Our Team – Sultana Research and Development

Who We Are

Sultana Research and Development (SRD) is a multi-services consulting company majorly addressing sectors of climate change, engineering development, poverty, education, and environment. The company has competence in developing feasibility studies, project formulation, conducting surveys, monitoring, evaluation and reporting

Chaudhry Inayatullah

I earned my PhD from the Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Ok, USA in 1985. I am an expert in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects for UNDP, GEF, GCF, GIZ, JIICA, AusAid, FAO, IFAD, UNIDO, IOM, WFP, EU, USAID, FCDO, UN Human Security Fund, ADB, and World Bank. I have worked with Secure Islamique France, Concern Worldwide, Plan International- Pakistan, Care International- Pakistan, Save the Children, Mercy Corps, Action Against Hunger, WHH, ActionAid, Christian Aid UK, Start Network, HelpAge, Focus Humanitarian Assistance and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicines.

I have experience in the following thematic areas: food security/livelihoods and nutrition, climate change and vulnerabilities, gender empowerment, vocational skill development, solid waste management, integrated rural development, conservation agriculture, humanitarian assistance, WASH, disaster risk management, policy research and advocacy. I have conducted many multi-country and thematic evaluations in individual and consortium settings and led teams to formulate new project or conduct multi-country evaluation.

I led missions to Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi and Azerbaijan. I served Kenya from 1990-1994 as Senior Research Scientist with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology with a focus to control the desert locust. In Uganda I completed 4 evaluations, of which one was on food security in Karamoja sub-region and others for GEF/UNDP on community management of wetlands, climate smart agriculture and sustainable land management. For Malawi, I developed a project on climate proofing local economic gains for GEF/UNDP and evaluated a GEF project on climate change adaptation. During 2022, I led the multi-country evaluation of a women empowerment project through improving their livelihoods and promoting renewable energy enterprises in Ethiopia, Malawi, Burkina Faso and Honduras. In 2021, I led another multi-country evaluation for the Trade Initiatives on sustainable land management in Indonesia, Bhutan, Ivory Coast, Peru and Nicaragua. I have also conducted several evaluations for INGOs in Pakistan on humanitarian assistance response.

During 2023, I led a team of experts and reviewed the National Disaster Risk Management Policy of Malawi and developed new National Disaster Risk Management Policy 2023-2028. During 2023, I completed a major program evaluation which addressed the health aspects of child and mother nutrition in Pakistan. During 2012-2013, I organized an international conference and developed the National Zero Hunger Programme and drafted the National Food and Nutrition Policy of Pakistan for WFP/Government of Pakistan.

I am an experienced person and enjoy working in challenging environments such as in high-risk security prone areas, such as Afghanistan, Somalia, and South Sudan. In South Sudan I undertook two missions in 2017-2018 for IOM, analyzed the capacity of 23 NGOS registered with UNOCHA “Shelter and Non-Food Cluster”, developed the harmonized results-based management system and imparted training to the 23 NGOs/INGOs. I visited several refugee camps to meet with the communities and NGOs staff to collect data.

Gender mainstreaming, and women social, economic and political empowerment has been my major work throughout my career, and in the research studies conducted by myself. Specifically, I have conducted a study on the gender aware policy analysis for agriculture and horticultures sectors in Pakistan for UNDP/Government of Pakistan. I conducted studies on impacts of climate change on women and children in the Indus Basin during 2014-2016 for Save the Children. During 2015-16, I conducted a study on the socio-economic impact of Internally Displaced Persons [IDPs] on the host communities in 7 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In this study the issues/miseries of women Internally Displaced Persons [IDPs] was studied in detail. In addition, I have conducted several studies on the vulnerabilities of women and children due to climate-led disasters, and humanitarian assistance evaluations as per SPHERE, HAP and AAP standards.

I have served UNDP as Sustainable Development Advisor/ Assistant Resident Representative from 1997 to 2007 in UNDP Pakistan, and managed the Sustainable Livelihoods, and Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Units. In this capacity I developed area-based development programmes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sind, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir [AJK] and Gilgit-Baltistan [GB]. These projects were implemented in collaboration with the federal and provincial government departments, community-based organizations and NGOs. I worked with GIZ/BMZ from 2008-2011 and developed and implemented a regional project [Afghanistan and Pakistan] entitled “Capacity Building for Improved Monitoring and Assessment of Snow, Ice and Water Resources in the Indus Basin”, which formed basis for two major projects on Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods in Pakistan funded by the Adaptation Fund and Global Climate Fund.

I am a prolific writer and have 220+ publications in my credit.

Program Advisory Board

Dr. Andras Darabant

I earned my Doctor retum naturalium [equivalent to PhD] in Natural Sciences, BOKU University, Vienna, Austria in 2008 and Diploma Engineer [equivalent to MSc cum BSc] in Forest and Wood Sciences, BOKU University, Vienna, Austria in 2002. I am a certified expert in Climate Adaptation Finance from UNEP, Frankfurt School of Finance and Management; have Carbon Forestry Certificate from the University of Freiburg, Germany, and have GIS [ArcGIS and QGIS] certification. I have 18 years of professional experience at the interface of forestry, biodiversity, land use and development cooperation.

I specialize in community-based sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, forest landscape restoration and climate change adaptation. I have formulated several projects for UNDP/GEF and private companies and conducted mid-term and end of project evolutions for GEF. I have taken up assignments on forest landscape restoration in Sri Lanka for International Union of Forest Research Organization; on sustainable natural resource management as community-based livelihood measures and income for GFA Consulting in India; community forest management in Iran; climate change adaptation in Bhutan; GEF/UNDP project evaluations ins sustainable land management and forest management in Pakistan; Chief Technical Advisor in Yemen; and as a Scientific Advisor to Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute, Thailand. Besides I have working experience in Brazil, Canada, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Nepal, Romania, UK and Zambia. I am a registered Consulting Engineer in Forestry and Wood Technology, Austria. I am fluent in English and German and have some level of proficiency in Spanish, Nepali, Hungarian, Portuguese, Polish and Italian.

