Introduction. AASA Consulting was established in 1992 as a multidisciplinary

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2 Introduction AASA Consulting was established in 1992 as a multidisciplinary firm with the primary aim of improving the lives of people in Pakistan by assisting the government, donor agencies, NGOs and other organizations working in the development sector of the country. With over 25 years of rich experience and the successful completion of over 100 projects, we remain a reliable partner of first choice to many of the leading organizations in the country. We provide a range of social policy services with a focus in our specialized areas. Our strength lies in the ability to undertake work at a national and international level. We have a close - knit and small, but committed team that punches above its weight. We pride ourselves in empowering people, enhancing and rewarding performance and ensuring the best results for our partners and clients. 2

3 What We Do Sectors Education Social Protection Health and Population Welfare Gender Water, Environment and Sanitation Microfinance Housing and Urban Development Others 3

4 Services Field Research Institutional Development Baseline & Endline Surveys Impact Assessment Monitoring & Project Policy Grants Evaluation Management Formulation Management 4

5 Our Experience - Education Project Brief Independent Expert for Charter for Compassion Society of Pakistan: Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, has outsourced the operation and management of selected government schools to private sector Education Management Organizations (EMOs) under a PPP arrangement. Charter for Compassion Society of Pakistan (CFC) has commissioned AASA Consulting as their Independent Expert (IE) to facilitate the effective performance of their schools and track the progress made against each KPI. Khairpur & Sukkur Districts covered 5 Years Length of assignment AASA Consulting s scope of work for this study includes: (a) Facilitating the review, reporting and certification of all activities associated with the fulfillment of KPIs to the authority (Government of Sindh), operator (CFC) and the independent auditor (International Relief and Development (IRD)) (b) Approving the annual management plan developed by the operator (c) Supporting the operator and the authority in designing of the reporting and other Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (MER) tools (d) Facilitating the reviewing and approval of the employment criteria developed by the operator staff to be hired for the project (e) Facilitating the reviewing and approval of the the parameters for the Training Need Assessment (TNA) of the staff (f) Submitting reports to the authority, operator and independent auditor, on the performance of the operator based on technical and financial aspects 5

6 Our Experience - Education Project Brief Study on Willingness to Pay & Affordability, an education sector institution: The study aims to estimate the willingness and affordability of households to pay the tuition fee of children studying in the client s schools, through AASA Consulting recommending a location specific fee. The study scope of work, is as follows: 1) Designing of the study methodology in consultation with the client's team, including design of the assessment and analytical tools 2) Conducting household surveys in clusters representing mutually selected locations where the client s schools are present. A total of 8,040 households will be surveyed from 201 different clusters under the study. A minimum of 1 client school from each cluster shall also be visited, to compliment the household surveys 3) Determining households affordability for children education in each cluster independently 4) Determining households Willingness to Pay (WTP) in each cluster independently 5) Undertaking periodic review meetings with the client s study team as and when required This is a 5-month study, which shall result in the client being provided a location specific fee, along with a survey tool, which they can utilize to independently complete the study in all client school locations, nationwide. 5 months Length of study 8,040 Households surveyed 201 Schools surveyed Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa & Balochistan Geographic coverage 6

7 Impact Evaluation of the Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) Pilot Promoting Private Schools in Rural Sindh Program (PPRS) Impact Assessment Study of Capacity Building of Teachers Training Institutions and Training of Elementary School Teachers in Sindh Province, Government of Sindh, Subcontracted by Grant Thornton Consulting Development of a Five Year Comprehensive Business Plan, Teachers Resource Center Third Party Validation of School Management Committees in Schools in Sindh, Government of Sindh, Subcontracted by Grant Thornton Consulting Strategic Planning, Pakistan Coalition for Education Third Party Validation of Girls Stipend in Schools in Sindh, Government of Sindh, Subcontracted by Grant Thornton Consulting Evaluation of Long Term Outcomes, The British Council Understanding the Size of Computer Based Exams/Testing Market & Identifying Delivery Options to Grow this Market in Pakistan, The British Council, Subcontracted by Grant Thornton Consulting English Language Testing Needs Survey in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Srilanka and Kazakhstan, The British Council Monitoring and Evaluation of Education Sector Reform Assistance Program, USAID 7 Funding Proposal and Workshop for IBA Center of Excellence, IBA Voice of IBA - Employee Climate Survey, IBA

