Benazir Income Support Program, Government of Pakistan – the World Bank
Senior Consultant Training – Resource Person I (October 2018 to March 2023) (4.5 Years)
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is the Government of Pakistan’s flagship social safety net programme in Pakistan operates in approx. 400 tehsils, 140 districts, 15 zonal and headquarter in Islamabad. At its core BISP is an Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) providing cash payments to 10 million female and almost 4 million children beneficiaries. Its annual budget is about PKR 650 billion.
Major Responsibilities
- The World Bank Compliances Mainly responsible to undertake the World Bank loan requirements on Technical Assistance (TA) for capacity building and training of BISP employees across the country. Preparing documents, implementation, review and reporting on Stakeholders Engagement Plan (SEP), Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Environmental and Social Framework, E-Waste, Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), Error Fraud and Corruption (EFC), etc.
- Successful Implementation of Training and Capacity Building of BISP under Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), the WB loan.
- Through the World Bank and DFID, DLIs, over 70% of BISP staff across all levels were trained in the entire country.
- Acknowledging the achievements DFID has marked A+ to my wing in their annual review report of BISP.
- The Training and Stakeholders Programs were designed due to new payment method of Biometric Verification System coving the Reconstructed Operational Guidelines and Revised Job Descriptions.
- Trainings were conducted on following modules; Social Protection, Un Conditional Cash Transfer, National Socio-Economic Registry, Conditional Cash Transfer, Complementary Initiative & Graduation, HR, financial management, Monitoring and Evaluation, etc.
- Annual Training Plan
- Prepared Annual Training Plans (ATPs), duly approved by the Secretary BISP based on the functional model covering three basic areas of Management Skills, Organizational Skills and Technical Skills.
- Conducted over 100 Training Programs for BISP officers/officials across the country.
- Produced number of knowledge pieces including Training Reports, TNA Report, over 100 Training presentations, material, newsletters, pre and posttests of all trainings and their analysis, periodical plans, training schedules, guidelines, checklists, hundreds of pictures and videos, group exercises and etc.
- These trainings were conducted on number of areas including Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Orientation on BISP for new Entrants, Effective Personnel Management, Behavior change, Anger Management, Filing Procedures and Official Correspondence, Communication and Presentation Skills, Professional Motivation, Financial Management, Audit Command Language, Effective Personnel Management, Operational procedures, Office Automation and number of other topics.
- Training Need Assessment (TNA)
- Conducted first ever a comprehensive Training Need Assessment of BISP staff.
- 76% of BISP officers/officials participated in the TNA through research/survey approach.
- The TNA listed 52 Training topics and established their priorities according to the needs of the employees and requirement of the management.
- The TNA report is an example for the other of public sector organizations.
- Online Training Videos
- Supervise a web portal for online trainings mechanism including an inbuilt monitoring aspect.
- Prepared training videos on BISP operational guidelines in collaboration with all BISP wings.
- BISP Policies
- Developed first ever Training Policy/Guidelines for BISP. The Policy covered the entire training cycle mechanism, Induction and Orientation, Engage private sector, Engagement of Stakeholders, Mandatory and Short-term external trainings, Long Term further Education Study, Instructional Allowance and Training Management Information System.
- Developed Internship policy/guidelines for BISP Internship Program. The Internship Guidelines give complete instructions to BISP regional and head offices in hiring of interns. The Guidelines describe the Key Objectives, Eligibility Criteria, Application Procedures, Internship Applications and Obligations on BISP and Interns and Learning outcomes etc.
- Other Major Tasks
- Engagement of BISP grassroots beneficiaries in jobs through the collaborations under Private Partnerships.
- Conducted number of online trainings for BISP employees and stakeholders through zoom during COVID – 19.
- 5 Weeks customized Training Program for SPS 18 & 19 for the promotion of BISP officers through NDU University.
- Help Director Learning and Development in completing her tasks related to official matters, coordination with BISP wings, noting and drafting, preparing concept notes and proposals.
- Supervise Wing’s staff on their day-to-day activities.
- Provide support to DG – HR on any additional tasks for instance during the hiring of HR firm and guide them for the redesigning of BISP structure and policies.
- Prepared number of presentations of different nature.
- Participate in review meetings and provide advisory to Minister/Chairperson/Secretary BISP.
PakAID
Chief Executive Officer(November 2015 to October 2018)
Being the head of the organization, besides other important organizational responsibilities like resource mobilization, financial management, branding, board meetings, audits, tax returns, staff supervisions, events, program design etc. I would like to mention following few examples of major programs.
Pakistan Governance Strengthening Program (PGSP)
Pakistan Governance Strengthening Program (PGSP) is a new training and capacity building initiative to improve the governance and efficiency of the public sector institutions at federal level. PGSP has an innovative approach of capacity building and training primarily for governmental institutions including federal ministries, departments, autonomous institutions, etc. To validate the need of such a national level program PGSP has conducted a program need analysis research with 23 federal ministries and departments. Following were my major tasks.
- Conducted a comprehensive Program Need Assessment. 23 Federal Ministries, departments and institutions officially participated in the program need assessment. This is one of the widest programs need assessment in public sector.
