International Programme Manager Asia

• Jan 2023 - Present

Programme Manager

• Aug 2021 - Jan 2023

I am part of the Strategic Planning & Performance Unit. The Strategic Planning and Performance Unit supports the achievement of our ambitious strategy to 2030 by working with colleagues across the organisation to ensure that we have effective plans processes to remain on track to reach our long-term targets. The Unit leads the work to ensure we translate our organisational strategy effectively into operational plans aligned to organisational goals and have a robust performance management system that monitors and evaluates impact and the achievement of our goals. The Unit works across the organisation interfacing and connecting with the five strategic Goals that underpin our strategy, in matrix cross-organisational teams. My role focuses on our Goal to grow support for our work and inspire our supporters to act with us. The Goal aims are to grow income, supporter numbers and recognition of WWF-UK as a leading voice in the UK on nature and climate change. The Goal is made up of matrix teams of Supporter Income and Engagement, Communications and Campaigns. Some of the key functions in my role includes; 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Managing and coordinating the overall management of the Growing Support Goal | Advising Project Managers on planning, delivery and monitoring of projects | Reviewing new project proposals and sharing recommendations | Leading and managing risks | Developing and managing annual plan for the goal

Head of Programmes Support

• Feb 2021 - Jun 2021

As the Head of Programmes Support, I have developed and managed a global programme support strategy within the framework of Penny Appeal’s five-year strategy. I was also responsible to lead the programmes department support unit to ensure the effective and efficient management of Penny Appeal’s partnerships and grant management process.𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Develop and implement a global programme support strategy within the context of Penny Appeal’s global five-year strategy | I have led on managing yearly portfolio of £20 million with complex donors and context | Led on the development of a programme support management system that provides operational support for the partnerships and grant making process | Support partners and country offices to fulfil our strategic programmatic priorities by way of robust grant management processes, capacity building and knowledge transfer | Developed and manage the operationalisation of agreed policies, procedures, and standards in the delivery of programmes within the context of Penny Appeal’s MEAL and programme framework | Provided advice and support to programme support unit staff in the development of their skills and competencies | Maintain effective and regular communication on current programmes portfolio to internal stakeholders within the organisation | Derived a policy of cost effectiveness and added value and seek ways of demonstrating this to Penny Appeal’s supporters and donors.

International Programmes Manager

• Jul 2019 - Feb 2021

As the International Programmes Manager, I had the responsibility for supporting headquarter programmatic operations, promoting quality, learning, and ensuring effective delivery of over 100 projects portfolio in compliance with internationally recognised standards and individual donor expectations on a day-to-day basis. I led the growth for global programmes rooted in our identity as a Muslim led organisation, built around a set of global priorities, and adopting appropriate ways of working. I also managed and led on the programmatic priorities internally and with external actors ensuring effective co-ordination between field offices, programming in the UK and partner organisations. I have also led operations in Pakistan as interim Country Director for Pakistan for over seven months. I have led the overall strategic direction and delivery of Penny Appeal programmes and operations in Pakistan. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Led with responsibility for programmes operations portfolio including projects/programmes governance, grants management, portfolio management, project financial management, and continuous process improvements | Managed regional teams including Asia, Africa, and MENA, having over 60 grant implementing partner organisations across 30 countries | I have led on managing yearly portfolio of £15-£20 million multi-sectoral initiatives with complex donors and context | I have led on developing efficient & effective award management processes and systems to create and enhance business development efficiencies | Partially led on the development and delivery of country-wide strategic plans | I have managed regional teams implementing projects on various thematic areas including health, education, safeguarding and protection, WASH, livelihoods and emergency relief | Lead the process of creating the relevant policy frameworks, functions, and structures to ensure the high-quality projects and programmes delivery.

Interim Country Director - Pakistan

• Mar 2019 - Sep 2019

During my interim role, I have led the overall strategic direction and delivery of Penny Appeal programmes and operations in Pakistan. I have managed this position remotely with frequent visits to Pakistan.

Regional Programmes Coordinator South Asia

• Apr 2018 - Jun 2019

As Regional Programmes coordinator for Asia, I contributed significantly to the programmes department and overall organisational strengthening. This includes integration, delivery and efficiency of organizational development initiatives and setting the tune for long terms programming. Developed and established strong working relationships with donors, partners and other stakeholders to support overall South and South Asia Programme’s work. I have led programmes and operations across Penny Appeal’s programme in Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: I led on forming new partnerships and expanded the outreach of programmes. I worked with teams in Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka to ensure programmatic activity is inclusive, has a high value for money, promotes dignity and cohesion, and is of the topmost quality | Overall project management including design, planning, implementation, and reporting | I was responsible for managing the regional budget, grants disbursement and ensured compliance for multi-sectoral portfolio of £7-£9 Million | Provided technical support, conducted trainings, and advised on strengthening programmes and sharing learning | Assisted Head of International Programmes in preparing policies and strategies.