8 Our Experience - Social Protection Project Brief Targeting Survey National Socio Economic Registry (NSER) Update Phase 1, Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), Cluster C (Sindh & Baluchistan): Following on from AASA Consulting s successful completion of poverty scorecard surveys across 6 districts of Pakistan, BISP is conducting a nationwide survey to update the NSER. The Objective of this project is to collect 100% household data in 6 districts (3 in Sindh and 3 in Baluchistan) with the help of a Proxy Means Testing (PMT) based Poverty Scorecard, observing standard protocols, procedures, guidelines and manuals to be prescribed by BISP, and to undertake communication and social mobilization activities in the selected districts, to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the survey. This is a watershed study for BISP, through the use of Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI), in which paper forms will be replaced by an Android Application (to be provided by BISP). District Households covered Area coordinators Supervisors Social mobilizers Enumerators Field office staff Thatta 304, Jacobabad 220, Sukkur 204, Kech 68, Nasirabad 43, Killa Saifullah 29, Total 870,

9 Our Experience - Social Protection End of Project Brief Poverty Scorecard Survey (Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), the World Bank) in Multiple Districts, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF): BISP is Pakistan s largest social safety net program, which cannot function effectively without reliable household data. AASA Consulting conducted household surveys for BISP in six different districts during which, more than 550,000 households were surveyed using the national poverty scorecard. AASA Consulting was subcontracted by Grant Thornton Consulting for 4 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts. A substantial number of field staff were hired, trained and monitored in each district as data collection had to be conducted within a month. Since the shortlisting of program beneficiaries is done using the household data, multilayered monitoring mechanisms were designed and implemented throughout the project to ensure the accuracy of the collected data. District Ghotki Sanghar Bannu Upper Dir Kohistan Shangla Households covered Enumerators trained 80, ,000 99,867 98,803 81,010 83,

10 Baseline Study Balochistan under Multi Donor Trust Fund for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Balochistan, World Bank Enhancing Access and Rural Electrification - Cost, Benefits and Willingness to Pay for World Bank Effective, Poverty Focused Investment Strategy in Punjab (Component 1) for Asian Development Bank Impact Assessment of PPAF Communities and Skills Training Programs delivered to CSOs/NGOs, PPAF Situation Analysis and Baseline Surveys for Poverty Reduction through Rural Development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Balochistan, PPAF Assistance in Monitoring and Verification Activities in the Dir District Development program Project, UNDCP Self Help Program, USAID Project Monitoring of the Provisions Introduced by ILO for Eradication of Child Labour Usage in the Sports Industry 10

11 Our Experience - Health and Population Welfare End of Project Brief Benchmark Survey for Issues Related to Reproductive Health Initiatives for Youth in Asia (RHIYA), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): This was a nationwide survey covering the districts of Chakwal (Punjab), Jacobabad (Sindh), Kohat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Killa Saifullah (Balochistan). The purpose of this survey was to improve the reproductive health status of young people (ages15-24) in both, urban and rural areas. AASA Consulting provided useful information on issues otherwise difficult to investigate, such as awareness of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and the awareness and use of contraceptive measures. Households in both urban and rural areas were surveyed through random sampling, which increased the difficulty of getting responses from women. AASA Consulting was successful in collecting reliable data through innovative methods to engage respondents and the extensive training of field staff. 11

