SAIMA ALI
SUMMARY
I possess a Master’s Degree as (MBA) majors in Marketing & Finance along with (B.Ed.) an NLP Practitioner to attain a
professional qualification in order to educate and support Persons with Disabilities specially Women with Disabilities.
A motivated and hard working professional, with 17 years working in disability field
Experienced in non-governmental organizations on disability at national level
With proven leadership skills, including developing and motivating self-help groups and community people
to achieve their objectives.
Experience of training in Independent Living of Women with Disabilities
Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Committed to empower persons with disabilities
Excellent skills in networking
Experience working in diverse cultural environments and diverse communities
Currently working with UN Women on a tool designed for Stigma and discrimination faced by WWDs.
MEMBERSHIP
Coalition Inclusive Pakistan – (CIP)Karachi, Pakistan
CIP (Coalition Inclusive Pakistan) is one of the leading visual communications and outdoor media solutions
multinational company in the UAE and across the Middle East.
Convenor Dec 2021 – Till present
Promoting the Human Rights and Electoral Participation of People with Disabilities (PWDs), Transgender People,
and Women in Pakistan – Including the Excluded – is a 24-month project funded by the US Department of
State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor that focuses on improving capacity, representativeness
and influence of Coalition for Inclusive Pakistan (CIP) to engage with government and legislators for broader
reforms to enhance electoral and participation of PWDs, transgender people and women. The project through
expansion of CIP from 15 organizations (five regions) to 170 organizations (17 regions) will facilitate in
enhancing their outreach for effective advocacy with election authorities, political parties and other relevant
stakeholders on the rights of PWDs, transgender people and women.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Consultant UN Women Jan 2022 till date
Designing and implementing Tool for stigma and discrimination faced by Women with Disabilities and gathering data
how to deal with these.
Disabled Welfare Association (DWA) Karachi, Pakistan
DWA has been a representative NGO of Sindh, which has been striving for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the
mainstream society.
PRESIDENT Disabled Welfare Association July 2020- Till Present
Ensuring the organization’s activities are compliant and in furtherance of its mission
Leading, managing, and developing the organization’s employees, volunteers, and organizational
culture
Developing, implementing, monitoring, and assessing the organization’s programs (including their
impact)
Developing, implementing, monitoring, and assessing sound and compliant financial management
practices (including budgeting)
Developing, implementing, monitoring, and assessing sound and compliant fundraising practices
Developing, informing, and supporting the board and the board committees to carry out their
governance functions
Partnering with the Chair of the Board to help ensure the Board’s directives, policies, and resolutions
are carried out
Working with the development staff and Chair of the Board in cultivating and soliciting major
foundation grants and individual gifts
Developing and maintaining beneficial relationships with donors, funders, supporters, collaborators,
allies, vendors, and other stakeholders
Ensuring effective external communications about the organization and its mission, priorities,
importance, programs, and activities
Championing the organization and advocating its mission to internal and external stakeholders
Keeping informed and the organization’s leadership informed of significant developments and changes
in the internal and external environment
Leading the organization’s planning processes
Ensuring legal compliance (including all required filings) and sound risk management practices
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) July 2019 – June 2020
Responsible for providing strategic, financial and operational leadership for the company and will closely
coordinate and work with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team. Plan, develop, implement and
direct the organization’s operational and fiscal function and performance.
Responsible for providing strategic, financial and operational leadership for the company and will closely
coordinate and work with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team. Plan, develop, implement and
direct the organization’s operational and fiscal function and performance.
Responsible for providing strategic, financial and operational leadership for the company and will closely
coordinate and work with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team. Plan, develop, implement and
direct the organization’s operational and fiscal function and performance.
Act as a strategic partner by developing and implementing the company’s plans and programs.
Analyze and make recommendation on the impact of long-range growth initiatives, planning, and
introduction of new strategies and regulatory actions.
Develop credibility and authority for the finance leadership team by providing accurate analysis of budgets,
reports and financial trends and operational procedures in order to assist the BOD and senior executive team.
