CBF Secretariat

Dr. Md. Golam Rabbani is a seasoned climate change specialist with about 20 years of experiences. He has expertise in strategy development, programme management, project development, climate change adaptation/ mitigation, formulation/ evaluation of adaptation projects, conceptualize and develop knowledge products at local, national, regional and international level. His domain expertise is in climate risk assessment, adaptation policy and institutional analysis, climate financing mechanism, climate change negotiation, and coordination with donors and development partners. Prior to joining BRAC, Rabbani worked in Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) as Fellow. Over the years, he was engaged in carrying out diversified projects in the field of environment, climate change adaptation/mitigation and disaster risk management.

Rabbani holds a PhD from Jahangirnagar University in Environmental Sciences, and two Master’s Degrees in Environmental Science (University of New South Wales, Australia) and in Fisheries (University of Dhaka). His works/contribution to research have been well acknowledged and published by different international journals/Book Publisher including Springer, Journal of Global Warming, Journal of Water and Climate Change, Routledge, Emerald, Earthscan, Sage, MDPI and others.

Nafisa Delwar is currently working as a Senior Manager, Operations at Climate Bridge Fund (CBF) Secretariat. Prior to joining CBF, she worked for the Bangladesh Mission of Action Against Hunger. She has expertise designing and developing knowledge products at the local, national, regional, and international level in the areas of programme implementation, project development, coordination with donors and development partners, institutional analysis of adaptation policies within cultural and social contexts. Her area of specialisation includes migration, displacement, public health, and climate change. Delwar has eight years of work experience in the development sector. During the last eight years, she has worked on several programmes and study initiatives in the areas of climate change and health risks. Delwar graduated with a master's degree in anthropology from the University of Dhaka and has multiple research papers published under her name in renowned journals.

Mr. Biplab K Debnath is currently working with CBF Secretariat as Senior Manager, Finance and Admin. Prior to CBF Secretariat Mr. Debnath worked in UNDP Bangladesh. He has more than 15 years of diversified experience with National and international development organizations, with solid background in accounting and Finance. Mr. Debnath has extensive working experiences particularly on fund management, budget planning, external audit management, compliance management, administration and HR Management. Backed by strong analytical skills, he is able to manage and resolve complex financial and administrative issues. He managed the funds of a number of projects supported by DFID, DANIDA, SIDA, SDC, Tear Fund Australia and European Union. He completed Graduation and post-graduation in Accounting. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

Mr. Nirendra Nath Sarkar is currently working with CBF Secretariat as Senior Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation. Prior to CBF Secretariat Mr. Sarkar worked with Plan International Bangladesh as M&E Specialist. He has about 22 years of working experience in the area of monitoring and evaluation and program implementation. He has expertise in developing M&E strategy, managing M&E system, apps base online data collection, analysis and reporting. He also expert in capturing downward accountability through community reflection and identify the impact through capturing most significant changes of the project/program. He led country ERP for program monitoring and knowledge management. He has expertise to check due diligence of the proponent following an extensive process. Mr. Sarkar completed his graduation and post-graduation (Major in Mass communication) from University of Rajshahi. He is certified PMD pro level-1 with certification number 04135319-01-8GPZ.

Pujarini Roy is currently working as Deputy Manager, NGO Supervision with CBF Secretariat, BRAC. She has completed her post-graduation in Geography and Environmental Science from University of Dhaka. Ms. Roy also has a professional master’s degree in Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies from the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies, University of Dhaka. She has 4 years of working experience in development sectors. Ms. Roy has expertise in project supervision, partnership management and capacity development. She also has good skills in GIS software.

Md. Jamil Akther is working with CBF Secretariat as Deputy Manager, NGO Supervision from November, 2019. Mr. Akther has more than 11 years of working experience with different NGOs, INGOs, and Government Organizations. He has expertise in stakeholders mapping, partnership management, NGO supervision, monitoring, fund management, donor reporting, documentation, concept note & proposal evaluation, training coordination, module development, training facilitation, community & youth mobilization, advocacy & networking. His specialty in climate change adaptation, migration, risk management, education, health, and youth development. He has completed graduation and post-graduation in Dept. of Government & Politics from Jahangirnagar University. He also holds a Diploma in Youth in Development Work (Commonwealth Diploma of Youth Development) under Bangladesh Open University in 2016.