Dr. Willy Kakuru

I hold degree in Environment and Natural Resource Management from Mekrere University, Kampala, Uganda, and 34 years’ experience in designing and implementing Environment and Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Development programmes and projects. This has been blended and strengthened with practical experiences in management and coordination of climate change adaptation and mitigation actions and facilitation of processes of climate proofing development plans and programmes and mainstreaming processes; evidenced by development of the National Adaptation Plan for the Agriculture sector in Uganda [NAP-Ag]; formulation of Guidelines for Mainstreaming Climate Change in Sector Policies, Plans and Budgets and implementing Green Climate Change [GCF] project on Building resilient communities, wetland ecosystems and associated catchment areas.

As a member of different national, regional and international professional teams such as IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management [CEM], the International Mountain Forum, East Africa Natural History Society and the Albertine Rift Conservation Society [ARCOS]; I have contributed to the management of different conservation challenges such as climate change and Disaster Risks at regional and global levels. Some of the approaches and tools that I have capacity in applying include, Integrated Water Resources Management [IWRM], Community Based Natural Resource Management [CBNRM], Policy and Institutional Analysis, Natural Resource Economic Valuation, Reducing Effects of Deforestation and Ecosystem Degradation [REDD], Clean Development Mechanisms [CDM], Land Use and Management Planning, Trans-boundary Natural Resource Management [TBNRM], mechanisms for Payment for Ecosystem Services [PES] and Conservation Investment Planning [CIP].
I have facilitated the process of development of the Nile Basin Wetland Management Strategy; National Climate Change Adaptation Plan [NAP-Ag]; Sio-Siteko Trans-boundary Plan; Mount Elgon Joint Trans-boundary Management Plan; Strategic Plan for Ramsar Centre for Eastern Africa [RAMCEA] for 2011-2020 and the one for 2021-2030; Strategy for Wetlands and Forest demarcation and gazettement in Uganda; Uganda Wetland Sector Strategic Plan [WSSP 2001-2010]; Wetlands Component of the Uganda National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan [NBSAP]; World Bank Country Environment Assessment; World Bank ENR Governance Assessment in Uganda; Forest Law Enforcement, Governance Trade for CARE International.
I have conducted project designs and evaluations for UNDP/ GEF projects on Sustainable Environment and Natural Resource Management; Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Uganda; Territorial Approaches to Climate Change [TACC]; IUCN Extending wetland protected areas through community conservation initiatives [COBWEB] and the Ecosystem Based Adaptation [EBA] Programme.
I have strong skills in capacity building for formal and informal sectors. I am a Visiting Lecturer at Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Kenya Wildlife Services Training Institute and Nkumba University. I conduct topical seminars and supervise Students in Climate change action; Land Use and Natural Resource Management Planning; Watershed, Wetlands and Aquatic Resources Management.
I have conducted studies, prepared plans such as National Adaptation Plan for the Agriculture Sector in Uganda, coordinated by FAO and UNDP; survey for the African Forest Forum [AFF] for good Forest Governance, Law Enforcement and Trade [FLEGT] in Africa at national, sub-regional and continental levels; study for the Saw log Production Grant Scheme [SPGS] of the Ministry of Water Environment in Uganda to assess the local fuel wood demand for FAO supported GCCA bio-energy project in Uganda; conducted Biodiversity Assessments and Total Economic Valuation Studies for the Albertine Rift Conservation Society [ARCOS] in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi in Echuya, Mukura and Rusizi-Kibira landscapes; carried out mid-term evaluation of the UNDP implemented programme on Territorial Approaches to Climate Change [TACC]; conducted a study to review biodiversity, forest governance and equitable trade practices related to climate change with a focus on the capacities of public forestry administrations in Eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi; conducted a study for African Forest Forum on forest governance and equitable trade practices in the Eastern African countries of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somali, Eritrea and Djibouti; evaluated Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade [FLEGT] in Timber, Charcoal and Firewood in Uganda; prepared a Capacity Developing Action Plan for the UNDP implemented programme on Territorial Approaches to Climate Change [TACC].
I coordinated the process of mainstreaming climate change adaptation and mitigation in local and central government plans and budgets in Uganda and provided inputs to implementation of the Uganda National Development Plan [NDP 2010-2014]; prepared a project document for UNDP Uganda office for the “Ecosystem Based Adaptation Programme” a partnership project between UNDP, UNEP, WCMC and IUCN, implemented in Uganda, with similar activities in Nepal and Peru; designed a Programme Document for Sustainable Environment and Natural Resource Management, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Uganda; conducted a Country Environment Assessment [CEA] for the wetlands and Fisheries Sector; evaluated Governance Challenges in the Environment and Natural Resource [ENR] Sector in Uganda as the ENR Specialist for the World Bank-Uganda; designed for IDRC a Joint Action Research for project implemented by Makerere University, NARO and Wetland Management Department on Management of Wetland Resources for Improved Food Security in Uganda; prepared a strategy for wetlands and forests demarcation and gazettement in Uganda; prepared a Joint Trans-boundary Management Plan [JTMP] for the Mount Elgon Ecosystem for different Protected Area management institutions in Uganda and Kenya; developed a Wetland and Biodiversity Management Strategy for Nile Basin Initiative for Nile Basin partner states, including, Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda

Dr. Danial S. Khasu,

I am an education specialist and team leader with extensive experience in curriculum development, educational policy, and programme evaluation. I hold a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, and have a robust academic background complemented by an M.A. in Education and a B.A. in Education, specializing in English and Religious Studies.

