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CURRICULUM VITAE

Demonstrated ability to build sustainable partnerships with key stakeholder groups

including: political parties, Members of Parliament, higher echelon of national and local

government officials, civil society groups, NGOs, as well as donors, international

organizations and missions involved in the process of governance. In more than 30 years

of my career as university teacher and consultants in governance projects developed

communications and inter-personal skills, effective project management strategy, broad

network with law - makers, policy planners, CSOs and development partners and result

management under pressure as self-motivated individual in collaborative and

multicultural environment.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name: Dr. ATM Obaidullah

Previous position: Professor of Public Administration

University of Rajshahi

atm.obaidullah@yahoo.com

Father’s Name: Late Mr. Md. Abul Hossain

Date of Birth: August 17th

, 1954

Nationality: Bangladeshi

Languages: Bangla and English

Residential Address: “Urban Elite” 3/B

Road #11/A

House # 68

Dhanmondi Residential Area

Dhaka

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ACADEMIC RECORDS

B.A (Honours) in Political Science 1977

University of Rajshahi

M.A in Political Science (Specialized in Public Administration)

University of Rajshahi 1979

Ph D in Political Science (Area of study: Public Administration Reform Strategy) 1992

University of Rajshahi

Thesis Title: “Administrative Reforms in Bangladesh: Implementation Strategy”

AREA OF ACADEMIC INTEREST

- Administrative Reforms

- Development Administration

- Administrative and Constitutional Law

- Parliamentary studies

- Public Sector Management

- Public policy

- Bangladesh Politics and development

KEY SKILLS

- Team player

- Ability to work in multi-cultural environment

- Ability to produce result within timeframe

- Analytical and conceptual thinking

- Communications, networking and alliance building

- Resource mobilization and partnership management

- Ability to motivate people to result orientation

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KEY ACHIEVEMENT

1. Help Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat (under the mandate of USAID

PROGATI Project to establish a Budget Analysis and Monitoring Unit

(BAMU) in Parliament Secretariat to assist Hon MPs to effectively

contribute in the national budget process b providing effective budget

analysis services to the MPs and monitor implantation of budget through

Parliamentary Committees.

2. After assuming the position of Project Implementation Specialist (PIS)

established close rapport with key stakeholders and senior management of

parliament secretariat and UNDP which helped substantial acceleration in

the pace of project implementation and gained donor confidence. Final

Evaluation Mission held the view that project had accomplished most of

the deliverables that it aimed at. And “Current PIS is a national consultant

who was able to move the project forward after a long lull”

3. It is worth mentioning that as PIS of the Project I played a very persuasive

role in getting the budget analysis unit in Parliament Secretariat

established. However, after the establishment of the unit I/project had

managed to take some initiative to build the capacity of the personnel

enraged and MPs and Committee Chairs to analyze national budget from

macro economic perspective and poverty reduction strategy that

Government of Bangladesh is striving for. However, the BAU is still in

very embryonic stage needs intensive support and close monitoring of the

efficacy of the office

4. As organizational review consultant prior to assuming the position of PIS

conducted organizational review of the Parliament Secretariat comprising

of nearly 800 staff and facilitated to establish a function based

organization from a rigid rank based one and create institutional

mechanism of participatory management system leading to result

orientation towards the principles of New Public Management

5. Helped Reorganize Parliamentary Committees to create institutional

memory and more clientele responsive committee system

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6. Motivated key policy makers of parliament secretariat to establish Budget

Analysis Unit in the Parliament Secretariat

7. Motivated senior management of parliament secretariat to establish

Bangladesh Institute of Parliamentary Studies (BIPS) to enhance

institutional facilities for the MPs in respect of training and research

8. Motivate Parliament senior management and parliamentarians to establish

all party caucus on gender, PRSP and ICT to strengthen the parliament

and public interface

9. Helped establish E-Governance in parliament secretariat to increase

transparency of business and make parliament accessible to the public

10. Offered coaching in the capacity development Secretariat officials

11. Mid/ senior civil servants at Bangladesh Public Administration Training

Center (BPATC)

12. Conducted Evaluation/Impact study of the training programs of the UP

Members and Chairmen imparted by Khan Foundation

13. Establish Department of Public Administration at Rajshahi University as

Founder Chairman which was considered to be a model in the campus

14. Motivated my colleagues to make the department session jam free against

all odds which eventually proved a success and subsequently established

as precedent for other departments

15. Actively participated in the administration and management and

disciplinary bodies as a Member After assuming the position of Project

Implementation Specialist established close rapport with key stakeholders

and senior management of parliament secretariat which helped substantial

acceleration in the pace of project implementation and gain donor

confidence

16. Served more than a decade as a full time faculty of the Department of

Political, University of Rajshahi

17. Contributed good number of publications in the professional journals both

at home and abroad

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Present Position: March 3, 2010 – till date

Professor, Department Public Administration. Resumed my former position of professor

of public administration at the University of Rajshahi; offering courses at graduate and

post graduate levels, conducting personal research and supervising research of fellow

colleagues in the department.