12 Technical Assistance for Capacity Building in Midwifery, Information and Logistics, USAID Policy Options for Financing Health Services in Pakistan, Health Financing & Sustainability Project, USAID/Abt Associates Training Workshops for Health Financing and Sustainability Project for USAID and Federal Ministry of Health, Pakistan Baseline View: Out of Pocket Health Expenditure, District Faisalabad for BISP Health Insurance Program, World Bank Data Collection for Protecting Pakistan s Poor Against Health Shocks in Disasters, World Bank Review of the Personnel Management System for the Government of Sindh s Social Action Program Project, World Bank Healthcare Development Project/Northern Health Project Funded by World Bank Health Financing and Sustainability Project - Feasibility for Development of Private Health Insurance in Papua New Guinea 12

13 Children s Hospital, Quetta Report on Long Term Operational Assistance for Children s Hospital, Review of Operations and Strategy, Al Razi Healthcare Health Maintenance Organization System for AsiaCare Quetta Mid -Term Assessment of Reproductive Health Profile Workshop On Managing the Pakistan Initiative for Study for Takhtbhai, Kohat Critical Hospital Resources - Mothers and Newborns, and Bannu for Pakistan People & Finances for Project for Pakistan Voluntary Health and Children s Hospital, Voluntary Health and Nutrition Authority Government Of Balochistan Nutrition Association Third Party Evaluation of Autonomous Hospitals for the Government of Punjab 13

14 Evaluating the Demand for Health Services for Aga Khan Health Service Pakistan Focus Group for Aga Khan University Hospital Community Health Financing Sustainability Study for Aga Khan Health Services, Pakistan Development of a Strategic Plan for a 100 Bed Murshid Hospital and Health Care Centre, Karachi Technical and Operational Restructuring of Orthopedic and Medical Institute Karachi Survey of General Practitioners on Family Planning Practices for Greenstar Social Marketing, Pakistan Pakistan Healthcare Corporation Feasibility Report On Network Based Health Care System for Pakistan Healthcare Corporation Situation Analysis and Marketing Survey of Intrauterine Devices in Karachi for Population Services International, Pakistan 14

15 Our Experience - Gender End of Project Brief Gender Differences: Understanding Perceptions, National Baseline Study for Aurat Foundation, USAID: AASA Consulting conducted a nationwide baseline study for the Gender Equity Program (GEP), supported by USAID. The study was designed to benchmark existing knowledge, attitudes and practices, which could later be used to assess progress towards GEP objectives. The survey recorded information on key issues with respect to women s rights, women s access to justice and institutions, women s empowerment and gender based violence. The survey was the first of its kind in recording responses for the same questions from male and female household members. The responses of male and female members were then compared. The survey was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative survey instruments, which consisted of social and economic indicators of gender equity. The study also comprised of diverse multi-stakeholder surveys (focus group discussions, key opinion maker interviews and case studies). Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Gilgit - Baltistan Geographic coverage 43 Focus Group Discussions conducted 53 Key Opinion Maker Interviews conducted 15 Case Studies conducted 6 months Project Duration 11,273 Respondent coverage 15

16 Gender Assessment for USAID s Office of Economic Growth and Agriculture Nationwide Gender Analysis for Office of Stabilization and Governance for USAID UNICEF Analysis of Madadgar Data on Human Rights Violations Review of Gender Policy Issues for Employer Federation of Pakistan 16

17 Our Experience - Field Research Project Brief Study on Profiling and Segmenting the Road Transport (Logistics) Sector and Assessment of Informal Financing therein, Karandaaz Pakistan: The primary aim of the assignment is to provide formal financial institutions insights into the sector. This will enable the design of suitable products and services to formalize lending and grow the portfolio of financial services available to the sector. The objectives are to establish: (i) Bankability potential of the sector (ii) Segmentation in the sector (iii) The growth potential and economics of the sector Karachi, Lahore & Peshawar 5140 The study will provide valuable information on the following aspects of the transportation sector: (i) Sector sizing, profiling and segmentation (ii) Policy and regulatory framework (iii) Sector economics (iv) Sources of financing and mechanics The assignment is a country-level study based on an analysis of both, secondary data and information, and primary data collected through a nation-wide survey, engaging all pertinent stakeholders. During the course of the study, more than 5000 stakeholders will be interviewed including: truck drivers, truck owners, service providers, etc. It is expected that the study will be completed in approximately 7 months. Hubs covered 6 Focus Group Discussions Vehicle Owner Interviews 54 Field Team Members 150 Key Informant Interviews 17

