Centre for Research and Development

Pritum Kumar Saha ( WaSH & M&E Expert )

Pritum Kumar Saha is a development professional with more than 08 years’ experience in monitoring & evaluation, evidence capturing & reporting, database development & management, project’s planning & implementation, networking & communication. He led many successful projects’ planning, monitoring, reporting and knowledge sharing parts. He worked directly and/or along with different ministries, municipal authorities and NGOs. He is a planning (URP) graduate with post-graduation degree in disaster & human security management.

He has been working as a consultant- Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning at SIMAVI from January 2019. There he has been responsible for development and operationalization- MEL strategy, ensuring MEL inputs in the programme, supporting Maastricht University to conduct RCT research, coordinate evaluations, PNGO’s capacity building (MEL).

In the recent past, He worked as Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer at Practical Action from August 2014 to January 2019. He has also worked at DPM Consultants as Technical Officer from April 2013 to August 2014. He also served for Community Development Centre (CODEC) from June 2011 to March 2013.

A.J.M. Shafiqul Islam ( Aquaculture Expert )

A.J.M. Shafiqul Islam has more than 16 years of involvement in implementing integrated Agricultural and off-farm intervention in Rural Livelihood and food security Program to improve livelihoods of poor and vulnerable men and women. He has also experience in open water fisheries management and bio-diversity monitoring. He is a fisheries graduate with post-graduation degree in Aquaculture and Management.

He has been working as a field coordinator at Practical Action (Zurich flood Resilience Project) from August 2018. Before that, he had worked at the GRP- project at Practical Action as Capacity Building Coordinator from February 2017 to July 2018. He had also worked at the shire project as manager operations and Coordinator-fisheries and district coordinator from May 2010 to January 2017.

He had also worked at FoShol Project & V2R project as a senior fisheries officer at Practical Action from April 2008 to April 2010. At LGED, Sunamgonj, he worked as senior Upazila Project Manager at community-based resource management project (CBRMP).

Tanzina Nazia ( Gender and Environment Specialist )

Tanzina Nazia is a gender and environment specialist, who has vast experience in research. She has a graduation and post-graduation degree in Anthropology.

She has been working as a lecturer at the Department of Anthropology at Comilla University from July 2019. She has worked at ECOFISH-Bangladesh project of WorldFish from July 2017 to June 2019. Before that, she has worked as a research assistant at the same project from March 2015 to July 2017. She had worked as a Research Officer at Gender and Social Determinants under centre for Equity and Health System of International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research from February to June 2014.

Her most recent research work is ‘Strengthening resilience of coastal fisher communities (Host communities) in Cox’s Bazar for improving livelihood ecologically and economically’, WorldFish Bangladesh in association with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from June to September 2019. She has been a team member of the project titled ‘Unaccounted Labor of Indigenous Women of Chittagong Hill Tracts’, Manusher Jonno Foundation from July to September 2014.

Nazmunnessa Mahtab ( Gender & Governance Specialist )

Nazmunnessa Mahtab is a gender and governace specialist. She is a political science graduate with public administration post-graduation. She has also done her Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Delhi and a Post-Doctoral in women in administration from George Washington University.

In the recent past, she had worked as a professor at the Department of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Dhaka from 2003 to 2013. She worked as a WID Consultant with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, GOB from January 1997 to September 2000 on the project "Strengthening the Management Capability of the Department of Women Affairs".

She worked with different donor agencies in Bangladesh namely- UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, ADB, SIDA, NORAD Netherlands, and SDC. The main work was the Appraisal/ Evaluation/ Impact Assessment of different NGOs funded by these agencies.

Magnus Mayeen Ahmed ( Communications Expert )

Magnus Mayeen Ahmed was a part of the CRD team, who has been now working as a Communication Officer at the International Centre for Climate Change & Development. He has 2.5 years of work experience in the development sector, working as a Communications professional. He has worked for esteemed organizations such as ActionAid Bangladesh and has done consultancy work for Plan International Bangladesh, Visual Communication Ltd, University Press Limited, and Bandhu Social Welfare Society.

As a Communications Consultant, he has written many technical proposals and developed numerous financial proposals based on terms of references provided by esteemed clients such as BRAC, World Vision, and Plan International. He has carried out research work on the LBT community in Bangladesh through collaboration with Bandhu Social Welfare Society. He also has experience in covering training and events such as Self-Defense Training for Women and Women in Sports.

