Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 31 years of experience in the humanitarian and development sectors, the expert possesses strong project management, strategic leadership, and capacity-building skills. They have led multi-sectoral programs in complex environments, with a focus on child protection, gender-based violence (GBV), and education across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Responsibilities have included managing international and national teams, developing emergency response plans, and building partnerships with NGOs and local authorities. Career highlights include successful project implementations and significant contributions to strategic programming and operational strategies.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as ECHO, EC, SDC, OFDA, DANIDA, AFD, BMZ, SIDA, CIDA, UNHCR, UNICEF, and OCHA Humanitarian Funds. Involvement has included project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building in thematic areas like child protection, GBV, and education. The projects have been regional and sector-specific, with work conducted in countries including Iraq, Jordan, Nigeria, South Sudan, Yemen, and Pakistan.

Sectors and geographic focus

Background includes positions at various international organizations, with extensive work in the sectors of humanitarian aid, emergency response, social development, and human rights. Previously held roles such as Head of Programs, Protection Program Manager, and Child Protection Specialist. The expert has cross-cutting expertise in integrating child protection and GBV initiatives within broader humanitarian efforts. Their work spans regional and country-specific projects across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Geographic experience includes Iraq, Jordan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, with deep familiarity with local governance and cultural dynamics, particularly in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Nigeria, South Sudan, Iraq, Syria, and Somalia.

Languages and education

With a background in multilingual environments, the expert is professionally proficient in English, Urdu, Hindi, Pashto, and Punjabi, with some knowledge of Arabic. These language skills have been utilized in diverse international settings, including in-country work across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, and in managing multilingual teams. Pashto is identified as the expert's mother tongue. The expert holds a first-class Master's degree in Sociology from Peshawar University, Pakistan, and a Master's in Education from Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad. Additionally, they have a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Peshawar, Pakistan.