I provided technical support and coordinated a number of countries’ reform agenda of their social protection systems. Conceptualized, built partnerships, and implemented key equity-focused and evidence-based projects and data credibility initiatives.

Strongly believe in using existing systems as the base for delivery of innovative mix of policy options to ultimately arrive at balanced solutions to complex political and administrative situations.

Developed generic models as well as country-specific models that recognize the need to put an equal emphasis between economic growth and the promotion of fundamental rights. Further, conceptualized and built partnerships for large-scale youth engagement innovation initiatives.

  • Conceptualized and delivered a technical assistance package for Social Security reform in Iraq including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Concrete outcomes include:
    • Enactment of a social security law that extends coverage to all types of employment including workers in the informal economy and the self-employed for the first time in Iraq.
    • For the first time in Iraq, the introduction of new contributory benefits including unemployment, maternity, and health care.
    • Iraq’s ratification of the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), which makes Iraq the second country in the region to ratify C102.
    • On-going implementation of full digitalization of all functions of the department of social security along with specific training program for staff.
    • Acceleration of extension of social security by addressing financial barriers through legal commitment of government to subsidizing contribution (8 percent for employees and 15 percent for the self-employed).
    • Delivered concrete, evidence-based, and costed proposals for reforming the social assistance programs.
  • Led the development of Malaysia’s first blueprint on social protection. Conceptualized, costed, and proposed a set of policy recommendations, and coordinated a team across all providers of social security and protection in Malaysia. Authored the blueprint document and presented findings in multiple platforms to ministers, parliamentarians, leaders of political parties, and senior civil servants.
  • Across all countries worked in, repositioned the UN as a thought leader through the creation of broad-based partnerships (think tanks, academia, private sector, religious leaders, and communities), focused technical assistance, and development of key policy proposals and messages that resonate with national development visions/plans, and actively present at enormous forums.
  • Whether working for the UN or national organization, scanned trends, refocused, and led the cross-sectoral teams to deliver using new approaches on emerging issues such as: fiscal space, demography, urbanization, nutrition double burden, social protection, education, disability, defining and costing an Essential Health Benefit package, and 21st century skills. To highlight few initiatives/strategies:
    • Propelled social movements and national debates making none-issues issues with extensive media coverage, large scale social media mobilization, and involvement of parliamentarians, though leaders, religious leaders (Malaysia, Iraq).
    • Due to the evidence generated, costing, and strong advocacy; succeeded in getting a tax imposed on sweetened beverages in Malaysia and proposed reinjecting the tax revenue in a universal healthy breakfast in all primary schools.
    • Created entry points and closely led the critical engagement with Parliamentarians (Iraq, Malaysia, Nepal) to build political capital and agents of change in support of the extension of social security to workers in the informal economy and their families, inclusion of the fundamental rights of children and women in the new constitution (click here for documentation in Nepal). Advocacy effort succeeded in establishing a designated Child Rights Commissioner independent from the government (Malaysia) and far-reaching legal reform in Iraq (click for here documentation in Iraq).
    • Conceptualized intellectual forums with already existing reputable think tanks (Malaysia, Iraq). In the absence of think tanks, established new ones (Nepal) such as: Council of Thinkers (click here), and ‘Talk innovation’ platform where high profile speakers and influencers deliver keynote speeches followed by panel discussion. Speakers included: Hans Rosling, Nepal’s most recognized celebrities, NASA scientists, Director of Singapore’s Lien Center for Social Innovation, Director of UNICEF Innovation Center and many others (Click here for documentation).
    • Conceptualized establishment of research centers on disability (Malaysia, Nepal), Child rights (Malaysia, Zimbabwe), and Nutrition (Malaysia).
  • Development of high level technical quantitative models of my own, to highlight few:
    • Proposed and fully developed the UNICEF-ILO Social Protection Costing tool (click here to view it). The tool allows costing of different social protection measures (both existing and planned benefits) within the overall demographic, labor, and fiscal envelope of the country. The tool filled an important technical gap and was recognized in the 2012 ‘Annual Report of the Executive Director of UNICEF: Progress and Achievements against the Medium-term Strategic Plan.’ (Click here to view). Provided technical support to users in more than 25 country offices.
    • Created a model that costs child marriage. Model was highly received globally: was invited to present at the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly’s Panel Discussion on ‘Child, Early and Forced Marriage Worldwide, including the Elaboration of the Post-2015 Development Agenda’, United Nations Headquarters, New York, September 5, 2014 (click here to view).
