Senior Manager D C
Resume:
Ismail Safi, MBA, LLM
+1-202-***-**** • ***********@*****.*** • Washington, D.C.
Dedicated and results-driven senior manager with 15 years of exceptional experience leading and managing complex projects and programs with USAID, The World Bank and International Nonprofits in International Development and humanitarian sectors.
Skilled in program management, team leadership, grant management, and donor relations, with a track record of success in stable and unstable regions.
Strong problem-solving abilities in high-pressure situations, coupled with the capacity to lead and mentor large teams.
Proven as a resilient leader with adept problem-solving abilities in high-stress environments and a track record of effectively managing programs in volatile regions.
Track record of empowering team members and developing tailored capacity-building plans for team members to grow, flourish, and lead.
Experience managing programs and projects of up to $250 Million in 36 countries around the globe in international development, and humanitarian sector, including refugee support, WASH, Education, Health, Food Security and livelihood, Microfinance, Women empowerment, Climate Change and Emergency Response
Experience managing institutional, corporate, and foundation funding and awarding grants to nonprofit humanitarian organizations in the US and 36 countries in Asia, MENA, Africa, Latin America, and the Balkans.
Adept at utilizing various computer systems and software, including Salesforce, Fondant, Click Up, Lattice, Zendesk, NetSuite, and Okta.
Fluent in English, Pashto, Dari, Arabic and Urdu
Zemitek- USAID - Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA)
Washington, D.C
Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (Grants/ Cooperative Agreements)
Dec 2024- Present
Directed the review of grant and cooperative agreement applications submitted by implementing partners to USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, ensuring compliance with 2CFR200 regulations and USAID policies
Islamic Relief USA
Alexandria, VA
Interim Director of Programs
Assistant Director of International Programs
International Programs Manager
US Grants Coordinator
May 2023 – Jan 2024
Jan 2021 – April 2023
Feb 2017 – Jan 2021
May 2016 – Feb 2017
Led multiple program units, including United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), Program Quality, Disaster Response, Grants, Direct Services, and international projects spanning 34 countries across the Asia, USA, Africa, MENA, and the Balkans. Managed initiatives in both sustainable development and humanitarian response, encompassing areas such as civil society empowerment, emergency response, women's empowerment, poverty reduction, food security, WASH, and healthcare for refugees and host communities.
Collaborated closely with stakeholders to establish clear program targets, timelines, and reporting standards, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Proficiently managed and approved travel budgets, deployments, and expenses, ensuring strict adherence to annual budget guidelines.
Delivered life-saving support to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees in various locations, showcasing a commitment to humanitarian aid and crisis intervention.
Led the start-up of the US Refugees Placement Program funded by the Department of State. Key responsibilities included the development of proposals and budgets, staff onboarding, supervision, and training, as well as the establishment and training of new affiliate sites. Coordinated closely with PRM to facilitate the arrival, placement, and comprehensive support for refugees, ensuring their successful integration into local communities.
Developed and implemented streamlined processes, policies, and procedures to enhance program delivery, with a particular focus on grants management, business development, and child protection.
Provided leadership and guidance to the programs team throughout program design, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases, ensuring the successful execution of initiatives.
Established a strategic direction for the programs focusing on sustainable development and emergency response in consultation with key stakeholders, aligning with SDGs 1, 2, 4, 6, and 13.
Fostered global partnerships, onboarding new partners for emergency response and sustainable development.
Expanded business opportunities, nurtured donor relationships, and supported proposal development.
Managed grant and contract negotiations with a focus on policy adherence by partners.
Coordinated with internal stakeholders to ensure technical, legal, financial, and administrative compliance in grants management.
Ensured timely acknowledgment and processing of all grant applications, maintaining efficiency in the grant management process.
Developed comprehensive Grant Agreements and Statements of Work (SOWs), offering constructive feedback to grantees on their proposals.
Established program targets, timelines, and standards, maintaining accessible reporting and documentation for effective project monitoring.
Conducted field visits to monitor projects and provided feedback to implementing partners.
Ensured compliance with organizational policies and US sanction laws among all stakeholders.
Proficiently managed and approved travel budgets, deployments, and expenses, ensuring strict adherence to annual budget guidelines.
Mentored and supervised staff, enabling their professional growth within the field of international development.
AECOM
US Agency for International Development Stabilization Program
Kabul, Afghanistan
Senior Program Manager
Program Analyst
Sep 2013 – June 2015
Mar 2012 – Sep 2013
Managed program efforts in the most unstable region (twenty-nine districts in six provinces) in Afghanistan for USAID funded Stabilization and Governance Program.
Prepared annual work plans, budgets, targets, and priorities for the project and ensured the project's success through effective monitoring.
Supervised and monitored the work of professional staff to ensure the achievement of program goals.
Oversaw the recruitment, and onboarding of new staff and consultants.
Negotiated the award of grants and contracts to vendors, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and implementing partners.
