Gauri Sharan Singh

RESUME

GAURI SHARAN SINGH

Senior Consultant – Strategic Planning

UNICEF Supported SPPME Project

District Planning & Monitoring Cell,

Collecteriate Campus, Hajipur, Vaishali, Pin Code -

Phone: 06224 - 276511(O), 9631465154(M),

PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE

To contribute in assignments related to Project Management and Program Coordination in the area of rural development, with a growth and result oriented organization.

EDUCATION

From July 2000 to May 2002 /

Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development (Specialization in Project Management, Gold Medal) withCGPA of 7.9 on 10-point scale (equivalent to 79%). Course curriculum focused during the studies were on understanding rural society in the context of development, history of development and imparting managerial skills, development research, technical knowledge, economic analysis, strategic areas and management ability of intervention and social development.
From Oct 1995 to May 1999 /

MarwariCollege, RanchiUniversity, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Bachelor of Commerce with Honors in Accountancy with 65% marks

PROFESSIONAL PROFILES

With a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development from Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, Jharkhand, I have more than 8years of experience in project management and designing implementation of monitoring & evaluation systems for World Bank, DFID and UNDPsupported livelihoods projects, such as the Madhya Pradesh District Poverty Initiative Project, the Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project (MPRLP), Capacity Building for Local Governance (CDLG) Project and SPPME Project.

Key competencies:

Overall Project Management (Formulation, Implementation, Monitoring & Evaluation)
Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation for Rural Development Projects.
Development and Design of M&E systems and tools for monitoring development impacts on poverty.
Preparation of qualitative and quantitative reports for all stakeholders, such as donors, Ministry of Rural Development, Commissioner, Collector, CEO - Zila panchayat, Public Representatives.
Expert in integrating Agri Value chain.
Poverty Analysis and livelihoods focused micro-plan development based on a Sustainable Rural Livelihoods approach.
Documentation of project learnings and best practices for sharing with government and other development partners.
Outcome based partnership with the NGos.
Coordinating evaluation and thematic study with national and international organizations.
Promotion of Public – Private – Community Partnership (PPCP) Programme.
Strengthening Convergence programme with Government departments and other agencies.
Developing strategic collaboration and partnership.
Management of database Conducting Social Research, Conversant with SPSS.
Advocacy for improvement of Government schemes and policies for the rural poor.
Performance appraisal system of village level institutions and CBOs including PRIs.

Duration / Organisation / Designation
March 10 – 31st December 10 / District Support Program, UNICEF Supported Consultant, Vaishali, / Senior Consultant – Strategic Planning
August 09– February 10 / CDLG Project UNDP, Lucknow / TSO – National UNV
September 08 – July 09 / MPRLP, DFID, Shahdol / District Project Officer
October 05 – August 08 / MPRLP, DFID, Shahdol / District Monitoring & Learning Officer
April 05– September 05 / MPRLP, DFID, Shahdol / District Communication Officer
July 2002 – March 2005 / MPDPIP, World Bank, Sidhi / Member Consultant ( Specialist M& E)

Employment Summary (8 years)

Support Programme for Policy Monitoring & Evaluation project, UNICEF assisted project – Department of Planning & Development of Bihar Undertaking

Under the guidance of the Chief Social Policy & Planning Monitoring & Evaluation (SPPME) Section, responsible for the coordination of two major initiatives related to improving the status of women and children in India according with the Millennium Development Goals in integrated districts Vaishali, Bihar.
This includes the conceptualization and operationalization of the roll out as well as consolidation and advocacy for tested approaches in the integrated districts Vaishali, Bihar.