    • Built country-specific projection frameworks for the social budget, projected each component of the social budgeting model (population, labor force, macroeconomic, public finance, safety nets, pension schemes, and health). Models produced concrete figures of future cost development of the current system (Argentina, and Zambia) and/or a proposed set of interventions (Iraq, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Myanmar, Madagascar, Malaysia). Built country-specific stochastic models to simulate health care systems including the integration of a national health insurance as an alternative financing option (Zambia). Conducted fiscal space assessments to identify resources to finance proposed social sector interventions (Egypt, Zimbabwe, Nepal).
  • In emergency experience, re-shaped UNICEF social policy program to respond to Nepal’s earthquake of 2015. This included:
    • Conceptualized, built the concrete case, advocated, and implemented an innovative bold Cash Transfer program benefiting about 500,000 vulnerable individuals including Senior citizens, female-headed households, widows, low-caste children under the age of 5, and people living with disability. Conceptualized and put in place a thorough monitoring mechanism that uses grassroots groups (Scouts, Senior citizens Association, etc.), text-based technology, radio program, as well as more rigorous third-party monitoring. This program has been very influential in terms of innovative approach using existing mechanism and strengthen them during emergency, it was highlighted by the UNICEF Executive Director in his statement to the Executive Board, September 8, 2015 (click here to view it).
    • Initiated a partnership with NASA and other cutting-edge groups to create rigorous data products for the response teams and the government (click here for maps, and here for news item on this). A unique multitemporal, multivariate index that dynamically Characterizes vulnerability of children and adolescents in Nepal based on high frequency remote sensing data has been developed.
  • Implemented out-of-the-box initiatives to engage with young people in innovative ways, examples:
    • Conceptualized, built partnerships, and implemented the unique National Competition on Innovative Solutions/ideas- Idea Studio. Idea Studio follows a careful path from crowdsourcing ideas, skills development at an Innovation Incubator, primetime national reality TV program, partnerships with business leaders to support with implementation, and put sustainable solutions into place. With engagement of Nepal most recognized celebrities, this initiative has become a movement and ignited a social change in favor of entrepreneurship (click here for documentation).
    • Conceptualized and implemented (with Microsoft) ChildAPP Appathon, Gameathon, Wearable Technologies Appathon, and (with Microsoft and Google) Assistive Technologies Appathon– 4 initiatives to crowdsource homegrown technology-based solutions and video games for problems facing children in Nepal. Hundreds of young developers from more than 45 colleges raced in the four 54 hours competitions. Examples include: testing water quality, educational package for children with autism, real time monitoring, virtual classroom, video games for nutrition and others (click here for documentation).
    • Conceptualized and implemented (with DM-Analytics) a non-technology Policy-thon, where young scholars from the most recognizable private sectors talent programs were challenged to propose policy solutions to issues facing urban children. The winning team received fund to implement a pilot to test the policy recommendation.
    • For university students, conceptualized the creation of a graduate diploma on child-friendly social policies (Malaysia, Zimbabwe, Nepal), research grants for students to write thesis on issues related to Social policies (Malaysia, Nepal), and social security (Iraq), establishment of an innovation lab (Nepal), program for journalism students to go out and report on stories from the communities affected by the earthquake (Nepal) and on urban poverty (Malaysia), and a program with Harvard University for students to do summer volunteer work with my section (Nepal).
  • Demonstrated transformative leadership and incorporated innovative implementation measures resulted in increased budget utilizations by three folds in one year (Malaysia) with significant and measured results acceleration while at the same time maintaining a strong team spirit (Iraq, Malaysia). Created initiatives to unleash staff’s interest to engage in upstream advocacy and in-house technical work production (Iraq, Malaysia and Nepal). some initiatives include: internal stretch assignments in different areas, two-weeks technical retreat for staff to focus only on one issue and produce a paper, and creating working paper series to encourage a culture of intellectuality.
  • “Old-age income Security in Malaysia: Reform Options.” Presented to Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Putrajaya, April 23, 2024. 
  • “Reforming Gasoline Subsidies and Cushioning the Welfare Loss”, presented at a series of high-level meetings in Malaysia, this includes presentation to senior officials at: Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), Ministry of National Unity, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Malaysia Bar Council, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, January 23- February 5, 2024.
  • “Building Consensus for Fuel Subsidy and Social Protection Reform,” presented at the Government of Malaysia’s Cabinet Retreat, Cyberjaya, Malaysia, January 17, 2023.