MANAGERIAL EXPERIENCE

Parliamentary Adviser, USAID PROGATI Project

Since February 18th

2008 till February 24, 2010

Responsibilities: To Manage the implementation of parliament component under USAID

PROGATI Project in general and assist Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat to strengthen

its oversight capacity, especially fiscal oversight through establishing an well functioning

Budget Analysis and Monitoring Unit (BAMU) in Parliament Secretariat

In order to do this Parliamentary Adviser will

Supervise Budget Analysts

Lead the design and implementation of tasks associated with establishing a

Parliamentary Budget Analysis Unit

Lead the development of grant – and sub-contract-funded activities within the

framework of Parliamentary Component, including:

- Needs assessments, training events and technical assistance provision

- activities to increase budget analysis skills of MPs and parliament secretariat staff

members; and specialized budget analysis and support to parliamentary

committees;

- Represent PROGATI Parliament Component externally to communicate the

project’s anti-corruption and good governance messages, liaise with key

stakeholders, and generally create a positive environment for PROGATI partners

to carry out related activities;

- Mentor and provide guidance and technical assistance to key leaders and

managers associated with component projects;

- collaborate with other component managers and technical staff in the

development of activities that have cross-component involvement and impact;

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- Measure local organization capacity to implement proposed activities;

- Closely manage the work of guarantees and sub-contractors in work associated

with the component, ensuring that implementation proceeds according to plan,

outputs are achieved on time and of the quality desired, and expenditures match

budgeted figure;

- identify and coordinate the activities of short term consultants and otherwise

facilitate achievement of stated STTA objectives and deliverables, including

preparation and execution of meeting schedules and provision of background

documents as required;

- Monitor and assess the impact of program activities, focusing on how they

contribute to broader program objectives, through frequent visits to project sites

and interviews with participants and beneficiaries;

- Keep abreast of national and regional political, social, and economic

developments associated with program goals and objectives, and prepare and

deliver written and oral briefings when requested; and

- Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party that are consistent with the overall

focus of the assignment.

Project Implementation Specialist (PIS) (team leader)

“Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy” Project BGD/97/003

Period: 2004 January – December 31, 2007e

General Responsibilities undertaken:

Provided strategic advise/necessary supports to the Hon Speaker and members of the

Steering committee and undertake overall leadership, guidance and management of the

project towards the achievements of its objectives in close collaboration with National

Project Director under the overall authority of UNDP Resident Representative/Country

Director, UNOPS Asia office and Project Manager at country office. With this end in

view PIS carried out the following specific responsibilities:

Establish and maintain formal consultations with stakeholders of the project that

include: Hon Speaker’s office, Committee Chairs, Chief Whips, Hon MPs,

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Parliament Secretariat officials, especially NPD and Secretary for effective

implementation of project activities and setting out future strategic planning;

Provide support to the Steering Committee in the preparation, adoption and

implementation of the AWP of the Project

Ensure that adequate institutional and technical support is provided to the

Committee chairs, and their support staff in order to enable the committees to

perform their legislative and oversight functions on the Executive.

Ensure that decisions of the steering committee are implemented

Keep UNDP and UNOPS Governance Unit informed about the prospects and

problems of project implementation

Share views with Hon Speaker, NPD and Secretary to increase effectiveness of

the project and worked out effective strategy for building better rapport amongst

the main stakeholders

Supervise the project office, held team meetings with national and international

consultants

Ensure that both national and international consultants produce outputs on time

Guide support staff in carrying out their jobs

Prepare quarterly Reports in order to demonstrate project intended output against

targeted plans

Monitor individual components of the project and its status of implementation

Supervise publication Project newsletter in order to disseminate and project

activities to the main stakeholders and development partners

Contribute regularly articles in the newsletter on the project components

Direct the preparation of project budget revision in consistence with AWPs

Ensure that all financial transactions are carried out in accordance with

UNDP/ONOPS rules and regulations

Prepare terms of reference (TORs) for the recruitment of national and

international consultants based on an open and transparent process and keeping

with the required procedures.

Officer–in-Charge

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“Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy” Project BGD/97/003

Period: June 18, 2003 – December 31, 2003

Established rapport with stakeholders of Parliament especially Hon Speaker, MPs, and

committee chairs and key secretariat officials like NPD and secretary to the Parliament,

worked out strategic measures for bringing the project activities back on track and create

momentum.

