Shakeeb Othman
Sanaa, Yemen
Summary
Results-oriented, dynamic and resourceful team leader with over 20 years of experience, including 14 years serving in senior management and technical capacities with key donors and INGOs on humanitarian, development and technical assistance programs. Successful track record of coordinating and managing 4 large-scale USAID programs in Yemen. Constantly rewarded and appreciated for dedication, diligence, and outstanding performance. Passionate about learning and motivated to work in a dynamic and multi-dimensional environment with a multi-cultural and interdisciplinary team. Holds a degree of Master's in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (2021-2022).
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
2
2
Languages
Work History
Head of Programs
Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)
03.2023 - Current
- Setting strategic plans for QRCS's programs in Turkey
- Raising recommendations for Programs' budget and monitoring financial performance compared to allocated budgets
- For business continuity, determining operational needs of human, financial and other resources and following up with other departments to provide resources in timely manner
- Suggesting and implementing plans for intervention and response to disasters, and rehabilitating affected and threatened communities, according to capabilities available and according to work mechanisms approved by QRCS
- Monitoring implementation and evaluation of humanitarian response projects
- Producing periodic and final projects follow-up reports, and recommending what is necessary to maximize project results, goals and objectives, and to benefit from them in similar projects
- Contributing to development of work strategy of QRCS country office and its work plans, following up on its performance and taking necessary measures to correct course and address deviations from established plan when necessary
- Cooperating with internal and external auditors assigned by QRCS in auditing country office and projects and programs it implements
- Coordinating with local authorities to ensure legal status of country office and following policies, operations and procedures regulating this at QRCS
- Overseeing development of professional and specialized capabilities of relief teams in accordance with QRCS's disaster response mechanisms
- For purposes of public communication, providing information and media materials on implemented programs and projects
- Monitoring implementation of programs' policies and procedures and ensuring that programs' staff comply with established systems and procedures
- Sharing ideas and suggestions to improve and simplify operations, and thus improve overall performance of program department
- Evaluating employee performance and providing on-the-job training and constructive feedback to subordinates to support their professional development.
Master Degree Student
Kalu Institute for Humanitarian Studies – Spain
03.2021 - 06.2022
- Completed master degree program in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid
- Conducted research study on advancing localization of humanitarian action in Yemen
- Earned HPass Humanitarian Aid Master badge.
Deputy Chief of Party
Global Communities (GC)
10.2018 - 04.2019
- Provided overall leadership and strategic vision to the design and implementation of the program and directly managed program technical team including components' managers, governorate coordinators, technical officers and local partners
- Actively supported in establishing program structure and setting program strategy, approach and phases, securing offices and procuring logistical items, forming teams, developing operating procedures, looking for appropriate skills, recruiting and training staff
- Liaised in finalizing agreements and memorandums of understanding with government counterparts and oversaw administration of local partners' sub-awards
- Technically supported program team and local partners in demonstrating improved performance and mutual respect while establishing and maintaining clear and effective communications on program activities, operational challenges, budget management, compliance, monitoring and accountability
- In close coordination with MEAL team, monitored implementation of program activities through regular reviews, site visits, field reports, community feedback and assessments
- Supported efforts to learn and adapt to security and contextual changes and contributed to development and review of regular and ad-hoc reports, learning documents and deliverables
- Through Power of Attorney and coordination with Chief of Party, represented GC and assisted in maintaining active, cooperative and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, partners and counterparts
- Periodically served as Acting Chief of Party in absence of Chief of Party.
Program Manager
Relief International (RI)
03.2016 - 09.2018
- Promoted to manage RI Yemen's Food Security, Livelihoods and Economic Opportunities program
- Successfully managed the design and oversaw implementation of WFP-supported Emergency Food Assistance program to provide assistance to 65,302 vulnerable households and IDP families widely scattered in three governorates
- Used a participatory approach to engage with community leaders to improve food security and made regular site visits to ensure target groups are adequately served
- Technically designed and supervised the food security and livelihoods needs assessments, market analysis and rapid access constrains analysis to identify gaps and vulnerabilities and explore opportunities for proper and relevant response
- Provided management and technical leadership and oversaw the work of program team comprising 350 individuals including coordinators, officers, assistants and daily workers
- Helped program team to achieve objectives through day-to-day support, monthly face to face and regular team meetings with focus on discussing progress against objectives and challenges while giving feedback and encouragement
- Developed new concept notes and program proposals on general food distribution, cash-based food assistance and livelihood programming
- Assisted in exploring sectoral expansion opportunities and collaborated in developing new program proposals on famine reduction, education, youth and economic empowerment
- Coordinated and supervised the roll-out of FSAC cluster's FRM assessment in program target areas in Aden, Sana'a and Hajjah governorate
- Prepared ad-hoc and periodic analytical reports on progress of program activities
- Represented RI in external events including sectoral and working group coordination meetings.
