As the MERL Lead for the project, oversee monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and knowledge management process and systems under the multi-country, multi-sector AKF and USAID jointly-funded Local Impact Leader with Associate (LWA) Award in Kirghiz Republic, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Closely work with regional and country teams to coordinate and guide project M&E and overall program learning and knowledge mobilization strategies. Provide oversight, leadership, technical support, and build the capacity of local teams to manage project MERL activities. As part of an interdisciplinary team, tackle complex, human-centered and socially impactful challenges alongside other development practitioners from different backgrounds. Lead on establishing and implementing M&E systems for routine project reporting on indicators. This includes finalizing project logic models and performance measurement frameworks (PMFs),Lead the design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative studies, including baseline, mid-line, end-line and follow-up surveys, to assess the achievement of program outcomes,Identify customized, on-site training and capacity strengthening opportunities to build the local MERL teams’ capacity particularly in the areas of data analysis, interpretation, use, and reporting with the Global Learning Partner,Oversee the design and delivery of training courses on monitoring and evaluation for program staff as is commensurate with their needs and level of familiarity with these concepts,Ensure the timely submission and review of results-based reports at the country level by supporting and working closely with local MERL staff and partners, Lead and support on a systematic application of CLA approaches throughout the program to leverage the benefits of adaptive management which provides a mechanism of rapid feedback loops, course correction, and project improvement.

As Director, Mr. Baig is leading the monitoring and evaluation Unit in designing and implementing an efficient system to monitor progress and capture, analyze and share evidence-based results and lessons learned; Leading development of digital knowledge management tools such as digital manuals, ICT materials, and other knowledge products. Engaging with Educational institutions for research and development in order to enhance the skills of prospective graduates in digital data collection and management systems. Collaborating with private sector in order to create opportunities in digital economy for youth by engaging them to promote private sector agricultural companies in social media and other digital platforms. Developed and periodic updating of PATTA’s Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) to remain compliant with USAID’s monitoring and evaluation standards and requirements; Conducted results validation studies using ICT tools such as SurveyCTO and other online data collection and management tools. Trained over 600 university graduates on digital data collection mechanisms and process during the project tenure. Conducted internal and facilitated external Data Quality Assessment (DQA) to ensured compliance on USAID standards. Leading the learning component of the project with focus on USAID’s collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA) principles and guidelines. Facilitate third party evaluations, assessments, and analyses through design, implementation, and dissemination; review and contribute advisory services in the development of scopes of work (SOWs) for evaluations, assessments, and analyses; Leading the coordination activities, including convening the strategic engagement with partners and USAID. Leading the Partnership component by engaging with government, private sector and civil society organizations sharing our objectives; Conducted stakeholders’ analysis through arranging awareness workshops and stakeholder engagement meetings;

As National Participation Advisor for the 500+ million-dollar Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor project Mr. Baig had designed and implemented the stakeholders’ engagement strategy including youth engagement strategy by conducting consultative sessions with over 500 youth from different educational institutions in the province; Developed stakeholder’s assessment and analysis frameworks; Conducted stakeholder mapping and keep the track of their interest levels; Organized proactive engagement/consultative sessions with different project stakeholders; Coordinating with the key government officials and policy makers in various government departments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.As M&E Specialist for the project, he had established M&E system, developed and maintaining Project Performance Management System (PPMS); Developed and updating Project Design and Monitoring Framework (DMF); Maintained biweekly digest of project progress; Contributed in the promotion of new Bus Transit project using digital media; Regularly updated progress against the project master schedule; Collected and fed baseline values for key indicators; Prepared and reviewed Monthly and Quarterly Project Progress Reports.

As Program Lead, Aziz’s key accomplishments included, organizing stakeholder dialogues on reform agenda for the Justice sector and the Rule of Law in Pakistan by engaging Judiciary, Lawmakers, Lawyers and Civil Society Actors. Provided support to the Team of Experts on Rule of Law for development of a roadmap on Justice Sector in Pakistan. Conducted Gap Analysis of Justice Sector in Pakistan aiming to identify potential areas of intervention for the new project. Contributed in the paper written on Economics of Justice Sector in Pakistan; Coordinated with the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) and Provincial Justice Committees (PJCs) for justice sector interventions under the project.; Assisted the Team Leader and Head of Programs in identifying the areas of interventions for the new project; Supported Knowledge Management Advisor on gap assessment, data analysis and cross tabulation of the secondary data available on the Justice sector in Pakistan.

As M&E Coordinator at DAI, Mr. Baig’s accomplishments included, providing leadership to Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists and Provincial Program Officers by proactively engaging them for effective monitoring of partners activities. Developed and updating the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the project. Conducted training on M&E concepts and practices to over 150 project staff and filed teams of Partner Organizations; Developed and maintaining tools for real-time monitoring of project performance and reporting of physical progress by Partner Organizations; Maintained close coordination with external monitors on monitoring of partners activities and communication of feedback; Ensured quality during baseline-midline survey through supervision of trainings; Designed and conducted qualitative research studies for assessment of partners against their agreed deliverables; Kept the track of partners progress against their outcomes and output indicators in line with their Logframe; Analysed M&E reports and provided feedback to Partners for improvement in program delivery; Developed and maintained databases of the deliverables and progress achieved, and gave feedback to implementing partners on the data shared; Ensured the quality of data submitted by the implementing partners and verified it on monthly basis; Conducted random spot checks of activities for data verification and quality assurance; Assisted in design of quantitative data analysis methods along with multiple data sources for the triangulation of results to be reported in the annual report. Consolidated and analysed data to produced results in line with EDACE Logframe indicators. Documented and maintained project lessons learnt log and risk matrix on quarterly basis for donor reporting.