Implemented activities of the project for the remaining months of the year as per

AWP 2003 after withdrawal of former PIA.

Published newsletter

Prepared quarterly and annual reports of the Project, 2003

Prepared Annual Work Plan (AWP) 2004 in consultation with stakeholders and

UNDP

Held steering committee meeting for the getting the AWP 2004 approved.

Consulting Experience

Organizational Review Consultant

Parliament Secretariat of Bangladesh

“Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy” Project BGD/97/003

Period: September 2001- till end of the project along with the responsibility of PIS

As a national organizational development consultant contracted by UNOPS, worked with

international consultants conducting an organizational review of the Bangladesh

Parliament Secretariat. Designed processes to collect and analyze organizational

information relating to organizational structure, delegation of authorities, training and

development needs, planning processes to enable the Secretariat to better serve the needs

of Parliamentarians. Based on the results of the needs analysis, developed

recommendations and action plan for implementing recommendations.

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Conducted presentations to explain the perspective of the Report, clarified the final

recommendations to various stakeholders high-level Secretariat managers, political level

dignitaries including the Honorable Speaker and international founders.

Educational Activities for Parliamentarians and Journalists, UNDP/UNOPS and

Government of Bangladesh

As a national organizational development consultant, undertook a number of projects

related to the design and conduct of education for parliamentarians and training for

journalists in support of strengthening the parliamentary process in Bangladesh.

Assisted in the design, facilitation and the preparation of Reports on the

seminar/workshop and Round Tables on the parliamentary practices and core issues of

governance for the MPs that include amongst others the Role of the Members of

Parliament in Parliamentary Democracy, Budget as Planning and oversight Tool,

leadership development, MDGs and poverty reduction strategy and budget analysis

techniques for the member of parliament and officials of parliament secretariat. Identified

the training needs of the parliamentary Journalists to improve the objectivity and quality

of their reporting on Parliamentary matters. Assessed the impact of training programs on

the Parliamentary Practice and Procedure for the officials of parliament secretariat held

in BIPS Dhaka till today.

Consultancy in Public Administration Reform Commission (PARC) 2000

As national consultant assisted the Commission to identify management and other issues

facing the civil service including organizational structure and its interface with the

politicians, accountability and transparency issues. Made recommendations to resolve

these issues and to improve the functioning of the government.

Contributed two chapters of the Report “ Public Administration for Twenty

First Century” June 2000

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Evaluation of NGO Training Program of Khan Foundation

“Empowerment of Elected Women Members in the Union Parishad”

January 2001- June 2001

Undertook an evaluation of the training program “Empowerment of Elected Women

Members in the Union Parishad” sponsored by Khan Foundation, a leading NGO as part

of the “Capacity Building of the Union Parishad Functionaries” under the project

“Strengthening Local Government” jointly financed by USAID and NORAD 2000. The

evaluation consisted of assessing the effectiveness of the program to provide women with

the knowledge and skills to work as elected Members. The criteria for the evaluation, the

methodology and results of the evaluation were documented in a written Report.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER TRACK

Academic and Management Experience

Total Experience in Teaching, Research, Management and Consultancy, 28 years.

Founder Chairman, Department of Public Administration

University of Rajshahi 1993- 1996 and 1999-2000

On behalf of the University and in response to the directions of the Syndicate, founded

the Department of Public Administration. Undertook financial estimates required for the

founding of the department, identified the needs for office and class room space, set out

the curriculum and course content, identified and approved courses, supervised the

announcing of the public administration program and its advertising to attract students,

recruited professor, faculty members and staff, identified required library resources, and

approved examination standard and schedules.

The Public Administration Department had eighteen faculty members including one

Professor and one Associate Professor and the remaining are mostly lecturers. The

Department had five staff and 250 students.

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Professor and Chairman 1999 – 2000

As Professor and Chairman from 1999- 2002 I estimated the budget requirements for the

department, set curriculum content and standards, recruited teachers and staff supervised

staff and academic programs of the department for which reported to the Dean of the

Faculty and to Vice Chancellor in meetings with the Chairmen as and when he convened.

As professor of the department designed curriculum content, set examinations, served on

a number of Rajshahi University committees and in other committees in other universities

as well, undertook research and published book and articles in professional journals at

home and abroad.

As member of University Syndicate, Discipline Committee and House Tutor of

residential hall I have had the opportunity to act in close collaboration with university

authority, take decision and implement them as per Statutes and Ordinances of the

university.