  • “Tax Reform in Malaysia: Strategic Response”, presented at the high-level Symposium titled “The Path Towards Greater Prosperity for Malaysia,” organized by the University of Malaya’s Social Wellbeing Research Center. Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), Putrajaya, Malaysia, October 18, 2023.
  • “Fiscal and Social Protection Reform Agenda in Malaysia.” Presented at a series of meetings with Malaysia’s leading media houses, this includes presentation to: the Star, Astro Awani, the Edge/FMT, China Press, Sin Chew, Nanyang Siang Pau, TV Alhijrah, Sinar Harian, Malay Mail, and Media Prima. Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam,  October 11-24, 2023.
  • “Fiscal and Social Protection Reform Agenda in Malaysia.” Presented at a series of high-level meetings in Malaysia, this includes presentation to: Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Human Resources. Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, October 16-23, 2023.
  • “Fiscal and Social Protection Reform Agenda in Malaysia.” Presented at a series of high-level meetings in Malaysia, this includes presentation to: Spouse of the Prime Minister; Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank); Minister of Health; Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development; Secretary General of MoF; the Advisory Committee to Finance Minister; and Director of the Public Service Department at the Prime Minister’s Office. Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, September 9-September 14, 2023.
  • “Is Private Pension a Valid Old Age Protection for All,” SWRC-EPF-SOCSO joint panel discussion, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 14, 2023.
  • “The Role of Social Security Funds in Long-term Development: Lessons learnt from Malaysia’s Experience,” Presented at the Ministry of Planning’s 5-year Development Plan Committee. Baghdad, Iraq, August 14, 2023
  • “Demographic Shift and Social Change.” Presented at the International Social Wellbeing Conference 2023, organized jointly by the Prime Minister’s Office, Employees Provident Funds, and International Social Security Association (ISSA), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 5, 2023.
  • “Does the Universality of Human Rights Contradict ‘No-One-Size-fits’ Policy Formulation?” a guest lecture for MIPP students, Balsilie School of International Affairs, Waterloo, Canada , June 19, 2023
  • “Urbanization in Iraq: Trends Scanning, Labor Market Consideration, and Role of Social Security Funds” Presented at the Ministry of Planning-ILO Forum on Labor Market. Baghdad, Iraq, June 7, 2023
  • “Enactment of the Social Security Law in Iraq: What is Next?” Presented at Beit Alhikmah Think Tank. Baghdad, Iraq, June 5, 2023.
  • “Education Deprivation in Iraq and Labor Market Considerations,” Presented at Beit Alhikmah Think Tank. Baghdad, Iraq, May 11, 2023.
  • “Social Assistance in Iraq: Reform Options,” presented at roundtable workshop organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Baghdad, Iraq, April 6, 2023.
  • “The ILO Convention C102: What is Next After Iraq’s Ratification,” presented at the celebration event for Iraq’s ratification of Convention C102, Beit Alhikmah, Baghdad, Iraq, April 4, 2023.
  • “Cost of Inaction: Education Deprivation in Iraq and Labor Market Considerations,” Presented at the Ministry of Planning-ILO Forum on Labor Market. Baghdad, Iraq, March 23, 2023
  • “Building An Inclusive Pension System for the Aging Population,” SWRC-ADB joint panel discussion, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 15, 2023.
  • “Harmonization between Public and Private Pensions in Iraq: Scenarios and Recommendations.” Presented to the representatives of Employers (Iraqi Federation of Industries and Iraqis Chambers of Commerce), Baghdad, November 30, 2022.
  • “Reforming Old-age social security arrangements in Iraq”, Presented at the Ministry of Planning-ILO Forum on Labor Market. Baghdad, Iraq, November 19, 2022
  • “Iraq’s Demographic Transition and Implication on Labor Market.” Presented at Beit Alhikmah Think Tank. Baghdad, Iraq, February 2, 2023.
  • “Constructing a Coherent Social Protection Floor in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.” Presented at the roundtable organized by Rawanga Foundation and Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s Ministry of Labor. Erbil, Iraq, January 22, 2023.
  • “Reforming Iraq’s Social Assistance Programs into a Coherent Social Protection Floor.” Presented at the Ministry of Planning-ILO Forum on Labor Market. Baghdad, Iraq, November 19, 2022
  • “Long-term Sustainability of the Pension System in Iraq,” presented at the National Conference on Social Security, American University of Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB), October 27, 2022.
  • “Reforming the Social Assistance System in Iraq,” presented at a meeting organized by the Annaba’ Dialogue Forum and the Information Center for Research and development, Karbala, Iraq, August 24, 2022.