Led the program portfolio and provided briefings to senior management on achievements and challenges of the program.
Conducted a comprehensive analysis of the overall progress of the project and compiled a detailed report highlighting project achievements.
Led the identification of areas of tensions between local communities and government officials and designed programs around solutions to ensure stability in the region, avoid conflict and to prevent nonstate actors from exploiting the situations.
Led the compilation of data from the districts and developed district and provincial profiles including data on influential figures, oppositions, tribal composition, demographic information and statistics. These profiles helped us successfully navigate the implementation of the project and achieving results.
Effectively coordinated with various stakeholders including community leaders, religious scholars, youth, CDCs, DDAs, district governors, Provincial Governors’ offices and Directorates to achieve annual/ project targets.
Led development and implementation of communications plans and strategies in close coordination with district and provincial entities such as Community Development Councils (CDCs), District Development Assemblies (DDAs), and relevant provincial directorates.
Developed job descriptions and TORs; Recruited, supervised, and mentored staff and consultants to build a cohesive team.
Oversaw development of curriculums and trained CSOs, CBOs, and district and provincial entities on advocacy, fundraising, coalition building, negotiation strategy and lobbying, event management, and internal and external communications.
Analyzed communication and technology options to determine preferences for effective project implementation.
Led the development of district and provincial profiles.
Oversaw the assessment of intra-governmental and government -to- citizen communication abilities of Provincial Governments and District entities.
Spearheaded the communication and outreach team, overseeing the assessment of the impact of the USAID funded Stability In Key Areas (SIKA) project's award to local organizations.
Conducted a thorough evaluation of the existence of two-way communication channels between the government and communities involved in the project.
Designed and executed advocates' summits across all targeted districts to enhance project visibility and engagement.
Utilized surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews to measure the impact of projects implemented by both government and non-government entities partnering with the project.
Developed and designed questionnaires and surveys for research purposes, ensuring a strategic approach to data collection
Facilitated engaging focus group discussions as part of the research methodology, fostering insightful and qualitative data acquisition.
Conducted baseline surveys and developed analysis reports.
Prepared weekly, monthly and quarterly reports of the communication unit
The World Bank
Kabul, Afghanistan
Project Officer
Mar 2011 – Mar 2012
Drafted project documents, contracts, and agreements for the Project Management Office (PMO) and monthly, quarterly, and annual reports showcasing progression.
Spearheaded the development of annual work plans, budgets, risk management, and stakeholder engagement plans.
Supported Project Management Specialist on staff recruitment, scheduling and conducting interviews, and drafting job descriptions.
Supported finance specialist in the reconciliation of financial statements though the provision of up to date and accurate data.
Served as liaison and coordinated day-to-day activities with other departments of the Ministry of Communication and I.T.
Supported the finance team in the development of annual budget for the department and reconciliation of the accounts.
Acted as a finance specialist and reconciled accounts for the project in the absence of the financial specialist.
Designed templates for invoices, timesheets, and monthly reports.
Translated project documents, contracts, and evaluation reports.
Trained new staff on essential procurement, human resources, and administrative tasks.
Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment Company Limited (ZTE)
Kabul, Afghanistan
Legal Advisor
Mar 2010 – Mar 2011
Managed, trained, and coached staff from various departments (including sales and commercial) on negotiations of the terms of the agreements.
Coordinated with the HR department to align all the company policies as per the labor law.
Negotiated agreements with vendors and implementing partners.
Prepared briefs, complaints, motions, and other court documents.
Drafted and edited complex commercial agreements.
Led the development of annual operational plans, budgets, targets, and deliverables.
Coordinated efforts with internal stakeholders to ensure the organization's best interest and ensured the company complied with applicable laws and regulations.
Represented the Company in court for all legal matters.
Provided Management with legal advice on business issues and company strategies.
Oversaw the work of external counsel.
Al Sayed Limited
Islamabad, Pakistan
Operations Manager
Sep 2005- Mar 2010
Managed company's operations, including marketing, staff management, coordination with other international and national companies, warehouses, and stock management, delivering and receiving the equipment on time, managing inventory and sales, and expanding the company's operation to other regions.
Liaised with companies and introduced the latest technology and new medical equipment.
Liaised with advertising companies to prepare leaflets and posters for promotional purposes.
Worked collaboratively with sales representatives to implement a product familiarization program.
Researched new and established markets, forecasted changes in the market environment sought, and developed areas of business opportunities.
Education
Master of International Service, Specialization in International Development (2017)
American University
Washington, D.C.
Master of Human Rights Law (LLM) (2013)
Islamabad, Pakistan
International Islamic University
Bachelor of Law (LLB) (2010)
International Islamic University
Islamabad, Pakistan
Certification
Strategic Leadership (2023)
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Project Management for Development Professionals (PMD Pro) (2018)
Humentum
Washington, D.C.
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