Mandakini D. Surie Email & Phone Number

New Delhi, Dl, In

New Delhi, Delhi

International development consultant with 19 years program design, development, aid and grant management experience. Providing international organisations, foundations and CSOs with technical expertise, support and advice on strategic planning, program design, development, implementation, institutional and strategic reviews. Clients have included: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), The Asia Foundation (TAF), the International Fund for Agricultural Research (IFAD), World Built Environment Forum (WBEF) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Examples of Mandakini’s work and support to organisations include: Asia Foundation: Research Study Changing Civic Spaces in LMICs in South Asia. Co-designing a research approach and methodology, data collection tools and analysis for a study by The Asia Foundation on changing civic spaces in low- and middle-income countries in low and middle income countries in South Asia (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal). International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development: Part of an IOD Parc team that was involved in the Sixth Quinquennial Review of ICIMOD. The review covered three core areas of ICIMOD’s functioning over the period 2017 – 2021 including a strategic review of ICIMOD’s operational context, organisational effectiveness, results and impact. Asia Foundation: Study on the Multi-dimensional Impacts of Covid-19 in Cities in Asia. Mentor and research team member involved in an 8 city study across Asia looking at the impact of Covid-19 specifically on women and vulnerable group led by the Asia Foundation and Kore Global. IFAD: Stock-taking Analysis and Strategic Review of Global Donor Platform for Rural Development. Part of a three-member team that conducted a multi-year stocktaking analysis, strategic review and planning process for the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development – a network of 40 bilateral and multi-lateral development agencies.

New Delhi Area, India

Senior Program Manager responsible for managing and supporting implementation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) regional program in South Asia on integrated management of water, energy and food. Core responsibilities included managing relationships with program delivery partners in country and working with DFAT and other partners to develop and shape program implementation. In addition, supported Australia's growing engagement with India on water resources management including engagement with Ministry of Jal Shakti and other government counterparts such as the Central Water Commission. Additionally, provided research and policy inputs on key issues such as India's global engagement on climate change, DRR and other emerging areas.

New Delhi Area, India

As a Senior Program Officer with the India Country Office, I was responsible for planning, development, and management of program activities in each of the Foundation's thematic areas. Areas of focus included transboundary water governance, intra-regional trade facilitation trade, south-south cooperation, and urban accountable governance.The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation supports Asian initiatives to improve governance, law, and civil society; women's empowerment; economic reform and development; sustainable development and the environment; and international relations. Drawing on nearly 60 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research.With 18 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, DC, and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level.

Led the Accountability Initiative’s research and advocacy work on the right to information. Conducted a rigorous political economy analysis of the right to information in India for the World Bank. The study involved extensive research and in-depth interviews with government officials, civil society representatives, activists, and the media. In addition, anchored the Initiative’s communications and outreach activities including developing new social media to generate debate on governance and accountability issues. Authored a series of policy briefs on decentralisation, right to information, and governance issues in India

Provided management support for planning, implementation, and monitoring of UNDP projects with the Government of India. Managed and monitored the financial aspects of projects including developing work plans and budget plans, and assisted in budget reviews and audits.

Advocated for the right to information in Commonwealth countries with a special focus on South Asia. Liaised with parliamentarians and officials from Commonwealth nations such as India, Nigeria, Maldives, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, and Vanuatu. In India, was closely involved in advocating with parliamentarians and government officials at the policy level and civil society organisations at the grassroots to implement the Right to Information Act 2005 effectively. Authored several articles on the right to information published in leading Indian newspapers. Authored a Users' Guide on the Right to Information Act 2005 in India, translated since into several vernacular languages including Assamese, Hindi, and Kannada.

Msc, Development Studies

Ma, History

Ba (Hons), History

Activities and Societies: Dance Society, Academic Forum