I have held significant leadership roles, including Principal at Nalikule College of Education and Administrator at Domasi College of Education in Malawi. In these positions, I managed academic programmes, supervised curriculum implementation, and provided strategic oversight for institutional development and policy implementation. I have been instrumental in advancing distance and open learning initiatives, contributing to the development and evaluation of educational programmes in collaboration with various international institutions.

As a consultant, I have led several high-profile evaluations, including USAID-funded projects and the Catholic Relief Services [CRS] education projects in Malawi. My expertise spans qualitative and quantitative data analysis, with a strong focus on improving educational outcomes through innovative curriculum design and strategic planning.

I am fluent in multiple languages, including English, Chichewa, French, Swahili, and Shona. My work is underpinned by a deep understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics in education. My contributions to literacy and early childhood education, along with my advocacy for gender equality and HIV/AIDS awareness, highlight my commitment to holistic educational development.

Some of my key works include:

Country baseline study- Youth and Literacy in Malawi, UNESCO, 2020.
Training Programme Competence Based Training and Assessment [CBT&A]. Skills and Technical Education Programme [STEP], UNESCO and Government of Malawi.
Skills and Capacity Enhancement among Secondary Schools Teachers in Dedza District [Responsive Pedagogy] – Project Proposal 2021.
Open Distance Learning [ODL] Model in Higher Education Institutions in Malawi, Skill Development Project.

Welton Phalira

I am an Environment and Development Expert with MSc in Environmental Science [Univ. of Malawi, 2007], boasting over 20 years of expertise in agriculture, climate change, disaster risk management, environment and natural resources management, and governance. With over 10 years of project management experience, proficient in Environmental and Social Impact Assessment [ESIA], programme & project management, baselines, reviews, research, and evaluations….

I obtained my MSc degree in Environmental Science from University of Malawi, and have the following certifications, viz., Screening for Climate Change and Disaster Risks in Development Projects, from Open Learning Campus [World Bank Group, May 2019], Gender and Environment [UNITAR, January 2019], AGRIMONITOR: Agricultural policy, food security and Climate Change, Inter-American Development Bank [October 2018], World Bank Environmental and Social Framework [World Bank, 2018], and Environmental and Social Safeguards [The World Bank, Dar es Salaam, June 2017].

I possess 20+ years’ work experience in environment and development fields including environment and climate change management [mitigation and adaptation], disaster risk management, agriculture and rural development, local government and forestry. I possess 15+ years’ experience of coordinating and/or conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments/ developing Environmental and Social Management Plans, Resettlement Action Plans with knowledge and experience of International Environmental Law, International Environmental Standards and Procedures [IFC Performance Standards, MCC Environmental Guidelines, Equator Principles, World Bank Safeguards Policies] with certifications from World Bank and Government of Malawi.

I have 10+ years’ work experience managing donor-funded Programmes/projects [UNDP, World Bank, Norwegian Government, DFID, EU] with expertise in designing, appraising, planning, budgeting, implementing, managing, coordinating; monitoring and evaluating programmes/projects at various levels [as staff on the ground; middle line management and senior management] – with certification in Program and Project Management [MSP® Foundation Cert. in Program Management, AXELOS, UK; Project Life Cycle Management, Best Practices for Project Management Success, RIT, USA]. I have 10+ Years research/ consultancy experience, clients include Government of Malawi, UNDP, World Bank and NGOs across the country. My assignments include program/project development, baselines, evaluations, documentation of lessons and best practices etc. I have 4+ years of university teaching and mentoring experience in Environmental Impact Assessment [EIA] in the University of Malawi – Chancellor College – Postgraduate Course in Environmental Science.

I am well conversant with current development issues nationally and internationally and have authored 25 pieces of literature [book chapters, journal papers and conference papers].

Ms. T. T. Aung

Education and Gender expert with Masters in Education from the Yangon Institute of Education, Myanmar and certifications in education policy and planning, prevention of HIV/AIDS from mother to child, Lifeskills based education for behavioral development and change, and human rights, humanitarian and development interventions approach and conflict sensitivity, and 32 years’ experience with the Government of Myanmar , UNDP, UN Women and Care International. …

I have a vast experience in women development, education and leading complex programs. I have served UN Women as Program Coordinator from July 2021- July 2024, and as a National Coordinator for Women, Peace and Security program of UN Women. I served UNDP from 2010 to 2018 in various capacities, such as Program Coordinator [Public Administration], Program Analyst [Capacity Building for Civil Society Organizations]. I have served at Care International as Assistant Rural Livelihoods Program Coordinator from 2006 to 2010. I have served in the Department of Education Planning and Training, Ministry of Education, Myanmar at senior levels from 1995 to 2006. I have practical experience of teaching as Senior Assistant Teacher in the State High School, Yangon from 1986 to 1995.

For women empowerment, peace and security, my notable contributions are:

I served as a focal person for “a rapid assessment /mapping of existing status of Local NGOs and CSOs especially Women Led Organization [WLO] that support Gender Equality and empowerment for women and girls in Myanmar” to understand their challenges, immediate and long terms needs for the continuity of their operation and delivering required services to communities.
I produced monthly “media monitoring” reports which captured all issues and information through gender lens related to the current situation which was used for UN Women programing.
On behalf of UN Women team, I presented “Gender Architecture in Myanmar” in the Workshop for Female Ward and Village Tract Administrators organized by UNDP to introduce the women ward and village tract administrators across the country. As a result, it introduced the normative and institutional framework on gender equality [CEDAW, NSPAW, gender aspects of the MSDP] and the national gender architecture.
I served as a focal person for “review on the operationalization of NSPAW[1]’ which was carried out to examine the existing institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms to identify gaps and challenges that have affected NSPAW implementation for program purpose. The review also aimed to explore opportunities for strategic interventions and proposed recommendations for strengthening structures and mechanisms to ensure the effective discharge of NSPAW.
I was fully involved in “Consultation workshop for Beijing Declaration Platform for Action [BPFA] Review, Myanmar” and actively contributed “Development BPFA Review Myanmar Country Report” together with other coordinators under supervision of Gender Advisor. As a result, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement submitted the national report to UN Women for CSW64 sessions preparation.
I was involved in a Study on “Women in Public Administration in Myanmar/ Gender Equality in Public Administration”, as part of its commitment to promoting gender equality and women empowerment. This study mapped out the number and level of position of women in ministries and departments at both national and subnational level. It provided policy recommendations on ways to improve gender equality and inclusiveness in public service.

