Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 20 years of experience, including 16 years in communications for development, the expert is proficient in strategic programme management, communications strategy development, and advocacy. Career highlights include leading initiatives for the United Nations Development Programme and collaborating with international organizations such as the European Union. Expertise encompasses behaviour change communication, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. Accomplishments feature leading national SDG communications in Pakistan and representing the country at international forums. The expert has successfully enhanced programme impacts through innovative advocacy and communication initiatives, demonstrating strong leadership and coordination abilities in complex projects.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors, including the European Union and United Nations Development Programme, focusing on communications and advocacy strategy development for SDGs localization. Responsibilities have included project implementation, capacity building, and providing technical assistance. The thematic areas of work have covered governance, community empowerment, and sustainable development, with a national focus in Pakistan and contributions to international forums such as the UN SDGs Action Campaign in Germany.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in various sectors, including social development, media and communications, programme and resource management, and decentralization and local development, the expert has held roles such as Communications Analyst and Communications and Coordination Lead. Responsibilities have included advocacy, strategy development, and stakeholder engagement. The interdisciplinary expertise involves integrating communications for development with policy and advocacy initiatives. The expert's work is primarily focused in Pakistan, contributing to national and international projects, enhancing programme impacts through innovative communication strategies and cross-sectoral collaboration. Extensive experience in Pakistan, particularly with the United Nations Development Programme on national initiatives related to sustainable development goals, has provided a deep understanding of local governance and cultural dynamics. This experience aligns with Pakistan's Vision 2025 agenda. Additionally, the expert has engaged in international forums, including the United Nations SDGs Action Campaign in Germany, and participated in professional development in the UK, Netherlands, and Indonesia, enhancing regional development expertise.

Languages and education

With fluency in English, Urdu, and Punjabi, and native proficiency in Urdu and Punjabi, the expert has moderate proficiency in Hindi and basic skills in Arabic and Pashto. These language competences have been utilized in diverse contexts, including in-country work and collaboration with multilingual teams on international development projects. The expert holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Marketing and Advertising from the California Institute of Management & Computer Sciences. The educational background is further strengthened by professional courses, including a Leadership Management Course from Oxford Business Management Group in the UK, Behaviour Change Communications from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Social Media and Online Marketing from the International Business School in Den Haag, Netherlands.