Create, improve, implement and enforce policies and procedures of the organization that will improve
operational and financial effectiveness of the company.
Communicate effectively and establish credibility throughout the organization and with the Board of
Directors as an effective developer of solutions to business challenges.
Provide expert financial guidance and advice to others within executive leadership.
Improve the planning and budgeting process on a continual basis by educating departments and key
members of corporate leadership.
Provide strategic input and leadership on decision making issues affecting the organization; specifically
relating to the evaluation of potential mergers, acquisitions or partnerships.
Optimize the handling of banking relationships and work closely with CFO to foster and grow strategic
financial partnerships.
Work with finance team to develop a solid cash flow projection and reporting mechanism, which includes
setting a minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs.
Act as a strategic advisor and consultant offering expert advice on contracts, negotiations or business deals
that the corporation may enter into.
Evaluate company’s financial, operational, and sales and marketing structures to plan for continual
improvements and a continual increase of operating efficiencies.
Mentor and interact with members of staff at all levels to foster growth and encourage development among
senior executive team and all members of staff.
PROJECT COORDINATOR Sep 2018 – Jun 2019
To seek new projects for skill development and Entrepreneurship of persons with disabilities.
Wrote World Bank’s prize-winning project of ‘Mobility Workshop’ in ‘Taraqqi Bazar Contest, 2007’. This
project is still sustainable even after 14 years.
To participate in all the major events of DWA before shifting to Dubai in 2009.
To provide financial assistance and sponsorship for DWA through communication and marketing for DWA
during stay in Dubai.
PRINCIPAL FUN & LEARN SCHOOL – (Inclusive Education)
A Project of Disabled Welfare Association
Inclusive education aims to ensure that all children and young people experience an education that enhances
their learning and social relationships, and prepares them for a quality adult life in the community.1
An inclusive approach enables all students to access and fully participate in teaching and learning experiences,
together and on an equal basis with their similarly aged peers. School communities need to develop habits of
inclusion to ensure students living with disability are not routinely excluded because they are perceived as
‘different’ or ‘other’. Perhaps the most critical factor in developing habits of inclusion is the role of the principal;
they are central to facilitating systemic change and leading school staff to adopt attitudes and practices
consistent with an inclusive school vision.
Main responsibilities include:
Fostering new meanings about diversity;
Promoting inclusive practices within schools/centres; and
Building connections between schools/centres and communities4
Furthermore, Inclusion for Children and Students with Disability in Education and Care provide useful guidance
about factors and considerations for successful inclusion of children and students living with disability, which
includes the following examples of inclusive school leadership:
inducting staff on the school’s inclusion principles and practice
providing clear and consistent communication to staff on the expectation to apply inclusive education
practices
supporting, providing, brokering, recognising and rewarding professional development that builds the
confidence and capacity of school staff to engage to students with diverse abilities and learning styles
providing resources including time for collaborative planning as well as support personnel, materials and
assistive technologies.
PRESIDENT WOMEN WING – (DWA)Jan 2000-Aug 2003
To lead the female members and users with disabilities in all the activities and events of DWA.
To encourage them to participate actively in relevant or ongoing projects for skill development and for
entrepreneurship.
To prepare them for any assigned task for example interview or representation etc.
To guide them to lead an independent life with least support
To seek, create and open new doors of opportunities for their academic, professional and financial.
Emirates Neon GroupSharjah, UAE
ENG (Emirates Neon Group)is one of the leading visual communications and outdoor media solutions multinational
company in the UAE and across the Middle East.
CUSTOMER RELATION EXECUTIVEJan 2013 – Feb 2014
To handle customer feedback received via all channels proactively in accordance with the company’s service
standards and policies.
To track and compile the Customer Feedback report on a weekly basis.
To attend all members’ inquiries in an efficient and professional manner.
Taking ownership of complaint, queries and proactively following through to resolution.
Making ensure that all customers’ queries are well-investigated and resolved, and escalating queries if
appropriate to supervisor.
Nakhlah Educational House for Islamic GroomingKarachi, Pakistan
“Nakhlah Educational House For Islamic Grooming” is affiliated with University of Cambridge UK providing schooling
from Montessori – O/A level.