https://www.undp.org/myanmar/publications/gender-equality-public-administration-gepa-myanmar-case-study

I was involved in a perception survey conducted by Union Civil Service Board [UCSB] and UNDP to better understand the perceptions and experiences of civil service personnel about professional ethics, equal opportunities and meritocracy to focus more citizen-centric and inclusive and to meet the expectations of people in service delivery. As a result of it based on the findings and recommendations UCSB committed to strategize for better policy and regulations, civil service system, leadership scheme of civil service in future.
I provided inputs to develop “Capacity Assessment for UCSB and Central Training Institutes” in terms of their practices in training needs and matching the needs with the Governance on democratic principles”. As a result, UNDP conveyed its policy message in alignment with national priorities as civil service reforms to strengthen Capacity Development of UCSB and Central Training Institutes

[1] ‘National Strategic Plan on the Advancement of Women [NSPAW]

Ms. Anke Weisheit

I have Masters degree in Agriculture and certification in agro-business marketing and management and have over 20 years of experience in private sector development, business planning, mentoring and advisory services, and project and program management. I co-founded the Pharm-Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine Centre [PHARMBIOTRAC] / Mbarara University of Science and Technology [MUST], Mbarara, Uganda, and lead the innovation incubator and business development section of the centre, which aim to commercialize and conserve traditional medicine and medicinal species, and to foster capacity building, research collaboration, and community engagement…

My goal is to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in natural medicine and biopharmaceuticals, and to create value-added products and services that can improve health outcomes, livelihoods, and income security for the people of Africa and beyond. I have been involved in start-up grant management, institution building, agro/natural product value addition, value chain development, and community-academia linkages and cooperation. I have also co-authored several publications and reports on the use, conservation, and domestication of medicinal plants, and received multiple awards for my contributions to the sector.

Throughout my career, I have successfully led various large-scale projects focusing on agribusiness development, small and medium enterprise [SME] support, and capacity building. My expertise is in developing agribusiness innovation incubation centres, designing business skills training programs, and facilitating market access for agricultural products. I have worked with organizations such as the World Agroforestry Centre [ICRAF], United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], European Commission, and the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services [AFAAS].

In 2018, I drafted a report on multi-stakeholder partnerships to finance and improve food security and nutrition in the framework of the 2030 Agenda which was discussed in the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security, Rome. In 2017, I drafted another report for UNDP Uganda on adopting the Songhaï Model for Integrated Natural Resources Management, Livelihoods Improvement and Green Job Creation in Uganda, and conducted livelihoods-focused Rapid Needs Assessment and Programme Development Report for Bidibidi and Mungula II Refugee Settlements in West Nile, Uganda.

I am fluent in both German and English and has the ability to integrate traditional knowledge with modern agricultural practices, driving sustainable development and economic empowerment in rural communities. I have extensively travelled across the globe to undertake consulting assignments or present my work. The countries visited include: Belgium, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Rep. Congo [Braz.], Ghana, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia & Zimbabwe.

In 2023, I was recognized as Finalist, Lifetime Achievement Award 2023, by the Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum [AWIEF], Kigali, Rwanda; and in 2003 I won The CGIAR – Innovation Marketplace: “Best Innovative Partnership Program”, AWARD by Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research [CGIAR], Nairobi, Kenya.

Dr. Muhamed Habban Awale

I am a Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock expert with MSc degree in Rural Development and Pastoral Economics and Advanced Diploma in Animal Sciences, and possess 21 years of experience in research, teaching and consultancies. I served as a research and development specialist engaging in agricultural research, and training, facilitation, project design, and project management in Amoud University, faculty of Agriculture and Environment. My field work includes short- and long-term assignments throughout Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibuti and Sudan. I have taught various courses on Animal Science, Agricultural Sciences, Climate change and Environmental Protection….

As a Sustainable Agriculture expert, I participated and managed several research activities in Amoud University including, Effect of climate change on Somaliland pastoralists, Forest ecosystem services for rural livelihoods of Libaxlay and Debis forests research, Honey and fodder value chain analysis of Togdheer, Sool and Sanaag regions of Somaliland; Vetiver grass for soil and water conservation research project in Amoud University, Organic waste management through composting project at Amoud University, Somtex and Sorghum seed purification project with at Amoud University.

I served USAID/PEG [ Partnership for Economic Growth] Agriculture sub-Activity as Amoud Project Manager, my duties included testing different vegetable crops varieties and establishment of horticulture demonstration plots, trials, seed sourcing, soil analysis, field and market days arrangements, managed agribusiness extension service, and established windmill and solar demonstrations.

I studied the livestock production value chain and other related activities such as fodder production and conservation practices. Currently I am managing various multi-country research projects, with multiple partners in Somaliland and Ethiopia, using quantitative, qualitative and participatory methodologies. In these projects I am involved in developing the research design and data collection instruments and tools; training of research teams; collecting and analyzing data using quantitative and qualitative software analyses packages; writing papers and policy briefs; and carrying out dissemination of agricultural technologies and policy influencing events with a range of stakeholders.

I have worked with ILO JPLG Gabilay program as leading consultant on agriculture production program mainly agriculture technology transfer, and with SOHA as Consultant training on good agriculture production practices and contingency planning for GABILAY farmers on good agriculture production practices.