He has ample experience on the Rohingya issue as well. He completed numerous Bangla to English translations of Rohingya micro-narratives collected from the camps and most recently, was involved in the coverage of the Rohingya International E-Conference, for which he wrote the English Press Release as well.

Md. Masum Talukder ( SME & Institutional Capacity Building Expert )

Md. Masum Talukder had 18 years of working experience in the area of research, consultancy and management training. He extended his services to the government institutions, international organizations and business chambers & associations on issues related to policy research, strategy formulation, institutional capacity building, social behavior change communication and management training. He worked as Research Expert for UNICEF, The World Bank, ADB, European Union, Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, DFID, Action Aid Bangladesh, IFC-SEDF, Swisscontact and Habitat for Humanity (HFH) and government agencies including the Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Education, BEPZA, EPB, SME Foundation, and BITAC. Apart from that, he served as industry and SME management consultant with the country’s leading trade bodies, namely FBCCI, Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners’ Association, Bangladesh Electrical Merchandise Manufacturers Association, NASCIB, International Business Forum of Bangladesh, Bangla Craft.

Md. Masum Talukder did his BBA & MBA major in Finance & Banking, MSS in Gender & Women’s’ Studies and MSS in Health Economics from the University of Dhaka.

Md Akram Hossain ( Inclusive Development Expert ( & PwD) )

Mr AKram is an energetic and proactive Physical Handicapped Person (PwD- Person with disability) with 3 years of professional experience in humanitarian and development sector. Significant span of his professional time was spent around community engagement, grassroots advocacy and capacity building of PwD. Since 2018, he had been working with Center for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) to help disability inclusion in the development activities, rehabilitation of PwD , capacity building of PwD, job placement and socioeconomic inclusion of PwD in Bangladesh.

He aspires to live in a barrier-free, inclusive society where everyone has equal rights and treatment. He believes in empowering individuals and creating an environment that is conducive to their success. He is passionate about working with the most vulnerable individuals, such as children, women, the elderly and PwD. Mr. Akram has completed his post-graduation in Islamic Studies from Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh.

Shah Riazur Rahman ( WaSH Expert )

Mr. Shah Riazur Rahman has more than 17 years experience in project management, specifically in WASH sector within different development organizations/INGOs. He worked for number of international development organizations including CARE Bangladesh, Practical Action, WaterAid, BRAC, Swiss Embassy and UNICEF and worked as an International WASH expert in Afghanistan. Previously he worked with CARE Bangladesh as a Team leader-WASH under SHOUHARDO III Program for 3.5 years. He also worked with BRAC as a Senior Manager from May 2018 to August 2019.

He has solid experience and is capable of managing projects on context specific in Urban and Rural WASH, Sanitation marketing, Faecal Sludge Management, and Solid Waste Management, pro-poor WASH and slum improvement projects, inclusive urban WASH, WATSAN facility design, SBCC campaign and WASH entrepreneurship development addressing disaster and Gender in the various development project.

He completed B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from CUET along with an MBA from University of Dhaka. He also holds PGD in Disaster Management from the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability studies, Dhaka University.

Shushil Sarkar, PhD ( Training, Curriculum Development & OD Expert )

Dr. Sushil has 19 years of progressively responsible experience with more than 10 years at a supervisory level in the management and coordination of the Learning and Organizational Development activities for 3 peacekeeping missions (UNMIS-Sudan, UNMISS-South Sudan & UNMIL-Liberia), BRAC International, UNDP and UNOPS. He has demonstrated knowledge and skills of designing, developing, delivering and evaluating of various learning and Organizational development programmes for UN organization, also, he is an excellent communicator with effective and efficient planning as well as organizing skills. He is currently employed as Head of Programme Management at Bangladesh Tax Training Institute. He previously worked as Chief Training Officer at Dept. of Peace Operations, UNESB, Uganda from July 2017 to March 2021.

He has completed his PhD in 2020 in Religion and Ethics, also, he holds post graduate Diploma in NGO Leadership and Management (PGDNLM). Moreover, he has experience in providing necessary technical inputs to the government departments/institutions and UN agencies to their design and implementation of learning processes and nationwide effective delivery.

Mohammad Nuruzzaman ( Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Expert )

Mr. Nuruzzaman has 20 years of professional experience on development projects in national/international organizations in the field of TVET/ Skills Development and Decent Employment for the youth and workers of the disadvantaged section of society, women and persons with disabilities in particular, and other underprivileged persons, such as persons with low education level, ethnic minorities, etc. He has been involved in the competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) system in Bangladesh; facilitated the development of TVET curricula on the CBTA approach–competency standards (CSs), competency-based learning materials (CBLMs), competency skills log books (CSLBs) and assessment tools (ATs). He previously worked at International Labour Organization (ILO) as a programme officer from May, 2013 to June, 2019

He completed B.Sc. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from BUET and PGD in Technical Education from IUT, Bangladesh along with an MBA from Southampton Institute, Nottingham Trent University, UK.

