Country Program officer

ZAIGHUM ABBAS

Policy, Research & Academic Professional driving advocacy, education, and evidence-based insights in governance and development.Welcome to my portfolio.
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ZAIGHUM ABBAS

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Quick Info

Location Lahore, Pakistan
Email zaighumabbasbaig@gmail.com
Phone +92-312-4872848
Status Open to Opportunities

Experienced professional serving as Country Program Officer for APMDD Pakistan, leading research and advocacy on land rights, food sovereignty, and clean energy while coordinating with international teams. Concurrently engaged in academia as a lecturer in political science and constitutional law, with extensive teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervision of research, and involvement in academic coordination. Contributed to international research initiatives with organizations such as the ILO and DAAD, focusing on migration, media, and social inclusion, and delivered consultancy and training programs on constitutional literacy, civic engagement, and federalism for national and international organizations.

Technical Expertise

Policy & Advocacy

  • Land rights and tenure policy
  • Food sovereignty and agriculture policy
  • Clean energy and climate advocacy
  • Governance and public policy analysis

Research & Analysis

  • Qualitative research and field studies
  • Policy research and report writing
  • Interview design and stakeholder consultations
  • Socio-political and economic analysis

Academic & Teaching

  • Political science and constitutional law
  • Curriculum delivery and lecture planning
  • Student supervision and dissertation guidance
  • Academic coordination and conference facilitation

Training & Capacity Building

  • Workshop design and facilitation
  • Training module development
  • Civic education and constitutional literacy
  • Youth engagement and activism programs

Stakeholder & Program Management

  • International coordination and reporting
  • Multi-stakeholder engagement
  • Program implementation and oversight
  • Cross-cultural collaboration

Communication & Documentation

  • Technical and research writing
  • Policy briefs and publications
  • Translation (Urdu ↔ English)
  • Presentation and public speaking

Specialized Areas

  • Labor migration and media analysis
  • Social inclusion and housing research
  • Federalism and civic governance
  • Development sector programming

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

  • Programme monitoring and performance tracking
  • Indicator development and results measurement
  • Evidence-based evaluation and reporting
  • Learning frameworks and adaptive programme improvement

Services Offered

Policy Research & Advisory

Provide in-depth policy analysis, research studies, and evidence-based recommendations on governance, land rights, food systems, and clean energy.

Advocacy & Program Strategy

Design and implement advocacy strategies, campaigns, and stakeholder engagement plans to influence policy and drive social impact.

Academic Teaching & Curriculum Development

Deliver lectures, develop course content, and support academic programs in political science, constitutional law, and governance studies.

Research & Field Studies

Conduct qualitative and mixed-method research, including interviews, field surveys, and socio-political assessments across diverse contexts.

Training & Capacity Building

Design and deliver workshops, training modules, and capacity-building programs on civic education, constitutional literacy, and public policy.

Report Writing & Publications

Prepare high-quality research reports, policy briefs, analytical papers, and documentation for academic, donor, and institutional use.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

Facilitate coordination with government bodies, NGOs, academia, and international organizations for program implementation and research.

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

Develop and implement M&E frameworks, track program performance, and generate insights for adaptive management and decision-making.

Translation & Research Support

Provide translation (Urdu–English), transcription, and research assistance for field-based and academic projects.

Workshop & Conference Facilitation

Organize and facilitate academic conferences, policy dialogues, and stakeholder consultations at national and international levels.

Work Experience

A detailed overview of my professional timeline, highlighting positions, key achievements, and the technical value delivered in each role.

Feb 2021 – Present
Country Program officer, Pakistan
Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development, Manila, Philippines
  • As the country program lead of APMDD in Pakistan, I am responsible for research and advocacy on land rights, food sovereignty and clean energy in Pakistan. I report to APMDD head based in Manila, Philippines.
Oct 2020 – Present
Lecturer
Quaid e Azam Law College, Lahore
  • Teaching political science and constitutional law in the five year’s Law program affiliated with Punjab university, Lahore.
Mar 2015 – Feb 2021
Lecturer
Government College university, Lahore
  • Taught undergraduate and master’s-level political science classes on Modern Political Theories, Study of Politics, Western Political Thought and Pakistan Studies. Supervised 13 undergraduate dissertations and acted as departmental focal person for international conferences.
Mar 2020 – May 2020
ResearchAssociate
International Labor Organization
  • Researched and co-authored forthcoming report commissioned by the ILO and the Centre for Excellence in Journalism/Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, on how Pakistani media covered labor migration from Pakistan to the Gulf and Europe from 2017 to 2020. Interviewed journalists in Pakistan and Middle East on the about attitudes toward migration,newsroom and industry constraints on migration coverage, migrant worker terminology, and how COVID-19 impacted migration reporting in Pakistan.
Nov 2019 – Mar 2020
ResearchAssistant
German-Pakistani research collaboration (DAAD), Lahore.
  • Interviewed more than 100 residents in low-income housing schemes, provided logistical assistance, and translated field notes from Urdu to English for the University of Bonn’s research project. Resulting research on housing access and social inclusion/exclusion in Lahore and Amritsar was published by University of Bonn’s Centre for Development Research.
Apr 2015 – Nov 2015
Consultant Trainer
Hanns Siedel Foundation and Khudi Pakistan
  • Spearheaded two projects for the German Hanns Siedel Foundation and the Pakistani NGO Khudi on strengthening constitutional literacy, federalism and civic activism. Conducted workshops and prepared training modules for students in 10 public sector universities.

