Raza Muhammad Email & Phone Number

Project lead for the European Union Delegation, "Third-party monitoring of EU projects in Pakistan"

Islamabad, Islāmābād, Pakistan

To undertake 14 evaluations of 12 EU-funded projects across Pakistan covering 13 thematic areas over a period of 45 months (2023–2027). These include: 1. Sindh UC and Community Economic Strengthening Support Programme (SUCCESS) – Ex Post Evaluation2. Aid to Uprooted People (AUP) – Final Evaluation3. Rule of Law Support to Pakistan – Mid Term Evaluation4. Rule of Law Support to Pakistan – Final Evaluation 5. Balochistan Education Support (BES) II – Mid Term Evaluation6. Balochistan Education Support (BES) II – Final Evaluation 7. Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Programme – Mid Term Evaluation8. Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Programme – Final Evaluation9. Balochistan Rural Development and Community Empowerment Programme (BRACE) – Final Evaluation10. International Labour and Environmental Standards (ILES) – Final Evaluation11. Support to Parliamentary Reforms in Pakistan – Final Evaluation 12. Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) – Mid Term Evaluation13. Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) – Mid Term Evaluation14. Sindh Development through Enhanced Education Programme (DEEP) – Final Evaluation

Pakistan

• Led a team of experts and research associates to conduct a policy study on the socio-economic and youth development priorities as reflected in the strategic development action plans of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The study is aimed at providing a policy framework document for the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to adjust its public investment strategy and plans for an accelerated development programme focused on youth development and economic advantages of each newly merged districts (NMDs) of its tribal districts also knows as ex-federally administered tribal areas (FATA).

Islāmābād, Pakistan

Research on issues of inclusion, gender and rights within peace-building, state building and transition processes. Have been involved in research studies on public governance structures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the newly merged districts regarding inclusion, alternative dispute resolution, gender development and women empowerment.

Pakistan

As Key Expert Human Rights Pakistan, conducting evaluation and formulation meetings with key stakeholders: Ministry of Human Rights Pakistan, Provincial Directorates of Human Rights, National and Provincial Human Rights Institutions (NCSW, PCSW, NCHR, NCRC etc.) and other private entities and civil society groups to evaluate the key results of the Huqooq-e-Pakistan (Promotion of Human Rights in Pakistan Project) sponsored by the EU to increase Pakistan's capacities for reporting on core human rights treaties, to which Pakistan is a signatory, in the GSP+ framework and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to UN treaty bodies.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Assessment of post-merger reforms processes of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with specific focus on the required assistance in the areas of laws and policy frameworks, local government institutions and development planning.

Islamabad, Pakistan

Strategic Assessment of KP Local Government Act, 2019. (November 2019 – Jan 2020). Conducted a strategic assessment of the amended KP Local Government Act, 2019 for the Oxford Policy Management (OPM), Pakistan. The assessment was aimed at understanding the anticipated changes in the existing local governance structures including its impact on the rules of business, planning, budgeting and accounting rules, and monitoring and supervision of Tehsil/VCNC governments and the devolved offices.

- Provided expert technical advice on FATA reforms including implementation roadmaps, and monitoring & supervision frameworks in the wake of merger of the erstwhile FATA in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa- Expertly designed and implemented a Monitoring & Supervision framework to track progress of the AIP development funds placed at the disposal of various line departments in the Merged Areas, along with trail of releases and effective utilization.- Significantly contributed to the amendment of the local government legislation in view of the integration of the Merged Areas in the KP.- Formulated and publicized policy briefs, products knowledge, and stock-takes progress and covered decentralized planning, monitoring and supervision rules in the province to create policy and decision-making processes at political and administrative level.

Islāmābād, Pakistan

Strategic Review of “Enabled environment for right-based, inclusive development and improved governance in Swat and Shangla Districts in Pakistan. (August – September 2019). Conducted a mid-term review and situation analysis for Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Pakistan to understand the changed context in view of the amended Local Government Act, 2019 and its attendant rules and policy-framework to adjust the project outputs accordingly.

- Conducted stock-take and institutional analysis of the local government department with regard to development planning, monitoring and supervision rules to identify process optimization for efficient utilization of the devolved resources at the local government level.- Expertly designed and implemented an institutional mechanism to monitor and supervise 30% development funds placed at the disposal of various tiers of local governments in the province, along with trail of releases and effective utilization.- Developing a time bound and cost-effective monitoring and supervision framework for capacity building of officials at all three tiers of local governments to efficiently manage development function as assigned to them under LG A 2013, in coordination with the Local Government, Election and Rural Development Department and its attached departments.- Formulated and publicized policy briefs, products knowledge, and stock-takes progress and covered decentralized planning rule in the province to create policy and decision-making processes at political and administrative level.

