Md Sahidul Islam
Cox’s Bazar
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Assistant WASH Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
01.2018 - Current
- Project Management: Led multi-sectoral WASH and shelter projects, directly benefiting over 1 million refugees and host community members
- Sustainable Infrastructure Development: Designed and implemented fecal sludge and solid waste management systems, incorporating green energy solutions to ensure sustainable living conditions in refugee camps
- Environmental Oversight: Developed Environmental Management Plans (EMP) and conducted Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), continuously monitoring and mitigating environmental impacts throughout project lifecycles
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinated with local and international stakeholders to align WASH interventions with broader development goals, effectively addressing the long-term water crisis in the Teknaf region
- Community Engagement: Promoted peaceful co-existence between refugees and host communities by ensuring the provision of essential services within budget constraints and engaging communities in the operation and maintenance of WASH services, enhancing sustainability and reducing operational costs
- Emergency Preparedness: Provided strategic guidance on emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and natural resource management initiatives, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery during crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic
- Training and Capacity Building: Trained 500 WASH professionals on fecal sludge management, covering fundamentals and technologies for transfer, treatment, and reuse
- Innovative Solutions: Eliminated manual handling of fecal sludge by introducing underground pipelines (IFSTN), reducing public health risks and operational costs by 25%
- Renewable Energy Integration: Implemented solar-powered water supply systems, achieving over 80% cost reduction and environmental benefits
- Advocacy and Compliance: Advocated with WASH sector and government stakeholders, facilitating necessary approvals for timely project implementation and ensuring adherence to Sphere standards for safe water provision
- Real-Time Monitoring: Introduced LoRaWAN technology for real-time monitoring of borehole water levels, flow rates, and Free Residual Chlorine (FRC) levels, enhancing data accuracy and reducing the need for manual monitoring
- Laboratory Establishment: Established dedicated laboratories for water and wastewater quality analysis, supporting informed decision-making and quality control
Sanitation Engineering Advisor/City Coordinator
SNV Netherlands Development Organization
05.2013 - 12.2017
- Urban Sanitation Leadership: Led urban sanitation initiatives, overseeing the construction and operation of fecal sludge treatment plants in collaboration with city authorities in Khulna, Jhenaidah, and Kushtia, ensuring pollution-free and environmentally friendly systems for all city residents
- Community Outreach and Research: Conducted community awareness campaigns and research on willingness to pay, as well as the potential reuse of fecal sludge in agriculture and aquaculture
- Capacity Building: Developed training manuals and delivered capacity-building sessions for municipal staff and operators, enhancing local capabilities in sanitation management
- Stakeholder Engagement: Fostered strong relationships with local governments, civil society, and development partners, ensuring informed decision-making among city officials, including mayors and councilors
- Technological Innovation: Pioneered innovative sanitation technologies, ensuring compliance with international standards and upgrading laboratory facilities, such as enhancing the Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) lab for fecal sludge testing with support from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand
Regional Infrastructure Manager
CARE Bangladesh
01.2013 - 04.2013
- Infrastructure Design: Identified and designed construction projects, including schools, water points, sanitation facilities, rural roads, and homestead improvements, ensuring alignment with government strategies
- Environmental Assessment: Conducted environmental assessments prior to project implementation
- Cost Management: Prepared detailed estimates/BOQs and developed comprehensive QA/QC plans to ensure quality and cost control
- Construction Oversight: Monitored progress, reviewed, and certified contractor invoices, ensuring compliance with project specifications and timelines
- Reporting: Generated and presented regular reports on project progress and quality, highlighting key performance indicators
- Stakeholder Communication: Collaborated with contractors and beneficiaries to communicate project objectives and ensure goal alignment
Settlement Improvement Expert
UNDP Bangladesh
02.2010 - 12.2012
- Urban Poverty Alleviation: Conducted urban poverty mapping and stakeholder analysis to design and implement programs improving conditions in urban slums and low-income communities of Khulna City
- Community Development: Facilitated the formation of Community Development Committees (CDCs) and federations, emphasizing female representation and rights advocacy
- Technical Support: Provided technical assistance for constructing community access roads, culverts, centers, drainage systems, and pond rehabilitation projects