I am a founding Member of SUNARPA [Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Peace in Pastoralist Areas in Africa]; member of German African Joint Research Group, an inter-African interdisciplinary research team with – members of 7 universities, private research bodies and IGAD [Inter-governmental Authority on Development

Dr. Rosemirta Birungi

Rosemirta is a Management Scientist with specialty in Value Chain Development, focusing on Agricultural Value Chain investments, Commercialization, and Market Access Innovations with Climate Change orientation at local, national and international levels. Rosemirta has completed her PhD, and holds a Masters in Development Administration and Management, Bachelor of Management Science [strategic management and international business], Diploma in Business Administration, and about 40 short Professional Development Course [PDC] Certificates in various aspects of Developmental Business Management, Research, Trade, and Development in Agriculture, Livestock, Water, Gender, Climate Change, and Information Communication. Including specialized training on Quantum Project Management [QPM] approach for FAO’s OPIM [Operational Partner Implementation Modality] in Climate Financing [GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund & TCPs] I am working with UN agencies on DRIP projects in Food & Agriculture value chains to facilitate competitive farmer production and VC access to markets for value-added food products from Farmer Field Business Networks that are working on 19 Agricultural Priority Commodities of Uganda’s Food system.…..

I have 22 years of work experience with international/global, regional [ECA], national and community level projects-including short-term engagements in value chain development. I have developed a strong passion for implementation of research and development transformative interventions for cocoa value chain development through the upgradation of value chains in the Uganda Cattle Corridor. I am a certified development facilitator in the areas of Value Chain Development, Export Marketing, Climate Change Adaptation, and Strategic implementation management. I am an International Facilitator for UNDP Capacity Building Network [CapNet] and Nile IWRMNet; and have the fellowships of Africa Women in Agricultural Research and Development [AWARD],Feed the Future Borlaug for Africa Women in Agro-food processing, Germany DAAD Fellowship-hosted by International Livestock Institute and Leipzig University-Germany, Feed The Future Fellowship on Integrating Gender in Nutrition Education and Agricultural Extension Services [INGENEAS]-hosted by Illinois University-USA.
I have extensively travelled for research, consultancy and training and have work experience in Eastern Africa Countries [Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan]; Southern Africa Countries [Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa]; Latin America countries [Argentina, Colombia, and Panama], EU countries [The Netherlands, Italy, Germany, France, and Switzerland], and United States of America.
I have served the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO] Value Chain Specialist under Climate Change Programme and provided GCF Readiness support.
My notable achievements include; 1-Tools and Instruments development for attracting investment in Commodity Value Chains; 2-Assessments and Mapping of Food and Agriculture Commodity Value Chains for “One District One Commodity Initiative” in 19 districts of Uganda Cattle Corridor; 3- FAO TCP development to support Critical selected commodity value chains [Cocoa, Maize, & Soyabean]; 4-Blended Financing for Capitalization of VCD commercialization [Cassava, Grains, Restoration Tree-based products]; and 5-Mobilization of financing for value chain development and climate change interventions [support to applications for Global Environment Facility, Global Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund for investment financing].
I am a certified Development Facilitator in the areas of Climate Change Adaptation, and Strategic Business management Export Marketing, as well a Modular Trainer with Wageningen University of Research and Development [Business Unit 2012-2024] and MWE Water Resources Institute; Trainer in Business Development Services/International Trade Center [Switzerland, Geneva]; Facilitator for Market access of SMEs, and Trainer in Business planning for SMEs [CBI Netherlands]; and Business analysis in HACCAP [Hazard and Critical Control, USDA/USA]. In addition to being an International Facilitator for UNDP Capacity Building Network [CapNet] and Nile IWRMNet, I am a Junior Agricultural Connector with the EU-based Consortium of Specialist working on Digital Business Connection across Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

Mr. Atem de Kuek

I have just completed his MPhil degree in African Studies from the University of Cambridge, UK. I have also an MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies from London School of Economics and Political Science, UK. I am a professional with over 10 years of experience working in international organizations/UN, non-profit organizations and the philanthropic sector, with a proven track-record in program design and implementation, and ability to develop and implement a communication strategy alongside community and workplace colleagues. I have excellent interpersonal skills and a curiosity that is eager to find and implement creative solutions to complex issues. My areas of interest are social research; monitoring, evaluation and learning [MEL]; project design and management; Social and behaviour change [SBC]; communications; gender analysis; youth engagement in fragile and hard-to-reach populations and low-income counties; health emergencies, rehabilitation, disability and child marriage.

I am accustomed to working in a challenging and fast-paced environment, particularly when dealing with multiple projects and priorities at the same time….

I have served UNICEF South Sudan as SBC Specialist in 2022-2023 and designed and applied user-experience/HCD strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccination uptake from 28 percent to 67 percent of eligible population across the country. I have led evidence generation through a time-series community rapid assessments [CRAs]; KAP surveys, focus group discussions, and social listening through 10 radio stations; and 21 radio listening groups. I served UNICEF as Social Research Consultant from 2019-2021 and conducted four KAP surveys and major community rapid assessments on child marriage; girls’ education; Ebola, Cholera, and Hepatitis B outbreaks, and COVID-19.

I have worked with Breakthrough Actions as SBC Specialist from 2021-2023 and produced three policy briefs that were applied by 10 local NGOs and adopted by the South Sudan Government which redesigned its public departments’ Standard Operating Procedures for improved performance. I have also reviewed seven national and sub-regional frameworks, plans, and strategies for family planning, reproductive health maternal and newborn child health; nutrition, and WASH; and redesigned gender synchronized approaches to support these thematic areas.

I have organized +15 community conversation conferences that brought nearly 5000 community members for a USAID funded project aimed to identify, discuss, and resolve the root causes of conflicts leading to relative peace in three states. He provided training to build the capacity and oversaw quality control and quality assurance systems for this consultancy firm.