Project Manager

• Jan 2016 - Jan 2018

Based in Pakistan, with national and regional focus in this role I led on a portfolio of flagship programmes of the British Council mainly funded by DFID. I managed the programmatic and operational aspects of these programmes with the support of my team, partner organisations and other stakeholders. I was responsible for providing support to the teams on strategic approach in the designing and implementation phases of the projects. Major responsibilities in this role included; management of a multi-sectoral portfolio, awards and partnerships management, donor compliance, sub-grants cycle management, portfolio analysis, master budgeting, donor reporting, team management, grants and partnerships management efficiencies, management of risk register, donor relationships management, development of key processes, controls and management systems. I have also provided strategic inputs in the business development, theory of change frameworks and building strategic relationships with the key stakeholders.

Programmes Consultant

• Mar 2014 - Dec 2015

Oversaw a portfolio of 14 sub-grant holder partner organisations implementing multi-sectoral projects with a key focus on the active participation of youth in the community development. I have managed a team to ensure the effective delivery, monitoring and reporting of the projects as per the agreed standards and donor compliance. Major responsibilities in this role included; business and partnership development, grants cycle management, technical input in various thematic projects, donor compliance, partners appraisal, training and capacity building of partners, and M&E. I was also responsible for conducting assessment of programmes governance, grants management cycle, financial controls, data protection systems and processes.

Advocacy & Campaigns Officer

• Mar 2012 - Feb 2014

Based in Pakistan, this role involved day to day support for effective planning and implementation of the Campaign in Pakistan while also taking into consideration the local, national and international externalities. I supported multiple projects and programmes across Pakistan with a special focus on advocacy and campaigning within those projects and programmes. I have supported the donor compliance from financial, programmatic and operations aspects. Based in Pakistan, this role involved day to day support for effective planning and implementation of the Campaign in Pakistan while also taking into consideration the local, national and international externalities. I supported multiple projects and programmes across Pakistan with a special focus on advocacy and campaigning within those projects and programmes. I have supported the donor compliance from financial, programmatic and operations aspects.

Senior Programmes Associate

• Sep 2011 - Feb 2012

I provided technical support to Pakistan Coalition for Education (PEC) in developing advocacy strategies and campaign plans for Pakistan and South Asian countries. Further, my role involved building the advocacy capacity of PEC staff in the country office and from the field. I provided technical support to Pakistan Coalition for Education (PEC) in developing advocacy strategies and campaign plans for Pakistan and South Asian countries. Further, my role involved building the advocacy capacity of PEC staff in the country office and from the field.

Consultant

• Apr 2011 - Aug 2011

Based in Pakistan, I provided technical support, designed and implemented the appraisal system for disbursement of small cash grants to assist the local community in restoring their previously existing businesses, establishing new businesses & developing home based enterprises after devastating earthquake. In addition to this, manual of Business Management Skills Training to build the capacity of selected income generators/self-employees/entrepreneurs was also developed & implemented. Based in Pakistan, I provided technical support, designed and implemented the appraisal system for disbursement of small cash grants to assist the local community in restoring their previously existing businesses, establishing new businesses & developing home based enterprises after devastating earthquake. In addition to this, manual of Business Management Skills Training to build the capacity of selected income generators/self-employees/entrepreneurs was also developed & implemented.

Consultant

• Nov 2010 - Mar 2011

I provided technical programmatic support to Azad Jammu Kashmir Rural Support Programme (AJKRSP) under the Microfinance & Enterprise Development (MF&ED) department. The project was aimed to make small credit more accessible to the poorest and most vulnerable communities in the fields of agriculture, livestock, small & medium enterprises, social development, and general health. I was responsible for developing tools, assessment mechanism and conducting trainings. I provided technical programmatic support to Azad Jammu Kashmir Rural Support Programme (AJKRSP) under the Microfinance & Enterprise Development (MF&ED) department. The project was aimed to make small credit more accessible to the poorest and most vulnerable communities in the fields of agriculture, livestock, small & medium enterprises, social development, and general health. I was responsible for developing tools, assessment mechanism and conducting trainings.

Programmes Lead

• May 2009 - Oct 2010

Based in Kashmir, I have managed a large scale multi-sectoral projects portfolio. I have managed the delivery and reporting of projects. I have also led on technical and financial reporting to donors, management of donors and partners relationships, project team management, quality assuring deliverables, contracts/procurement management, budgeting/forecasting and financial management, and business development. Based in Kashmir, I have managed a large scale multi-sectoral projects portfolio. I have managed the delivery and reporting of projects. I have also led on technical and financial reporting to donors, management of donors and partners relationships, project team management, quality assuring deliverables, contracts/procurement management, budgeting/forecasting and financial management, and business development.

Multiple Assignments

• Jul 2006 - Mar 2009

During this period, I have managed several short-term assignments focused on programmes development, monitoring, delivery, reporting and capacity building. These assignments were with different institutions including UNICEF, GTZ and Doctors Worldwide. During this period, I have managed several short-term assignments focused on programmes development, monitoring, delivery, reporting and capacity building. These assignments were with different institutions including UNICEF, GTZ and Doctors Worldwide.