Amjad Qammar

As community manager, I was responsible for developing the fellow exile Afghan journalist community in Pakistan, continuously monitoring their needs and reacting to it, organize events, trainings and programs relevant for their need.

· Led the onboarding of 70 fellows, assessing their needs and interests while helping exiled journalists adapt to their host environments.

· Identified and vetted fellows through various networks, verifying credentials to ensure program integrity.

· Built and managed a community of Afghan journalists in exile across Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh and Turkey, fostering collaboration and peer support.

· Moderated and maintained social media channels, creating a dynamic online space for engagement, knowledge-sharing, and networking.

· Served as the primary point of contact for fellows, providing guidance, personal support, and financial assistance throughout the program.

· Supported and coordinated journalistic productions for exiled fellows, helping them continue reporting despite displacement.

· Worked closely with local and international partners, including UNHCR, civil society organizations, human rights institutions, and media organizations, to enhance program reach and effectiveness.

· Managed the procurement process for experts, trainers, and vendors to facilitate capacity-building and skill development programs for fellows.

Provide technical, financial, legal and psychosocial support to Afghan fellows

Planning and implementation of the following projects

Project 1: Holistic Security Capacity Development for Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Organizations (Forum Asia and EU)

Project 2: Pak- Afghan SCOs Exchange Program (CFLI_ Canada)

Project 3: Strengthening Afghan Civil Society in Islamabad (Sida)

Project 4: i) Holistic Safety of journalists in Pakistan (USAID-Tides-Innovation for change South Asia) ii) Covid 19_ Crack the Fake and disinformation

Project 5: Institutionalization of human rights redressal mechanisms

As a Program Manager and Program Lead, I successfully implemented multiple community building, capacity-development and advocacy projects focused on journalist and HRDs safety, human rights & digital rights & disinformation. These programs, funded by EU (Forum Asia), CFLI (Canada), Sida, USAID through Innovation for Change South Asia, aimed to empower journalists, human rights defenders (HRDs), and marginalized communities by strengthening networks and enhancing their skills.

I led the development of journalist and HRD networks, including minority media groups, Afghan in exile, Citizen Journalists Network and peace ambassadors, fostering collaboration and cross-border engagement. My responsibilities included conducting needs assessments, designing training programs, and facilitating partnerships among civil society organizations, media outlets, and international human rights stakeholders.

Through these programs, I provided capacity-building training to over 250 journalists and HRDs across Pakistan and Afghanistan, equipping them with essential skills in holistic Safety and security, resilient journalism, crisis communication, and advocacy. I also managed awareness campaigns on misinformation during and post-COVID-19, leading initiatives to counter disinformation, enhance media literacy, and support fact-checking efforts.

Additionally, I oversaw the procurement of experts, trainers, and vendors to support program activities and ensure effective skill development. By building sustainable networks, strengthening advocacy platforms, and leading impactful community engagement strategies, I contributed to enhancing journalist safety, media credibility, and human rights advocacy in the region.

As Project Lead, I led a team of 10 reporters in a nationwide initiative focused on combatting fake news and disinformation during COVID-19. I finalized the reporting team and developed a strategic work plan to ensure accurate and impactful coverage across Pakistan. My responsibilities included research, editing, writing, and monitoring all reporting activities to uphold journalistic integrity. Additionally, I managed report writing and analysis, documenting key insights on misinformation trends and their impact on public awareness and crisis communication

As Project Coordinator, I managed the Mobile Journalism (Mojo) Contest in Pakistan, ensuring smooth coordination between participants and DW Akademie. I provided guidance and technical support to participants, assisting them in story production, submission, and delivery through platforms like Google Drive and WeTransfer.

My responsibilities included keeping DW Akademie updated on project progress, handling post-production support, and coordinating all necessary logistics. I collected consent forms and videos from shortlisted candidates and facilitated their participation in the final award ceremony. Additionally, I organized and supervised participants' visits to Geo News and Express News Karachi, enabling discussions with editors to help channelize their work through digital media platforms.

As Project Coordinator, I was responsible for report preparation, documentation, and stakeholder engagement for the Sector Skills Council (SSC) – Construction & Hospitality. My role involved facilitating workshops, preparing materials for industry events, and ensuring effective communication with stakeholders to keep them informed about SSC activities.

By July 2019, I successfully reviewed and finalized the Annual Report of SSC (Construction) 2018 and the Annual Report of SSC Hospitality (SSCH). Additionally, I compiled and finalized a comprehensive list of SSC stakeholders across Pakistan, strengthening industry collaboration and outreach.

