Pir Baksh

Provide support in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating WASH, climate change, Energy, and Environmental interventions. Provide technical, operational, and administrative assistance, including support on climate-resilient infrastructure, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), wetlands and waterways management, water and air quality, solar energy systems, Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), ensuring timely delivery of programme results aligned with UNICEF and national climate priorities.

Provides technical, operational, and administrative assistance throughout the WASH programming process. Prepare, manage, and implement a variety of technical and administrative tasks related to the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the WASH output results of the country programme.

Advanced Environmental Management in Peacekeeping Operations Environmental Assessments: Identified potential environmental risks and impacts associated with peacekeeping operations, including effects on air, water, soil, and biodiversity. Management Plans: Developed and implemented environmental management/action plans to mitigate risks, including solid waste management, pollution prevention, and habitat restoration. Technical Support and Training: Provided technical advice and support to engineering and peacekeeping staff, including environmental awareness training and compliance with regulations. Monitoring and Reporting: Ensured peacekeeping operations met environmental performance standards through comprehensive monitoring and reporting. Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitated collaboration with host countries, local communities, and other stakeholders to ensure environmentally responsible peacekeeping activities. Policy Development: Contributed to the creation and implementation of environmental policies, guidelines, and procedures for peacekeeping missions. Integration of Environmental Considerations: Promoted the inclusion of environmental factors in all aspects of peacekeeping operations, from planning to evaluation. Sustainable Infrastructure: Supported the development of sustainable infrastructure, including renewable energy systems, water conservation measures, and green transportation options. Research and Analysis: Conducted research on emerging environmental issues and trends affecting peacekeeping operations, providing actionable recommendations. UN Representation: Represented the United Nations on environmental issues related to peacekeeping operations, participating in relevant meetings.

Implementation of Humanitarian Emergency and Early Recovery Response for IDPs in Northeast Nigeria: Strategic Development: Proposed and developed a sector-based strategy aligning with SI’s policies and intervention priorities. Sector Monitoring: Supported the Country Director in monitoring and analyzing the Climate-resilient WASH sector and studied donor strategies for climate resilience WASH activities. Project Quality Assurance: Ensured the relevance and quality of projects, validated the importance of assessments, and organized evaluation missions. Technical Coordination: Coordinated and provided technical support and operational monitoring and advised on procuring specific Climate-resilient WASH materials. Program Support: Provided technical and methodological support to program managers for planning and implementing Climate-resilient WASH activities. Supervision and Evaluation: Supervised and supported Climate-resilient WASH program managers and monitored and evaluated the implemented Climate-resilient WASH activities. Problem Resolution: Anticipated challenges in Climate-resilient WASH activities and facilitated problem resolution. Activity Adaptation: Proposed the reorientation of Climate-resilient WASH activities in response to changing contexts and indicators

European Commission-funded Climate -Resilient WASH Program in the Solomon Islands: Capacity Building: Enhanced the capacity of the Environmental Health Division of the MHMS in-water surveys and climate resilience WASH project design across multiple provinces. Quality Control: Oversaw project planning and quality control, conducted mid-term and final inspections, and built the capacity of the Public Health supervisor’s field quality control team. Monitoring Activities: Conducted ongoing status and biennial access monitoring in cooperation with the MHMS Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. Provincial Coordination: Coordinated provincial field teams and developed/implemented Provincial WASH Plans aligned with Provincial Development Plans, strengthening provincial WASH mechanisms. Training and Workshops: Delivered training sessions and technical workshops on various water engineering topics to over 21 provincial staff. Design and Compliance: Supported MHMS in water engineering by reviewing and endorsing designs and proposals from sector implementers, ensuring compliance with sector regulations, and assisting with other climate resilience WASH activities.

Developed and Scaled Up Climate Resilience WASH Strategy for Humanitarian Response in Northeast Nigeria In my role with ACF, I successfully formulated and scaled up a climate resilience WASH strategy, enhancing the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions in the BAY states of Northeast Nigeria. My efforts ensured that mission interventions met the highest standards of quality, in alignment with ACF international guidelines and national policies. I led the development of a comprehensive technical strategy that not only fortified the overall action plan but also integrated recent innovations and research into the program. This initiative involved supervising a substantial $40 million in WASH projects funded by major donors, including ECHO, OFDA, GAC, SIDA, and DFID, as well as overseeing multi-sectoral needs assessments and project implementation. My work also involved providing intellectual guidance, capacity building, fostering strategic partnerships, positioning ACF as a trusted local partner, and advancing WASH initiatives on both national and regional levels.

Enhanced Nutrition and Climate-resilient WASH Integration for Conflict-Affected Populations in South Sudan. In my capacity with ACF, I played a pivotal role in the humanitarian emergency response aimed at improving the nutritional status of children under five and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) through a comprehensive Nutrition, WASH, and FSL program in conflict-affected South Sudan. My leadership in overseeing WASH engineering designs and hygiene promotion programs was crucial in delivering high-quality technical solutions across the field offices. I spearheaded WASH technical assessments, coordinating closely with Nutrition and FSL teams and external agencies, ensuring all findings adhered to ACF’s stringent documentation standards. My support extended to remote and emergency settings, where I managed budget and logistics operations, monitored expenses and ensured accurate forecasts. I also led program monitoring and evaluation, providing strategic advice to meet international and national performance benchmarks. Through effective reporting and documentation, I kept donors informed of progress and managed interagency coordination forums, ensuring alignment with government and sector objectives.