- Based on the need assessment findings, prepared a program document.
Prepared tools like survey forms, data entry, analysis etc.
Pretest of the survey form and review by the international organization, government representatives and non-governmental sectors.
Prepared report/presentation on the findings of the need assessment.
- Develop a comprehensive one year Training Plan comprising details about the training topics, targeted government employees, schedule, expected duration of the training programs, expected budget for the trainings, etc.
- Establishment of Pakistan Governance Strengthening Program’s working group for program steering.
- Announcement for the hiring of training providers/trainings institutions.
US Department of State Professional Fellows Program (PFP) on Governance and Society.
Since 2017, PakAID is a national implementing partner of US Department of States/US Embassy supported Professional Exchange Program on Governance and Society Fellowship Program in the United States. Every year PakAID selects two groups from Pakistan for the fellowship. US Department of States covers the entire financing of the program participants including the Visa process. The program is designed for the public and development sector mid-senior officers.
- Development of program contents and themes.
- Advertisement and announcement of the program in Pakistan and seek applications.
- Review and Short listing of the applications.
- Conduct interviews and select with principal and alternate candidates with the close consultation of the US Embassy, Islamabad.
- Coordinate with US Embassy and Visa processing of the program participants.
- Conduct Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) for the selected participants.
- Assist World Learning Inc. in the placements of the participants in different stats of United States.
- Fellowship action plan projects preparation of the participants.
- Post program engagements, debriefings, projects and engagement with US Embassy Alumni Network.
Election Observations programs in 2018 and 2023
- In 2018 and 2023 PakAID has successfully conducted election observation through its team according the election commission of Pakistan election observer’s policy.
USAID – Training for Pakistan
Senior Training Officer (February 2014 to August 2015)
USAID-Training for Pakistan Project was a four years duration project worth of 33 Million US Dollars. I served as third most senior position in the program and was also the part of the project designing stage.
Major Responsibilities
- Mainly responsible for the management of trainings and capacity building programs under USAID, Training for Pakistan.
- Generate Training Ideas and Requests for Government ministries and private sector organizations (complete narrative and financial documents) for the USAID Mission final approval with their consultation.
- Prepare Training Implementation Plans (details of the training schedules, trainers, deliverables, etc.) for Pakistan based trainings.
- Supervised and lead implementation of for the following federal ministries;
- Ministry of Commerce’s nine months training support program for 58 mid and senior level ministry staff.
- Training program for the Ministry of Law Justice and Human Rights.
- Conducted comprehensive technical Training Need Assessment of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). It was a national level need assessment covering all WAPDA power generation plants.
- Lead development and later supervised the biggest ever USAID funded Energy Sector Internship Program, 18 power generation and power related government departments and ministries participated in the program and placed 300 interns (fresh engineers) for six months.
- Lead and supervised Masters in Public Health scholarship program for 60 Department of Health, government of Sindh employees (mostly medical doctors) at Health Services Academy. The purpose of the scholarships was to strengthen the health management system in Sindh.
- Focal person for the implementation of all In-country trainings for the public, private and social sector participants.
- Develop Request for Proposals and Selection of training providers/contractors.
- Monitor USAID-TFP funded trainings on regular basis and prepare monitoring reports. We used monitoring methods like beneficiary monitoring, output monitoring and implementers monitoring.
- Contracting with Training providers, negotiate financial and technical proposals, prepare contracts and approve their financial disbursements.
- Supervise and submission of training reports prepared by the specialized training providers.
- Focal person for USAID-Pakistan Participants Training Working Group. This includes all the USAID partners/projects working on participants training.
- Work closely with Chief of the Party USAID-TFP on day to day basis.
- Supervise the USAID Alumni Small Grants Program.
- Supervise USAID-Pakistan Alumni Association, that include membership, connecting them, web-based networking, criteria, etc.
- Prepare grants documents i.e. grants guidelines, proposal formats, review score sheets, formation of review committee, contracting documents, reporting formats, etc.
- Review Small Grants Proposals (both technically and financially).
LEAD Pakistan
Coordinator – Project Management Department (designated Project Manager) (September 2010 to February 2014)
Leadership for Environment And Development (LEAD) Pakistan is a non-profit organization working since 1995 to create and sustain a global network of leaders who are committed to promote change towards the patterns of sustainable development that is economically sound, environmentally responsible and socially equitable.
Specific Responsibilities
- Undertake LEAD’s project at Pakistan level, managed LEAD’s biggest Pakistan level program with 45 Partner Implementing Organizations in Sindh and Punjab. Prepare documents like EOIs, selection of partners, contracting them, supervise and monitoring their projects funded by LEAD-Pakistan.
- Involve Government departments in the projects like Ministry of Climate Change, MET department, Agriculture departments in the projects.
- Chair the LEAD Pakistan’s Management Committee and preside over meetings.
- Develop draining manuals and deliver trainings for Partner Implementing Organizations on number of topics.
- Planning, Management, Execution and Monitoring of LEAD Projects of variety of natures.
- Coordinate and developing Level of Efforts (LoE) for other departments i.e. Training, Research and M&E.