Design and develop tools for decentralized planning considering the guideline issued by the planning commission on ‘Integrated District Plan’.
Preparing training module for counterparts on data use and facilitative trainings session with inputs.
Monitor the physical and financial progress of all NFPs at district and sub district level to track the progress and assessment of the same to identify the bottlenecks in planning & monitoring.
Recommendations to be made to the departments based on the findings of the gap analysis, also present such analysis in district level sectoral forums.
Undertake joint field visits with counterparts/stakeholders to validate the authenticity of data and also cross check it from the secondary sources.
Provide support in cleaning of data and strengthening the existing data flow mechanism at district level (both upwards and downward flow).
Identify areas of convergence at district level for better integrated planning and dub tailing of resources and Assist in preparation of five-year perspective plan for the district.
Preparation of various MIS report and share with the District Administration for better decision making and promote the use of data for the same.
Undertake periodic field visit to monitor decentralized planning process.
GIS Mapping of community level serve delivery centres such as AWCs, Schools, PHCs, APHCs, etc.
Organizing VHND on regular basis and roll out in all blocks of districts.
Facilitating the Decentralized Planning Process.
Facilitate in putting the effective monitoring process in place.

CapacityBuilding for Local Governance Project, UNDP assisted Project - Department of Panchayati Raj, A Government of Uttar Pradesh Undertaking.

In this project UNDP in partnership with the MoPR aims at improving the capabilities of the elected representatives and officials of PRIs to perform their functions better with focus on the seven UNDAF states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. The total budget is of USD 5.5 million (INR 26.7 Crores) and the project duration being from 2008-09 to 2012.

The goal of the project is to contribute towards capacity development for local governance. The Objectives of the project are to enhance capacity of ULBs and PRIs to plan and manage resources in a transparent, effective and accountable manner, in response to community driven demands and strengthen the institute involved in the training programme of PRIs.

My responsibilities as National United Nation Volunteer are to

Develop M & E framework for CDLG, BRGF and RGSY projects in Uttar Pradesh, Input and output monitoring of CDLG, BRGF and RGSY Projects, Outcome & Impact evaluation of CDLG, BRGF & RGSY Projects.
Assist in implementation of project activities at the state level as perthe approved project work plan,
Conduct research, support the training content development,
Assist the State Project Coordinator in supporting stakeholder networks in Uttar Pradesh.
Follow-up with project partners and resource institutions and individuals on implementation of project activities, collating information from government departments and resource institutions, analyzing it, highlighting discrepancies, suggesting corrective measures, and consolidating it,
Assist in financial and physical monitoring and reporting of project activities including consultancies, sub-contracts, travel, workshops and meetings,

Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project, A DFID assisted Project - Department of Panchayat & Rural Development, A Government of Madhya Pradesh Undertaking.

The MPRLP approach is based on working through the Gram Sabhas, to build their capacity to plan and manage development activities and to improve the lives and well-being of poor and vulnerable groups. In Phase 1 (to end June 2007), this £16.41 million pilot programme targeted some 800 villages in eight predominantly tribal districts in MP through multiple strategies based on natural resources, enterprise development and non-farm livelihoods support, including migrant labour support and access to information. Phase 2 (from July 2007) is significantly scaling up the approach within these districts, working in nearly 3,000 villages and directly supporting the livelihoods of over 3 million poor beneficiaries. Phase 2 also includes new or increased emphasis on livelihoods protection (as well as promotion), social protection, gender and rural finance.

Particular responsibility in Phase 2 for leading Output 5 which seeks to ensure programme results, methodologies and structures inform District and State level programmes and policies.

I have been promoted twice in this project. Initially I was appointed as District Communication & Information Officer (DCIO). After six months I was promoted from DCIO to District Monitoring & Learning Officer (DMLO) and after 3 years, Once again I was promoted from DMLO to District Project Officer (DPO). I have handled multiple job responsibilities in MPRLP. I am elaborating below my specific responsibilities on different designation with specific time period.

From September 2008 to July 2009 / District Project Officer

Managed and coordinated the Project in the district.
Managed funds at district level.
Initiated Microfinance activities in the project area.
Formed one producer company of seed growers in Shahdol district.
Established market linkage for 1500 Vegetable growers.
Integrated the agarbatti value chain and involved 750 women.
Managed a team of multi-skilled subject specialists and being accountable for project implementation at the district level,
Developed and implemented multiple livelihood intervention ensuring the quality of interventions
Selectedproject partners establishednetworking with government counterparts and NGOs as well as corporate.