- Deftly handled Intellectual Property, Industrial Relations & Employment Law, Arbitration, Family Law, Judicial Review.- Successfully advised corporate clients on core legal , corporate and ancillary issues, including drafting and vetting of all types of contracts for all departments especially HR/admin, sales, marketing, customer services, technical, finance, trademarks, copyrights, and patents, including dealing with regularity affairs- Represented corporate and individual clients in multiple cases at trial and appellate litigation in lower and high courts of Pakistan- Assessed relevant legislation, regulatory and institutional environment affecting various sectors including local governance, agriculture, health and education and developed land acquisition and resettlement plan in light of the existing legislation in Pakistan.- Provided legal and advisory services to national and international public & private businesses in drafting various rules, regulations, policies for efficient management and implementation of their business in the legal framework of Pakistan.

Islāmābād, Pakistan

- Led the EIDHR Support Measures-2013 project in close consultation with Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy - Developed concept notes of all actions of EIDHR project committed by PODA with EU focal person for EIDHR Support Measures-2013 - Prepared narrative and quarterly reports of all actions- Coordinated with state and non-state actors and organized seminars and workshops on human rights situation in Pakistan with specific focus on GSP+ status by EU for Pakistan- Prepared final report of the consultations at Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi to reach out to human rights organizations from the four provinces of Pakistan, FATA, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and to gather their thoughts and opinions on the shape of the calls for proposals by the EU in support of human rights work in Pakistan under the EIDHR

Islāmābād, Pakistan

Analysis of the Peshawar High Court's Judgment regarding FATA Jurisdiction:The research and analysis was aimed at understanding the jurisdiction of the High Courts vis-a-vis the erstwhile FATA and the employees working therein, specifically the enforcement of Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The research and analysis was published as a review paper.

Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Study on Marriage Registration Practices in Peshawar District of Khyber PakhtunkhwaThe study was a house to house survey in selected Village/Neighbourhood Councils of Peshawar district covering urban and rural segments of population. The study/survey comprised of desk reviews and field work. Data was collected through questionnaires and focused group discussions with key informants and compiled and analyzed for final reporting to the Provincial Commission on the Status of Women Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

- Provided first-rate assistance to national and international consultants to design strategies for carrying out baseline surveys, institutional analysis, and human capacity development measures.- As senior technical advisor, significantly contributed to the design, strategy, planning, monitoring and implementation of the Regional Fund Malakand Project and Support to Development Planning Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.- Skilfully designed project concepts, including monitoring and supervision mechanisms, quality management, evaluation, internal and external communication and documentation, as well as preparation and moderation of planning exercises.- Improved decision-making processes for strategic planning and management of the project activities , and highlighted important local perspectives for project interventions. Formulated job descriptions and terms of reference of short- term international and national experts, and examine third parties in carrying out assignments.- Forged excellent working relationships with key departments/line ministries of Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, identified capacity gaps and expedited capacity development of project target groups, institutions, and processes.- Spearheaded the gender analysis for the regional fund Malakand project as well as “A Socio-cultural and PoliticalStudy of Malakand Division” and described socio-cultural parameters for the guidance of international aid workers.- Established contacts with the divisional and district level government authorities and helped appraisal missions to evaluate the existing conditions at the government and community level in Swat-Malakand region.

- Interacted with Malakand rehabilitation project's principal partner, the Provincial Reconstruction and Rehabilitation / Disaster Management Authority of KPK province, Project Management Unit (PMU) and Project Management Cell (PFC) in Malakand Division to streamline project planning and implementation.- Represented as the focal point for GIZ Country Office on communications strategies for the Malakand Rehabilitation Project and aided Principal Advisor in producing the project’s “Implementation Agreement” with PaRRSA/PDMA.Established project’s office in a volatile region , as well as contacts and communication with communities , civil society, and government institutions and promoted the formulation of the project’s Results Chain.- Identified relevant partner institutions and structures for the implementation of the project and created successful relationships at different tiers of government – provincial, divisional, district and sub-district- Helped international consultant in formulating strategy workshop and stakeholder analysis exercises, as well as leading a baseline survey in Swat-Malakand region to achieve project goals.

- Enrolled and registered bylaws, rules, regulations, and policies for various operations of the Foundation in human resource and procurement body for approval by the relevant government authorities.- Abstracted, developed, and applied a cultural promotion and preservation project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in partnership with Hunerkada – an Islamabad-based private art school.- Planned and instigated the first phase of a youth development program for the male and female youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and produced an “Endowment Fund” for the organization to confirm sustainability of operation.- Established a public-private partnership with the education department of the KPK government and professional development academy for teachers in imparting quality education. - Mobilized communities , philanthropists ,international donors , generated funds and established 14 schools in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA, imparting quality education to thousands of marginalized students.

Master Of Laws - Llm, International Human Rights Law, Distinction.

Bachelor Of Laws - Llb, Law, B

Bachelor Of Laws - Llb, Law

Master'S Degree

Bachelor Of Science - Bs