- Ensure donor compliance related with financial and program deliveries.
- Negotiations with consultants and outsource assignments time to time for the projects delivery.
- Develop close liaison with donors and communicate on day to day basis for all kinds of matters.
- Supervise project teams and ensure their work delivery according to the projects requirements.
- Supervise budgets of the project and ensure delivery according to the targets and ensure LEAD Pakistan’s policies.
- Deliver trainings at various levels as lead trainer; prepare training presentations, modules and reference material etc.
- Leading the Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) in Pakistan and developed first LAPA tool kit comprising 17 planning and management tools (the first of its kind initiative in Pakistan).
- Focal person for Project Management Department for ISO certification as LEAD Pakistan is ISO 9000, 2001 certified organization.
PAIMAN Trust Fund / Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN)
Program Manager (February 2006 to September 2010)
PAIMAN is a non-governmental Organization, registered under the Trust Act of 1882. Being Head of Programs, I have been successfully planned and implemented following programs/projects including FAFEN/USAID/RTI/ESRA, The Asia Foundation, Save the Children, AED, IRC, Plan Pakistan, WFP-UN, DFID, RI, UNDP and embassies of US, UK and German; worth of over 600 Million Rupees.
Programs/Projects
- Education Sectors Reforms Assistance (USAID-ESRA)
- Democratic Governance Program (TAF-FAFEN)
- Election Observation Program (TAF-FAFEN)
- Voters’ Education Program I & II (TAF-FAFEN)
- Youth Civic Education Program I & II (TAF)
- First Time Voters’ Education Program (TAF)
- Voters’ List Audit Program (TAF)
- Capacity Building Program on Election Observation (TAF)
- Peace Building and Conflict Transformation – US Embassy
- Peace Building and Human Rights Program – German Embassy
- FATA Development Program/Livelihood Development
- UN World Food Programs – Monitoring Program FATA / Conflicted districts
- Mother and Child Health Project Chakwal (Plan-Pakistan)
- Mine Risk Education Project-Swat (Response International)
Survey and Research Projects
- Country level Local Government Performance Research (LGO-2001)
- Country wide Constituency Aspiration Survey (Governance and Politics)
- FATA Research on Peace and Conflict & Survey on Bomb Blasts in Peshawar
Major Responsibilities
- Over all responsible for the conceptual support to the organizations’ thematic areas, assets and sustainability aspects.
- Mainly responsible for PCM-Planning, Implementation, Management, Monitoring and Evaluation of all project/programmes with the close coordination of donors.
- Conduct capacity building sessions for newly inducted teams/staff at the time of project launching; on organizational ethics, policies, administration, thematic areas and program concepts, organizational business, planning and other different tools according to their ToRs and also identify other opportunities for their on job capacity building.
- Prepare Concept paper, Project proposal for various donors RFPs, RFA and EOIs etc and on organizational thematic areas and find funding opportunities.
- Develop different organizational strategies in-line with the consultation of Chairman and ED and ensure their implementation at the ground level.
- Direct, supervise and monitor all the activities at organizational and project levels and ensure their quality, outputs and outcomes and provide conceptual/intellectual support.
- Planning, Management and reporting to donors e.g. USAID/RTI, The Asia Foundation, Save the Children, Plan International, WFP, AED, IRC, FAFEN, FDP, and embassies of British, US and Germany and ensure their
- Coordinate with all departments and 18 offices all over the country and provide conceptual, planning and managerial support.
- Supervise and prepare periodical progress reports g. Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly project Interim and Final reports for RTI/USAID, Save the Children, The Asia Foundation, FAFEN,WFP, LDP, AED-FATA, IRC, Plan Pakistan and DTCE-UNDP etc.
- Mainly responsible to develop liaison and coordinate day to day correspondence with donors and staff regarding finance and programs.
- Supervising over 200 regular projects/program staff including9 project coordinators 7 program and M&E officers etc.
- Conduct regular meetings with staff and Monitoring and Evaluation fields.
- Plan, Conduct and supervise hundreds of training sessions including TOTs all over Pakistan for staff, partners, Govt. officials etc..
- Plan and Conduct research studies, RSA/TNA on various aspects, we conducted number of research studies.
- Mainly responsible for Distance Conflict Management (DCM) among various stakeholders i.e. Govt. departments, Election Commission, donors, communities, politicians etc.
- Supervise Grants and Budget for all projects/program.
- Conduct Trainings of Lecturers for various projects.
Previous Jobs
Pakistan Educational Alliance, California, Islamabad.
Director Fundraising and Coordination(December 2004 to January 2006)
The Network for Consumer Protection in Pakistan.
Project Coordinator-Mobilization / Training(Sep. 2001 Sep, 2004)
United Nations Development Program.
Social Organizer(25th Nov.1997 to 30th June 2001)
IT Proficiency
MS Project, M.S. Word, Excel, Database, Power Point, In-page, E-mail, Internet and Prezi Presentations etc.
Languages
Fluent English, Urdu & Punjabi, fair understanding of Sindi, Seraiki and Pushto etc. Some understanding of Afghani, Arabic and Balochi.