18 Our Experience - Field Research End of Project Brief Pakistan Off - Grid Lighting Consumer Perception Study, IFC/World Bank: AASA Consulting was subcontracted by Grant Thornton Consulting for this study. The project aimed to accelerate the development of commercial off-grid lighting markets in Pakistan, as part of World Bank s wider efforts to improve access to energy. The major objectives of the study were to: 1) Provide valuable socio-economic information pertaining to the ultra-poor households 2) Estimate the size of the national off-grid population 3) Estimate the willingness-to-pay of the ultra-poor households for pico (domestic) solar products Under the project, AASA Consulting developed research tools, conducted primary (direct surveying, focus group discussions and expert interviews) and secondary research, managed data and presented their findings to IFC. The results of this research were meant to design a consumer awareness campaign, assist and attract new companies to the market, provide guidance for market entry and strategy and provide a source of lighting to millions of underprivileged households. 18

19 Market Research on Home Textiles and Garments for Dawood Group of Industries Brand Audit of Lawrencepur Brand for Dawood Group Consumer Survey for Lawrencepur Textiles Third Party Validation - Water Environment and Sanitation, UNICEF Water Environment and Sanitation Baseline Survey in Sindh for UNICEF Decentralization Support Program, Improving Solid Waste Management Services at Town Municipal Administration Level, Government of Sindh KAP Study on Rural Water Supply and Sanitation for Government of AJK Market Assessment and Prototype Product Design for the Low Income Housing Finance Market in Pakistan for Acumen Fund Nationwide Comparative Research of the Outreach Clinical Laboratory Market in Pakistan for Aga Khan University Hospital Multiple Consumer Profile Studies For Lakson Tobacco Company, Pakistan PTCL - Monitoring of Services/Mystery Shopping Survey for PTCL Help Line and Customer Service 19

20 Fact-Finding Study on the Pakistan - Manufacturing Aman Foundation Regulatory Requirements for Establishments Survey Brainstorming Session with Import and Export Cargoes Towards Vision 2030: Social Sector Experts for Japan International Direction of Industrial Cooperation Agency Development in Pakistan for Japan International Cooperation Agency ABS Swiss Pharmaceutical Generic Pharmaceutical Industry Survey for ABS Swiss Pharmaceutical Emerging Markets Discovery Research - Pakistan, Citibank Pakistan Wood Product Market Research for British Columbia Based, Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) Ltd. Compost Fertilizer Plant Marketing Survey for Compost Fertilizer Plant Market Sizing Survey for Greaves Pakistan Service Demand Assessment for Eva Air 20

21 Investructure - Belgium Chinese Impact on the Pakistan Pesticides Market for Investructure Customer Satisfaction Survey for Shell Pakistan Limited Service Demand Assessment for Olympic Airways - Belgium Standard Chartered Multiple Customer Satisfaction Consumer Banking Study - Bank Mystery Shoppers Surveys - Market Research Research Study For Survey Study of Standard Chartered American Express Bank Bank s Customers in Major Cities of Pakistan Pak Global Star Pvt Ltd Market Sizing Study for Pak Globalstar (Pvt) Limited Focus Group Discussions and Quantitative Analysis to Determine User Perception, Surf Detergent Baseline Survey for Lever Brothers, Pakistan Ltd. Cybernet Internet Services 21

