Nasir Iqbal

Seasoned advocacy, communication, and external engagement leader with over 20 years of progressive national and international experience across development, humanitarian, and governance programmes. Proven expertise in shaping advocacy strategies, leading high-level representation, and managing external relations with UN agencies, donors, diplomatic missions, INGOs, government institutions, financial sector actors, and civil society networks. Recognized for influencing policy dialogue, strengthening community and civil society voices, and translating field evidence into compelling policy briefs, advocacy messages, and strategic communication products.

Extensive experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and underserved contexts, with strong grounding in livelihoods, food security, youth and women's empowerment, education, child protection, natural resource management, SME/agribusiness development, and social inclusion. Demonstrated leadership in managing multidisciplinary teams, mentoring staff, building communication capacity of partners, and safeguarding organizational reputation through risk-sensitive messaging, media engagement, and donor visibility strategies.

Access to Finance Manager & Provincial Coordinator at Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) (July-2021-April2026}

EU-Funded GRASP Project - Lead advocacy, communication, and external representation for the EU-funded GRASP programme in Balochistan, engaging UN agencies (FAO, ITC), donors, government departments, financial institutions, and private sector stakeholders.

• Develop and disseminate policy briefs, success stories, progress updates, advocacy messages, and visibility materials influencing financial inclusion and SME policy reform, particularly for women and youth entrepreneurs.
• Serve as provincial focal point for donor missions, diplomatic delegations, UN coordination platforms, and inter-agency forums.
• Coordinate media engagement, newsletters, external communications, and branding in line with donor visibility and compliance requirements.
• Strengthen partner NGOs and field teams in strategic communication, reporting quality, compliance, and risk-aware messaging.
• Integrate advocacy and communication components into proposals, business plans, and grant mechanisms for agribusiness and SME development.

National Expert – Organizational Development at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (2016-01 – 2021-12)

AusABBA Project

• Designed and delivered advocacy and communication products highlighting women's economic empowerment, youth entrepreneurship, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and market inclusion.
• Represented FAO in provincial coordination forums, nutrition clusters, government policy dialogues, and donor review missions.
• Produced case studies, thematic briefs, and visibility materials on agribusiness development, value chains, and livelihood systems.
• Led large-scale community awareness campaigns on malnutrition, climate-smart agriculture, gender equality, and enterprise development.
• Acted as a program spokesperson, influencing provincial priorities on collective marketing, climate adaptation, and nutrition programming.

National Expert – Community Development at USAID Balochistan Agriculture Project (BAP) (2010-01 – 2015-12)

• Led advocacy and public awareness initiatives on community-led planning, value chain development, nutrition, and local governance.
• Authored training manuals, policy recommendations, and communication materials adopted by government and donor-supported programmes.
• Represented the project in multi-stakeholder platforms, strengthening linkages between government, civil society, and private sector actors.

Community Development Officer at UNDP Area Development Programme – Balochistan (ADPB) (2001-01 – 2010-12)

• Designed and implemented community advocacy strategies focused on service delivery, WASH, women's participation, and governance reforms.
• Facilitated social accountability and participatory monitoring tools later adopted by district governments.
• Developed communication content for field campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, and donor reporting.

Team Leader – Social Mobilization at UNDP Trial District Management Project (BTDM) (1999-01 – 2001-12)

• Led advocacy initiatives on decentralization, accountability, and community-led governance.
• Prepared community development plans, policy notes, and communication products for senior stakeholders and donors.

Research Officer (M&E) at USAID Balochistan Primary Education Development Program (1993-01 – 1999-12)

• Developed advocacy and communication materials supporting education reform, community participation, and school management committees.
• Coordinated with government counterparts on policy dialogue related to learning assessments and EMIS strengthening.

Master of Science in MSc – University of Balochistan (1990-01)

Certification in Educational Research & Monitoring – Aga Khan University