Our Experts

Mr. Md. Shahidul Islam is a highly accomplished Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) professional from Bangladesh, with over 35 years of multidisciplinary experience spanning national, international, and development partner organizations. His expertise covers a wide spectrum, including Remote Sensing, GIS, Web-GIS programming, disaster management, climate risk assessment, physical infrastructure planning, design and construction, project and programme management, policy development, agricultural value chains, monitoring and evaluation, spatial and non-spatial database development, software engineering, LAN administration, university-level teaching, and professional training facilitation.

Mr. Islam holds a Master of Engineering in Remote Sensing and GIS from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, a Postgraduate Diploma in Remote Sensing and GIS from the United Nations-affiliated Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP), IIRS, Dehradun, India, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

His professional journey includes key roles such as:

• Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) – Civil Engineer, RS/GIS Manager, Climate Change Specialist
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – GIS Database Specialist
• United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Senior Mission GIS Specialist
• Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) – GIS Specialist
• Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand – Project Researcher
• University of Dhaka – Assistant Professor

Currently, he serves as an independent Climate Change / Climate Data Analysis Consultant for LGED and works as an Adjunct Faculty at Daffodil International University (DIU).

Mr. Islam has extensive hands-on experience in GIS data acquisition using GPS, satellite imagery, and drone-based systems. His notable areas of application include GIS-based urban and rural planning, Web-GIS vehicle tracking, asset management, early warning systems, road safety databases, tsunami tracking systems, disaster incidence databases, agricultural and urban suitability analyses, and RS/GIS-based earthquake microzonation mapping. He has also conducted field surveys for building inventory collection using satellite-derived building footprints.

In addition to his technical expertise, he is proficient in policy paper writing, training manual development, and capacity-building facilitation. He is well-versed in both commercial and open-source technologies, including ArcGIS/ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Server, QGIS, ArcGIS Dashboard, GeoServer, PostgreSQL/PostGIS, ArcGIS Field Maps, QField, ArcGIS Survey123, KoboToolbox, Google Earth, Atlist, Google My Maps, Erdas Imagine, ENVI, Tableau, Power BI, Python, Django, Machine Learning, AI, R, SPSS, Leaflet, OpenLayers, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, PHP, Ionic, Shiny, and Linux. He is also adept at professional cartographic map design and has a keen interest in IoT-based solutions for weather monitoring, disaster management, and agriculture.

Mr. Mir Rashed Sohel is a distinguished expert in Climate Change Adaptation and Project & Program Management, with over 24 years of experience driving sustainable development initiatives across government, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector. Recognized for his technical and strategic leadership, he was selected by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to assist in developing key indicators for tracking progress toward the Paris Agreement’s Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)—a testament to his expertise in shaping global climate policy.

His multidisciplinary background spans National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), NDC implementation, climate-resilient infrastructure, urban climate governance, and institutional capacity development. Mr. Sohel has led high-impact projects from conception to execution, including feasibility studies, stakeholder negotiations, and web-based monitoring systems, while aligning programs with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) policies and international best practices. A climate change adaptation expert and a skilled facilitator, he has designed analytical tools and frameworks for climate adaptation, gender inclusion, and agricultural resilience, and is a certified Collective Leadership Specialist with a proven ability to train and mobilize cross-sector teams.

Educated at premier global institutions, Mr. Sohel holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Management Tools for Climate Change from the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, alongside an MBA, Master of Development Studies (MDS), and Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management. His analytical rigor, operational acumen, and ability to distill complex issues into actionable strategies have made him a trusted advisor and consultants for government organizations, Bilateral & multilateral agencies, INGOs and private sector including the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Tetra Tech ARD, Winrock International, ICEM – International Centre for Environmental Management, Public One GmbH, The International Institute for Environment & Development (IIED), Oxfam, Swisscontact, UNDP and the World Bank. Fluent in policy analysis, stakeholder collaboration, and knowledge management, he thrives in multicultural environments, delivering solutions that bridge global frameworks with on-the-ground realities.

Mr. Islam have completed Master’s in Disaster Management, Master of Science (MSc) in Geography & Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with MIS, and a result-oriented total of 24+ years of professional experience. Working over 12+ years in UN Agencies. e.g UNRC Office, UNDP (Mongolia, Bangladesh), UNCDF, UNDRR-Africa, UN-Women, WFP, UNDP-GEF Financed environmental management program (UNDP & Local Governments), GIZ-Bangladesh in the areas of DRR & CCA. Over 15 years of professional working experience with Government sector ministries & local governments (Bangladesh, Mongolia) over the DRR, CCA, and local climate governance (UNDP, UNCDF, Local Governments). He has specialization in ICT tools based multi-hazard early warning development (in UNDRR-Africa and Mongolia), database development, information management & online- geospatial service & web applications development. Expertise in GIS mapping, IT tools (GIS, GPS, drone, Apps) based multi-hazard & climate risk & vulnerability assessment (UNDP), risk-informed tools climate resilient planning etc (UNDRR-Africa, UNDP-Mongolia, Bangladesh).

