Abdullah Safir - Practice

June 2019 - May 2020Programme Officer – Advocacy

Led WaterAid’s core Policy and Advocacy Project in operations

Supported multiple advocacy events, high level panel discussions and round-tables throughout my tenure and coordinated with the sector actors. Built rapport with LGD, DPHE and other non state actors for strengthening networking and collaboration and contributed in a number of events organised by sector stakeholders including Unicef, WRG, Citizen's Platform for SDGs etc.
Mastered project management by contributing in policy cycle review process on annual review of influencing self-assessment of Country Programme, and successfully managed project centre by updating outputs, outcomes and result framework on a regular basis.

Worked as a focal for WaterAid’s SDG 6 and Climate Change Advocacy

Rigorously contributed in data analysis and preparing policy papers and presentations regarding SDG 6 issues and Climate Change. A WASH data analogy report was prepared after deep analysis of different relevant indicators from most updated versions of JMP, MICS and NHS. This entire analysis then helped to design and implement a national level advocacy initiative ‘SDG 6 after 4 years’ and its findings are to be reflected on the latest JMP update.
Critically studied National Policy for Water and Sanitation 1998 and contributed in developing the ToR for its revision in alignment with SDG 6.

Supported media and communication activities to strengthen advocacy agenda

Worked as a co-lead for ‘Unnayan Rekha: Season 2’, a 12 episode media campaign in collaboration with Jamuna TV engaging policy makers and national level intellectuals regarding WaterAid’s core advocacy issues. I developed concepts and provided with data management support to the team for the programme.
Also, contributed in mayoral election campaign promoting inclusive public toilets for all with leading media houses like Prothom Alo. conducted a session on ‘Realising Water and SDG 6’ at a campaign workshop led by JAAGO and Youth4SDG6, and also designed policy advocacy workshop for partner’s programme managers.

Research design and Project Development

Developed multiple concepts for research regarding waste workers, and hygiene behaviour change and designed methods for rapid assessments. Contributed in multiple project proposals development for WaterAid funded by Unilever, DFID and Unicef.

COVID-19 Response

Played crucial role as a member of Corona Response Team of WaterAid, supported emergency communication plan, co-developed multiple useful documents including a Policy brief explaining WaterAid's position in Covid-19 response. Also, provided knowledge management support for the country director's write-ups.

April 2019 – June 2019Consultant – Rohingya Research and Advocacy

Research support

Reviewed literature, provided inputs in multiple research initiatives led by Harvard, ASU etc. in collaboration with BRAC regarding different multidisciplinary issues in Rohingya camps.

Building concepts for advocacy initiatives

Contributed in conceptualization and organizing process of the event ‘Reflection on Rohingya Crisis: Since and Beyond’ which was designed to share knowledge and learning regarding Rohingya crisis and to discuss what else could be added in terms of better service delivery. It engaged high level representatives from the government, national and international NGOs and the Academia.
Also titled and contributed in conceptualization and organizing process of the practitioners’ meet ‘Framing the future: Safeguarding Rohingya Children’ which was designed to evaluate the impacts of the initiatives, scopes of improvement, expectations and aspirations for the children in Rohingya camps

Documentation and editorial support

Provided editorial support for the proceedings of the event Reflection on Rohingya Crisis: Since and Beyond’ and worked on a short documentary on the stock taking from the representatives of high level national and international officials

Click on the photo to see the short documentary on this event I provided direction and editing support to