Aliza Mehfooz
Karachi, Sindh,
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Program Manager
Legal Aid Society
04.2024 - Current
- Leading the Project focused on Forced Conversion Through Marriage in Sindh and Punjab viz., "Protecting and Promoting Religious Freedom in Pakistan" funded by US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
- Drafting, reviewing and analyzing donor reports, research and baseline reports, data collection tools, agreements, and community engagement plan etc.
- Managing budgets and resources, ensuring timely delivery of projects and optimal allocation of funds.
- Managing team of 5 people by providing guidance and mentorship, encouraging growth and learning.
- Conducting thorough assessments of potential risks associated with each project stage, developing contingency plans proactively when necessary.
- Led the process of securing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the district administration, ensuring compliance and smooth project execution.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes, enhancing overall program effectiveness and results.
- Led the recruitment process for program participants, including identifying, interviewing, and hiring talent to support the successful execution of training sessions for CJS actors.
- Evaluating program performance regularly, identifying areas for improvement and adjusting strategies accordingly.
- Conceptualized and developed innovative activities for the new phase of the project, drawing on evidence-based insights and experiential knowledge to enhance program effectiveness and impact.
- Managing recruitment, contracting, and oversight of consultants and implementing partners.
- Engaging with community leaders and policymakers within the criminal justice system across Sindh and Punjab through community awareness, capacity-building sessions, and consultations.
- Providing hands-on training to the field teams on fundamental rights and child marriage laws.
- Developed a strategic logistical plan for seven training workshops and eight focused group discussions designed for criminal justice sector actors, ensuring seamless coordination and optimal resource allocation.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular meetings, clear communication, and ongoing professional development training.
- Collaborated with internal departments to streamline workflows, increasing overall organizational efficiency within the program framework.
Project Manager
Blue Veins
09.2023 - 04.2024
- Led Norwegian Church Aid's project viz., "Faith in Action on Equal Rights and Opportunities," focused on securing the rights of Religious Minorities in Chitral and Peshawar.
- Led the implementation of capacity-building initiatives and social action plans for diverse faith-based youth, civil society activists, and women, focusing on peacebuilding, social cohesion, women’s role in conflict resolution, and electoral participation.
- Managed team of two people via workplans, trackers, and regular check-ins.
- Prepared and generated activity, periodic, and annual reports to document project implementation and track progress.
- Engaging with donor, ensuring seamless reporting, compliance, and alignment with their goals.
- Spearheaded the refinement of the Kalash Marriage Bill, revising the draft from a gender-sensitive perspective to ensure inclusivity and equity.
- Led advocacy efforts with policymakers, government officials, and human rights institutions to support the passage of the Kalash Marriage Bill.
- Successfully engaged with the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to advocate for the implementation of the 2% Admission Quota for Minorities, impacting 34 universities across the province.
- Secured the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's directive to universities for the implementation of the 2% Admission Quota for Minorities, with his technical team developing an online campus management system to track the policy's execution.
- Providing hands-on training to the civil society and faith-based leaders on women's inclusion in peacebuilding and conflict.
- Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
- Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
- Developed impactful Information, Education, and Communication materials focused on combating hate speech and promoting peace.
- Facilitated four minority women in successfully completing their electoral participation forms for the general elections, navigating all electoral and administrative processes to ensure compliance and inclusion.
- Enhanced overall project success by conducting thorough post-project evaluations and incorporating lessons learned into future efforts.
Project Coordinator
Blue Veins
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Spearheaded the UN Rule of Law Program viz., “CSOs Engagement in Promoting Rule of Law, Legal Literacy, and Women's Access to Justice in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Merged Districts”, focusing on raising awareness of pro-women laws and advocating for gender-sensitive policing and support services.
- Directed the successful implementation of the project across four districts: Mardan, Khyber, Kohat, and Kurram.
- Played a pivotal role in advocacy efforts with district institutions, leading to the establishment of three Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) in Khyber district, as well as the appointment of the first female ASHO in Kurram.
- Generated comprehensive activity and periodic reports, maintaining work plans, and risk registers to ensure smooth program management and successful execution.
- Conducted a Needs Assessment for gender-responsive policing and the establishment of DRCs in Khyber district.
- Engaged extensively with stakeholders such as Police, Social Welfare Department, Dar-ul-Amans, Youth Department, Human Rights Commissions, and the District Administration to ensure the effective implementation of GBV laws.
- Identified and highlighted gaps in key GBV laws like the Protection against Harassment at Workplace Act, 2010, and advocated for their strengthening.
- Led high-level cross-provincial stakeholder engagement, including judges, prosecutors, lawyers, government officials, and civil society, to promote the replication of Anti-Rape Crisis Cells and relevant medico-legal services in KP.
- Conducted hands-on training of DRC and police staff and community on four pro-women laws viz., Protection against Harassment at Workplace Act, 2010, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Enforcement of Women's Property Rights Act 2019, The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Domestic Violence Against Women (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2021, and Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929.
- Oversaw the functionality of the UN's community-based EVAW/G (Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls) Alliance, ensuring project's sustainability.
- Engaged with donors, including representatives from UN Women and the European Union, to ensure project compliance and facilitate community interventions, such as the creation of a documentary showcasing success stories.
Education
Master of Arts - Political Science
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU)
Peshawar, KP10-2021
Skills
- Project and People Management
- Donor Reporting and Compliance
- Project Implementation
- Gender-sensitive Analysis
- Risk Management
- Research
- Policymaking
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Budgeting and Financial Oversight
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Consultant and Partner Coordination
- Business Development
Volunatry/Community Service
Volunteer, 01/2024 to Current
Minority Rights March, Karachi, Sindh
- Developed the content for the March including poems and informative/research-based posts
- Assisted with special events and programs.
- Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to others.
Volunteer/Resident Poetess, 2021 to 2022
Aurat Azadi March, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Led their poetry group, produced and managed content for their social media, performed translation, transcribing, critical analysis, evidence-based writing, and literature review on women's issues in Pakistan as well as feminist poetry.
- Took initiative in activities like preparing required lists and fundraising for charity purposes.
Accomplishments
- Conducted 14 Key Infromant Interviews (KIIs) with high-profile civil society activists and legal experts and 3 In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with survivors for research report on "Identifying Drivers of Forced Conversion Through Marraige in Pakistan," Legal Aid Society | June, 2024
- Led both secondary and primary research efforts to support the policy brief on formalization of religious conversion in Pakistan, aiming to combat forced conversions and promote legal protection, Legal Aid Society | January, 2025
- Recognized as a Gender Expert by the European Union for contributions to its KP Rule of Law interventions, providing expertise on gender-related issues and policies | December, 2023
- Moderator and Speaker for conferences and panel discussions on issues of minoirties and gender, Blue Veins | Spetember 2023 - April 2024
- Executed consultation with 27 universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the implementation of the 2% Minority Quota in Higher Education, ensuring compliance and fostering inclusivity.
- Executed a multi-stakeholder consultation involving top policymaking and bureaucratic institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to advocate for the passage of the Kalash Marriage Bill, fostering cross-sector collaboration and support.
Certificates
- Trainer, Fundamental Rights, Personal Laws of Hindus and Christians, Digital Literacy and Financial Literacy | Legal Aid Society
- Trainer, Pro-women Laws | Bue Veins
- Training on Child Protection | International Organization for Migration
Timeline
Assistant Program Manager
Legal Aid Society
04.2024 - Current
Project Manager
Blue Veins
09.2023 - 04.2024
Project Coordinator
Blue Veins
05.2023 - 08.2023
Master of Arts - Political Science
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU)
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