INCHARGE (JUNIOR CAMPUS)Sep 2003 – Sep 2009
Review and approve new programs, or recommend modifications to existing programs, submitting program
proposals for school board approval as necessary.
Prepare, maintain, or oversee the preparation/maintenance of attendance, activity, planning, or personnel
reports and records.
To teach and educate students according to the educational needs abilities and attainment potential of
individual students.
Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, policies, and student behavioral or learning
problems.
Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.
Plan and develop instructional methods and content for educational, vocational, or student activity
programs.
Evaluate curriculum, teaching methods, and programs to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and
utilization, and to ensure that school activities comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff.
Collaborate with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards; develop mission statements, and
set performance goals and objectives
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
Bachelor Of Education(English and Islamic studies) 2012
Indus Institute Of Higher Education Karachi, Pakistan
Masters Of Business Administration(Marketing and Finance) 2003
Mohammad Ali Jinnah University Karachi, Pakistan
Bachelor Of Business Administration(Management Information System) 2002
Mohammad Ali Jinnah University Karachi, Pakistan
COMPUTER CERTIFICATION
Microsoft Programs (8 weeks) 2001
Word, Excel, Access, Power point and Internet.
Ministry of Science &Information Technology Division (Govt. of Pakistan)
LANGUAGE CERTIFICATION
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)6.5 Band. 2019
Australian Education Office (AEO)(Karachi, Pakistan)
TRAINING/WORKSHOP CERTIFICATIONS
Trainer’s Experience
Training of Organization of Persons with Disabilities (DPO) and Self-Help Group(SHG) members on Organizational
management, Disability Rights, Data Gathering, Advocacy, Networking and Local laws related to Disability
including CRPD implementation at Local level- training of each centers separately in collaboration with MALC
Organized three days training in the following UC’s (Sep 2021-Feb 2022)
1. UC Songal, Gadap, District West
2. UC Kalaboard, Malir, District Korangi
3. UC Maghopir
4. UC Baldiya
5. UC Bihar colony, Lyari
6. UC Landhi
Disability Sensitization Training (Employees of HANDS Pakistan, Badin)
Two days training conducted for Badin’s HANDS team in April, 2021
Disability Sensitization Training (Corporate Sector’s employees)
One day training for the employees of BIONIKS in Dec, 2020
Train the Trainer (Gender Based Violence and Extremism)
Two days training for women trainers organized by DWA in collaboration of Handicapped
International on
5
th Sept, 2020
Entrepreneurship of Women with Disabilities (Trainees of the project ‘Mini Accessible Garment
Factory’
One month training conducted for the trainees of the said project held in DWA in Feb, 2020
Leadership Training of Youths with Disabilities (Young beneficiaries of HANDS-ILC)
One week training for the youth with disabilities from the platform of HANDS-Independent Living
Center in April 2021
IL Training for Outreach activities (Reawakening Lives of Persons with Disabilities project)
One week IL training for the trainees of interior Sindh held at IL Center of DWA in collaboration with HANDSPakistan in Sep, 2018
Frequent Awareness Training Sessions for parents and teachers to highlight the importance of learning
Urdu Ka Guldasta (1 day) 2008
Oxford University Press (Karachi, Pakistan)
Islamic Integration in Syllabi (1 day) 2008
Date-Palm Education System(Karachi, Pakistan)
School Improvement(1 day) 2005
Teacher’s Resource Centre(Karachi, Pakistan)
Assessment & Parent Teacher Conference (1 day) 2005
Teacher’s Resource Centre (Karachi, Pakistan)
Strategies for Promoting Thinking (1 day) 2005
Teacher’s Resource Centre(Karachi, Pakistan)
Strategic Negotiation Skills Workshop (2 day) 2005
Timelenders(Karachi Marriott Hotel)
Strategic Time Management (6 day) 2004
Timelenders(Defense Central Library, Karachi)
Understanding Math Through Games (2 day) 2004
Teacher’s Resource Centre (Karachi, Pakistan)