I conducted a major final Evaluation of the Peace and Resilience Project; for Saferworld, covering Aweil West and East counties in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, Juba in Central Equatoria State and Wau in Western Bahr El Ghazal State – July 2021.

I have worked with Plan International [2011-2014] and Right to Play International [2007-2008] as Communication Manager and developed right-based communication strategy and advance the advocacy campaigns.

I have completed the following evaluation and related studies:

Final Evaluation of the Peace and Resilience Project; courtesy of Saferworld, covering Aweil West and East counties in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, Juba in Central Equatoria State and Wau in Western Bahr El Ghazal State – July 2021.
Midterm Review of the Addressing Root Causes Project [ARC], CARE International/HDC – March –May 2019 [N=576].
End of Project Evaluation for CSP project, Saferworld [in partnership with CMC, an international consulting firm based in Brussels] – March 2019.
GIZ South Sudan, Juba: Stakeholders Analysis on the Rural Governance project in 5 states [Jonglei, Upper Nile, Warrap, Northern Bahr el Gahzal, and Central Equatoria]; August-Sept 2021.
Researched and contributed to “Integrated peace and conflict analysis [IPCA] context and human rights analysis for GIZ. His contributions acted as a baseline to inform design and programming for two projects: Rural Governance in South Sudan and Pro-poor water supply in Gumbo [both with a project budget of 7.000.000 EUR] – August 1-31, 2019.
Developed Program Capacity Development and Country Strategic Plan [2018-2021] for CINA – December 2018-Feb 2019.
Developed Strategic Plan Development for CYONI, a local youth-led organization.
Conducted Country Review of Africa Integrity Indicators 2019-2021, for Global Integrity.

Dr. Jupiter Shikunzi Simbeye

I hold a PhD from University College Dublin in Ireland, two masters’ degrees [Biostatistics and Applied Statistics] from Hasselt University in Belgium and also a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Malawi. I serve as Lecturer and Head in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chancellor College. I am also President of Statistical Association of Malawi, External Moderator for the University of Namibia, Department of Statistical Methods and Techniques in the Faculty of Science, Institutional Lead for the DELTAS-S2ACABT project, Chancellor College…..

I teach Masters in Biostatistics to students in Generalized Linear Models, practical statistics as well as supervise research. My current research interests are in Complex Survey Designs and Analysis, Generalized Linear Models, Spatial Data Analysis with Public Health applications including HIV & AIDS. I have also experience in design of studies, supervising large surveys, statistical training and analysis of different types of data, having been attached or provided consultancy services for several institutions including National Statistical Offices [NSO], ICF Macro –DHS Fellows program and Service Provision Assessments [SPA], Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries [MCCCI], Reserve Bank of Malawi and Mapping Malaria Risk in Africa [MARA] Project among others.

Peer Reviewed Publications / Conference papers

Namangale, J,J., Simbeye, J,S., Meke, E.,and Chimombo, J. [2010]. Primary and secondary school teachers’ HIV/AIDS information needs, sources and its diffusion into Malawian society, International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 48:3 pp 94-96.

Kazembe, L, N., Chirwa, T,F., Simbeye, J,S. and Namangale, J,J [2008]. Application of Bayesian approach in modelling risk of malaria – related mortality in hospitals. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 8:6.

Simbeye, J.S., Walsh, P.P., Masanjala, W.H. and Mariuzzo, F. [2011]: Self-Assessment of Health in Rural Malawi Women: A Dynamic Probit Model. Poster presentation at the Young Statisticians’ Meeting, August 19 -21, 2011, Trinity College Dublin, Satellite event of the 58th International Statistical Institute [ISI] World Congress, 21 –26 August, 2011

Simbeye, J.S., Walsh, P.P., Masanjala, W.H. and Mariuzzo, F. [2011]: Self-Assessment of Health in Rural Malawi Women: What Really Matters. Presented at the 12th Biennial Sub-Sahara African Network [SUSAN] of the International Biometric Society [IBS] conference in Botswana, 27thJune – 1st July, 2011

Present Research Projects

Nsomba N’chuma Project: Improved processing and marketing of healthy fish products in inland fisheries in Malawi. A collaboration of Malawi Government’s Department of Fisheries, World Fish and Chancellor College. Working as Research Statistician. Date: 11/2014 to 05/2017. Value CAD 1.4 million. Funded by IDRC through the Cultivate Africa for the Future [CultiAF] programme.

I have expérience in leading surveys with 1000+ households or individuals, which include panel surveys, repeated cross-sectional surveys as well as once-off cross-sectional ones. Below are examples of surveys that involved 1000+ households:

Impact Evaluation of Water Supply Projects Implemented under the MFERP and MRDRRP from 2015 – 2021 for the Ministry of Water and Sanitation’s Malawi Drought Recovery and Resilience Project – P161392 funded by the World Bank.
Integration of an infant and young child feeding [IYCF] toolkit as part of the social and behaviour change package to improve the quantity and quality of young children’s diets
Assessing the resilience of the fish value chain to the COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi.
Endline Survey for IFAD funded project “Strengthening capacity of local actors on nutrition-sensitive agri-food value chains in Zambia and Malawi”.

I have over 15 years of experience in impact evaluations at the end of projects ; and I am well versed in Stata, SPSS, R [RStudio], including Microsoft Office applications besides CSPro [CSEntry] and Kobocollect for data capture.

Mr. Niaz Muhammad

I hold Masters degree and have more than 15 years of experience in working with Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and INGOs in managing long term community development, emergency, recovery and development programs. I have an excellent experience in program designing/development, project management, monitoring and management of projects/programs of WASH integrated with Food Security and Livelihood, Nutrition, Health, skill development, community participation, governance, community-based Disaster Risk Reduction resilience and formation and management of Community-based Organizations. I have good experience of project implementation, and I managed successful integrated proposals funded by USAID, AusAID, UNICEF, ECHO and BMZ, Global FUND, Government of Japan[MOFA] etc.