My involvement in several public administration projects provided me the opportunity to

work directly with the Executive and senior management of Bangladesh civil service,

international donor communities and members of various civil societies.

Lecturer and Assistant Professor of Political Science, 1998 - 1993

I joined the Department of Political Science at the University of Rajshahi in 1980 as

Lecturer and served the department for nearly 13 years until I was promoted in the rank

of Associate Professor in.

As lecturer and Assistant Professor of Political Science I offered number of courses at the

undergraduate and graduate level students, set examinations, served on a number of

committees undertook research and published articles and supervised extra-curriculum

activities of the department.

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RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Publications of Books /Monographs

1. Bangladesh Public Administration: Study of Major Administrative Reforms,

Constraints and Strategies. Academic Press and Publishers Ltd 1999

2. Democracy and Good Governance: The Role of Ombudsman, Institute of

Parliamentary Studies, 2001

3. Parliamentary Committees in Westminster System: Lessons for Bangladesh,

edited by Nizam Ahmed and ATM Obaidullah, University Press Limited, June

2007

4. Reorganization of Bangladesh Parliament: Quest for Operational and Institutional

Efficacy (In the process)

Articles

1. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Administrative Adjudication and its Legal Control in

Bangladesh”. Rajshahi University Studies, Vol., 11 1980-83.

2. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “ The Service Conditions of the Civil Service in Bangladesh.”

The Journal of the Institute of Bangladesh Studies, Vol.. 8, 1985.

3. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “ Exercise of Administrative Powers and the Enforcement of

Fundamental Rights in Bangladesh” Administrative Change, Vol., 1-2 1986-87.

4. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Administrative Reforms in the Local Government of

Bangladesh”. South Asia Journal, Vol., 2. 1988.

5. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Problem of Administrative Reforms in Bangladesh:

Institutionalization of Bureaucracy”. Asian Profile, Vol., 19. 1991.

6. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “A New Quest for Ensuring People’s Participation in Local

Administration in Bangladesh: A Futile Exercise” The Journal of Political

Science Association, 1993.

7. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Administrative Reforms in Bangladesh: An Evaluation”.

Asian Affairs, Vol. 19. 1995.

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8. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Reorganiztion of Public Pay Policy and Structure in

Bangladesh: A Quest for Living Wage”, Journal of the Asiatic Society of

Bangladesh, Vol. 19, 1995.

9. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Problem of Implementation of Administrative Reforms in

Bangladesh: Adoption of Strategy”. South Asian Studies, Vol., 12, 1995.

10. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Reorganization of Services in Bangladesh: Elitism

Substituted Super Elitism”. Administrative Change, Vol , 1995.

11. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Paradox of Local Government Reforms in Bangladesh:

Ambivalent attitude of Government Towards Constitution”. Bangladesh Journal

of Administration and Development, Vol., 5, 1997.

12. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Administrative Reforms in Developing Countries: a

Theoretical Note”. The Rajshahi University Studies, Part C. Vol., 4. 1996.

13. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Administrative Reforms in Bangladesh: Government

Attitude and Commitment”. Social Science and Faculty Journal, Rajshahi

University, Vol., 4, 1996 (Bengali).

14. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Generalist-Specialist in Bangladesh”. Bangladesh Journal

of Public Administration, Vol., 5, 1996.

15. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Reorganization of the Secretariat in Bangladesh”. Journal

of the Institute of Bangladesh studies, Vol., 19, 1996.

16. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Reorganization of the Sub National Administration of

Bangladesh: Unplanned and Haphazard Change”, Journal of Rural

Development and Administration, Vol., 29. 1997.

17. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “ Ombudsman for Bangladesh: A Cause of New Hopes and

Concern”. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Vol., 42. 1997.

18. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Constitutional Profile of Bangladesh Civil Service: An

Ambivalent Protection”. Rajshahi University Studies, Part C. Vol., 5. 1997.

19. A.T.M. Obaidullah and Khondokar Md. Shariful Islam, “Aid Dependence and the

Industrial Policy Formulation In Bangladesh: The Case of Bangladesh”,

Bangladesh Public Administration Review, Vol. 1, 1997.

20. A.T.M. Obaidullah, Contributed a Chapter on “Local Government of

Bangladesh” in the Report of the FEMA, 1997.

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21. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Administrative Reforms in Bangladesh” Banglapedia:

Encyclopedia of Bangladesh, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 1998.

22. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Local Government of Bangladesh: An Institution or

Instrument?”, Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Vol., 43, 1998.

23. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Civil Service Ethics in Bangladesh”, Banglapedia:

Encyclopedia of Bangladesh, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 1998.

