Salman Akhtar Email & Phone Number

Pakistan

Islamabad

Through the Pakistan National Cash Transfer Program (PNCTP), DFID has been providing support to Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) since 2012 over an 8-year period. Up to £279 million has been provided for the two flagship interventions of BISP; the existing unconditional cash transfers (UCT) for the poor and the education conditional cash transfer (CCT) for primary school children.DFID has engaged OPM to conduct a Third-party Beneficiary Feedback, Operational Review and Monitoring (B-FORM) of the BISP intervention. The purpose is to enhance operational effectiveness and accessibility, strengthen the systems, and improve beneficiary accountability. As Component Lead for Operational review of CCT, the key tasks are:• Reviewing documents relating to CCT component including manuals prepared by BISP and Implementing partners;• Designing detailed approach and design of CCT Operational Review from Inception phase to 2020; • Developing tools, guidelines and questionnaires for data collection according to milestones given in the Workplan; • Preparing reports related to the CCT Operational Review as well as providing other related write ups to the Team Leader as and when required; • Closely working with Component 2 (Beneficiary Feedback) and Component 3 (Spot Checks) during survey designs including development of tools in order provide input for data requirements of CCT Operational Review; • Reviewing training manuals to ensure proper coverage of CCT relevant indicators; • Conducting field visits of BISP tehsil offices, schools, enrolment camps and Implementing Partner Firms (IPFs) for learning from on ground implementation and collecting vital information; and• Attending feedback meetings with BISP and DFID for identifying course of correction, sharing of experiences, and lessons learnt for improving operational effectiveness of the program.

Islamabad

The Emergency Recovery Project for Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDP-ERP) funded by the World Bank aims to support the early recovery of TDP families affected by the militancy crises and promote child health. The operational review services for the FATA TDP-ERP are intended to provide regular and timely feedback to the Program’s management, recommend immediate improvements where necessary, assist in improving the design and implementation mechanisms on the basis of lessons learnt, assess whether the implementing agencies and partners are following the manuals, and evaluate the performance of the Program.The detailed tasks as Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Specialist are:• Conducting detailed reviews and synthesis of project documents including appraisal documents, operations manual, payment and grievance redress guidelines, implementation arrangements, agency agreements, and progress reports; • Design and implementation of a robust M&E framework and survey plan based on three different approaches, i.e., spot checks, process evaluation, and beneficiary feedback;• Identification of key evaluation indicators and development of survey tools using both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies;• Orientation and training of the field staff on the developed tools and reporting system;• Providing direct technical guidance and supervision to the field teams for smooth implementation of all data collection methodologies;• Taking lead in planning for data tabulation process and facilitating the data analysis team in conducting data cleaning and analysis;• Compilation of results and preparation of presentations for the World Bank, Economic Affairs Division and NADRA on periodic basis; and• Preparation and submission of inception, progress, and evaluation reports to the ERP stakeholders according to the agreed schedule of deliverables in the ToR.

Islamabad

The Government of Pakistan (GoP), in May, 2014, allocated PKR 3.5 billion for Prime Minister Interest Free Loan (PMIL) Scheme to support productive micro enterprise activities for the poor in rural and urban areas of the country. The Mid Term Evaluation is envisaged to assess PMFIL Scheme’s performance related to its objectives and outcomes as well as in terms of its contribution towards poverty alleviation. As the lead Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for the assignment, responsibilities include:• Development of proposed research design and evaluation framework for the Mid Term Evaluation after consultations with the PPAF M&E and PMIFL Ops team;• Review and assessment of all relevant information such as PMIFL operations manual, loan application forms, technical and social appraisals, PSC indicators, and beneficiary data;• Leading the team in design and pre-testing of data collection tools for quantitative and qualitative surveys comprising beneficiary interview, in-depth interview with PO staff, in-depth interview with CIs representatives, and focus group with beneficiaries;• Training of field supervisors, researchers and enumerators on the research design and data collection instruments for the assignment;• Development of sampling plans and performance management plans for field work and provision of technical guidance to the field staff during the surveys;• Key inputs in articulating data tabulation plan and overseeing the data analysis team in conducting data cleaning and analysis;• Lead role in synthesizes of major findings, identification of key issues, and formulations of recommendations based on national and international best practices; • Sharing of results with Client's M&E team and preparation of final Mid Term Evaluation Report after incorporation of comments.

