Mar 2018 – Jul 2018 · 4 mos · Peshawar District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

• Grant Development Consultant/DAI Global/ Pakistan, STTA, March 2018-
• The USAID- funded Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governance (KPG) Project supports the development of a stable, democratic, and prosperous Pakistan. The Grants Support STTA assist the Peshawar-based KPG team in developing strategically aligned concept notes and complete proposal packages to support more efficient grant development and implementation. Work closely and efficiently with project staff to develop concept notes and proposal packages in line with the program’s logical framework and documentation requirements. Provide hands on quality support during all phases of grant development, ensuring reasonable but timely turn-around in reviewing KPG Project information and subsequently facilitate timely follow-up actions to address all issues. Provide training as well as on-the-job mentoring and coaching to project staff in devising concept notes and complete proposal packages of a consistent and acceptable (by DAI home office) quality standard. In coordination with the DCOP-Programs and M&E Director, facilitate collaboration between the Program and M&E teams, respectively, to ensure sound proposal design, including accompanying budget, M&E plan, and communications strategy. Provide guidance to Activity Officers and M&E staff on close coordination and continuous communication with the grantees during the development of the grant concept notes and proposal packages. Ensure grant concepts are developed into grant proposal packages, adhering to acceptable quality standards, and submitted to USAID in a timely manner. Support timely activity closeout and encourage organized and compliant documentation, including uploads to TAMIS, across the team. Review and suggest changes to the existing Grants Manual, as needed.

Oct 2017 – Jan 2018 · 3 mos · Sri Lanka

• Provide technical writing support for DAI concept note for USAID’s Social Cohesion and Reconciliation ( SCORE) activity in Sri Lanka and providing the support for recruitment.

Jun 2014 – Jul 2017 · 3 yrs 1 mo

• Lead the Northern Regional Office, managing and directing the work done out of the regional office and subcontractors. Managing the program relationship with local stakeholders including but not limited to the government of Sri Lanka, communities and NGOs. Work with technical team to identify approaches and strategies to engage local stakeholders, support monitoring and evaluation efforts in the region ( Northern Province, Annuradhapura, Puttalam, Kurunagaala, Trincomalee and Matale). Develop periodic reports on the progress of SOLID activities in the region. Conduct ongoing assessment and monitoring & evaluation of the state of SOLID interventions in the region. Identifying potential areas in the region for project intervention including specific, villages, intervention opportunities and potential partner organizations. Representing the SOLID project in the region. Manage the Regional office activities and the human resources.

Jun 2012 – Jan 2014 · 1 yr 7 mos

• Responsibilities: Leads RISEN’s North Office program development team on activity development and design, including developing critical relationships with community partners and local government counterparts, identification of potential grantees, developing project concepts into fundable projects, and writing grants. Supports the design and implementation of activities that promote reconciliation, Market linkages and that advance organizational capacity development, workforce development for unemployed youth, and Civil society strengthening . Created websites – www.lankabuildingmarkets.com and www.lankango.org – to promote these activities and contribute to their sustainability. Develops a monitoring and evaluation plan for all activities. Monitors the programmatic and implementation progress of each grant. Evaluates the outputs, outcomes, and impact of project activities. Advises USAID and RISEN senior management on the evolution of the local political, legal and economic situation and on how to continuously adapt the RISEN program to ensure that it remains relevant and effective. Participates in program strategy development and the pro-active solicitation and development of project proposals. Supports field visits of USG senior staff, including the Ambassador, through facilitation of meetings, organizing of events, and translation. Mentors and trains Program Development Officers and Grant Managers.

Jun 2010 – May 2012 · 1 yr 11 mos

• Program Development Officer, USAID/OTI/RISEN, DAI, Vavuniya,
• Participated in regional strategy development and the pro-active solicitation and development of project proposals. Drafted grants for concurrence by USAID/OTI and worked with Grant Managers to ensure that the subsequent grant agreements accurately reflected approved activities. Monitored the programmatic and implementation progress of each grant. Ensured that implementation was carried out in a non-partisan manner and that all agreed outputs were achieved. Collected information and data on the programmatic and implementation progress grants, drafted evaluations of completed grants, and entered the evaluations into the database. Travelled extensively throughout the Region and to other Regions as required.