Head of Aden Office
Relief International (RI)
01.2017 - 01.2017
- As a Senior Management Team's member, relocated temporarily to Aden, initiated and led the establishment of RI's first operational base in the South (interim mission)
- Conducted a rapid assessment of operational situation in Aden through field visits, interviews, observation and SWOT analysis
- Communicated RI's values, activities and objectives to key stakeholders of the EFA project including local authorities, community leaders and project beneficiaries
- Led the negotiations, start-up and implementation of WFP-supported Emergency Food Assistance project in Aden targeting 36,000 vulnerable households and IDP families
- Provided supervision and technical support to project staff in management of food resources and ensured the reception, handling, storage and documentation of food commodity movements conformed with WFP and RI standards and guidelines
- Maintained effective project quality assurance through on-site monitoring, beneficiaries' feedback and complaints mechanism and communication, reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for tracking of project progress against project milestones and indicators
- Established a base and built strong relations with key partners in Aden which helped RI Yemen expanding its health and nutrition program to the South.
Project Manager
Relief International (RI)
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Directly managed the design and implementation of WFP-supported Emergency Food Assistance projects in Sana'a, Amran and Hajjah using General Food Distribution (GFD) and Commodity Voucher through Traders Network (CV-TN) modalities
- Produced timely and accurate reports to WFP, RI, FSAC cluster and other key stakeholders
- Managed food resources and commodities budgets in coordination with the Finance Team and ensured spending and expenditures were within budget and meet WFP requirements
- Developed and maintained an adequate human resource plan consistent with RI policies, WFP requirements and local laws, conducted regular reviews of staff performance and ensured proper technical and operational capacity of staff to perform efficiently and effectively
- Conducted routine visits to all project sites for purposes of monitoring and operational support
- Participated in inter-agency coordination meetings, assessments, task force teams and workshops, representing RI to local government officials, UN/INGO agencies and community in a positive and professional manner
- Developed operational monitoring tools (To Do Lists, Activity Check lists, Reporting Check List, Field Visit check list, Activity Tracker, Regular Commitments Matrix, Post Distribution monitoring form) and trained staff how to use
- Used effective communication strategies, which enhanced coordination with external partners and stakeholders, most certainly contributed to the repeated praise from WFP for RI's implementation of their Emergency Food Assistance Program in Sana'a and Hajjah.
Technical Consultant
Relief International (RI)
01.2016 - 01.2016
- Identified performance gaps and areas of weakness in management and implementation of the WFP-supported Emergency Food Assistance projects, provided feedback and suggested corrective measures for existing gaps and recommendations for improvement
- Collaborated with project team and developed a mobilization plan for the EFA project detailing its actions, spend-down, HR, procurement, MEAL and communication sub-plans
- Assisted RI Yemen's management sorting and cleaning out long-lasting issues including unsettled financial payments and pending contractual obligations with WFP.
Deputy Chief of Party
Counterpart International (CPI)
05.2014 - 06.2015
- Served as field Acting Chief of Party from Feb 2015 to the close out in Jun2015
- Oversaw and guided grants team for successful implementation 30 grants ($14,000-$24,000) to local CSOs for watchdog activities, public outreach on Yemen's transition process, youth leadership in peace and conflict mitigation, and advocacy for national dialogue
- Designed and delivered training to Presidential Office staff on decentralization and governance system reform and coordinated on supplementary training on legislative design development
- Oversaw the capacity development of 90 nascent CSOs in governance, strategic planning, financial and human resources management, gender mainstreaming and outreach
- Assisted in establishing the Yemen Independent Youth Network (YIYN) to advocate for the rights and interests of youth and foster their participation in public dialogue; mentored the founding members in developing network's charter, by-laws and other paperwork required for registration with relevant ministries
- Supported the development of and implementation of program close-out, overseeing close-out budget and disembarking of program assets, local staff and local partners.
Technical Consultant
World Bank (WB)
12.2012 - 04.2014
- Assisted in preparing grant proposal documents and devising the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation throughout a successful qualification process for US$6 million grant from the MENA Transition Fund for Yemen Accountability Enhancement Project
- Post award, facilitated coordination among key transparency and anti-corruption institutions and Yemeni Coalition Against Corruption to launch the program
- Contributed in formulating and providing technical advice to the Good Governance Working Group of the National Dialogue Conference on principles of good governance.