  • “Best Practices in Targeting Social Assistance,” presented to the Parliamentarian Committee on Labor and Civil Society in the Iraq Parliament, June 12, 2022.
  • “Generation 2050: Turning Iraq’s demographic ‘Gift’ into an Economic Window of Opportunities,” Presented at the conference of Iraq 2050: Economically Productive and Socially Protected. Organized by ILO, MoP, and Maaloma Research Center. Baghdad, Iraq, May 29, 2022.
  • “Extending Social Security in Iraq for the Self-Employed.” Presented at the roundtable organized by Al-Amal Association, Baghdad, Iraq, April 29, 2022.
  • “Social Security Standards and Instruments and Approaches to Social Protection.” Webinar at Faculty of Economics, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 4, 2022.
  • “Financing Social Protection: Principles and Country Experiences.” Webinar at Faculty of Economics, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2022.
  • “Financing Social Protection: Principles and Country Experiences.” Webinar at Faculty of Social Administration, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand, March 17, 2022.
  • “Reforming Social Security in Iraq: Guiding Principles and Best Practices.” Presented at high-level policy roundtable organized by the ILO and Media Scenter for CSOs in Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq. January 29, 2022.
  • “Extension Social Security for Workers in the Private Sector in Kurdistan Region of Iraq,” Presented at high-level policy roundtable organized by the ILO, Erbil, Iraq. December 1, 2021.
  • “Social Security in Iraq and around the World.” Presented at the conference of the Future of Social Security organized by the Information Center for Research and Development, Baghdad, Iraq. October 27, 2021.
  • “Labor Market and Social Security in Iraq.” Presented at the national conference on Iraq’s Labor Market: Realities and Aspirations, organized by the Government of Iraq and the ILO, Baghdad, Iraq. July 4, 2021.
  • “Rethinking Education: Past Trends and Future Directions.” A webinar organized by Alshareq Fellowship Program, July 3, 2021
  • “Malaysia’s Demography at the Dawn of the 16th Century Hijrah.” A webinar presented at the IIUM, Malaysia. October 18, 2020.
  • “Alleviating Old-Age Poverty in Malaysia.” Presented at the Network of Malaysian Think Tanks (NMTT) meeting, the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. February 18, 2020.
  • “Old-Age Social Security in Malaysia: Situation Analysis and Options for Reform.” Presented at the Old-Age Protection Seminar, World Bank, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. October 16, 2019.
  • “Agenda for Reform: Social Security System in Oman.” Presented at brainstorming session organized by Oman’s Public Authority for Social Insurance, Muscat, Oman, July 30, 2019.
  • “An Economy that Can Work for Everyone.” Presented at 10th Annual Young Corporate Malaysia Summit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. November 23, 2019.
  • “Social Protection in Malaysia: Diagnostic and Options for Reform.” Presented at EPF Summit Meeting, Taman Negara, Pahang, Malaysia October 6, 2018.
  • “Health Care Protection in Malaysia: Diagnostic, Country Comparisons, and Options for Reform.” Presented at the EPF Medical Board conference 2018.” Melaka, September 18, 2018.
  • “Public-Zakkat Partnership for Constructing a Malaysia-Specific Social Protection Floor.” Presented at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 17, 2018.
  • “Children First: Key Proposals.” Presented to the high-level Council of Eminent Persons guiding the Malaysia post-elections reform agenda. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 5, 2018.
  • “Urbanization: International Trends, Challenges and Opportunities.” Presented at the 18th Melaka International Youth Dialogue: Youth Engineering a Sustainable Urbanization. Melaka, Malaysia, June 25, 2018.
  • “Children First: UNICEF Proposals for the Roadmaps for Children Wellbeing.” Presented to the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Health, Minister of Education, Minister of Rural Development, and seniors from line ministries. Putrajaya, Malaysia, June 21, 2018
  • “UNICEF Equity Focus: From Data to Policy Formulation.” UNCT Seminar Series, United Nations University, International Institute for Global Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 4, 2018.
  • “Global Evidence on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Taxation.” ASEAN Regional Workshop on the Establishment of Framework for the Fiscal Measure for Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 14-18, 2018
  • “Earmarking Revenues from tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages for a Universal Child Grant: Costed Options.” ASEAN regional workshop on the Establishment of Framework for the Fiscal Measure for Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 14-18, 2018
  • “Urban Poverty,” University Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia, April 27, 2018.