Ipshita Habib ( Communication and Business Development Expert )

Ms. Habib is a seasoned development professional with specialized skills in inclusive programme design, result framework and monitoring measurement plan design, stakeholder mobilization, advocacy and policy dialogue, and institutional resource mobilization for impact-driven funded projects (i.e. USAID, FCDO, Australian Aid, EU).

She is experienced in working at a regional level position in the APAC, including Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. She has been working as an Impact Programme for the Global Fashion Agenda since September 2022. She worked as a Communication Consultant for Save the Children in Bangladesh from September 2022 to November 2022 in her previous employment.

Ipshita has completed her Master’s degree in business administration from the University of Dhaka. Also has achieved Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management (PGDDM) from the same university.

Md. Mostafizur Rahman, PhD ( Education Expert )

Dr. Rahman was awarded his Doctoral degree from Jawahar Nehru University (New Delhi, India) in 2020. Prior to that he completed his MA in TESL from the English and Foreign Language University, Hyderabad, India. He published in the Journal of 'Language in India' on Language testing at the Higher Secondary Level in Bangladesh: A Case Study of Rajshahi Education Board (REB). He also published on Langlit on The Use of Folktales as Materials for The Students of Class Ix-X in Bangladesh to Enhance the Reading Skill.

Dr. Rahman is dedicated to educational research pertaining to language teaching, learning and testing. He has proven skills in using software, data analysis and data interpretation in research work. Expertise in innovative idea in a positive and to deliver the best possible service.

Dr. Johny Augustine ( International Social Policy Expert )

Dr. Augustine is a Professor of Social Work at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA. . He was awarded his Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work on the effects of individual, family, and community factors on adult resilience from University of Denver, USA.

His research interest includes social work services for individuals, families, and communities affected by a disaster. His recent research includes a study that investigated the increasing role of personal resources, family strengths, and social capital in promoting post-traumatic growth of survivors of a major disaster. Dr. Augustine has worked in a variety of clinical settings with the mentally ill, including inpatient facilities, outpatient clinics, and community mental health centers. He received St. Ambrose University CHHS grant for Voter Engagement in Quad-City Community in November 2020. He received CSWE Grant for Refugee Multimedia Portfolio Project (collaborative project between Council on Global Social issues and Commission on Global Social Work Education) in December 2018.

Dr. Aninda Nishat Moitry ( Public Health and Nutrition Expert )

Dr. Moitry is a medical doctor by training and presently teaches at the Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka. Prior, she worked as Research Trainee at International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDRR, B).

She completed MSc in Epidemiology from the School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom. She also completed MPH from BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Bangladesh. She completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) from Sir Salimullah Medical College.

Her MSc dissertation focused on analyzing secondary data from the Global acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance database, Polio Information System (POLIS). Her MPH dissertation focused on conducting primary research on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in tertiary hospitals in Bangladesh. KMC is a method of care for preterm and low-birth-weight infants, emphasizing skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding.

Her research interests include infectious disease epidemiology and global health, maternal and child Health, and nutrition health systems.

Md. Rafiqul Islam Faruki ( Value Chain Specialist )

Md. Rafiqul Islam Faruki is an agriculturalist by training. He completed M.S. in Agriculture (Crop Botany) from Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

Mr. Faruki is a development professional with more than 20 years of experience in managerial and technical roles in different international organizations. He has significant expertise in market system development, value chains development, value chain assessment, private sector engagement, food security, livelihoods, agriculture, SME, business planning also facilitated workshop, seminar and training. He is also experienced in disaster risk reduction (DRR), emergency response and women empowerment. He facilitated partnerships with local NGOs, private sector actors, and Bangladesh public sector institutions such as agriculture, fisheries and livestock departments.

He worked as a National Value Chain specialist at FAO from February 2020 to October 2021. Before that, he worked as a Project Manager at VSO Bangladesh from April 2015 to January 2020. He also worked at Chemonics International as a Sector Advisor and iDE Bangladesh as a manager.