Ms. Khandker Tarin Tahsin is an experienced knowledge management and communications professional having skills in capturing and disseminating organizational learning, internal and external communications, and qualitative research. Prior to joining CBF, Ms. Tarin worked as a Junior Research Officer at International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD). She has gained work experience in the climate change adaptation and environmental policies arena, focusing particularly on Bangladesh and other least developed countries. Her research interest lies in climate induced migration, climate finance, climate resilient cities, plastic pollution and global climate and environmental policies. Tarin earned her undergraduate degree from North South University, majoring in Environmental Science, from the Department of Environmental Science and Management. She did her Masters from Asian Institute of Technology, in Marine Plastic Abatement under the School of Environment and Resource Development.

With 22 years of experience in the development field, Mr. Mahfuzar Rahman is serving as a development professional. Before joining at BRAC as Programme Manager under climate bridge fund, he worked for Plan International Bangladesh as Partnership Advisor. As a passionate professional, he has expertise on programme development, implementation and management as well as partnership development & management. He is well versed in advocacy, relationship building, strategizing and leading internal and external cross-functional teams. He has experience on developing and implementing urban development strategy; developing functional linkage with government agencies and demonstrating model projects. He is proficient in programme operations, financial and administrative management and promoting accountability systems to mainstream programme outcomes. Mr. Rahman is a gender and inclusion expert as he worked as a resource member with several organizations and contributed to do gender analysis and integrate gender transformative approach in programmes and partnerships. As a resource person on safeguarding and organizational development, he has proficiency to contribute transforming democratic and legitimate systems into practice. Mr. Rahman has completed his graduation in Sociology from Rajshahi University.

Mr. Anu Bhowmik is currently working as Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist at Climate Bridge Fund (CBF) Secretariat under the Emergency Response Window (ERW). He has fourteen years of work experience with national, international organizations. Mr. Bhowmik also worked as a Regional M&E Officer at United Nation Development Program (UNDP), Plan International as MEAL Specialist, CAFOD UK-Caritas as Programme Officer (PME), and MI-HEED as Project Officer both in development and emergency context. His experiences also extend to research, learning, accountability, knowledge management, project management, coordination, and team management. Mr. Bhowmik earned his undergrad and post-grad degree from the University of Dhaka in Public Administration. Apart from academic degrees, he has a post-graduated diploma in Development Planning from National Academy for Planning and Development and is also certified by Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), UNDP.

Sylvia Sultana is an experienced finance professional with a demonstrated history of working in the development field as well as manufacturing industry. Over a span of 11+ years, she has worked with reputed organizations in international and local fields. She started her career in 2009 in Sanofi Bangladesh and worked there for 4.5 years. Consequently, she has worked in Kazi Farms, Totalgaz Bangladesh and RANCON. Prior to joining Climate Bridge Fund, she has worked in the Finance & Administration Department of BRAC for 2.9 years and was responsible for the monthly reporting, yearly budgeting and other relevant financial support activities of the Microfinance program. As a part of this role, she was also involved in the due diligence process and subsequent activities of foreign loan funding from international development banks like IFC, FMO and CDC. Sylvia is especially skilled in Accounts Preparation, Business Planning, Financial Management, Financial Reporting, Budget Preparation, Business Analysis, Various Financial Reporting. She completed Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business from University of Dhaka. Apart from work, she always stays updated with the current business trends and financial key events, which aids her at analyzing her professional work from a better perspective.

Mr Ashik Rubaiyat is currently serving as Deputy Manager, Field Operations at Climate Bridge Fund (CBF) Secretariat. Prior to joining CBF, he acquired a contextual understanding of natural resource management through working on several projects at home and abroad. For example, in Sri Lanka worked as a Research Assistant in an interdisciplinary project entitled 'Development of a multifunctional forest management plan' and in Fiji, as a Research Fellow conducted a mangrove forest survey and trained graduate students on forest inventory. He has more than seven years of work experience in the development sector and have worked with both national and international organizations. During his tenure, the work area encompassed climate change adaptation, community risk assessment, women empowerment through water business, and different water technologies, i.e., reverse osmosis, rainwater harvesting system, and pond sand filter. He has completed a BSc. in Environmental Science from the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University, Bangladesh and a master's degree in Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology from the University of Goettingen, Germany. In the meantime, he published several scientific papers in internationally reputed journals.