Jul 2009 – May 2010 · 10 mos

• Designed and implemented the SMP program in Sri Lanka based on WFP policy guidance. Assisted the Head of Program to follow-up with the coordinating ministry in Colombo on complementary inputs and technical support. Undertook regular field visits to monitor project outputs and the quality of assistance provided to beneficiaries. Maintained regular communication flow and provided guidance to ensure proper planning and effective performance. Organized technical and capacity building related training for WFP and counterpart staff. Participated in Program Assessment for emergency and new operational areas. Identified new potential partnerships for WFP. Assisted the Head of Program in advocacy, such as presenting on the SMP in meetings, and information related tasks for program activities. Maintained regular contact with WFP’s counterparts at the Colombo level and in operational districts and provinces. Assisted the Head of Programme with participation in inter-agency and counterpart meetings related to the education sector. Prepared consolidated monthly and quarterly progress reports on SMP activities and provided verified data to M&E team.

Jan 2009 – May 2009 · 4 mos · Trincomalee

• Supported the development of a collection mechanism for component leaders to regularly provide updated information on identified indicators. Updated monitoring and evaluation plan annually. Worked with Component Leaders to collect and analyze data to measure progress against indicators. Provided regular updates on project progress in meeting goals. Drafted quarterly and annual reports.

Aug 2008 – Nov 2008 · 3 mos · Island wide

• Reviewed ZOA’s livelihood interventions throughout Sri Lanka, and then, designed and developed improved interventions for the program in consultation with staff and management. Provided feedback on the current livelihoods manual based on my assessment and experience. Recommended new or modified designs for monitoring tools for livelihoods interventions. Trained a counterpart in the district to carry forward this initial work.

Apr 2006 – Aug 2008 · 2 yrs 4 mos · Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

• Participated in regional strategy development and the pro-active solicitation and development of project proposals. Drafted grants for concurrence by USAID/OTI and worked with Grant Managers to ensure that the subsequent grant agreements accurately reflected approved activities. Monitored the programmatic and implementation progress of each grant. Ensured that implementation was carried out in a non-partisan manner and that all agreed outputs were achieved. Collected information and data on the programmatic and implementation progress grants, drafted evaluations of completed grants, and entered the evaluations into the database. Travelled extensively throughout the Region and to other Regions as required.

Nov 2005 – Mar 2006 · 4 mos · Trincomalee

• Managed the livelihood team and ensured activities were completed within the project timeframe and budget. Monitored the humanitarian situation and made recommendations to the program coordinator regarding livelihoods needs and appropriate responses. Ensured structures, facilities and interventions complied with international standards for the given sector. Ensured compatibility of interventions with local cultural norms, paying particular attention to gender issues. Researched and proposed projects to be implemented for consideration by the program coordinator. Assisted the program coordinator in the preparation of livelihoods (agricultural based, non-agricultural based and business promotion) project proposals for funding and approval. Identified problems that would affect implementation of livelihoods projects and proposed solutions. Developed school based livelihoods program to support parental involvement in their children’s education. Planned and managed periodical evaluation and impact assessment of livelihoods programs. Acted as UMCOR livelihoods representative in liaison with government agencies, UN agencies, donor bodies and NGOs.

Apr 2005 – Aug 2005 · 4 mos · Batticaloa

• Planned and implemented livelihoods activities. Managed a team of project assistants. Liaised and networked with other livelihoods development stakeholders.

Nov 2004 – Apr 2005 · 5 mos · Batticaloa

• Provided overall project management, including operations, human resources, financial, and reporting. Ensured positive public relations

Dec 2003 – Nov 2004 · 11 mos · Batticaloa

• December 2003-November 2004 and September 2005-November 2005.
• Conducted lectures for undergraduates. Assisted senior staff in research activities. Promoted good reading habits for school children in Batticaloa surrounding area through University Teachers Union projects.