Md. Shahadat Hossain, PhD ( National Policy Expert )

Mr. Hossain has more than 33 years of experience as a Civil Servant, he has held various administrative roles such as Joint Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Senior Assistant Secretary in multiple Ministries, Divisions, and Departments, including Public Administration, Health & Family Welfare, Textiles, Chittagong Hill Tracks Affairs, Religious Affairs, Commerce, ICT Division, National Election Commission, Directorate of Consumer Rights, and BBS.

He is currently working as a National Consultant (Management) for the "Shastho Surokkhya Karmasuchi" project under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. His responsibilities include coordinating stakeholders, organizing workshops, managing claims, training, dissemination, reporting, monitoring, and supervision.

He has an extensive educational background, including a PhD in Economics from the USA on Poverty Alleviation through Micro Credit in Bangladesh, an International Diploma in Teaching and Training from the UK, an M.Sc in Development Administration & Planning from the UK, an MBA, a Bachelor of Law (Prel.), a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons), and a Master of Commerce (Accounting) from DU.

Md. Mizanur Rahman ( Agriculturalist, & Business and Value Chain Development Expert )

By training Mr. Mizanur is agriculturist who has about 33 years of experience as a development practitioner. He has exclusively worked on livelihood, food security, value chain development, market linkages, climate change adaptation (CCA), disaster risk reduction (DRR), nutrition, rehabilitation of climate refugees and vulnerable communities of the climate induced disaster-prone area of Bangladesh. He completed MS in Environmental Science from Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

He is currently working as a Business and Value Chain Development Expert with Bangladesh Red Crescent Societies (BDRCS), from August, 2022. Prior to that he also worked with Concern Worldwide, Save the Children, Practical Action and Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief in different capacities.

Mamunur Rahman ( SME Expert )

Mr. Rahman has over 20 years of working experience in enterprise development, with a special focus on green industries in the last 10 years. He has wide experience in SME development in Bangladesh. He worked as a DGM at the SME Foundation from November 2017 to July 2019. Being a senior-level executive of SME Foundation, he had to take many innovative initiatives, including SME cluster development, policy advocacy for SMEs, and conducting research. He also had the opportunity to work closely with the Ministry of Industries to develop the last two industry policies (IP 2016 and IP 2010) and SME Policy 2019 in particular. Being head of the policy advocacy wing, he successfully incorporated both issues of SMEs and SME Foundation in the 7th Five Year Plan He completed his MA in Gender and Development from Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex, UK. He also completed his MA in Gender and Women Studies from University of Dhaka. Previously, he completed BSc in Economics from University of Jahangirnagar.

He is currently working as the CEO at ELLA as of October 2019. He worked as a Research Affiliate at D-Lab, MIT, USA where he improved Ella pad working with MIT design center,

Before that, He was also a visiting scholar at Michigan State University and the University of Montana.

Dr. Mohammad Jalal Uddin Sikder ( Migration Expert )

Dr. Sikder completed his PhD in Sociology from Monash University, Australia and he completed his MA in Development Studies from University of Leeds. He is currently teaching in North South University in the Department of Political Science & Sociology since May 2022. Before that he was an assistant professor in Daffodil International University Bangladesh in the Department of Development Studies.

He has over 20 years of extensive research experiences- focusing on internal and international labor migration, cross-border migration, human trafficking and smuggling of migrants; overseas labor recruitment (OLR) process; remittances and development, returnee migrants and reintegration, social protection of migrants community, migration and TVET skills for employment and entrepreneurship; forced migration and Rohingya (Myanmar) refugee’ situation, the climate changed induced migration, urban resettlement, and livelihood- in Bangladesh and in different regions including South Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, and the UK. He also worked as a Co-researcher in Bangladesh Employment and Overseas Services Limited (BOESL), Ministry of Expatriates’ Overseas and Employment.

Dr. Delwar Hussain ( Health & Nutrition Expert )

Dr. Delwar Hussain is a public health, planning- management, monitoring and evaluation and program development specialist with formal training in epidemiology, management, medical science, and is highly experienced in result reporting of projects working in fragile countries. He is experienced in leading projects for over 27 years including 14 years as an expert to support seven different Governments around the World in developed and developing countries in both development and emergency settings. His working experiences are in the areas of maternal and neonatal health, assessment and evaluation and planning, research, nutrition, health, education, livelihood, training, developing community model of programme and policy planning. He has 20+ years of experiences working in the area of conflict/fragile countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and South Sudan.

He is currently working as a consultant for Feed the Future, Bangladesh Agricultural Policy Activity of the USAID project, to support policy dialogues and consultations with the public and private sectors and institutional leads.