Transparency Technical Advisor
RTI International (RTI)
02.2011 - 10.2012
- Designed and implemented a Peer Learning and Mentoring Program to train and mobilize 250 newly-hired public staff on transparency, integrity and accountability
- Facilitated the participation of civil society and private sector organizations in developing an action plan for Government's Transitional Program for Stability and Development
- Advised in and supported the establishment of a Coordination Unit to strengthening coordination among the members of the National Integrity System
- Coordinated discussions among senior government officials on various issues focusing on transparency, government reform, decentralization and local governance.
Program Coordinator
US Agency for International development (USAID)
09.2007 - 01.2011
- Served as USAID's primary liaison with anti-corruption and oversight institutions and developed partnerships with local, regional and international organizations
- Coordinated a one-year technical assistance program to strengthen GoY's capacity in corruption investigation
- Coordinated a learning and study tour to Singapore and Malaysia for GOY senior officers and assisted in incorporating lessons learned into the Yemen National Anti-Corruption Strategy
- Coordinated a 5-month training program for 235 public procurement officers in 20 governorates on public procurement techniques and transparent bidding processes
- Coordinated training on anticorruption and public fund protection for 100 senior officials of oversight institutions and key ministries.
Deputy Director
Academy for Educational Development (AED)
10.2004 - 04.2007
- Directed program architects and subcontractors to successfully renovate 77 basic education schools in most remote and underserved rural communities
- Formulated the overall strategic direction of programming in collaboration with senior management team and provided technical leadership to the program's three branch offices on the implementation and technical monitoring and evaluation of program activities
- Contributed in developing and implementing a Liability and Risk Management Strategy
- Supported the establishment of parents' councils in program target schools and oversaw the development and implementation of their capacity building activities
- Contributed to border sector strategies within the education sector through coordination forums and government Joint Annual Reviews.
Administrative Assistant
World Bank (WB)
05.2004 - 10.2004
- Facilitated the participation of local water user associations and villagers in defining their needs and priorities for Water Supply and Sanitation Services
- Coordinated a capacity building program targeting technical staff of the General Authority of Rural Water Supply Projects in three governorates
- Assisted in developing a national strategy for rural water supply and sanitation drawing from local best practices for enhancing citizen's engagement and improving service delivery.
Education
Master degree in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid -
Kalu Institute
Spain 03.2021 - 06.2022
Master's level coursework in Anti-Corruption Studies -
IACA
Austria 10.2015 - 03.2016
B.Sc. degree in Engineering -
University of Aden,
Yaman, 16 09.1992 - 11.1997
Skills
Inclusive leadershipTeam building and mentoringQuality controlChange managementSystem thinkingRisk managementPolitical acumen
Certification
Humanitarian Aid Master badge, HPass, 2022
Honors Awards
- Team Award for Outstanding Performance, RTI, 2012
- 2011 Fiscal Year Annual Award, RTI, 2012
Studies Papers
Advancing localization of humanitarian action in Yemen, research study, 2022
Timeline
Head of Programs
Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)
03.2023 - Current
Master degree in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid -
Kalu Institute
03.2021 - 06.2022
Master Degree Student
Kalu Institute for Humanitarian Studies – Spain
03.2021 - 06.2022
Deputy Chief of Party
Global Communities (GC)
10.2018 - 04.2019
Head of Aden Office
Relief International (RI)
01.2017 - 01.2017
Program Manager
Relief International (RI)
03.2016 - 09.2018
Project Manager
Relief International (RI)
01.2016 - 01.2017
Technical Consultant
Relief International (RI)
01.2016 - 01.2016
Master's level coursework in Anti-Corruption Studies -
IACA
10.2015 - 03.2016
Deputy Chief of Party
Counterpart International (CPI)
05.2014 - 06.2015
Technical Consultant
World Bank (WB)
12.2012 - 04.2014
Transparency Technical Advisor
RTI International (RTI)
02.2011 - 10.2012
Program Coordinator
US Agency for International development (USAID)
09.2007 - 01.2011
Deputy Director
Academy for Educational Development (AED)
10.2004 - 04.2007
Administrative Assistant
World Bank (WB)
05.2004 - 10.2004
B.Sc. degree in Engineering -
University of Aden,
09.1992 - 11.1997