Vinod

Community Outreach Specialist with extensive experience in grassroots mobilization, interfaith engagement, and Gender-based violence (GBV) advocacy. Worked with USAID-funded projects, Hive Pakistan, and CDA, leading impactful initiatives in Ranchor Line, Karachi, engaging Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian communities to promote social inclusion, policy advocacy, and community resilience. Skilled in organizing forums, leadership workshops, and research-driven assessments (FGDs, KIIs) to amplify marginalized voices.

Strong background in government liaison, youth engagement, and capacity-building, with a proven ability to empower local actors, influence policy discussions, and drive meaningful change.

Community Outreach Officer at HIVE Pakistan (2023-11 – Present)

USAID-Funded Project Justuju under Local Works Pakistan / Youth Project

• Organized and led an orientation session in Ranchor Line, introducing the Justuju Project and emphasizing community engagement, legal awareness, and social justice.
• Engaged hyper-local actors, including religious leaders, activists, and representatives from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and transgender communities, to empower them through the project.
• Organized and facilitated the Neighborhood Justuju Forum, fostering interfaith dialogue and collaboration among diverse communities in Ranchor Line.
• Led the Karachi Justuju Forum, bringing together Ranchor Line and four other neighborhoods to strengthen social cohesion, address shared challenges, and combat discrimination.
• Engaged local government representatives and connected them with consortium partner SSDO, advocating for inclusive policies, especially regarding GBV, minority rights, and transgender protection.
• Mobilized young student researchers from Ranchor Line for a community needs assessment, participating in a two-day training session on research methodologies and ethical considerations in documenting GBV cases.
• Facilitated the participation of community members in the Justuju Learning Forum, led by consortium partner Signify, focusing on social justice, policy advocacy, and marginalized rights.
• Conducted a three-day thematic workshop for hyper-local actors, focusing on leadership development, gender-sensitive community engagement, and strategies to combat GBV and discrimination.
• Led research activities, including Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), to assess community needs, challenges faced by women, transgender individuals, and religious minorities.
• Documented and transcribed FGDs and KIIs, ensuring that the voices of GBV survivors and marginalized groups were accurately represented in project assessments and advocacy efforts.
• Supervised and supported a network of local facilitators and volunteers across multiple union councils to implement youth engagement and advocacy initiatives.
• Designed cluster-level action plans tailored to local community needs, especially focusing on marginalized groups such as women, minorities, and rural youth.
• Conducted regular monitoring visits, provided mentoring support, and ensured alignment with organizational goals.
• Facilitated feedback loops between communities and project leadership, helping to adapt strategies based on ground realities.
• Contributed to the documentation of success stories and community-led change models for donor reporting and knowledge sharing.
• Strengthened collaboration between CSOs, school administrations, and local influencers to sustain cluster-level initiatives beyond project timelines.

Digital Project Officer at Youth Leadership Organization Umerkot (2023-01 – 2024-06)

• Collaborated with young individuals from minority communities to produce multimedia projects addressing social issues.
• Designed and executed digital storytelling initiatives that resonated with local audiences.
• Provided training and mentorship to youth participants, empowering them to tell their own stories.

Reporting Coordinator at Outsource Pakistan (2021-03 – 2022-12)

• Coordinated and assigned media projects to team members, ensuring timely delivery.
• Managed the editorial process to guarantee accuracy and relevance in content reporting.
• Focused on covering minority stories, working to shed light on their challenges and amplify their voices.

Multimedia Journalist & Storyteller at Freelance (2020-02 – 2021-01)

• Developed multimedia stories focused on minority rights, interfaith harmony, and sustainable practices.
• Directed and produced documentaries to highlight the challenges and resilience of minority communities.
• Created engaging social media content to amplify the voices of underrepresented groups.

Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication – Sindh Madresstull Islam University (2020-09 – 2024-10)

Intermediate in Pre-Medical Group – Sindh Public School and College

Primary to Middle – Bright Future Public School