Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Sayed Najafizada

Toronto,ON

Summary

Talented Senior Project Manager with excellent client oversight and issue resolution talents. Highly effective overseeing multiple tasks and employees at once. Dedicated to detail-oriented leadership and goal-oriented planning.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Project Coordinator

AmeriFreight
10.2021 - 12.2023
  • Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and schedules for freight transportation projects.
  • Coordinate with various teams to ensure project milestones are met and projects are delivered on time.
  • Act as a liaison between different departments, vendors, and clients to ensure effective communication.
    Facilitate regular project meetings, providing updates, and addressing issues to ensure alignment among team members.
  • Allocate resources efficiently to meet project requirements, including personnel, equipment, and materials.
    Collaborate with procurement and logistics teams to ensure timely availability of resources.
  • Identify potential risks and issues related to project delivery and develop mitigation plans.
    Monitor and address any challenges that may impact project timelines or budget.
  • Improved client satisfaction with timely updates and transparent communication throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation, including project plans, reports, and relevant records.
    Generate regular progress reports and performance metrics for management and stakeholders.
  • Implement and monitor quality control processes to ensure that projects meet established standards.
    Conduct regular inspections and audits to verify compliance with project specifications.
  • Assist in budgeting and cost estimation for projects.
    Monitor project expenses and work with finance teams to ensure adherence to budget constraints.
  • Interface with clients to understand their requirements and expectations.
    Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction by addressing concerns and providing timely updates.
  • Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency in project execution.
    Implement best practices and lessons learned from previous projects.

Senior Project Manager

The Institute Of War And Peace Studies
04.2019 - 08.2021
  • Streamlined project management processes by implementing agile methodologies, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced costs.
  • Managed and optimized ongoing research projects of $5 MM, ensuring optimal coordination with authorities about project execution, and the regulatory and compliance environment
  • Led efforts in winning five research projects from the EU, Swedish Sida, USAID each worth more than $500K+
  • Led cross-functional teams for successful project delivery within scope, schedule, and budget constraints.
  • Improved quality and timely delivery of projects by maintaining project schedules, drafting and implementing a project management manual on waterfall approach, also using agile elements
  • Streamlined business development processes by restructuring and reforming the business development team, and by contributing to proposal writing
  • Led and advised departments of human resources, procurement, finance, and business development to achieve project and corporate goals.
  • Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
  • Managed risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues during project execution.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams and resolved conflicts, maintaining a positive work environment throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Mentored junior team members in project management best practices to enhance their skills and contribute to better overall performance.
  • Prepared detailed reports on project status for stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with objectives.
  • Enhanced overall project success by conducting thorough post-project evaluations and incorporating lessons learned into future efforts.
  • Established effective communication channels with stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment of expectations.

Senior Policy Advisor

United Nations Development Programme/Independent Directorate of Local Governnace
08.2017 - 03.2019
  • Developed procedures, regulatory guidelines, in support of local administrations in light the approved subnational governance policy
  • Improved policy effectiveness by conducting comprehensive research and analysis on various topics.
  • Presented findings and recommendations to decision-makers, successfully advocating for policy changes.
  • Organized conferences and workshops designed to foster collaboration among policymakers, researchers, practitioners, leading experts from diverse backgrounds.
  • Evaluated the success of implemented policies using data-driven methods, informing future actions and adjustments.
  • Drafted legislation and regulatory language, shaping critical aspects of public policy initiatives.
  • Led strategic planning efforts for long-term policy development, setting organizational priorities and goals.
  • Conducted thorough risk assessments to identify potential obstacles or challenges in implementing policies.
  • Mentored junior staff members in best practices for successful policy advising and development.
  • Monitored legislative developments impacting relevant industries, providing timely updates to stakeholders.
  • Negotiated with external partners to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes relating to policy objectives.
  • Identified emerging trends and opportunities in the field by maintaining a strong professional network within the industry.
  • Managed stakeholder relationships, ensuring open communication and alignment on policy objectives.
  • Conducted desk and primary research to provide technical input in the development of Local Planning Policy, District Operational Manual, and Public Grievance Guideline for Municipalities and Provincial Council
  • Advised and supported review and drafting of sub-national governance policy partly by mapping local governance structures of Afghanistan
  • Facilitated and supported dialogues on policy and guidelines through forums, debates, and conferences
  • Supported Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) to conduct a capacity assessment and contributed to the development of a capacity development strategy
  • Assisted the Program Manager in drafting and reviewing program’s annual workplan, breaking down the outputs into tangible tasks, and allocating a sufficient budget for each output
  • Supported IDLG in designing and conducting policy research training for the Policy Directorate staff
  • Helped the Program Manager collect and compile data for periodic program reports; drafted report.

