Munazza Gillani
About Munazza Gillani
Munazza Gillani is the Country Director at Sightsavers in Pakistan and a Short Term Consultant at The World Bank. With extensive experience in the disability sector, she has contributed to policy development and advocacy strategies while maintaining partnerships with various stakeholders.
Work at Sightsavers
Munazza Gillani has served as the Country Director at Sightsavers in Pakistan since 2014. In this role, she oversees various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. Her leadership focuses on advocacy strategies for systems strengthening within the disability sector. She has been instrumental in developing education policies and sectoral plans that emphasize inclusive education for children with disabilities. Her work involves maintaining partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, ensuring that Sightsavers' programs are effectively implemented in socio-cultural contexts.
Current Role at The World Bank
Since 2022, Munazza Gillani has been working as a Short Term Consultant at The World Bank. This position allows her to leverage her extensive experience in development management and disability advocacy. Her contributions to the World Bank involve providing insights and strategies that align with the organization's goals in promoting inclusive development. This role complements her ongoing work at Sightsavers, enhancing her impact in the field of disability and development.
Previous Experience in Development Organizations
Prior to her current roles, Munazza Gillani held various positions in notable organizations. She worked as an Independent Consultant for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from 2005 to 2006. Additionally, she served as the Head of Programme at Sightsavers from 2007 to 2014, where she managed key projects. Earlier in her career, she was a Program Officer at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH from 1999 to 2003, focusing on development initiatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Education and Expertise
Munazza Gillani holds a Master's degree in Bioengineering from the University of Aberdeen, which she completed in 2005. She also has a Higher National Diploma in Research and Development Management from The Open University. Additionally, she studied Health Planning and Management at the University of Peshawar. Her educational background equips her with a strong foundation in health and development, enhancing her expertise in managing programs related to disability and inclusive education.
Contributions to Research and Advocacy
Munazza Gillani has authored and contributed to various technical reports and research papers for international organizations, including UKAID, UNICEF, and WHO. Her work focuses on advocacy for systems strengthening in the disability sector. She has been actively involved in developing strategies that promote inclusive education and improve policies affecting individuals with disabilities in Pakistan. Additionally, she is a freelance writer and blogger, addressing various social issues through her writing.