Hridita Dewan
Dhaka
Summary
Experienced in administering projects with a strong background in managing Australia Awards scholarship program funded by the Australian Government. Proven ability to facilitate scholar mobilization, manage Australia Awards alumni support grant, and oversee complex project operations. Adept at liaising with the Australian High Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), government agencies, academic institutions, and international stakeholders to enhance programs effectiveness. Committed to delivering high-quality project administration with a focus on strategic planning, compliance, and impact assessment.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Officer, Australia Awards Bangladesh
Palladium
07.2019 - Current
- Company Overview: On behalf of the Australian Government, Palladium manages the Australia Awards in South Asia, and Mongolia. In 2022, Palladium took over the management of the Australia Awards Program from Scope Global; however, Palladium in Bangladesh remains legally registered as Scope Global.
- Provide assistance in planning, organizing, managing, and evaluating activities to achieve the specific goals and targets of the Australia Awards program, ensuring alignment with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) guidelines
- Collaborate with internal and external teams to ensure program activities align with the broader organizational strategies and priorities
- Oversee the implementation of key initiatives, maintain compliance with program policies, and ensure effective coordination among stakeholders
- Provide coordination support for the selection process of scholarships, short courses, and Australian Professional Development Opportunities (APOs), ensuring compliance and transparency throughout applicant assessments and interviews
- Support logistical arrangements from interviews to pre-departure briefing sessions
- Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of program progress by gathering and analyzing data, case studies, and outcomes to inform strategic decisions and provide recommendations to senior management
- Liaise with Australian institutions, government representatives, and development organizations to design and implement pilot initiatives that enhance program effectiveness and align with broader program goals
- Manage and contribute to the development of concept notes for alumni support grants, ensuring proper disbursement in line with financial guidelines and supporting alumni reintegration activities
- Prepare the Monthly Management Report, Annual Report, Country Profile Report, Australia Awards Year in Review, and the Australia Awards Coffee Table Book, ensuring comprehensive documentation of the program's impact and progress
- Undertake periodic field visits across Bangladesh to promote and assess program outcomes, provide strategic support to local partners, and strengthen outreach to target communities
- Establish, foster, and maintain strategic partnerships with stakeholders, including DFAT, Australian and Bangladesh government agencies, Australian academic institutions, and development organizations, to ensure long-term sustainability and impact
- Facilitate networking opportunities for alumni and scholars through structured events and engagement programs, promoting professional development and strengthening connections within the alumni network
- Contribute to the preparation of the Annual Plan, providing input for strategic proposals aimed at expanding the program, engaging alumni, and mobilizing resources for growth
- Develop and manage capacity-building initiatives for alumni to promote leadership and active involvement in community and development projects at local and national levels
- Ensure adherence to Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles and promote inclusive participation in all program activities
- On behalf of the Australian Government, Palladium manages the Australia Awards in South Asia and Mongolia
- In 2022, Palladium took over the management of the Australia Awards Program from Scope Global; however, Palladium in Bangladesh remains legally registered as Scope Global
Operations Support Assistant
WorldFish, Bangladesh
03.2015 - 02.2017
- Company Overview: ECOFISH-BD Phase-1 was a five-year project, launched on June 1, 2014, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and jointly implemented by WorldFish and the Department of Fisheries (DoF). The project aimed to assist the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) and coastal fishing communities to enhance the resilience of the Ganges and Meghna River estuarine ecosystem and livelihoods reliant upon the rivers
- Provide support in planning, organizing, managing, and evaluating activities to achieve the specific goals and targets of the ECOFISH-BD project
- Assist in managing and coordinating the activities of partners and consultants, ensuring alignment with project specifications and quality standards
- Work closely with project leaders, project manager, and team members to achieve project targets, and conveyed regular updates and feedback from partners and field staff
- Generated One Corporate System reports that were customized for management review
- Regular monitoring and evaluation of the progress of the core functional activities of the program by gathering and analyzing field data, case studies, and in-depth analysis to inform and provide recommendations to the senior management team on matters requiring immediate attention, appropriate actions or modifying planning and operational strategies
- Coordinate project operations with the WorldFish management related to Human Resource, finance, procurement and administration including all agreement processes with partners such as NGOs, government consultants
- Prepare Progress Reports for the Program unit and prepare responses to queries made by partners and external stakeholders
- Manage administrative tasks associated with project documentation, ensuring compliance with organizational policies, liaising with stakeholders, tracking milestones and deliverables, and ensuring smooth and timely execution of project activities
- Respond to inquiries, resolve issues regarding contracts and project activities, and through effective communication with stakeholders provided solutions to problems
- Provide logistical support for workshops, meetings, and training sessions
- ECOFISH-BD Phase-1 was a five-year project, launched on June 1, 2014, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and jointly implemented by WorldFish and the Department of Fisheries (DoF)
- The project aimed to assist the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) and coastal fishing communities to enhance the resilience of the Ganges and Meghna River estuarine ecosystem and livelihoods reliant upon the rivers
Education
Master of Development Studies -
Macquarie University
Australia01-2018
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Southeast University
Bangladesh01-2013
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Military Institute of Science & Technology (MIST)
Bangladesh01-2010
Skills
- Program management
- Project coordination
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Communication and reporting
- Stakeholder and alumni engagement
- Data analysis
- Compliance management
- Capacity building
Workshops, Training, and Courses Completed
- Australia Awards Regional Alumni Workshop on 'Leading and Inspiring Meaningful Change'. Participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka gathered to exchange insights on leadership, development goals, and cross-regional collaboration.
- Security Awareness Training – conducted by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS)
- Cegos Communication Training (Online) – CARE Academy
o Three Routes to Good Communication
o Identifying Your Communication Style
o Knowing Yourself Better to Communicate Better
- Harvard Manage Mentor (Online) – Making Business Decisions
- Harvard Series (Online) – CARE Academy – Setting Goals
- Gender Equity and Diversity (GED) Basics (Online) – CARE Academy
- Personal Safety and Security Awareness (Online) – CARE Academy
REFERENCES
- Kanchan Khisa, Program Coordinator, Australia Awards – South Asia and Mongolia,
kanchan.khisa@australiaawardsbangladesh.org, kanchan.khisa@gmail.com,
+8801730338492 - Rod Sollesta, Associate Director, Future Economies, Tetra Tech International
Development, Rod.Sollesta@tetratech.com, resollesta@gmail.com, 61 (0) 475 678
752
Timeline
Program Officer, Australia Awards Bangladesh
Palladium
07.2019 - Current
Operations Support Assistant
WorldFish, Bangladesh
03.2015 - 02.2017
Master of Development Studies -
Macquarie University
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Southeast University
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Military Institute of Science & Technology (MIST)
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