Islamabad

Pakistan’s National Cash Transfer Program (NCTP) also known as the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) provides direct support to poor and vulnerable families to increase their income and to help with their daily needs. DFID is supporting the NCTP with an investment of £300 million.The Spot Checks and Beneficiary Feedback (SCBF) contract was intended to determine progress on targeting, enrolment, payment mechanism and grievance redress. The SCBF employed multiple quantitative, qualitative and participatory monitoring exercises such as household surveys, community dialogues, focus group discussions and spot checks of payment sites/offices for providing better assessment of the program performance and enhancing accountability.As Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Officer for SCBF, the responsibilities were:• Development of participatory M&E tools, application of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and implementation of M&E plans;• Ensuring preparation and submission of clear and concise project documentation such as quarterly progress reports and weekly updates;• Monitoring of field activities by tracking performance management plans and reviewing field performance reports/field diaries;• Administering and coordinating the Knowledge Management process including effective use of MIS and Android based PC tablets;• Providing support to Field Managers, Provincial Managers and field staff in carrying out the field surveys and spot checks;• Taking lead in planning for and conducting reviews, trainings and mid-term evaluations;• Working in close collaboration with DFID, BISP and other stakeholders to identify and resolve problems and incorporating their comments in the technical deliverables.As a part of this assignment, conducted a comprehensive literature review of the beneficiary feedback mechanisms employed in the major international cash transfer programs.

Islamabad

During this course of time, worked as Research Analyst with MMP on a number of rehabilitation projects and performed following tasks:• Assisted the environmental team for Guddu Barrage Rehabilitation Project by conducting analysis of traffic count survey on the barrage;• Collection and analysis of information about Riverine Forests and Wetlands;• Analysis and evaluation of data related to Flora and Funa in Guddu and Sukkur;• Research and analysis of climatic data related to Sukkur and surrounding areas of the barrage;• Contributed in preparation of a draft Environmental Management Plan (EMP);• Compiling and preparation of the Initial Environmental Examination report; and• Compiling of data and evaluation of results for preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

Pakistan

The project was aimed at disbursement of Conditional Cash Transfers to 57,500 rural households for rehabilitation of livelihoods and reconstruction of their housing units destroyed by the 2005 earthquake in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project was designated as Phase II of Islamic Development Bank’s (IDB’s) Earthquake Assistance Program with an allocated budget of US $127 million. Based on the performance of team in Phase I, the team was selected on “sole source basis” for the Phase II. As Project Officer (Monitoring & Evaluation), the detailed tasks included:• Design and implementation of a specialized M&E framework, survey tools and performance indicators for carrying out the compliance monitoring surveys;• Regular tracking and updating of the performance management plan to ensure smooth and timely achievement of project deadlines and milestones;• Preparation and submission of the Project Inception Reports, regular Bi-monthly Progress Reports, the final Project Completion Reports and all other deliverables required by the IDB;• Organizing and conducting orientation and on-job-trainings of the concerned staff for the successful implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems;• Counterchecking the efficiency and performance of field staff and resolving all major issues beyond their capacity by conducting regular field visits;• Ensuring provision of necessary resources to the field & satellite offices and further to all the field staff;• Maintaining records of all matters pertaining to the project, exercising control over expenditures, and wetting of financial reports / statements;• Liaison with the IDB, ERRA and all key stakeholder; and• Ensuring QES implementation and maintenance of company policies on the project.Upon completion of both the projects, was involved with the IDB Review Missions in conducting the project completion reviews including impact assessments and lessons learnt.

Pakistan

The project involved disbursement of Conditional Cash Transfers to 30,860 rural households for rehabilitation of livelihoods and reconstruction of their housing units destroyed by the 2005 earthquake in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. With an allocation of US$ 80 million, the project was designated as Phase I of the overall Earthquake Assistance Program sponsored by Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The Cast Transfers were channeled through the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) mandated by GoP as the central planning and coordinating agency for the rehabilitation process.MMP was contracted by IDB to carry out compliance monitoring for the replenishment of funds based on duly certified statements, ensue timely completion of the project targets and provide knowledge management including preparation of database of compliance verified beneficiaries.Working as Data Analyst with MMP, was responsible for:• Planning, design and implementation of monitoring tools, field work plans and performance indicators for carrying out the compliance monitoring surveys;• Design, development and administration of a specialized MIS for data collection, managing all surveyed / non-surveyed data and performing statistical analysis;• Preparation and submission of the Project Inception Report, regular Bi-monthly Progress Reports, the final Project Completion Report and all other deliverables required by the Client;• Exercising control over the field staff by conducting regular field visits and rendering guidance to them.• Ensuring QES implementation and maintenance of company policies on the subject; and• Liaison with the IDB, ERRA and all related agencies.

Islamabad

Carried out needs assessment for the development of a comprehensive Management Information System for AAB (Pvt.) Limited. After the requirement analysis process, was responsible for design, development, and implementation of a web-based MIS for the organization including the following modules: user feedback, newsletter subscription, current information on projects (completed and ongoing), current Staff information (temporary and permanent), a complete online Human Resource Management System (HRMS) and an online Control Panel for administration of all the dynamic modules of the system along. A WAP site was also developed for accessibility through mobile interfaces. Complete system documentation including user manuals and guides were prepared for future references and training of requisite staff.During the course of employment with AAB, was responsible for data analysis, information management and regular administration of the system.

Master’S Degree, Development Economics And International Cooperation, 88.1%

Bachelor'S Degree, Information Technology Project Management, 78.5%

Associate'S Degree, Computer Science, 3.4