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Chief - Strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning Strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning
As Head of Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, I provide leadership and manage all processes to define, measure, and report on progress towards institutional, programmatic and initiative goals. To ensure maximum effectiveness of our work, I both coordinate the development and manage the operationalizing of our Strategy and Results Framework into our action plans, aligning our regional programme and initiative outcomes with strategic results and putting in place effective monitoring and evaluation strategies and plans. I lead the Centre’s efforts to define and ensure the realization of our institutional goals and objectives within specified time frames. I also create an environment for and promote a culture of results-based management within ICIMOD and our partners’ organisations and play an anchoring role in managing and coordinating all evaluations and reviews. I have put in place mechanisms for the systematic collection and analysis of data and the preparation of quarterly, mid-year and annual progress and performance reports based on well-defined impacts, outcomes and output indicators. I also manage and coordinate a centralized and systematic planning and budgeting process across the Centre and implement a measurement system to ensure implementation of approved plans and budget at all levels. I manage a dedicated team of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) professionals who provide technical support and implement our M&E strategy across the institution.
Farid Ahmad
How do you protect the pulse of the planet?
Hailing myself from an exquisitely beautiful mountain area lying within our HKH region, I have a very deep connection to and love mountain ecosystems and people. I feel that ICIMOD is the right place for me to protect the pulse of the planet, which for me also means protecting my own home and homeland. Since my monitoring and evaluation expertise is aimed towards maximizing the effectiveness of sustainable mountain development policies, programmes and strategies of ICIMOD and our partners, I believe that my contributions help maintain a healthy pulse and build the pathway towards prosperity in the HKH.
What is your favorite part of the work you do at ICIMOD?
I love ICIMOD’s use of science diplomacy to enhance regional cooperation. Since the HKH is a difficult region politically, we play a critical role in building trust among our regional member countries and science is a powerful mechanism through which that can be achieved. I also love our work in amplifying the voices of mountain people in regional and global forums.
What are you passionate about?
I am very passionate about bringing changes in organisations, making them more responsive and results-oriented.
My qualifications
With more than 19 years professional experience, I have enjoyed a rewarding career in the field of strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation. I have a depth and breadth of expertise in designing and managing strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems in complex settings for research and development programmes. These complex settings have been regional, involving multiple governments and including research, development and implementation partners.
I am a development economist by education with specialized expertise in developing and implementing institutional and portfolio level policies and strategy and results frameworks. I hold a Master’s degree in economics from the University of Peshawar, Pakistan and completed a specialized course in monitoring and evaluation from the University of East Anglia, UK. Prior to joining ICIMOD, I worked with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, Pakistan, as a monitoring and evaluation officer.
