INEE Member Spotlight: Ahmad Hussain

Location: Islamabad, Pakistan 

Title: Program Development Advisor, Asia 

Contact: [email protected] 

Introduce yourself to other members. Tell us who you are and summarize the work you do or interest you have in EiE.

I am Ahmad Hussain. I am a seasoned program development adviser with over 18 years of experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating development programs across the Asia region. 

I have a proven track record of leading complex development initiatives and providing strategic guidance to governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international development agencies. 

Throughout my career, I worked on a range of development issues, including education, health, governance, and economic growth. This provided me with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by developing countries and enabled me to develop innovative solutions to address these challenges. 

One of my notable achievements was spearheading the design and implementation of a successful education program in Pakistan. Through this initiative, we were able to improve access to quality education for over 200,000 children in underserved communities. 

I have a master’s in Environmental Sciences from University of Peshawar, Pakistan. 

What has been a highlight of your work as a professional in EiE? 

During my career, I made significant contributions to the education sector in Pakistan, particularly in promoting equitable access to education for girls and boys. In 2011, with the support of the International Rescue Committee, I attended a ToT on INEE Minimum Standards in Doha, Qatar.  This training proved instrumental in shaping my program design skills, particularly in designing education programs. After my return from the training, I actively shared my learnings with my colleagues in the office, ensuring that the principles and guidelines of the INEE Minimum Standards were incorporated into our ongoing education projects. We thoroughly reviewed the project plans and ensured that all activities should be according to the INEE Minimum Standards. I also advocated with the Department of Education and successfully incorporated learnings in the project plans. The revised plan was appreciated by communities and the education department. 

When and why did you join INEE, and what is the value of INEE membership to you? 

I joined INEE back in 2007-08 because of my interest in education. During the earthquake response in Pakistan and while working on education projects with different organizations, the INEE standards helped me to design and implement activities that should be accessible to all. The learning opportunities provided by INEE not only improved my performance and skills, but helped me to ensure compliance with the Minimum Standards while designing and implementing education related projects in Pakistan.

How do you currently engage with the INEE network? 

I am receiving EiE updates and news through the INEE newsletters, and participating in events organized by INEE and partners. As INEE organizes virtual events and Meet-Ups from time to time, therefore, I am connected through these events not only with members but also receive knowledge and information. I have previously been a member of an INEE Working Group.

How would you like INEE members to connect and engage with you? What skills, experience and/or technical support would you be willing to share or provide to other members and/or INEE Secretariat? 

I have expertise in the education sector in Pakistan and have developed strong skills in project designing and implementation. As a result, I am well equipped to provide technical assistance to INEE members seeking support in specific areas, such as data analysis or project management or connecting with stakeholders for education related activities in Pakistan. If INEE members require any assistance, please feel free to reach out to me via email.

Anything else you want to share with members? 

I have a deep understanding of the education sector in Pakistan, specifically girls' education, and can share my learnings with colleagues. 

* Published on July 2023