As a freelance Consultant Mr. Baig had prepared a comprehensive M&E system for the USDA project by developing theory of change and the logic model for the project.He had also developed the project management framework, Performance Measurement Plan (PMP) and tools for real-time monitoring, data collection and reporting of physical progress. Designed periodic reporting formats, risk matrix and lesson learnt log. He had further designed and conducted the baseline survey of the project.

During his association with CESSD project, Mr. Baig had supervised 3 Monitoring and Reporting Specialists (MRS) for Health, Education and Water sectors to monitor, assess, and report upon the achievement of the project targets, and on the progress made by Implementing Partners in achieving planned activities in various districts. Introduced an online monitoring and reporting mechanism for real time monitoring. Conducted baseline and results surveys on annual basis by engaging M&E team and external enumerators. Developed and submitted quarterly, biannual and annual progress reports to the high ups and donor agencies. Oversee and guide the analysis of the obstacles and problems the project is encountering in its pursuit of project results, including with respect to gender equality considerations, and made recommendations to the Program Director as to their solution. In liaison with the Provincial Sector Program Managers (PSPMs), Senior Manager Gender, and the Senior Manager Governance and Capacity Development, designed and implemented M&E systems for close, ongoing, gender-sensitive monitoring of the implementing partners’ CESSD-related activities. Managed and supervised consultants, by developing their TORs, contracts and assessing their work. With the help of sector staff and M&E team develop coherent, analytical, gender-sensitive, and well written draft project progress reports on a semi-annual and annual basis for submission to the donors. Document project successes and lessons learned, particularly in gender equality. Conduct training sessions on Results Based Monitoring and Evaluation for Gazetted government officials through Pakistan Academy of Rural Development (PARD) and for CESSD staff in the head office and field offices. Designed and supervised various surveys, studies using ODK (Android App on Tablets), and evaluate subsequent progress.

As Programme Officer, Rural Development, Mr. Baig was responsible for supervision of the rural development related programmes of AKFP averaging over $25 million annually. His overall accomplishments included, maintaining proactive, positive and professional relationships with donors and partners agencies related to the rural development projects of AKF. He led the monitoring and reporting of multi-sector grants, consolidating information from each sector coordinator and cross-referencing with the project management tools, such as Gantt Charts and Project Management Frameworks. Conducted Labour Force Survey, Youth Perception Survey, Employers’ Survey and Skill/Service Providers’ Survey of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral, using tablet computers for the first time in Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral by tracking the real time progress through GIS monitoring. Prepared Project Implementation Plans, annual work plans, narrative reports and accommodate other requests from donors, AKF donor country offices, AKF internal management, the AKDN office and Geneva in close collaboration with programme teams, under the supervision of Director Rural Development; Developed and led proposals and concept notes on innovative project idea for youth employability, youth engagement and entrepreneurship and TORs for consultants. Developed freelancing platform for Youth in six districts of Northern Pakistan which benefited over 5000 young boys and girls to work from home. Using MIS, GIS and other monitoring systems, ensured the high quality of program design, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of the impact of all projects in accordance with the compliance required of each donor.

As the Manager in-charge of small project and partners engagement, Aziz had arranged policy dialogues among various stakeholders on constitutional reforms in Gilgit Baltistan by engaging members of the Provincial Assembly and senior Politicians at the national level. Organized programs for capacity building of government officials, political leaders and public representatives at district and provincial levels, through trainings, study tours, workshops and conferences. Organized policy dialogues on issues related to climate change, engaging international researchers, local NGOs and Academia. Liaised with partner organizations for coordination and implementation of special project; Implemented various tools for the monitoring and assessment of local government and community-based development organizations at Union Council levels; Initiated and managed the first digital library of AKRSP’s experience by preserving archives of reports and other documents.

• Production of donor reports, annual/bi-annual reports, and annual work plans on time• Lead and supervise the GAD staff in conducting programme level activities• Ensure implementation of development and implementation of MIS for M&E• Production of case and impact studies • Production of funding proposals for sector specific interventions in collaboration with other sections.• Orient new staff in social and gender and development• Training of staff and community people in gender and development • Ensure gender into all programmes, projects, and policies• Provide feedback to other section using gender lens• Keep gender dis-aggregated data and use in report and studies

As Regional Manager GAD, Aziz had led the unit in executing planned activities. Produced donor reports, annual/bi-annual reports, and annual work plans on time; Produced funding proposals for sector specific interventions in collaboration with other sections; Provided training to staff and community people in gender and development; Ensured gender integration into all programmes, projects, and policies

Leading the overall project on women political empowerment, Mr. Baig’s biggest achievement was direct election of women on open seats during the elections. Further his successful advocacy led to legislation on 33% women quota in all the elected bodies in Gilgit Baltistan.

• Organize community people into village and women’s organizations• Build capacity through a continuous interaction• Motivate the local people to adopt new techniques in the agriculture and other sectors, acquire new skills• Motivate them to help each other to reduce poverty• Support communities to identify their actual needs • Supervise implemented projects in the field Key AchievementsInitiated the first skill development center in Gilgit, which led to capacities building of a number of unemployed youth in the community.Developed business alliances of skilled women in tailoring and handicrafts.

Key AchievementConducted feasibility studies on commercial viability of Apricot Kernel Oil, Gemstones and Woodcrafts in Baltistan region. On the bases of my recommendations, AKCSP/BEDAR launched two successful programmes on Woodcrafts and Apricot Kernel Oil.

Key AchievementConducted marketing researches and prepared business plans for various business units of KHDP.

AchievementsConducted a comparative study of salaries and benefits given to staff by various financial institutions and NGOs in Northern Areas.

AchievementsConducted a feasibility study on commercial viability of woodcarving business in Northern Areas