Business Development and Project Management Specialist

NETLINKS Inc.
06.2016 - 06.2017
  • Won NETLINKS Inc 12 medium-sized software development and Odoo ERP implementation projects for private sector in Afghanistan, including several website and database development projects
  • Mobilized necessary resources for smooth ERP and software project implementation according to project scope, timeline, and cost
  • Ensured project plan deliverables were met with pre-defined and allocated resources and time
  • Monitored project progress and performance and managed changes in project scope, schedule, and budget
  • Developed risk analysis matrix and performed risk mitigation techniques to control project risk
  • Drafted and executed NETLINKS Marketing Strategy after thorough research and stakeholder consultation
  • Acquired new clients, and managed existing clients ensuring low churn rate
  • Drafted and submitted project concept notes and proposals to public and private sector entities
  • Conducted HR process mapping using document reviews, online research, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews
  • Ensured the HR processes in APPS were in accordance with Afghan HR policies and processes
  • Assisted and advised APPS Program Manager in drafting project reports and stakeholder management.

HR Consultants Team Director

METIS Solutions
05.2015 - 06.2016
  • Designed qualitative and quantitative research tools for survey, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups
  • Conducted focus group discussions, interviews, and document reviews to gather data, analyzed the data from major MoI Directorates (i.e., HR and Logistics), and recommended solutions
  • Developed technical policy analysis and HR-related process (map) reports on observations and gaps (for re-engineering purposes) to the USDOD and provided policy recommendations to address gaps
  • Conducted training program on human resources and civil service laws and improved understanding of the targeted civil servants about the mentioned laws
  • Managed project schedule and logistics and HR teams to ensure timely submission of project deliverables
  • Resolved conflict between the project team and ministerial stakeholders, ensuring the sustainability of the project
  • Managed project changes requested by ministerial stakeholders, meeting all project requirements and deadlines.

Intern

Global Witness
03.2014 - 05.2014
  • Conducted preliminary research on local actors involved in illicit exploitation of mines in several provinces of Afghanistan
  • Coordinated field data collection as well as data entry at HQ, London
  • Trained, mentored, and guided Integrity Watch Afghanistan on Monitoring and Evaluation application.

Peace Analyst/Project Officer

Crisis Management Initiative
12.2011 - 09.2013
  • Managed the overall implementation of the peace dialogue initiative at the community levels
  • Conducted focus group discussions, interviews, and document reviews to gather data, analyzed the data from interviews with journalists, civil society activists, religious leaders, university lecturers in support of the roll out phase of the initiative
  • Facilitated meetings and interviews for the initiative leadership with local government officials, international donors, central government et al
  • Conducted training and workshops for the members of the general assembly and the steering committee of the peace dialogue initiative in the provinces
  • Provided analysis of local political, security and development situation to inform the initiative and adjust the program and events accordingly.

Program Officer

University of Massachusetts
12.2012 - 08.2013
  • Developed workplan for program implementation and implemented program activities
  • Supported program team in the development of training manuals and coordinated training of the trainers
  • Supported and assisted the Senior Program Manager in preparation of monthly and quarterly reports
  • Organized program events such as training, seminars, and conferences
  • Managed events’ schedule, budget, requirements, and any corresponding changes.

Project Reporting and Analysis Officer

International Executive Service Corps
10.2011 - 11.2012
  • Developed a reporting and coordination mechanism as part of the corrective measures taken to tackle resistance and gaps for communication purposes among stakeholders in 34 provinces of Afghanistan
  • Coached, mentored and trained civil servant employees on change management initiatives and reporting systems
  • Standardized and improved the reporting mechanism and reduced delays in reporting.

Education

Certification - Google Project Management

Google Online Certification, Coursera
01.2022

Master of Arts (MA) - Post-war Recovery Studies

The University of York
01.2014

Bachelor of History (BA) -

Balkh University
01.2011

Skills

  • Team Leadership
  • Project Management
  • Multiple Priorities Management
  • Business Development
  • Resource Mobilization
  • Relationship Building
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Project Coordination
  • Decision-Making
  • Team Coordination

Languages

English
Full Professional

Timeline

Project Coordinator

AmeriFreight
10.2021 - 12.2023

Senior Project Manager

The Institute Of War And Peace Studies
04.2019 - 08.2021

Senior Policy Advisor

United Nations Development Programme/Independent Directorate of Local Governnace
08.2017 - 03.2019

Business Development and Project Management Specialist

NETLINKS Inc.
06.2016 - 06.2017

HR Consultants Team Director

METIS Solutions
05.2015 - 06.2016

Intern

Global Witness
03.2014 - 05.2014

Program Officer

University of Massachusetts
12.2012 - 08.2013

Peace Analyst/Project Officer

Crisis Management Initiative
12.2011 - 09.2013

Project Reporting and Analysis Officer

International Executive Service Corps
10.2011 - 11.2012

Certification - Google Project Management

Google Online Certification, Coursera

Master of Arts (MA) - Post-war Recovery Studies

The University of York

Bachelor of History (BA) -

Balkh University

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Sayed Najafizada