As a Consultant, I engaged with donors, the education department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and development sector stakeholders to develop an effective communication and dissemination strategy for research studies under the DFID-funded Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Sector Program. My role involved conducting interviews with key stakeholders in government, civil society, and partner organizations to gather insights and ensure the strategy aligned with sectoral needs. I successfully designed and drafted the Communication & Dissemination Strategy, enhancing the visibility and impact of education research and policy initiatives.

As a communication and public information specialist, I successfully designed and implemented communication strategies, organized high-impact events, and strengthened media relations to enhance public awareness and advocacy. I drafted and disseminated press releases, securing national and international media coverage for Citizen Justice and Peace Program (CJPP) events, while building strong networks with press clubs, journalists, media houses, and government bodies such as KP Police and the Home & Tribal Affairs Department.

I played a key role in public information campaigns, overseeing content creation for digital platforms (Facebook), video/audio production, and EU branding compliance. My contributions extended to advocacy and awareness initiatives, leading communication strategy development and implementation across multiple projects, including support for the Probation and Reclamation Department, Juvenile Justice training with the Justice Sector KP, and law enforcement capacity building. I also developed IEC materials, including handbooks, flyers, posters, and radio messages, launching these resources for Rule of Law stakeholders.

Beyond content development, I facilitated seminars, training workshops, and focus group discussions (FGDs) to foster public engagement. I managed logistical coordination for key stakeholders, ensuring the participation of media representatives, government officials, police, judiciary, and civil society in major conferences and dialogues. Additionally, I represented CJPP at key justice and security sector events, advocating for democratic policing, human rights, and probation system reforms.

Citizen Justice and Peace Program (CJPP) at key justice and security sector events, advocating for democratic policing, human rights, and reforms within the Probation and Reclamation Department. As a media management consultant, I developed and implemented communication strategies to enhance public awareness and institutional outreach for KP Police and the Reclamation & Probation (R&P) Department.

For the R&P Department, I designed a public awareness campaign, securing national and international media coverage through press releases and events. I organized seminars, workshops, and networking sessions, engaging media, justice stakeholders, civil society, and government bodies. Additionally, I developed IEC materials, including handbooks, posters, and radio messages, launched at a stakeholder dissemination event. I also conducted training workshops with R&P Department and stakeholders, completed the Communication Strategy for R&P, and drafted a training course for the R&P awareness campaign.

During my 40-day consultancy with KP Police, I assessed media relations strategies and capacity needs. I developed a training curriculum and materials and delivered three media management training sessions for 46 KP Police officers. My work contributed to the implementation of SOPs for media management, strengthening police-public-media relations.

Through these assignments, I enhanced institutional communication, improved media engagement, and strengthened law enforcement's capacity for effective public outreach

As part of the APC-IMPACT project, funded by the European Union's program "Enhancing Respect for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms", I conducted research on "Dangers of Digital Surveillance in Pakistan." My role involved identifying target groups, designing research questionnaires, and conducting surveys with journalists and human rights defenders across Pakistan. Additionally, I conducted case study interviews with renowned journalists Hamid Mir and Aizaz Syed, providing in-depth insights into the impact of digital surveillance. The research findings were strengthened through data analysis, contributing to a broader understanding of surveillance threats and their implications on press freedom and human rights.

• Responsible for providing information on partners and connecting with partners
• Advertising opportunity with Pakistani media/journalist associations
• Achieved Results:
• Identified partners for journalism training program in Pakistan
• Finalised and consultation with selected partner
• Shortlisting of training participants
• Advertised training course across Pakistan by coordinating press clubs, websites and online resources

As a Technical Expert for the Aitebaar Programme (DFID/Coffey), I played a pivotal role in enhancing citizen engagement in security and justice services across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. I managed a £2.5 million budget, overseeing multiple international and local partnerships while leading a team of experts. My responsibilities included developing and implementing advocacy, communication, and media engagement strategies, utilizing radio, television, interactive theatre, and digital campaigns to raise awareness on key justice sector issues. I also worked closely with media houses, government institutions, and academic bodies, conducting capacity-building programs, policy advocacy initiatives, and stakeholder engagements to promote transparent governance and community empowerment.

My key achievements include designing and executing communication strategies, training over 100 journalists in ethical and investigative reporting, and establishing partnerships with Radio Pakistan, Judicial Academy KP, and the University of Peshawar. I spearheaded the production of 250+ radio programs, public service messages, and a 13-episode TV drama series, "Jaan'nisar," focusing on rule of law and governance. Additionally, I developed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for KP Police, helping bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public. My contributions significantly enhanced media advocacy, citizen engagement, and security sector reforms, earning the program an A+ rating from DFID.

