resulted in bridging the emergency response gaps while maximizing program outreach to 14,300 vulnerable children effectively by rehabilitating 125 schools and 25 BHUs, recovering livelihoods to 10600 families, following 2010 floods in a challenging environment characterized with volatile security situations in DIK.
Responsible for program development and partnership management, coordination, networking, security, reporting and grants management. Ensured that GOAL programs are implemented in accordance with the signed agreements between GOAL and international donors. Played a leading role in the development of donor proposals and programme development by developing plans, timelines and coordinating inputs from relevant program, finance, technical, country and head office staff. Oversight and assisted Program Managers and the technical staff, (WASH, Shelter, DRR, Livelihood specialists) to ensure each program is completed on time, high quality driven and within the agreed budgets. Designed program and operational frameworks, including budgets, for GOAL’s overall program strategy for emergency recovery and development with a budget of USD 0.5 million and a team of 10 staff.
Responsible for the development of internal strategy and plans for quality assurance system to ensure quality achievement and performance improvement in program development and implementation. Key achievements include:
• Contributed to the development of strategy-driven program management with quality and accountability standards mainstreamed.
• Trained and coached country team and actively work in developing high quality proposals, donor compliance, monitoring and report writing.
• Mobilized multi-millions funded projects under the guidelines of UN Agencies (RFPs), DfID, BHC, SIDA, CAFOD, ICCO, and EC, ECHO and DipECHO with the resultant expansion of program and mobilizing external funding.
• Developed M&E framework for development and humanitarian operations considering the information requirements for internal quality management system’s indicators and externally the programming objectives and strategic thrusts.
• Ensured that program and donor reports are of high standards and in compliance to donor regulations.
Coordinated the final phase of the first post-conflict local governance program in the Pacific. Used Results Based Management cycle and Prince2 methodology to refine program activities and ensure engagement of critical stakeholders while developing follow-on programming with other UN agencies, the EU and bilateral agencies. Major achievements of project were:
• Contributed to Isabel Government in developing legal framework for the environment conservation and management ordinance. Have first hand experience associated with resources conservation and ecosystem management at national and international levels.
• Strengthened local institutions for transforming the governance structure helpful in accomplishing the envisioned the UN biodiversity protocols through capacity and institutional strengthening.
• Managed local staff and international expert inputs to improve local capacity for services delivery from informal and formal sectors.
• Built partnerships and identified synergies with Parliament Strengthening Project and associated government ministries in the design of Provincial Induction Training Program for Isabel.
• Engaged traditional leaders, women organizations and religious bodies in synthesizing mechanisms to address land and disputes resolutions (while recognizing significant gaps in national legislation), local justice and peace reconciliation.
• Led development of sustainable E-Governance model in Isabel Province, Solomon Islands through replicable ICT networks as spoke hub centers for pro-citizen provincial planning and budgeting processes. (UNDP 2007)
Responsible for project development, management and reporting of Global Environment Fund (GEF) funded project for the conservation of Pine Forest Ecosystem and Wildlife in tribal belt of Balochistan Province with effective project delivery with high mobilization and utilization of financial resources. Achievements included
1) developed of three years forest conservation and management plans with active participation of relevant stakeholders and provincial govt. agencies and institutions.
2) Promotion of public conservation awareness and sustainable forest management practices through livelihood improvement activities.
3) Research studies on non-forest timeber products, medicinal and aromental plants and marketing strategy of pine (chilghoza) addressing technical, economic and social blocks.
Responsible for program development, coordination, people management, office administration and grants implementation with annual budget of USD 20,000 and with team strength of 10 staff members. Assisted in strategies development for further improvement of an integrated community mobilization and organization approach. Built and maintained relevant networks of relationships with govt. agencies, national and international level organizations to develop a shared analysis of local issues, contacts and key players. Extensively involved in enhancing capacities of umbrella organizations and interested groups in advocacy and lobbying on development and public policy issues. Developed case studies and documenting best practices for future programme learning and improvement.
Assisted the Program Manager in project implementation through identification and assessment of local Afghan partners. The program approach looked at identification of Extremely Vulnerable Individuals (EVIs) among Afghan population in urban areas. Facilitated the assistance package including medical and relief goods and their proper follow up. Assessed capacity building needs for partner NGOs and execution of capacity building component.
Responsibilities included identification and verification in UNHCR driven Afghan Refugees repatriation processes to assess and determine eligibility and to ensure that the voluntary character of the repatriation is respected.