Sumitra Mukherjee
Bhopal
Summary
Senior humanitarian and development professional with leadership experience across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Strengthened donor engagement through consortium formation and increased female representation in management roles while ensuring operational efficiency and risk mitigation.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Country Director
Danish Refugee Council
01.2021 - Current
- I lead DRC Bangladesh operations, providing strategic guidance, ensuring program quality, and fostering operational efficiency.
- Strengthened donor engagement by facilitating consortium formation with NRC, IRC, and HI for ECHO HIP.
- Led in-country SPD development aligned with global Strategy.
- Closed legal and tax cases while managing operational risks, achieving minimal or zero loss.
- Advanced gender equity by increasing female representation in management and team leader positions.
- I have led and managed high-profile events including Danish Princess, Danish Minister.
- My current role involves active participation in interagency coordination forums, and in strategic working groups.
- Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian organization that provides assistance to refugees and displaced persons.
Regional Operations Director
Danish Refugee Council
04.2023 - 12.2024
- Identified critical operational gaps and advised on policy development in collaboration with country team while supporting operations in Afghanistan and Myanmar.
- Resolved long-standing tax issues in Afghanistan through direct engagement with Taliban Minister, while providing leadership coverage during Country Director’s absence.
- Secured work permits and visas for country and regional expatriate staff in Bangladesh, ensuring compliance and operational continuity.
- Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian organization that provides assistance to refugees and displaced persons.
Regional Head of Support Services
Danish Refugee Council
08.2018 - 12.2020
- Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian organization that provides assistance to refugees and displaced persons.
- Ensured compliance with global standards across DRC operations in Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Yemen, and Jordan, enhancing operational integrity.
- Facilitated audits and provided technical support to country offices while managing regional financial and risk processes, streamlining operations.
- Contributed to organizational learning and capacity-building initiatives as a member of DRC Dynamics(ERP) Governance Board, strengthening governance.
Country Director
Danish Refugee Council
12.2016 - 07.2018
- Stabilized senior management team, reduced expatriate turnover, expanded DRC's multiyear-funded project portfolio, enhancing organizational stability and project sustainability.
- Strengthened donor relations and ensured compliance with government and donor regulations while representing INGOs in the Humanitarian Country Team, advocating for humanitarian needs.
- Leadership reduced Code of Conduct complaints and earned recognition from the Afghan government for program excellence.
- Elected HCT INGO member, effectively representing INGOs and influencing humanitarian coordination during CD tenure.
- Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian organization that provides assistance to refugees and displaced persons.
Head of Finance & Administration
Danish Refugee Council
06.2015 - 12.2016
- Led HR, finance, IT, and administration functions, ensuring legal and organizational compliance, facilitating internal audits, restructuring teams for enhanced collaboration, and implementing policies to improve operational efficiency.
- Managed financial planning and budgeting processes for humanitarian projects.
- Oversaw administrative operations ensuring compliance with organizational policies.
- Coordinated training sessions for staff on financial management tools.
- Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian organization that provides assistance to refugees and displaced persons.
Project Director
Danish Afghanistan Committee
Herat
03.2008 - 05.2015
- Danish Afghanistan Committee (DAC) is an organization focused on humanitarian assistance and development in Afghanistan.
- Directed multi-sectoral programs in health, nutrition, WASH, and livelihoods, enhancing community resilience and well-being.
- Developed project management systems and coordinated with government authorities and local partners to streamline program execution.
- Managed facilities and outreach services, ensuring compliance in donor reporting and successful audits.
Director Support Services
LifeLine / ChildLine Namibia
09.2006 - 02.2008
- Coordinated finance, HR, administration, and support services to ensure alignment with donor and government authority requirements.
- Managed support services and assistance programs for children and families at LifeLine / ChildLine Namibia.
- Led support services team to enhance client care initiatives.
- Developed training programs for staff to improve service delivery.
- Coordinated community outreach efforts to raise awareness of services.
Education
B.Sc. - Physics, Chemistry, Maths
Barkatullah University
Bhopal, IndiaM.A - Sociology
Barkatullah University
Bhopal, IndiaDiploma in Oracle -
BITS
BhopalExecutive Development Course - Oracle C & UNIX
IEC
DelhiPostgraduate Diploma in System Management -
Comp-U-Tech
BhopalSkills
- Country Operations
- Program Development
- Resource Mobilization
- Risk Management
- Emergency Response
- Operational Safety
- Financial Oversight
- Compliance
- Strategic Leadership
- Policy advocacy
- Advocacy
- External Relations
- Team Leadership
- Capacity Building
- Representation
Mobile
- +880 1870 715191, Bangladesh
- +91 95892 46643, India
Current Valid Visas
- UK
- Schengen
- Bangladesh
Languages
- English
- Hindi
- Bangla
- Urdu
- Dari (basic)
Professional Development
- Senior Leadership: Influencing for Senior Leaders – LSE & GELI
- Data Quality: Global Health E-Centre (USAID/Johns Hopkins)
- Security & Risk Management: UNHCR/JICA Bangkok
- Hazardous Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)
- Humanitarian Response: Basics of International Humanitarian Response (BIHR), Thailand
- Multiple workshops on M&E, program management, sexual & reproductive health, and quality of care
Personal Information
- Passport Number: Z4815265
- Date of Birth: 06/08/67
- Nationality: Indian
Timeline
Regional Operations Director
Danish Refugee Council
04.2023 - 12.2024
Country Director
Danish Refugee Council
01.2021 - Current
Regional Head of Support Services
Danish Refugee Council
08.2018 - 12.2020
Country Director
Danish Refugee Council
12.2016 - 07.2018
Head of Finance & Administration
Danish Refugee Council
06.2015 - 12.2016
Project Director
Danish Afghanistan Committee
03.2008 - 05.2015
Director Support Services
LifeLine / ChildLine Namibia
09.2006 - 02.2008
B.Sc. - Physics, Chemistry, Maths
Barkatullah University
M.A - Sociology
Barkatullah University
Diploma in Oracle -
BITS
Executive Development Course - Oracle C & UNIX
IEC
Postgraduate Diploma in System Management -
Comp-U-Tech