Soft Skills & Achievements

Strategic Thinking Policy Analysis Critical Thinking Research & Analytical Skills Communication (Written & Verbal) Stakeholder Engagement Advocacy & Influencing Teaching & Facilitation Interpersonal Skills Cross-cultural Communication Leadership & Team Coordination Problem Solving Adaptability Time Management Attention to Detail

Education

M.Phil | Political Science
Government College University Lahore
2015 – 2017 | Completed
BA Honors |Political Science
Government College University Lahore
2010 – 2014 | Completed

Certifications & Trainings

Certifications

  • No certifications

Trainings

  • No trainings registered

Flagship Projects

Land Rights, Food Sovereignty & Clean Energy Advocacy (Pakistan)
Portfolio

Land Rights, Food Sovereignty ...

Led national-level research and advocacy initiatives under APMDD focusing on land governance, sustainable agriculture, a...

Constitutional Literacy & Civic Engagement Program
Portfolio

Constitutional Literacy & Civi...

Designed and delivered training programs in collaboration with Hanns Seidel Foundation and Khudi Pakistan, promoting con...

Labour Migration Media Analysis (ILO Project)
Portfolio

Labour Migration Media Analysi...

Co-authored a research study analyzing Pakistani media coverage of labour migration (2017–2020), including stakeholder...

Housing Access & Social Inclusion Study (DAAD Collaboration)
Portfolio

Housing Access & Social Inclus...

Contributed to a cross-border research project with the University of Bonn, conducting field surveys and analysis on hou...

Academic Research & Higher Education Development
Portfolio

Academic Research & Higher Edu...

Taught and supervised undergraduate and graduate research in political science, contributing to academic development, cu...

Contributions

Research Publications in Political Science

Authored and co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles on CPEC, ethnic diversity, and collective action in Gilgit-Baltistan, published in the Journal of Political Science, GC University Lahore.

CPEC & Regional Policy Analysis

Developed critical research on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including perspectives from Gilgit-Baltistan and analytical work challenging dominant development narratives (under review).

International Media Contribution (VICE Magazine USA)

Co-authored a feature article highlighting the decline of Pakistan’s cinema artists, contributing to global discourse on cultural preservation.

Op-Ed Contributions on Governance & Policy

Published multiple opinion pieces in leading national outlets including The News, The Daily Times, and The Friday Times, addressing academic freedom, governance issues, political rights, and public policy in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Public Discourse on Social & Political Issues

Actively contributed to national debate through analytical writings on student movements, sectarian tensions, and constitutional developments, influencing public awareness and policy discussions.

Testimonials

Zeghum Abbas brings exceptional clarity and depth to policy research and advocacy. His work on land rights, food sovereignty, and clean energy reflects strong analytical rigor and a deep understanding of ground realities.
— Abdullah Javaid
An engaging educator and mentor, Zeghum Abbas has consistently demonstrated the ability to simplify complex political and constitutional concepts, making them accessible and impactful for students and professionals alike
— Shahana Ajaz
Working with Zeghum Abbas on research initiatives has been a highly rewarding experience. His attention to detail, structured approach, and commitment to quality significantly enhance project outcomes.
— Abdul Qamar
Zeghum Abbas is a skilled trainer and facilitator with a strong ability to connect with diverse audiences. His sessions on civic engagement and constitutional literacy are insightful, practical, and thought-provoking.
— Zahid Ayoub

Get In Touch

Contact Details

Email
zaighumabbasbaig@gmail.com
Contact
+92-312-4872848
Location
Lahore, Pakistan

Send a Message

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