- Livelihood Enhancement: Supported small businesses and vocational training in mobile repair, carpentry, tailoring, and more
- Female Entrepreneurship: Introduced female entrepreneurs to the business of fecal sludge management in Khulna
- Women's Empowerment: Trained women leaders in livelihoods, community contracts, savings, operations, and financial management, contributing to a reduction in urban poverty from 45% to 30% by 2012
Senior Project Engineer
Dustha Shasthya Kendra (DSK)
05.2009 - 01.2010
- WASH Program Implementation: Managed comprehensive water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities for urban slum dwellers in Dhaka and Chittagong, improving access to essential services
- Training and Capacity Building: Developed training materials for staff and community members on water and sanitation practices
- Stakeholder Engagement: Liaised with water authorities to facilitate water supply connections for underserved communities
- Fecal Sludge Management: Introduced and facilitated mechanical emptying of toilet containment systems, ensuring safe and efficient fecal sludge management
Construction Manager
Border Police Project – Sadat Business Group (US Army Funded)
12.2008 - 05.2009
- Infrastructure Development: Oversaw the construction of border police quarters across four districts along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border
- Comprehensive Facilities: Delivered fully integrated infrastructure, including staff quarters, administrative offices, internal roads, drainage systems, water supply, sanitation facilities, stormwater and sewerage networks, and perimeter safety boundaries
- Quality Assurance: Ensured projects adhered to design specifications, safety standards, and timelines
Provincial Engineer/Manager
National Solidarity Program – BRAC Afghanistan
04.2007 - 11.2008
- Community Development Leadership: Facilitated community development planning through extensive stakeholder consultations and participatory approaches
- National Solidarity Building: Led the formation and capacity-building of Community Development Councils (CDCs) to strengthen local governance
- Project Coordination: Managed infrastructure, human capital development, and vocational training initiatives to enhance community resilience
- Stakeholder Management: Collaborated with local authorities and partners to deliver impactful, community-driven development solutions
Assistant Engineer
Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives
12.2005 - 04.2007
- Needs Assessment and Planning: Analyzed community needs and developed comprehensive master plans to address infrastructure gaps
- Procurement Management: Established transparent procurement systems in line with government Public Procurement Regulations (PPR)
- Construction Supervision: Oversaw the construction of municipal infrastructure, including buildings (schools and markets), small bridges/culverts, drainage systems, and roads (BFS, HBB, Macadam), ensuring quality control and design compliance
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinated with local communities and contractors to ensure timely and effective project delivery
Assistant Engineer
Gas Supply to Bogra Town Project – Paschimanchal Gas Company Limited (Petrobangla)
09.2004 - 12.2005
- Infrastructure Design and Implementation: Managed planning, design, and construction of infrastructure, including staff quarters, drainage systems, roads (BFS, HBB, RCC), water supply, and sanitation facilities
- Gas Distribution Networks: Installed gas distribution pipelines, Town Boundary Systems, and District Regulatory Systems to expand service coverage
- Service Delivery: Provided thousands of gas line connections to residential, commercial, and industrial clients, ensuring quality, efficiency, and compliance with PPR
Resident Engineer
Water Supply and Sanitation Component – DPHE-DANIDA
01.2001 - 09.2004
- Multi-Component Program Management: Implemented urban, rural, and arsenic mitigation water supply and sanitation projects across multiple districts
- Infrastructure Installation: Constructed hundreds of deep and shallow tube wells with platforms, test wells, school sanitary latrines, public toilets, overhead tanks, transmission and distribution pipelines, pump houses, and pond sand filters (PSF)
- Rainwater Harvesting Solutions: Promoted sustainable water solutions, including rainwater harvesting systems, for underserved areas
- Training and Capacity Building: Developed training materials and delivered sessions for stakeholders, staff, caretakers, and community committees on the operation, maintenance, and sustainability of water and sanitation systems
- Community Empowerment: Facilitated capacity-building programs for School Management Committees and local latrine producers to ensure effective construction, operation, and maintenance of sanitary facilities
Skills
- Team building
- Verbal communication
- Analytical thinking
- Supervision and leadership
- Computer skills
- Attention to detail
- Collaboration
- Written communication
- Active listening
- PPE compliance
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Flexible and adaptable
- Decision-making
- Quality assurance
- Public speaking
- Multitasking
- Leadership
- Analytical
- Team management
- Time management
- PPE use
- Critical thinking
- Project planning
- Recordkeeping
- Microsoft office
- Networking
- Data management
- Remote office availability
Accomplishments
- Documented and resolved solid waste and fecal sludge issues, leading to cleaner camps and reduced public health risks.