From October 2005 to August 2008 / District Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer

Monitored key project activities and assessed the achievement of programme objectives as per logical framework,
Assisted and contributed in designing the baseline survey,
Establish a comprehensive and efficient M&E system (MIS) for the project
in coordination with IT professionals and state unit.
Trained1000 project staffs in the implementation and maintenance of M&E system (MIS).
Developed a robust system for collection and maintenance of database and documentsas per theLogical Frame work,
Trained internal and counterpart staff on the maintenance of underlying reports and records and their interpretation, maintenance of databases on key performance parameters, etc.,
Ensured supervision, coordination and guidance for implementing agencies on programme implementation, Preparation of annual and quarterly work plans and budget for the Districts.
Facilitated the release of funds from DPSU to different implementers (PFTs), monitored flow of funds, settlement of reimbursement claims, Organize Review Mission of DFID, preparation of Grant documents & progress reports, Organize state/ national level workshop for dissemination of innovative poverty reduction projects.

From April 2005 to September 2005 / District Communication & Information Officer

Helped inimplementationof organization’s communication and information strategies,
Managed the Media, PR and Networking functions at the district level,
Facilitated the documentation of livelihood experiences and processes,
Produced newsletters and other promotional materials,
Coordinated and established linkage with DFID, 24 NGOs, government and civil society organizations as important stakeholders in the Project.

District Poverty Initiatives Project, A World Bank assisted Project - Department of Panchayat & Rural Development, A Government of Madhya Pradesh Undertaking.

Madhya Pradesh District Poverty Initiatives Project being funded by World Bank. The project activities are implemented by community and village organizations in 2100 villages spread over 14 districts in northern and northwestern MP. This is to maximize demonstration impact at the district level, which, in MP's decentralization model, is key to the entire rural development and poverty alleviation process. Careful monitoring, evaluation and dissemination of the project's successes and failures is the main mechanism to reach consensus over a system to allocate resources to the poor that can expand and draw in other programs.

As a Member Consultant (recruited from Campus Placement).

Managed project within the Project Facilitation Team (PFT) at cluster level,
Prepared annual and quarterly work plans and budget for the Project Facilitation Team,
Compiled the training needs of the entire project participants based on information received from the Stakeholders,
Monitored progress based on Objectively Verifiable Indicators.
Formation & strengthening of Common Interest Groups (CIGs),
Made sub-proposals of CIGs based on farm and non-farm activity, Monitored CIGs and implemented the farm and non-farm activities as Income generation activities,
Prepared village profile cum micro plan based on baseline survey and PRA exercises.

SPECIAL COURSES & WORKSHOPS COMPLETED/ ATTENDED

Name of Course / Institute / Duration in days / Year
Introduction to Project Cycle Management using Logical Framework / Institute of Rural Management, Anand / 5 days / 2003
National level Consultation workshop on “Panchayats and Health” / Ministry of Rural Development, GoMP / 4 days / 2004
National Conference on Poverty Reduction Initiatives in Madhya Pradesh / District Poverty Initiatives Project, MP / 5 days / 2004
International Workshop on Transfer of Rural Technology / DFID, UK & MPRLP, Bhopal / 2 days / 2005
Training on monitoring & evaluation in project management / Catalyst Management Services (CMS), Bangalore / 5 days / 2006
Basic and advance data analysis using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) / Sambodhi Research & Communications Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi / 7 days / 2007
International Workshop on Strategic Management and Project Planning / IDMAT, New Delhi / 6 days / 2008
Participated in the Conference on Integrated District Approach / LBSNAA, Mussoorrie / 2 days / 2010
NRLM – National Workshop on Panchayati Raj Convergence / KUDUMBASHREE, Kochi, Kerala / 3 days / 2010