22 Our Experience - Institutional Development End of Project Brief Capacity Building of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for Malakand Rural Development Project (MRDP), Asian Development Bank: Our services were engaged for a 2 year project with a focus on capacity building of CSOs. Our scope of work entailed interaction with selected CSOs in the Malakand region and the government line departments to develop a detailed capacity building plan for MRDP. The project required a review, assessment and stratification of existing community support strategies and building the capacity of the implementing CSOs so they can be transformed into a District Rural Support program (RSP). It also included undertaking a training needs assessment and the development of training modules for the CSOs staff. In addition, we were assigned the task of providing on-the-job training by assisting and supervising community organization processes, preparing comprehensive assessment and recommendations on the institutional and managerial capacity for the implementation partners, and the success of the adopted strategy. The key outputs of the project included development of a capacity building strategy, over 25 training sessions, development of policy and procedures for administration, procurement, accounting and human resource management, as well as extensive community needs assessment reports. There were 20 full time experts deployed by us over the course of the project. 22

23 Development of Recruitment Manual for UNDP Project Staff, Pakistan Review and Training of Personnel and Performance Management for the Project Cycle Operations Manual for UNDP Devolution Support Study for the National Reconstruction Bureau - UNDP UNDP Funded Evaluation Test of Election Officers for Election Commission of Pakistan Provision of Training Coordinators for UNDP/Election Commission of Pakistan Development of a Strategic Direction for Sindh Agricultural and Forestry Workers Coordinating Organization Technical Assistance on the Micro - Financing Program for NGOs/MFIs, Rural Community Development Society Review of Aga Khan Rural Support Program Job Evaluation Process Review of Aga Khan Rural Support Program Human Resource Management Process Development of Job Analysis for Save the Children Fund Workshop On Project Management for Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad Workshop on Good Governance for Children s Hospital, Government of Balochistan 23

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26 Our Core Team Zohair Ashir Management, Health & Finance Zohair is the founder and Chief Executive Officer, with over 20 years of experience in social policy advisory. His core expertise lies in institutional development, capacity building, strategy and policy formulation. Zohair has sector experience in social protection, education, health, gender and water & sanitation. His major clientele include World Bank, USAID, ADB, DFID, UNDP, Government of Pakistan and Government of Papua New Guinea, among others. Zohair has lived and worked in UAE, Papua New Guinea, and USA - where he completed his Post Graduate Certification in Hospital Administration from University of Minnesota and his Bachelors in Business Administration from University of Memphis. 26

27 Riaz Hussain Economist Riaz is Director - Social Policy with the firm. He has over 20 years of experience in analytical research and project management. His core expertise lies in developing methodologies, designing of survey instruments, conducting and supervision of surveys, data management and analysis, and monitoring & evaluation. Riaz has sector experience in education, social protection, health, housing and water & sanitation. His major clientele include USAID, World Bank, ADB, UNICEF, JICA, British Council and Acumen Fund, among other major funding institutions. Riaz has been associated with the Applied Economics Research Centre (AERC), University of Karachi, for over 30 years, having completed his Masters in Economics from there. 27

28 Birjis Jaleel Project Management, M&E Meher Noshirwani Sociologist Birjis is a Director at AASA Consulting, having over 10 years of experience in project management, within the social sector. Her core expertise lies in institutional development, project management in the field of data collection and analysis for research projects, grants disbursement, capacity building and proposal development. This is complemented by her sector experience in social protection, education and health. Birjis has worked on projects for World Bank, USAID, PPAF, British Council and Acumen Fund, among others. She has completed her MBA from SZABIST, Pakistan. Meher is a Gender specialist with over 30 years of experience in women s development and environment. Her core expertise is qualitative research and technical writing. During her tenure at Shirkatgah, Meher headed their regional office and led a number of studies focusing on gender issues. Her major clients have included USAID, PPAF, SPDC, Trust for Conservation of Coastal Resources and WWF, among others. Meher has completed her M.A in Sociology from the University of Essex, UK. 28