Mr. Ali is a seasoned RS & GIS professional in Bangladesh. He is highly experienced in Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Web-GIS Programming, Spatial and Non-Spatial Database Development. He has pursued Master of Geography and Environmental Studies and obtained Post Graduate Certificate in GIS with specialization in Global Positioning System (GPS) and Remote Sensing, Mapping Course and Computer Cartography from Rajshahi University, Bangladesh. He has more than 23 years of multidisciplinary working experience in National and Development Partner Organizations. So far, he has worked in Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) as GIS Specialist (Consultant), in United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as Sort Term National GIS Consultant, Hifab International AB, as Land Acquisition & Mapping Expert, Sundarbans Environmental and Livelihood Security (SEALS) Project, Forest Department as Consultant (GIS Expert), JICA Expert Team, Dhaka City Corporation as Consultant (GIS Specialist), Family Health International(FHI) as Consultant (GIS Specialist). He is also experienced in GIS data capturing using GPS, Satellite and Drone based Imagery (Drone Survey Data processing by drone deploy flight planning, DroneDeploy Mapping, UAS Master, Summit Evolution Software), GIS based Urban and Rural Planning, GIS based Suitability Analysis for Urban Development, RS&GIS based Urban Planning using Building Footprint captured from Satellite Image. He has field experience in collection of Building Inventory using Building Footprint. He has good knowledge of Training Manual Development. He is very much conversant using different Commercial and Open Source Software for Web Application Development. The software includes ArcGIS/ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, ArcGIS Server, Enterprise Geodatabase, Geo-Server, City Engine, ArcGIS Field Maps, QField, ArcGIS Survey123, KoboTool Box, Google Map (Google Earth), Atlist, Google My Maps, Erdas Imagine, ENVI, Leaflet/Openlayers, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Enterprise PostgreSQL, PostGIS, MySQL, and PHP etc. He is quite good in designing Cartography Map Layout. He is very much interested for Utility Networks, Networks Analyst, Linear Referencing and Land Acquisition planning.

Dr. Kazi Selim Anwar is a distinguished Senior Public Health and Infectious Disease Microbiologist from Bangladesh with over two decades of extensive research and academic experience both nationally and internationally. He has contributed significantly to public health research and teaching in renowned institutions such as the Institute of Public Health (IPH), icddr,b, IEDCR in Bangladesh, as well as in Japan, England, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and through WHO/SEARO collaborations. Dr. Anwar’s work is strongly aligned with the WHO’s public health principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG-3 and SDG-4, reflecting his comprehensive global health outlook.

He holds an M.Phil in Molecular Epidemiology from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK, and an MD degree from Moscow Medical Stomatology Institute, USSR, both recognized by global and WHO standards. His academic credentials are complemented by numerous international fellowships and funded research projects, highlighting his expertise in molecular epidemiology, infectious diseases, and public health microbiology. Dr. Anwar’s scholarly impact is evidenced by a Google Scholar citation count exceeding 2400 and an h-index of 19.

Professionally, Dr. Anwar has held significant positions including Senior Consultant at the Human Development Research Centre, Head of the Medical Research Unit at Ad-din Medical College, and International Faculty at the International University of Health and Welfare in Japan. Throughout his career, he has led pioneering research on infectious diseases such as pneumonia, cholera, dengue, and multidrug-resistant bacteria, many of which are first-time studies in Bangladesh. His leadership in research methodology, data analysis, and academic journal editing has strengthened medical research and training capacity in Bangladesh.

Dr. Anwar is also an accomplished reviewer and editor for numerous prestigious international peer-reviewed journals. His scientific contributions span a wide range of public health topics, including epidemiology, molecular biology, vaccine effectiveness, biosafety, and outbreak management. His work has garnered international recognition through conference awards and travel grants across multiple countries, underscoring his role as a leading scientist in infectious disease research and public health development.