  • “Issues on Child Poverty,” part of Econ Talk, organized by School of Economics and Finance, University Utra Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia April 24, 2018
  • “Human Security and Development: Role of UNICEF.” Presented at the National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 15, 2018.
  • “Respecting the Rights of Stateless Children: Leaving No One Behind.” Presented at the Asian Law Students Association (ALSA)’s National Conference 2018: “Working Towards Sustainable Development: Overlooked Communities”, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 10, 2018.
  • “Cash Transfer in Emergency: Creating the Link between Development and Emergency Response.” Presented at the Emergency Cash Transfer Program (ECPT). Workshop Organized by the Cash-Based Assistance Working Group , Jakarta, Indonesia, November 21, 2017.
  • “Social Protection, Data, Monitoring and Evaluation.” Presented at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Leaving No One Behind, Penang, Malaysia,  October 25, 2017.
  • “Malaysia at Crossroad: Social Protection and the Second Push in Development”. Presented at the Pangkor Dialogue, Institut Darul Ridzuan, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, September 12, 2017.
  • “Statistics in Public Policy.” Malaysia Public Policy Competition, Sunway University, Sunway, Malaysia, August 19, 2017.
  • “Investment Case: Introducing a Child Grant in Malaysia.’ Presented to the Economic Council Chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Prime Minister’s Office, Putrajaya, Malaysia, August 14, 2017.
  • “Malaysia 2050: Demographic Transition and Policy Implication.” Presented at the “Forum on Malaysia’s Population in 2050: What does This Mean Socio-economically”, organized by The Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 25, 2017
  • “Economic Growth, Social Protection, and Ending Poverty: Strategies and Lessons Learnt.” UNICEF Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar, February 16, 2017.
  • “Malaysia as a Welfare State? The Need for Paradigm Shift,” Razak School of Government, Putrajaya, Malaysia January 25, 2017.
  • “Inequality and Radicalization: the Role of Social Protection,” University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 30, 2016.
  • “Human Security and UNICEF: Global Perspective,” University of Nottingham, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 27, 2016, and December 14, 2017.
  • “Crowdsourcing Innovative Ideas and Youth Engagement,” presented at the UNICEF’s 2014 Global innovation Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 11, 2014
  • “Cost Of Inaction: Child and Adolescent Marriage in Nepal,” presented at the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly’s Panel Discussion on ‘Child, Early and Forced Marriage Worldwide, including the Elaboration of the Post-2015 Development Agenda’, United Nations Headquarters, New York, September 5, 2014.
  • “Innovation In Nepal: Idea Studio,” presented at the UNICEF’s 2014 Global Communication Team Meeting -Communication in a Changing World, UNICEF House, New York, July 22, 2014
  • “Innovative Approaches to Development,” presented at the 2014 Knowledge Management and Monitoring Meeting, UNICEF regional Office for South Asia, Kathmandu, Nepal 17-19 June.
  • “Socio-economic Policies for Child Rights,” Kathmandu University, Kathmandu, Nepal, December 10, 2013
  • “Social Protection Floor Initiative- prospects for Zimbabwe,” Women’s University in Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe, April 6, 2013.
  • “UNICEF Equity Re-Focus: Strategic Framework,” Women’s University in Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe, March 30, 2013.
  • “Strategic Framework for Child Sensitive Social Policies,” Food Nutrition Council Advisory Group, WHO, Harare, Zimbabwe, March 6, 2013.
  • “Social Protection: Rational, Impact on Nutrition, and Prospects for Zimbabwe,” Food Nutrition Council Advisory Group, Harare, Zimbabwe, March 6, 2013.
  • “Models for Costing Social Protection interventions.” Presented at the expert group meeting on Social Security in Western Asia: Accessibility and Sustainability, Beirut, Lebanon, September 8-9, 2011.
  • “Argentina’s System of Social Cash Transfers: Situation Analysis and Future Development.” Presented at the Economic Commission for Latin America, Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 9, 2011.
  • “Political Development in the Middle-East and North Africa: Opportunities and Challenges for UNICEF.” Presented at UNICEF-Argentina, May 3, 2011.
  • “Social Protection in the Syrian Arab Republic.” Presented at the Expert meeting on Social Protection, Brussels, Belgium, September 29-30, 2008.
  • “Social Protection in Jordan- A Case Study.” Presented at the Expert meeting on Social Protection, Brussels, Belgium, September 29-30, 2008.
  • “Evaluation of Connecticut Tax Reform.” Presented at the Southwestern Social Science Association, Corpus Christi, Texas, March 2004.