24. Contributed Chapters to the Report “Public Administration in the 21st Century,

GOB. PARC, 2000.

25. A.T.M. Obaidullah, “Bangladesh Civil Service: Its Image and Weakness”.

Administrative Change, Vol., 29. 2001

26. Muhammad Muhabbat Khan and A.T.M. Obaidullah,, Local Government of

Bangladesh, A Chapter in a book (to be published from America in 2003).

27. ATM Obaidullah “Rule of Law in Bangladesh: Law-Making Process and

Government Attitude towards Enforcement” (forthcoming).

28. ATM Obaidullah “Reorganization of Parliament Secretariat in Bangladesh: A

Move Towards New Public Management” paper presented at the international

conference on Administrative Reforms in South and Southeast Asia , held at

Bangladesh Public Administration Training Center, 28-29 June, 2006

29. MM Khan & ATM Obaidullah, “Central Local Relations and Failure of

Decentralization Effort in Bangladesh”, Local Government Quarterly,

January – March, 2008

30. ATM Obaidullah & Nizam, Ahmed “Parliamentary Reorganization in

Bangladesh: Towards Effective Oversight, Administrative Change, January to

December, 2008

31. ATM Obaidullah, “Strengthening Fiscal Oversight of Bangladesh Parliament: A

New Beginning”, The Journal of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Vol. 54. 2009

32. MM Khan &A.T.M.Obaidullah “LG in Bangladesh: Evolution, Reorganization

and Central – Local Relations, in MM Khan, Decentralization in Bangladesh:

Myth or Reality, AH Development Publishing House, 2009

33. ATM Obaidullah, “Bangladesh: Quest for an Effective Parliament A Look at

Donor Initiatives in Reorganization Process” , Regional Studies, Vol. XXIX,

2011

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34. ATM Obaidullah, “Human Resource Development in Bangladesh Parliament and its

Secretariat: An Overlooked Agenda”, Development Compilation, Vol. 07, No.1 June, 2012

35. ATM Obaidullah, “Comparative Budget Process in Westminster Parliaments: A Lesson for Bangladesh Parliament”, Accepted for publication in Bangladesh Journal of Administration and Management

36. ATM Obaidullah, “Reorganization of Standing Committees on Ministries of Bangladesh

Parliament: A Quest for Increasing Operational & Institutional Efficiency”, Accepted for

Publication in South Asian Survey, Vol. 18 (2). 2012

37. ATM Obaidullah, Reorganization of Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat:

38. A Quest for Increasing Operational Efficiency, To be published in South Asian Studies

39. ATM Obaidullah “Gender Mainstreaming in Parliaments: Bangladesh Perspective”,

Paper submitted for presentation in the international conference to be held at Chittagong

University in December, 2012

40. ATM Obaidullah “Bangladesh’s Endeavour to Establish an Egalitarian Civil Service: A

Futile Exercise” Submitted for publication in Asiatic Society of Bangladesh

41. ATM Obaidullah, What Reforming Bangladesh Civil Service is meant

For:Professionalism and Efficiency or Fragmentation and Inefficiency

RESEARCH SUPERVISED

Aid Dependence and the Industrial Policy Formulation n Bangladesh: The Case of

Bangladesh, MPhil Thesis by Khandoker Md. Shariful Islam, Department of

Public Administration, University of Rajshahi, 1994

Parliamentary Oversight: A Study of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, MPA Dissertation by Rehana Akhtar, Civil Service College, Dhaka, 2012

Unauthorized Payment of Seeking Health Care from Public Hospitals in Bangladesh,

MPA Dissertation by Tanvir Mahmud, Civil Service College, Dhaka, 2012

REPORTS PREPARED

01. Public Administration for 21st Century (contributed three chapters) Public

Administration Reform Commission, 2000.

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02. Capacity Building of Elected Women Members in the Union Parishad, 2001

(Project Evaluation) 2001.

03. Capacity Building of Chairmen and Members of Union Parishad (Project

Evaluation) 2001.

04. Role of the Members of Parliament in a Parliamentary Democracy (Report on a

Round Table held under the project “Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy”)

2002.

05. Organizational Review of Parliament Secretariat (co-authored) under UNDP/SPD

Project, 2002

06. Report on the Training Program for Members of Bangladesh Parliamentary

Journalist Association on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure (Report on a

Training Program held under the project “Strengthening Parliamentary

Democracy”) 2002.

07. Report on Budget: A Planning and Oversight Tool (Report on a Round Table

held under the project “Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy”). 2002.

08. Report on the Training Need Assessment of the Parliamentary Journalist

Association 2002.

ATM Obaidullah

Professor of Public Administration

University of Rajshahi