29 Haroon Jamal Econometrist Huma Khan Educationist Haroon Jamal is a Statistician and Senior Data Analyst for AASA Consulting, with 30 years in development sector research (through his associations with Applied Economics Research Center, University of Karachi, and SPDC). His core expertise is statistical and analytical research, including impact evaluation study design and analysis. Haroon has sector experience in social protection, education, health, housing and water & sanitation, complemented by his past projects for USAID, World Bank, UNICEF, ADB and other major funding institutions. Haroon also has a long standing relationship with the AERC, where he completed his Masters in Applied Economics. Huma is an Education Specialist with 16 years in the field. Her core expertise lies in school system management, research, education program management, and training and development. She has extensive advocacy experience in the sectors of education (with an emphasis on education policy) and gender. Her major clients include; DFID, DAI, DIL, Government of Sindh, OXFAM-GB and Engro Foundation, among others. Huma has multiple qualifications, including; MBA, Education Management, IoBM, Karachi; Masters, International Relations, University of Karachi; and is currently pursuing a PHD in Educational Leadership and Management from SZABIST, Pakistan. 29

30 Hasaan Mohiuddin Economist Adnan Sher Field Research Hasaan is a key member of the firm especially in the planning and execution of projects, with extensive experience in social protection, gender and agriculture. His core expertise lies in primary and secondary research, monitoring and evaluation, data management, data analysis and report writing. He has worked for major clients such as World Bank, USAID and PPAF. Hasaan completed his M.S., Economics, from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, and his B.S., Economics, from the University of Karachi, Pakistan. Adnan is a field specialist having over 9 years of experience in the development sector, with an emphasis on field research. He has managed field activities on projects for UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDCP, USAID, PPAF, World Bank, British Council and Acumen Fund, among others. Adnan has sectoral experience in social protection, health, education, water & sanitation, agriculture, energy and microfinance. He has an MBA from the Sarhad University of Information and Technology, Pakistan, and a Bachelors of Science from Gomal University, Pakistan. 30

31 Danish brings considerable years of experience in the areas of monitoring and evaluation and communications, with a focus on the social protection, gender and agriculture sectors. His core expertise lies in field based work in team building, project management and stakeholder engagement. He also manages the business development function of the firm working closely with the leadership team of AASA Consulting, as well as of the clients. Danish has worked for major clients such as USAID, World Bank and PPAF. He has completed his Masters in Development Studies and Bachelors of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, Australia. Danish Khan M&E and Communications Hina Hussain Project Management & Research Hina is a key member of the firm, particularly in the management of projects in the education, transport and banking sectors. Her experience lies in secondary research, project management and proposal writing. Hina has worked for major clients, including Charter for Compassion Society of Pakistan, Karandaaz Pakistan, Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company, and United Bank Limited. Hina has completed her B.Sc (Economics), from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan. 31

32 Muhammad Safdar Research & Operations Junaid Shahid Field Research Safdar is a Field Operations Manager with AASA Consulting, having over 8 years of experience in social policy. His core expertise lies in field team management, logistics management, monitoring and evaluation, and primary data collection quality assurance. His major clients include World Bank, USAID, PPAF, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNDP, among others. Safdar has completed his Bachelors of Commerce from the University of Karachi, Pakistan. Junaid is a Field Coordinator having over 10 years of experience, with an emphasis on field research. He has managed field activities on projects for UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, USAID, PPAF, World Bank and AKUH. He has sector experience in education, social protection, health, gender, water & sanitation, agriculture, energy and microfinance. Junaid has completed his MBA from PIMSAT, Karachi. 32

33 For further information, please contact: Danish Khan Business Development Manager M: +92 (0) T: +92 (0) E: W: AASA Consulting (Pvt.) Ltd. All rights reserved. Version - October