I am a Humanitarian worker with experience in strategic planning, policy development, budget management & monitoring, coordination, information management, planning and implementation of large-scale different Programmes like WASH, DRR, Health, Nutrition and FSL.

I have extensive WASH intervention experience from grass root level to national level in complex emergencies such as Floods 2007 to 2016, Earthquake 2005, 2008, 2013 and 2015, Cyclone Yemyin 2007, IDPs response 2009 to 2016.

I have hands on experience of implementation of three Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets[LLINs] Mass Distribution Campaigns 2019,2022 and 2023 with lead role including the successful campaign implementation in the country and coordination with all stakeholders at national, provincial and district levels.

I have the honor to lead the implementation of “First Integrated Recovery Programme 2010-2013” initiatives in Pakistan by PRCS/IFRC after 2010 Pakistan Super Floods, including Health, Shelter, WatSan, Livelihood, Beneficiaries Communication and Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction interventions and construction of 2000 one room units with community participation, repairing and installation of hundreds of hand pumps and cash grant disbursement for seed, and fertilizer.

Currently I am serving as a Senior Programme Manager in Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation [MERF] in consultation with Directorate of Malaria Control [DoMC] and The Indus Hospital[TIH] with the funding support of Global Fund. During 2021-2021, I served as Program Manager, Tsunami & Earthquake Project, Islamabad Pakistan, with Pakistan Red Crescent Society [PRCS] and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies [IFRC]. I have also served with Save the Children, Solidarities International.

I have vast experience of conducting, supervising and management of mobile data collections by using ODK, INFLOW [locally developed software] and RED ROSE android-based applications.

Ms. Meena Iqbal

I am an experienced Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the development sector, and hospital and health care industry. I hold MPhil degree in Public Health and Community Nutrition from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and MSc in Food and Nutrition from University of Karachi. I possess 14 years of research in health and nutrition.

I am skilled in Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Family Planning, Health Promotion, Management, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics. I am trained in IPC Malnutrition Analysis by FAO, Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transition Survey by Action Against Hunger Canada; Semi-Quantitative Evaluation of Access and Coverage [SQUEAC] Survey by Action Against Hunger, UK, and Simplified Lot Quality Assurance Sampling Evaluation of Access and Coverage [SLEAC] Survey by Action Against Hunger, UK. I am a Registered Dietitian with Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetics Society… Read more

Throughout my career, I have successfully led numerous high-impact initiatives, including the UNICEF-funded 2022 Flood Relief Program for Health and Nutrition, which reached 500,000 individuals in Khairpur and Dadu districts. As the Project Coordinator for the EU-funded Program for Improved Nutrition in Sindh, I implemented national guidelines for the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition, treating 38,000 severely malnourished children and establishing multiple outpatient treatment sites and nutrition stabilization centres. My leadership in conducting SMART, SLEAC, and SQUEAC surveys has been pivotal in generating actionable data to inform policy and intervention strategies.

I have served the Rural Support Program Network as Project Coordinator for the EU funded Program for Improved Nutrition in Sindh; Pathfinder International as Assistant Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation, Action Against Hunger International as Research and Learning Manager, Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition; Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology as Project Consultant and Manager, Obesity and Diabetes Prevention Program; the Indus Hospital as Assistant Manager, Diabetes Management Program; and National Foods Limited, Executive Research and Development.

Peered Reviewed Papers

Iqbal M, Banik P, Saleh F, Ali L, Baka K, Fawwad A, Hakeem R, Basit A Macronutrient intake and association with the risk factors of diabetic complications among people with type 2 diabetes | Cited as: Meena Iqbal Farooqi, et al., Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2020.10.011

Iqbal M, Haque MM, Chowdhury S. Association of Perceived Stress with Diabetes Self-management Practices [DSMP] Among Diabetic Females Living in Islamic Bank Medical College Journal 2015; Vol 3: 23-27.

Ms. Selam Ayalew

I am a development worker with 15 years of practical working experience in different organizations with various thematic focuses. I hold MBA degree from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. I have managed and coordinated projects with many organizations including but not limited to TechnoServe, BBC Media Action, UNICEF, Electoral reform Services International [ERIS] and IREX. I am a motivated, bright and ambitious person, who is passionate about projects that make a difference – be it at an individual or system level. …

I am currently serving as Managing Director and senior consultant at Insights Consults PLC, where I lead strategic operations and specialize in qualitative research. I excel in conducting and managing interviews and focus group discussions, analyzing research data, and identifying trends, and opportunities to inform user-centered design. My expertise includes supporting human-centered design approaches and producing actionable insights for diverse stakeholders.

In my recent work on a COVID-19 vaccine promotion campaign among youth, I led a diagnostic study that informed the design of two distinct campaigns addressing the knowledge gap and intent to get vaccinated. I supervised the entire process from research to prototyping, facilitated co-creation workshops, and ensured that the final products are aligned with user needs.

I have extensive experience working with young entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises [SMEs]. I served as the local team leader for the final evaluation of Digital Opportunities Trust’s Entrepreneurship and Business Growth project in Ethiopia, conducting interviews with interns, entrepreneurs, women business owners, and business development center users. I have working experience in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia.

I excel in producing comprehensive research summaries and reports for teams and stakeholders. Her leadership spans high-impact projects for clients such as Enveritas, UNICEF, IFC, and Christian Aid, covering a range of sectors including SMEs, digital finance, agriculture, climate resilience, health, and social protection.

