Simin Wahdat (I am authorized to work for any employer in the US)

Phone: 202-***-****

Email: adyah2@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Experience:

International Foundation for Electoral Systems, DC

Senior Program Officer / Grants Management July 2021 to Present

Provide comprehensive technical management support to the Country Director and the field team in Pakistan for the effective implementation of grant activities.

Oversee the management, monitoring, and budgeting of three grants under different projects with a total value of $10 million, ensuring adherence to financial guidelines and donor requirements.

Offer technical support to local partners operating in the field office, assisting them in grant implementation and capacity building.

Write reports and correspondences in response to donor requests, ensuring accurate and timely submission.

Possess donor experience with USAID and the Government of Canada, demonstrating familiarity with their grant guidelines, regulations, and reporting requirements.

Contribute to the development of concept notes and proposals, providing input and assistance in crafting compelling narratives and project plans.

Manage administrative and operational processes for grants in Pakistan, ensuring smooth execution and compliance with organizational policies.

Organize and lead weekly meetings with field teams, reviewing grant deliverables, identifying challenges, and providing necessary support and guidance.

Genesis House Lorain, OH December 2017- July 2021

Legal/Victim Advocate for Victim of Domestic Violence

Stay apprised of new laws and policies within the courts that impacts victims of domestic violence

Promote key concepts of domestic violence advocacy in municipal and domestic relations courts throughout Lorain county

Communicating with all members of the judicial system before, during and after domestic violence cases regarding dynamics of domestic violence

Helping victim of domestic violence to understand their rights and the court process

Assist victim to access resources they need, including finding attorneys and financial assistance

Work toward ensuring the safety of clients as they appear in court

Tetra Tech/Gender Resources Inc. Kabul, Afghanistan March 2015 - March 2016

Gender and Diversity Program

Lead the grants implementation of the Initiative to Strengthen Local Administration (ISLA) for USAID, focusing on developing institutions with responsive gender and diversity programs at the local government level.

Manage and oversee the grants management process, including developing work plans, budgeting, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.

Lead trainings on diversity, gender awareness, and sexual harassment as part of the grants implementation strategy, promoting inclusivity and gender equality.

Develop guidelines for gender-sensitive budgeting and provincial planning, integrating gender considerations into financial decision-making processes.

Prepare budgets for the organization's grants, with a strong focus on gender inclusion and responsiveness.

Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for grant activities, ensuring transparency and accountability.

FHI-360 Kabul, Afghanistan September 2014 - March 2015

Gender and Diversity Advisor

Lead grants management and implementation of the University Support and Workforce Development Program, integrating gender inclusion and diversity into annual work plans and policies for the Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Gender.

Develop gender-sensitive policies, guidelines, and strategies for the program, ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.

Design and implement gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation tools to assess the effectiveness and impact of the program's gender inclusion initiatives.

Develop a comprehensive sexual harassment reporting mechanism, promoting a safe and respectful environment within the university setting.

Provide technical support in developing budget plans for the Ministry, aligning them with gender-responsive approaches and priorities.

Democracy International Kabul, Afghanistan October 2011 - August 2012

Program Officer

Electoral Reform System: Worked to increase women’s participation in elections

Designed and implemented guidelines for women's political participation at the elections

Organized conferences to collect recommendations for gender sensitive Electoral Reform System

Led the design and facilitation of gender mainstreaming trainings for civil society organizations

Prepared financial reports

Provided support on designing budgets

Provided administration support to the team

Office of Congresswoman Betty McCollum Legislative Fellow Washington DC January – April 2014

Coordinated Strategic briefings about Afghanistan’s political transition and Women’s political status

Led a team to develop and Open Letter to Afghan women highlighting US Congressional support for Afghan women beyond 2014, secured signatures of 31 members of Congress and media coverage by local Afghan and international news outlets

Afghan Civil Society Forum (ACSF) Kabul, Afghanistan April 2005 - June 2007

Officer for Election Outreach and Civic Education

Supervised country-wide development and implementation of election training materials

Trained more than 100 female trainers at the grassroots level

Created monitoring and evaluation tools

Developed outreach strategy

Education:

Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA 2014

MA, Peace-Building and Conflict Transformation

Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA 2011

BA International Relations

BA Women and Gender Studies

Languages:

English, Dari, Pashto and Urdu

Publications, and Feature Articles

-Speaker: United Nations Commission on Status of Women, New York, 2013 and 2014.

-Panel Speaker: World Affairs Council (after Laura Bush), Sustaining Women’s Gains, November 2013.

-Put Women’s Rights Back on the Afghan Agenda, Common Ground News; http://www.commongroundnews.org/article.php?id=28354&lan=en&sid=1&sp=0, August 2010. Reprinted in 18 international publications in USA, Asia and the Middle East.

-Open Letter to the Women of Afghanistan, http://www.scribd.com/doc/212850401/Open-Letter-to-Women-of-Afghanistan, March 2014.

-McCollum Staffer Has Personal Stake in Improving Afghan Women’s Rights, MinnPost, http://www.minnpost.com/dc-dispatches/2014/03/mccollum-staffer-has-personal-stake-improving-afghan-womens-rights, March 2014.

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