- Achieved a 15% reduction in waterborne diseases by implementing safe water supply and improved sanitation facilities.
- Enhanced project efficiency by 20% through accurate and efficient infrastructure assessments.
- Collaborated with a team of 5 engineers on the WASH Service Delivery to 1 million refugees in Cox's Bazar.
- Managed Partnerships with National and International NGOs , effective WASH service delivery to the refugees and the host communities.
- Reduced data processing time by 25% by introducing AutoCAD for design tasks.
- Developed inventory tracking spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel, streamlining resource management for construction materials and quality control of water and wastewater.
- Supervised a team of 15 staff members, overseeing daily operations and ensuring project milestones were met.
- Addressed water supply challenges, improving access to clean water for over 100,000 residents in Teknaf Peninsula.
Affiliations
- Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng) from Bangladesh Professional Engineers Registered Board
- Life fellow of Institution of Engineers Bangladesh
Certification
- Project Management Professional (PGDPM) – June 2022 to Present
- WASHFIT Trainer, WHO – March 2018
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PEng) – January 2017 to Present
- Nature-based Solutions for Disaster and Climate Resilience, UNEP – January 2024
- ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management Systems (EMS)– December 2024
- ISO 45001:2018 - Principles of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems - December 2024
- Camp Coordination Camp Management - UNHCR, September 2022
- ISO 30500 & ISO 24521: Non-Sewered Sanitation Standards – CAP-NET (2020)
Languages
Bengali
Native language
English
Proficient
C2
French
Elementary
A2
Arabic
Elementary
A2
Timeline
Assistant WASH Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
01.2018 - Current
Sanitation Engineering Advisor/City Coordinator
SNV Netherlands Development Organization
05.2013 - 12.2017
Regional Infrastructure Manager
CARE Bangladesh
01.2013 - 04.2013
Settlement Improvement Expert
UNDP Bangladesh
02.2010 - 12.2012
Senior Project Engineer
Dustha Shasthya Kendra (DSK)
05.2009 - 01.2010
Construction Manager
Border Police Project – Sadat Business Group (US Army Funded)
12.2008 - 05.2009
Provincial Engineer/Manager
National Solidarity Program – BRAC Afghanistan
04.2007 - 11.2008
Assistant Engineer
Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives
12.2005 - 04.2007
Assistant Engineer
Gas Supply to Bogra Town Project – Paschimanchal Gas Company Limited (Petrobangla)
09.2004 - 12.2005
Resident Engineer
Water Supply and Sanitation Component – DPHE-DANIDA
01.2001 - 09.2004
- Project Management Professional (PGDPM) – June 2022 to Present
- WASHFIT Trainer, WHO – March 2018
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PEng) – January 2017 to Present
- Nature-based Solutions for Disaster and Climate Resilience, UNEP – January 2024
- ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management Systems (EMS)– December 2024
- ISO 45001:2018 - Principles of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems - December 2024
- Camp Coordination Camp Management - UNHCR, September 2022
- ISO 30500 & ISO 24521: Non-Sewered Sanitation Standards – CAP-NET (2020)
Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management - Project Management
Edupro, UK
Master of Science - Civil Engineering With Major in Environmental Engg
Khulna University of Engineering And Technology
MBA - Human Resources Management
Northern University Bangladesh
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering
Rajshahi University of Engineering And Techology
Summary
Results-oriented achiever with proven ability to exceed targets and drive success in fast-paced environments. Combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience to deliver impactful solutions and enhance organizational performance.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management - Project Management
Edupro, UK
06-2022
Master of Science - Civil Engineering With Major in Environmental Engg
Khulna University of Engineering And Technology
Khulna, Bangladesh10-2016
MBA - Human Resources Management
Northern University Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh06-2011
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering
Rajshahi University of Engineering And Techology
Rajshahi, Bangladesh06-2000
Similar Profiles
Mariam KakkarMariam Kakkar
Senior Advisor – Digital Transformation at UN 2.0, Office of Digital Services, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)Senior Advisor – Digital Transformation at UN 2.0, Office of Digital Services, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Collins SakalaCollins Sakala
Call Centre Assistant at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)Call Centre Assistant at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
JOHN GIBSON KARUMA WACHIRAJOHN GIBSON KARUMA WACHIRA
Associate Resettlement and Complementary Officer (TA) at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)Associate Resettlement and Complementary Officer (TA) at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)