Riffat Ashrafee

Background

About Riffat Ashrafee

I've worked in the international development space for over 9 years, designing and implementing national and international projects across South Asia and Africa. Currently, I am pursuing my MPhil in Development Studies at the University of Cambridge. Prior to commencing my MPhil, I was working as an Evidence & Learning Manager at Simprints, a non-profit company using technology to verify last mile service delivery. In my role, I've led the development of the organisational learning framework. I conducted comprehensive impact and learning reviews across projects to inform effective program design and implementation. During my tenure as the Global Project Manager at Simprints, I successfully led the design and delivery of digitisation projects across multiple countries, effectively managing a portfolio exceeding $5 million. I have fostered crucial partnerships and donor relationships, in addition to formulating capacity development modules and conducting digital capacity-building workshops for community health workers across diverse cultural geographies. Before joining Simprints, I made significant strides at BRAC, the largest NGO in the world. I led the Incubation team for Youth Development Projects from the Social Innovation Lab and drove collaborative models for Adolescent Development, Disaster Management, and Climate Change Programs. I designed and implemented the Amra Notun Network - a platform to bridge the gap between education and 21st-century skills for young changemakers across Bangladesh. Outside my professional endeavours, I actively engage in volunteer work, mentoring and impacting the lives of adolescents and young women at the Baak Network - Bangladesh’s first 360-degree virtual mentoring platform for women by women. I am also an SDG Global Talent of the UNLEASH Innovation Lab, where I have organised multiple hackathons in Bangladesh. Additionally, I am an Ambassador and alumnus of Equitech Futures, where I participated in a program that empowers leaders in the social sector with critical data and technology skills to achieve impact at scale. I am passionate about Health Systems Strengthening using innovative, inclusive technologies that uphold social justice and human dignity. I have been an active DEI advocate in my last company and had previously co-led the group to enhance a fair, collaborative company culture.