Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 11 years of experience in social development, the expert specializes in financial inclusion and market systems development. Responsibilities have included leading joint venture agreements with microfinance institutions and partnering with a fintech company to enhance creditworthiness. Career highlights include developing a GBP 1.5 million financial inclusion proposal and spearheading communications for projects funded by international donors. As Co-founder and Head of Partnerships at Plaantik, the expert secured major partnerships and led a USD 13,000 project. Proficient in English, Bengali, and basic French, the expert possesses strong skills in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, EViews, and Stata.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated with international donors such as USAID, the World Bank, and the Dutch and Swedish embassies. Their involvement includes facilitating joint venture agreements, supporting studies, and leading communications for development cooperation projects focused on agricultural market development, financial inclusion, and economic empowerment. These projects have been implemented in Bangladesh, with a scope ranging from national to sector-specific initiatives.

Sectors and geographic focus

The expert has worked across sectors including financial inclusion, agricultural market development, and communications within social development. Previously held roles such as Technical Specialist and Communications Officer, focusing on projects involving digital financial services, women's economic empowerment, and rural sanitation in Bangladesh. Their interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating technology in agriculture and enhancing creditworthiness of enterprises through fintech partnerships, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of sector-specific and cross-cutting development issues. The expert has extensive experience working in Bangladesh, focusing on social development and market systems projects. This experience has provided a deep understanding of the region's cultural dynamics and development challenges.

Languages and education

With a background in international development settings, the expert is fluent in English and has basic proficiency in French, facilitating communication and collaboration on projects with diverse, multilingual teams. The expert is pursuing a Master's degree in Finance (Economic Policy) through a distance-learning program at SOAS, University of London. They hold a Bachelor's degree in Economics, awarded with distinction, from BRAC University in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Additionally, the expert has completed courses in Development Economics from Marginal Revolution University and a Certificate in Digital Money from Tufts University and Digital Frontiers Institute.