Hitendra Solanki

Over 21 years of practical experience in the humanitarian and development sector across various organisations and countries. MSc level Mindfulness Teacher with over 10 years teaching experience.

University Senior

Lecturer at London South Bank University since 2003, currently teaching MSc/BSc level modules. Expertise in delivering Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) training across corporate, humanitarian, development, and academic sectors.

Mindfulness & Wellbeing Adviser - Simply Mindful Ltd

(2020-01)

Registered limited company set up to deliver mindfulness and wellbeing training and consultancy to academic, humanitarian, and development organisations in the UK and internationally. Based on over a decade of practical mindfulness training experience, via personally training thousands of agency workers, teachers, psychologists, community workers, and the public, in dozens of INGOs, NGOs, and CSOs, across the UK and Southeast Asia, and Africa.

Course Director/Senior Lecturer - London South Bank University - London, UK

(2003-01)

Senior Lecturer from 2013 to Present, Course Director from 2021 to present. Previously teaching the MSc Development Studies / MSc Refugee Studies course (previously Part-Time Lecturer 2003 to 2013). Currently teaching and leading modules for a number of undergraduate and post-graduate modules. Teaching at 0.6 FTE.

• Education for Sustainability (MSc Dissertation Supervisor)
• Contemporary Issues in International Development (Module leader, BSc level)
• Globalisation & Development (Module leader, BSc)
• Social Science in the Contemporary World (BSc)
• Mindfulness & Decision-Making in Uncertainty (CPD Course)
• LLM Contemporary Issues in Development (MSc level)

Mindfulness & Wellbeing Adviser - Action Against Hunger UK (ACF-UK)

(2015-01 - 2019-12)

This innovative role at ACF-UK was linked into the Start Network's 3 year Transforming Surge Capacity programme to improve humanitarian responses during disasters and emergencies. As a Mindfulness Teacher, responsibilities were to conduct and pilot customised Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training to humanitarian first responders in disaster affected areas. The project was funded by DFID and supported and advised by Bangor University and the University of Massachusetts, and was eventually rolled out to over 42 humanitarian agencies.

Partnerships & Programmes Manager - Action Against Hunger UK (ACF-UK)

(2013-01 - 2015-12)

Role involved designing project interventions, delivering training, donor liaison, preparing funding proposals, and developing, organising and reporting on multi-partner consortiums for humanitarian and development interventions globally.

• Represented ACF within the Start Network consortium of humanitarian agencies
• Became inaugural Chair of the Project Selection Committee for the Start Fund

Programme Funding Manager - Action Against Hunger UK (ACF-UK)

(2009-07 - 2013-12)

Full-time role involved researching trusts, foundations, and other major donors, both UK and internationally, and writing funding proposals to secure matched and unrestricted funding.

• Developed fundraising strategies
• Ensured compliance for ongoing grants to donors

Programme Officer - Africa Educational Trust

(2008-01 - 2009-12)

Full-time position involved writing funding proposals to secure matched and unrestricted funding, and in coordinating a variety of projects within the Somali Integrated Secondary Education & Development (SISED) programme supported by the European Union.

• Coordinated the production of 100 audio lessons with the BBC World Service Trust
• Coordinated 25 radio programmes and teaching materials
• Supported creation of accompanying education website
• Co-delivered teacher training workshop with Senior Academic from University of Oxford

Race Organiser - Bishop Simeon Trust

(2007-01 - 2008-12)

Part-time contract to ensure that the 2008 Lands' End to John O'Groats fundraising cycle ride took place after the sudden departure of the previous organiser. The event was a success, raising over £40K.

• Engagement of media, including radio and newspapers
• Organising venues, support vehicles, and paraphernalia
• Coordination with local town councils
• Prepared and provided support to athletes through regular bulletins

Senior International Grants Administrator - Comic Relief

(2003-01 - 2007-12)

Full-time position previously as International Grants Administrator between 2003-2004. Key responsibilities as Senior Administrator include producing regular financial and monitoring reports for committees, responsible for administering and reporting on an £8.8M DFID Commonwealth Education Fund grant.

• Took lead role in development of knowledge management systems within the department
• Line management and supervision duties
• Ensured all aspects of administrative support within the team

Trustee/Treasurer - Disability & Development Partners (DDP)

4 years tenure as Trustee and Treasurer

Consultant - United Nations Foundation

(2022-01 - 2023-12)

Freelance Consultant - Start Network

(2018-01 - 2018-12)

MSc - Teaching Mindfulness Based Courses - Bangor University (2011-01 - 2018-12)

Inner MBA - Mindfulness and Business - New York University (2020-01 - 2021-12)

MSc - Development Studies - London South Bank University (2000-01 - 2003-12)

BSc - Geology with Oceanography (Hons) - University of Southampton (1994-01 - 1997-12)

University Access Course - Maths, Chemistry and Physics - Lambeth College (1993-01 - 1994-12)

Supervisor Training - Mindfulness Supervision - The Mindfulness Network (2024-01 - 2024-12)