Professional Experience:
Professional Experience as a Humanitarian and Development Worker-
With over 17 years of experience in the humanitarian and development sector, I have dedicated my career to supporting vulnerable communities affected by crises and advancing sustainable development initiatives. My work spans various roles and contexts, allowing me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized populations.
I began my career with Caritas India, where I took on the role of Field officer. My responsibilities included conducting needs assessments, developing project work plans, and implementing interventions in Earthquake-affected areas zones of Kutch district in Gujarat. Through direct engagement with local communities, I developed a nuanced understanding of their needs, priorities, and resilience strategies. I facilitated participatory workshops that empowered community members to voice their concerns and actively contribute to the formulation of solutions, ensuring that our interventions were culturally sensitive and context-specific.
One of my notable projects involved , e.g., Tsunami Response at Andaman & Nicobar Islands. I coordinated a multi-sectoral response, mobilizing resources and leading a team of implementing partners and their staff members. This experience honed my skills in project management and teamwork while also exposing me to the importance of rapid response and adaptability under pressure. We provided essential services such as food distribution, healthcare, and shelter to thousands of displaced individuals. The success of this initiative reinforced the significance of collaboration with local authorities, NGOs, and international agencies to maximize impact.
My commitment to continuous learning led me to pursue further specialization in specific skill, e.g., Child Protection and social cohesion. I underwent on and off job trainings and courses, both online and in-person, which deepened my understanding of cross-cutting issues and equipped me to advocate for inclusive approaches. Integrating gender considerations into our programs became a priority for me, resulting in enhanced outcomes for women and marginalized groups within our projects.
In my role with Unicef-Gujarat and Catholic Relief Services, I transitioned into a strategic position as State Consultant and Sr. Project Officer, where I focused on program design, partner management, development of capacity building material and monitoring & evaluation (M&E). I managed achieving strategic workplans that allowed us to track project outcomes and scale up the impact. My analytical skills and attention to detailing provided actionable insights, ensuring accountability and compliance to donors requirements.
Collaboration with diverse stakeholders has been a hallmark of my approach. I have worked alongside UN agencies, local governments, international partners, and community-based organizations to foster synergy and strengthen networks. I facilitated workshops for Govt District officials and local NGO teams enhancing their skills on child protection, Relief Response, monitoring, project management and advocacy.
Throughout my career, I have believed that lasting change requires understanding the systemic issues that perpetuate inequality and vulnerability. My experiences have reinforced my dedication to building resilient communities, promoting social justice, and addressing the root causes of humanitarian crises.
As I look ahead, I am eager to leverage my experience in Overall project management and coordination and contribute to innovative approaches in humanitarian response and sustainable development. I remain passionate about fostering collaboration and empowering communities to build pathways towards equity and self-reliance.