As part of the TVET Reform Support Program, I contributed to capturing and documenting success stories of individuals who graduated from TVET programs and established sustainable livelihoods. I conducted consultations with communication personnel from GIZ-TVETAacross Pakistan and AJ&K to identify compelling stories in the technical and vocational sector. Based on the given criteria, I shortlisted 20 success stories, developed an interview questionnaire, and conducted in-depth interviews with 20 male and female graduates who successfully launched their own businesses. The final compiled document of these stories was submitted to the Technical Advisor - Communication at GIZ, showcasing the impact of TVET programs on economic empowerment and skill development.

As part of the Media for Flood Recovery Project, I played a key role in media capacity building and community mobilization to amplify the voices of flood-affected communities and improve government response through humanitarian journalism. I led 10 trainings and contributed to the design of a reporting manual on humanitarian issues, equipping journalists with essential skills. Additionally, I developed and implemented capacity-building strategies for 12 media organizations, focusing on humanitarian information, basic journalism, and ethics.
Managing the radio component of the project, I supervised a team of five radio mentors, facilitating radio journalism training and productions to enhance accountability and assistance during the post-2010 flood recovery. I also established partnerships with seven FM radio networks across Punjab, KP, and Sindh, ensuring widespread information dissemination. Furthermore, I maintained collaborations with UN agencies, NGOs, INGOs, government bodies, local communities, and relief organizations, strengthening media's role in humanitarian response. I successfully managed a budget of €110K, supporting radio networks in capacity-building initiatives to sustain impactful reporting and community engagement.

As part of the Internews Humanitarian Information Project, I played a key role in strengthening crisis communication and media engagement to ensure affected communities had access to accurate and timely humanitarian information. My responsibilities included developing media strategies, training journalists, managing communication materials, and coordinating media outreach efforts. I also assisted in event planning, research, donor reporting, and content production to enhance public awareness and response to disasters. Additionally, I provided technical support in vendor selection and quality control for communication materials used in emergency reporting.

My key achievements include training journalists across Pakistan, managing field teams in Punjab, KP, and Sindh, and implementing mobile communication initiatives to improve information sharing during crises. I contributed to USAID-funded media programs by drafting reports, coordinating with stakeholders, and distributing radio sets for community outreach. Through liaison with government bodies, humanitarian organizations, and media partners, I helped bridge the gap between aid providers and affected populations, ensuring a more effective and responsive humanitarian communication framework.

In my role, I was responsible for building, managing, and maintaining the public reputation of the KP Health Minister's Office in both media and community engagement. I facilitated internal communication between the minister's office, health secretariat, and various health departments to ensure smooth and effective information flow.

To strengthen the ministry's credibility and public image, I developed and issued press releases, organized press briefings and conferences, and coordinated media interviews for the minister with newspapers and TV channels. Additionally, I prepared press kits, including program agendas, promotional materials, and other relevant content to support media outreach.

I also established and maintained relationships with journalists, media houses, and health organizations, ensuring effective external communication and media management for the office.

I was responsible for designing and developing radio programs to engage and expand audiences while ensuring high-quality content. I conducted evaluations of new and existing programs, using audience surveys and feedback to assess their impact and identify areas for improvement.

I actively monitored and reviewed programming to ensure adherence to schedules, content guidelines, and overall quality standards. Additionally, I oversaw network transmissions, tracking program schedules, content updates, special feeds, and necessary adjustments.

As a liaison between talent and directors, I facilitated communication between performers, guests, and production teams, ensuring smooth coordination for on-air appearances. I also played a key role in budget development and financial monitoring for programming and broadcasting activities, ensuring cost-effective operations within budgetary limits.

Design, draft and develop modules, teaching material, and delivered lectures on communication, public relations, radio broadcasting and ethical journalism. Assessed student's work, setting and marking examinations, and support student‟s in their research tasks.

Following the devastating 2005 earthquake in Kashmir and Hazara region in Pakistan, I contributed to the establishment of Earthquake Relief Radio, ensuring the timely, accurate, and objective dissemination of critical information to affected communities. I supported the development of a radio communication strategy, optimizing outreach to disaster-hit areas through an accessible and effective radio network.

I worked closely with UN agencies, relief organizations, and government bodies, facilitating research on humanitarian issues, content development, and information gathering. Additionally, I was responsible for writing scripts, sourcing contributors and interviewees, and developing effective reporting formats to enhance the credibility and impact of the broadcasts