My thematic interest is small and medium enterprises, digital finance, agriculture, climate resilience, health, social protection and monitoring and evaluation. Glimpses of my recent works are as follows:

SRD/Christian Aid [2021], conducted country evaluation [Ethiopia] for the project ““Breaking the Barrier: Promoting Women Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Energy Value Chains through Innovative Approaches”. This assignment involved extensive quantitative survey in Malawi, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Honduras.
TechnoServe Inc Ethiopia [November 2014 –October 2015]: Managed and coordinated Monitoring and Evaluation activities across grain value chains, including project design, system implementation, and oversight of impact assessments. Led M&E efforts for multiple value chain projects including WFP’s Purchase for progress [ P4P] program at TechnoServe Ethiopia, focusing on wheat, maize, and barley, and contributed to the Malt Barley Contract Farming project.
IFC, 2019-2021: Supported and facilitated aggregation of over three million borrowers’ information from 6 MFIs in the effort to digitize the Credit Reference Bureau of National Bank of Ethiopia, Client; IFC.
Future Horizons, 2023: Country researcher Mid-Term Review of the Development Fund’s Climate Resilient Rural Livelihoods Programme in Ethiopia, Somaliland, and Puntland.
Christian Aid, 2022: Country lead consultant engaged by Sultana Research and development , Endline evaluation of Breaking the barriers: Promoting women entrepreneurship in sustainable energy value chains through innovative approaches.
Arifu, 2021-2022: Managed baseline and an endline survey of poultry agents in Ethiopia.
BBC Media Action, 2024: Lead researcher for the Endline evaluation of the EU project on Increasing Conflict Sensitivity and Inclusion in Media Coverage in Ethiopia.
Genesis Analytics, 2019: Supported Mid Term review of FAWE Master card Scholars Program.
Genesis Analytics, 2021: Team leader in the data collection and cleaning of MSME and DFS landscape assessment in Ethiopia, Client: Genesis Analytics.
KPMG Norway, 2021-2022: Local team member for Mid-term Review of “The Government’s action plan on sustainable food systems in the context of Norwegian foreign- and development policy”.
KPMG Norway, 2023: In country researcher to manage fieldwork and conduct in-person key-informant qualitative interviews with beneficiaries of NCA project as part of the Norwegian Church Aid Global Programme Framework Review in Debreberhan area.
KPMG Norway, 2023:Local researcher for managing the overall planning and organizing of fieldwork and data collection of Plan international Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Rural research in Ethiopia.

Ms. Rakshana Balendran

I completed my education in Sri Lanka, and serve SRD as Program Assistant, in addition to providing support services for the Advisory Board. I am responsible for designing and oversight of the online data collection for various projects, coordination with the project teams and clients.

In addition, I ensure that the organization complies with its constitution and all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, as well as the code of ethics and rules established by the Board of Directors, and Program Advisory Board as per the ISO 9001:2015 standards. I provide the board as a whole and directors individually with detailed guidance as to how their responsibilities should be properly discharged in the best interests of the organization; developing the agenda of the board and board committee meetings, if any, in consultation with the Chairperson and the Chief Executive Officer; circulate agendas and any supporting papers in good time; ensuring the presentation of high-quality information to the board and its committees; checking that a quorum is present at meetings; taking minutes of board meetings and circulating the draft minutes to all members; ensuring that meetings and resolutions of the board are properly held and passed in accordance with the company’s constitution; ensuring that the procedure for the appointment of directors is properly carried out; and communicate with shareholders, as appropriate, to ensure that due regard is paid to their interests; and act as a primary point of contact for all shareholders and proxy voting/corporate governance advisers.

SRD Associates

Country	Name	Expertise
Sudan	Mr. Ali Hamid Osman	Environment and Natural Resources
Malawi	Mr. Sangwani Max Chavula	Food and Nutrition Security
Costa Rica	Mr. Effrain Jose Leguia Hidalgo	Environment and Socio-Economics
Peru	Mr. Abel Demetrio Meza López	Sustainable Agriculture and Monitoring and Evaluation
Nicaragua	Mr. Rogelio Antonio Villarreal Acuña	Sustainable Agriculture Systems
Malawi	Mr. John Mussa	Climate Smart Agriculture and Land Management
Malawi	Dr. Patson Nalivata	Agronomist
Malawi	Mr. Mathews Madola	Agribusiness and Value Chains Development
Malawi	Ms. Catherine Mthinda	Gender/Agriculture Extension
Malawi	Mr. Stanley Shumba Nyrienda	Institutional Development
Liberia	O Thephilus P Baah	Sustainable Agriculture
Pakistan	Mr. Sahib Haq	Evaluation Specialist/Economist
Pakistan	Dr. Shujaat Farooq	Economist/Statistician
Pakistan	Ms. Shahida Arif	DRM/Humanitarian Aid Specialist
Malawi	Mr. Mkondo Moyo	GIS/Remote Sensing
Mali	Moussa Sacko	Humanitarian Action
Pakistan	Dr. Usman Mustaf	Social Scientist/Economist
Malawi	Mr. Joseph Basika	Finance and Accounts
Pakistan	Ms. Hamida Bano	Gender and Community Development
Myanmar	Mr. Khin Maung Lwin	Evaluation Expert
Sri Lanka	Ms. Rakshana Balendran	Online Survey Specialist
Pakistan	Mr. Umar Habib	Standards and Organizational Policy Assurance
Pakistan	Mr. Nazakat Ali	Audit and Accounts
Pakistan	Ms. Abida Munir	Gender and Development
Pakistan	Ms. Majida Sultana	DRM and Humanitarian Emergencies
Azerbaijan	Mr. Elbay Gulilev	Community Development
Bangladesh	Maksud-ul-Hassan	Monitoring and Evaluation
Bangladesh	Shuburna Choudhry	Social Scientist/Monitoring and Evaluation
Rwanda	Philbert Nsengiyumva	Climate Change/ Natural Resource Management
Senegal	Diedhiou Mamadou	Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist
Malawi	Stern M. Kita	Disaster Risk Management
Ghana	Baba Kankani Gariba	Sustainable and Integrated Rural Development/M&E
Indonesia	Dr. [Cand.] Ir. Siti Maimunah	Natural Resource Management