Led Infrastructure and Climate-Resilient WASH Improvements During the Ebola Outbreak in Liberia During the Ebola virus outbreak response in Liberia, I spearheaded the coordination and implementation of critical construction and WASH infrastructure improvements in Bomi County, funded by USAID. I provided comprehensive technical and operational guidance to construction teams and WASH assistants, ensuring that all projects adhere to government and UN agency standards. I established effective communication channels with county authorities to address any issues related to WASH and infrastructure rehabilitation. My role included assessing health facility infrastructure and developing detailed construction designs using Auto-CAD for efficient improvements, including buildings, latrines, sewage systems, and healthcare waste management. I conducted WASH assessments, supervised the construction of water supply systems for health facilities, schools, and border points, and made recommendations for new constructions and repairs. I supervised the construction of 52 public health clinics from start to finish, issuing completion certificates following joint inspections. I oversaw all coordination procedures with county authorities, humanitarian clusters, and partner agencies and developed action plans for infrastructure and WASH facilities across multiple locations.

Strengthened Climate-resilient WASH Operations and Capacity During Ebola Outbreak Response in Liberia. In response to the Ebola virus outbreak in Liberia, funded by USAID, I provided critical technical and operational support to enhance the capacity of the Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) and local WATSAN professionals. I played a key role in formulating the WASH operational strategy, conducting feasibility studies, and developing new project initiatives. I supervised all water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management operations, overseeing the functioning environment of the ETUs and establishing rigorous safety procedures. Leading a team of over 172 WASH personnel, I ensured the implementation of best practices and conducted performance evaluations. My responsibilities included conducting WASH needs assessments in county schools and health centers during the post-Ebola recovery phase. I established a QC/QA process to ensure a safe management environment, preventing exposure to Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) contaminated materials and overseeing the safe collection, handling, transport, and disposal of waste. I contributed to daily Mobile Team reports, facilitated the involvement of Logistics and Administration departments in WASH project validation, and traveled frequently to monitor and implement field-based WASH activities.

Enhanced Community-Based Water and Sanitation Engineering During Emergencies I provided critical technical support to implementing partners’ field-based Water and Sanitation Engineering staff, addressing day-to-day challenges and ensuring effective coordination and integration of all Water and Sanitation activities. My approach balanced immediate emergency responses with long-term needs and potential future scenarios. I worked to expand community capacity within WASH, being sensitive to the political and cultural contexts, and led rapid needs assessments in new areas while supporting geographical Water and Sanitation teams in updating public health situations in disaster-affected communities. I conducted detailed community assessments to identify essential Climate resilient WASH program interventions, focusing on returnees, women, and vulnerable populations. By coordinating with partners, I facilitated the production and updating of baseline analyses of Water and Sanitation and public health issues, providing crucial recommendations. I designed and initiated sustainable community-based public health programs, including emergency preparedness and response, based on integrated Water and Sanitation and Food security and livelihood FSL needs assessments. I ensured that assessment results were communicated effectively with program managers and Regional PHE Coordinators. I worked to integrate partner engineers with all program sectors, including FSL, to maximize the benefits for beneficiaries from Oxfam’s Water and Sanitation program. Acting as a technical bridge, I facilitated smooth communication and coordination between the implementing partner field team and the country office.

Enhanced Climate resilient WASH Interventions and Capacity Building for Flood-Affected Communities in Pakistan. In the humanitarian emergency and recovery response for flood-affected people in Pakistan, funded by ECHO, DEC, SIDA, DFID, and UNICEF, I played a pivotal role in assessing public health engineering risks and conducting threat analyses in collaboration with Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) teams. I supported implementing partners by training field staff on monitoring and accountability tools and developing rapid assessment formats, including FGDs, PDM, KAP, KII, baseline, and end-line surveys. I trained and supervised public health engineers, creating work and training plans, analyzing Climate resilient WASH data, and ensuring high-quality outputs. Leading a team of local partner public health engineers, I oversaw the implementation and monitoring of health promotion interventions, including camp management and hygiene plans. I produced IEC tools and WASH strategy papers to support public health promoters. I conducted training for IP staff and communities on various public health approaches, including WASH community mobilization, PHAST, CHAST, and CLTS. I involved affected populations in the planning and design of WASH interventions, provided awareness and social mobilization training on essential hygiene practices, and demonstrated PHAST exercises at the community level. Additionally, I formed children’s hygiene clubs to raise awareness and combat primary public health risks in IDP camps during emergencies.

Advancing Coastal Infrastructure Development in Sindh Province. In the community-based physical infrastructure project for the coastal belt people of Sindh province, funded by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), I played a key role in supporting project management and technical operations. I prepared detailed field reports and internal correspondence and contributed sections to formal documentation under the direct supervision of project managers. I conducted environmental impact assessments for renewable energy projects and developed scheme design proposals, cost summaries, and bills of quantity. My responsibilities included elaborating engineering designs, performing scientific calculations, and conducting preliminary analyses and layout work. I performed field investigations and inspections for stormwater, potable water, and wastewater projects, ensuring thorough design analyses. I also gathered data and prepared charts, maps, field diagrams, and schematics to support project planning and implementation.

Global Energy and Climate Policy, Science and Modeling of Climate Change, Fundamentals of Climate Science, Climate Change Mitigation in Developing Countries, From Climate Science to Action, Climate Change Education, Science and Engineering of Climate Change, Climate Change and Water in Mountains.