PARTICIPATION IN WORKSHOPS / CONFERENCES / TRAINING / POLICY FORMULATION GROUP

Attended five days training workshop on Participatory Rural Appraisal facilitated by Dr. Robert Leurs at Dahod (Guj).
Attended four days training on Participatory Planning Process (PPP) facilated by faculties from Institute of Rural management Anand (IRMA), Anand (Guj).
Attended five days workshop on Participatory Crop Improvement at Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal.
Attended five days Workshop on Marketing of Minor Forest Products through Tribal Cooperatives at Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune.
Attended five days training on The Methods of Participatory Proposal Writing and Resource Mobilization at Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal.
Attended five days training on The JFM: Concept and Challenges at Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal.
Attended five days training on Natural Resource Management for Sustainable Development at Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal.
Attended three days training on Community Forestry at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.
Participated from Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project in Madhya Pradesh Case Study Working Group for the International Conference on “Transfer of Rural Technology” organized by MPRLP, DFID, GVT, BIAF and JK Trust, at Prashashan Academy Hall, Bhopal (MP).
Nominated as a member of the Working Group for formulating the State Gender Equity Policy by MPRLP, Department of Rural Development, and Government of Madhya Pradesh.
Core team member for formulation of Human Resource Manual for MPRLP, Bhopal.
Core team member for recruiting the Project Facilitation Team Member in MPRLP.
Organized Induction Program for newly recruited PFT member of MPRLP, Bhopal.
Core team member for developing MIS to Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project.

PUBLICATIONS

Contributed article on Integrating Gender Concerns in Poverty Reduction Project: A DPIP Experience in MPRLP, Bhopal (Aajivika Darpan Newsletter), 2003.
Induction Manual for Newly recruited Project Facilitation Team member in MPRLP, 2008.
Contributed learning & experience in developing Guideline for MPRLP, 2008.
Contributed a case study in a District Poverty Initiatives Project Working Paper titled, "Aankalan”, 2004.
Contributed a success & learning story in a District Poverty Initiatives Project’s newsletter, "Aikmat”, 2003.

COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE

Excellent command in Computer Software for word processing and statistical analysis such as MS Word, Power Point, MS Access, MS Excel etc.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Winner and held places in Debates, G.K. Quiz, Art & Science exhibition etc. during college days.
Participated in Kisan Mela (Farmers Fair) which is organized yearly at a very large scale by the university.
Participated in a 40 days camp organized under Institute (XISS) during study.

PERSONAL DETAILS

Father’s Name / : / Sri Kapil Deo Singh
Mother’s Name / : / Late Mrs. Lalita Devi
Date of Birth / : / February 02, 1979
Nationality / : / Indian
Marital Status / : / Married
Language Known / : / Hindi & English
Present Address / : / Gauri Sharan Singh,
Senior Consultant – Strategic Planning
UNICEF Supported SPPME Project
District Planning & Monitoring Cell,
Collecteriate Campus, Hajipur, Vaishali, Pin Code -
:06224 - 276511(O), 9031347746(M),
Permanent Address / : / Gauri Sharan Singh, S/O Sri Kapil Deo Singh,
Village + Post – Karwasin, Bhojpur, Bihar, India
: 09430221663, 8986023602 (M)

REFERENCES

Referee No. 1 / Referee No. 2 / Referee No. 3
Mr. Gaurav Mishra,
State Project Co-ordinator
CDLG Project – Uttar Pradesh
UNDP-GoI, MoPR Partnership
Mobile: 09425033615
e-mail:
/ Mr. Shivendra Nath Pandeya
Program Manager, UNDP-GOJ, Livelihoods Promotion Project,FFPBuilding, IIIrd floor, HEC Campus- Ranchi Jharkhand
Mobile: 09431102803
e-mail: / Mr. Nagendra Nath Sharma,
Development Consultant,
F-14, Sector-11, Noida
Phone: 0120 – 4335679 (R)
Mobile: 09873713183
e-mail:

I hereby declare that the above provided information is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Place:Hajipur, Vaishali (Bihar)Gauri Sharan Singh