Mr. Munshi Mahabubur Rahman is highly experienced professional with a strong academic background having completed MSS in Sociology from Dhaka University and master’s in development studies from Independent University, Bangladesh. With 19 years of experience, including eight years in senior management roles, he specializes in strategic document creation, project design and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation for both national and international NGOs. His expertise spans diverse fields such as Humanitarian Response, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, WASH, Good Governance & Human Rights, Access to Justice, Local Governance, Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE), Child Protection & Education, GBV, Vocational Training, Food Security & Livelihood, Health & Nutrition, Market Analysis, and more, with projects funded by prominent donors such as World Bank, USAID, EC/ECHO, FCDO, UNDP, WFP, FAO, UNICEF, CIDA/IDRF, DEC, START NETWORK, SIDA/Forum Syd, IR Partners, etc. He is highly experienced in different strategic documents preparation such as Organizational Country Strategy, Business & Action Plan, Organizational Quality Management System, Project Implementation Plan, Beneficiary Selection Guideline, Guideline on Complaint Response Mechanism, MEAL Framework/Plan/Guideline, ToR, etc. He is proficient in MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning), CLA (Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation), and qualitative and quantitative research methods. He is well versed in needs assessment, baseline survey and various types of evaluation. His skill set includes project design, data management, capacity building and strategic document development and he is well versed in SDG and humanitarian standards. Additionally, he is proficient in MS Office, SPSS, NVIVO and digital data management tools and has excellent communication and report writing skills in both English and Bengali.

Ms. Mehzabin Ahmed has more than 15 years of experience in the development sector, progressing career from a grassroots NGO to the national level and then in international development cooperation and the United Nations. She specializes on gender justice and social inclusion issues. She is adept at project management and partnership management, with expertise in capacity development and organizational development of multi-level stakeholders i.e. civil society actors, private sector as well as local government institutions.

She has gender and inclusion mainstreaming experience in multiple thematic sectors in both development and humanitarian context, including good governance, human rights and rule of law; youth empowerment; adaptation to climate change; and energy efficiency. She has worked in leading positions such as Head of Gender Justice and Social Inclusion at Oxfam GB, Programme Coordinator at UN Women, and Advisor at German Development Cooperation (GIZ), as well as at national NGOs i.e. BRAC and Awaj Foundation.

She has a Masters of Development Studies from BRAC University, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from North South University, with a combination of an Executive MBA, with major in Technology and Operations from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka. These provide her a good mix of academic background as well as experiences in management of sustainable models for social change and taking a holistic approach to development. She is also a Prince2 Practitioner in Project Management.

Mr. Omar Khayam is a seasoned development professional with nearly 30 years of extensive experience across various sectors, working with both international and national organizations. His career began as a Program Organiser with the Food for Works program of CARE Bangladesh, followed by a role as Executive Officer at North Bengal Cycle Industries. He later served as a Master Trainer for John Snow Inc. (JSI) for six years, specializing in training and capacity development in Family Planning Logistics Management. Mr. Khayam also held the position of Regional Coordinator for five years under the Danida Water Supply and Sanitation (WSSC) project. He continued his career with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), first as Regional Training and Capacity Development Coordinator under the Second Urban Governance and Infrastructure Improvement (Sector) Project (UGIIP-II) project for six years, then as Senior Advisor in the Urban Management of Internal Migration due to Climate Change (UMIMCC) project for three years. His most recent assignment was as Advisor for the Resilient & Inclusive Urban Development (RIUD) Project of GIZ, in collaboration with Khulna City Corporation. Throughout his career, Mr. Khayam has demonstrated strong leadership in program implementation, training, and institutional capacity development.

Mr. Islam began his career as a Site Engineer at True Builders Ltd., where he served for 1.75 years. He then held various positions at ANA Holdings Ltd., NAWAR Properties Ltd., and Trust Alliance Technology Ltd. for a combined period of about 5.5 years.

In January 2017, he joined a JICA-funded project under LGED as Project Coordinator, a role he continued until August 2023. Subsequently, he served as Infrastructure Management Specialist for the same project, appointed by IC Net Limited, until April 2024. He is currently working at Nippon Koei Bangladesh Ltd. as a Natural Condition Surveyor.

Mr. Islam holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST), Dhaka, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET). He has also completed several professional trainings, including ETABS, Pile Foundation Design, and BNBC 2020: Foundation and RCC Structural Design.

MSc in GIS for Environment and Development (MSGED) from Jahangirnagar University

More than 15 years’ experience in several fields.

• Prepared road network maps, and Upazila, Union, and Village maps efficiently.
• Assisted in developing research concepts, methodologies, tools, techniques, and data collection processes for the GIS Unit of LGED.
• Supervised and monitored field-level data collection, ensuring authenticity, accuracy, and objectivity.
• Contributed to the data analysis plan and performed analysis of collected GIS data.
• Standardized the GIS database, including attribute and data editing, PDF creation, and AutoCAD editing for NBIDGPS-1 and NBIDNNGPS-1 school projects.
• Conducted GIS-based rural road mapping, core network identification, socio-economic and infrastructure spatial data analysis, and hazard & vulnerability assessments.
• Performed dynamic segmentation, map digitization, spatial database editing, GPS survey management, satellite image processing, metadata development, and customized map printing.
• Digitized, georeferenced, merged, and edited Mouza maps.
• Prepared buffer zones for Upazila-wise school maps.