Shanil Khowaja

Experience

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  Habib University

  Mar 2018 - May 2018

  Research Assistant

  ● Conducted research on “The Global Governance of Adult Illiteracy in Pakistan: A Pilot Case Study,” demonstrating strong analytical and research skills by reviewing, analyzing, and consolidating academic and policy-oriented literature. ● Identified research-relevant actors and established contacts with managers in local, national, and international organizations working to improve marginalized children's access to education and policymakers from the public sector, showcasing excellent networking and communication skills through scheduling interviews and managing follow-up correspondence. Show less

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  Hashoo Foundation

  Jun 2018 - Aug 2018

  Assistant Program Officer

  • Maintained MIS Data Entry. • Supervised and regulated hospitality training.• Writing weekly, monthly and quarterly reports of activities that were successfully conducted by Hashoo Foundation, Karachi. • Successfully hosted Certificate Distribution Ceremony at Marriott Hotel, in the presence of Country Director Hashoo Foundation. • Social Media Assistant. • Represented Hashoo Foundation at Jobs Fair held by Aga Khan Economic Planning Board.

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  Interactive Research and Development

  Jun 2019 - Jul 2019

  CEC Training & Learning Intern

  ● Designed a training manual for lady health workers, focusing on Family Planning in Community Engagement Centers available nationally. The manual included insights from civic engagement, background studies, policy developments, lived realities of equity-deserving groups, and insights from public health specialists.● Applied strong communication and interpersonal skills by facilitating stakeholder consultation and liaising meetings with various community and external stakeholders to advocate for the Family Planning project and gain valuable research insights.● Demonstrated expertise in policy research by composing a Systematic Literature Review for the Global Health Directorate’s training module on Managing Domestic Conflict in South Asia and a Critical Literature Review for the Substance Use/Abuse training module● Implemented advanced qualitative data analysis skills using a mixed-methods approach with OpenCode and MAXQDA and showcased strategic planning abilities by designing a monitoring and evaluation plan for physician-patient communication at Indus Hospital. Show less

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  Youth Center for Research

  Apr 2020 - Jul 2020

  Program Lead

  ● Planned and Designed YCR's International Summer Research Program (SRP) 2020.● Developed and conducted Monitoring and Evaluation of SRP.● Conducted interviews of applicants to shortlist for SRP.● Developed Wireframe for YCR's official website.

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  The Cedar School Official

  Jul 2020 - Jul 2021

  Academics and Curriculum Coordinator

  ● Spearheaded the e-sports initiative and collaborated with educational leaders from across the globe to develop an e-sports curriculum catering to the contemporary needs of secondary students. The curriculum focused on incorporating e-sports in students' academic development to foster their cognitive development and technologies’ positive usage.● Ensured performance management and facilitated monitoring and evaluation of teaching pedagogy and curriculum development. Prepared student assessment framework for subject portfolios comprised of frequency of exams and measuring academic excellence, grounded in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Also designed a mechanism for independently assessing students’ academic learning and behavioral outcomes.● Developed, revamped, and improved school policies regarding academic conduct. Show less

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  Harvard's Center for International Development

  Jan 2021 - Apr 2021

  Research And Policy Analyst

  ● Conducted and authored mixed-method research on “The State of Inequality in Global Healthcare – Perspectives from Pakistan Regarding the COVID-19 Impact” in collaboration with the Harvard Kennedy School (Center for International Development). The research explored the treatment of COVID-affected patients nationally and the lived experiences of equity-deserving demographics such as racialized and gendered and low-income people in accessing public and private healthcare services.● Monitored political and policy developments during COVID-19 and conducted policy analysis of its impact on the existing health infrastructure. The study resulted from interviews with health professionals, policymakers, and first responder healthcare providers, using health systems theory and economics principles. The Principal Investigator presented it at the Harvard conference.● Designed the research methodology and analysis framework, trained the research team on using statistical and qualitative analysis software like MAXQDA, and ensured regular and robust stakeholder engagement throughout the research journey. Show less

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  Legal Aid Society - Pakistan

  Jul 2021 - Aug 2022

  Research And Policy Analyst

  ● Developed research instruments and conducted 500+ surveys of victims and accused of sexual assault across two provinces, performed court proceedings observations, and interviewed judiciary, lawyers, and police on handling of sexual assault cases. Performed quantitative and qualitative data analysis, calculated procedural delays in rape acquittal cases through cascade analysis and analyzed verdicts through a gender-justice framework.● Managed and trained the research team on qualitative data and developed research report entitled “Gap Analysis of Investigation and Prosecution of Rape and Sodomy Cases,” funded by the British High Commission. The findings were communicated via briefing notes and policy reports with senior management, the judicial complex, and other external stakeholders.● Facilitated, managed, and coordinated a National Judiciary Conference of judges, donor agencies, community organizations, and press media organized to communicate findings of the socio-legal research and policy analysis and recommend policy recommendations regarding rape law reforms.● Liaised with community organizations, representatives of United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), and stakeholders from the legislative body to promote civic engagement in policy reforms and advocate for improved laws combating sexual violence against women and children. This included facilitating stakeholder consultation, focus groups of community representatives, and advocacy efforts with elected officials.● Produced policy briefs and other communication materials from the mixed-methods policy research report covering lived experiences of accessing the legal system by victims of sexual violence; also developed policy memorandums and recommendations for advocacy purposes. Resultantly, in 2022, new law reforms about sexual violence have been introduced. Show less

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  Lakehead University

  Sept 2022 - May 2023

  ● Assisted in teaching and content delivery of the course “Indigenous Feminisms,” which trained students on indigenous feminist research methodologies and theories.● Provided undergrad and graduate students feedback on their assignments. Evaluated and marked assignments. ● Conducted an interdisciplinary (feminist and legal) literature review and authored an annotated bibliography for policy research on Violence against Sexual Minorities and the Conceptualization of Justice funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and presented discourse analysis via research report.● Assisted the Principal Investigator in writing the research grant proposal.● Contributed to designing mixed-method research methodology and conceptual framework.

  • Teaching Assistant

    Jan 2023 - May 2023

  • Research Assistant

    Sept 2022 - Dec 2022
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  University of Toronto

  Oct 2022 - Mar 2024

  Graduate Researcher

  ● Enriched Wikipedia content under the supervision of award-winning UofT Professor Dr. Shafique Virani.● Selected to the "Virani Research Team," the University of Toronto's largest humanities research group.

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  360°kids

  Jan 2023 - Nov 2024

  Research and Evaluation Specialist

  ● Spearheading triennial evaluation of trauma-informed counseling, housing, prevention of crime, and employment programs for equity-deserving demographics such as homeless youth, racialized at-risk youth, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Indigenous youth in York Region, comprising of implementing data collection instruments, conducting statistical data analysis, and preparing reports and summaries for senior management and government stakeholders.● Liaising with program staff and external organizations to assist staff in identifying best practices and formulating project plans grounded in external reports and performance management of programs.● Engaging in social science research methodologies and mixed-method data analysis, including robust literature reviews, stakeholder consultations, policy analysis, background studies, and case studies to develop policy briefs and recommendations for interdisciplinary programs such as combating youth homelessness, ensuring youth employment, improving client’s access to education, and mental health support programs, with social justice, intersectionality, equity and inclusion considerations.● Developing impact evaluation, research objectives, logic models, and theories of change for several housing and employment programs. Performing mixed-methods analysis through NVivo and SPSS and visualizing findings using Excel and PowerBi by creating dashboards. The findings are communicated through research reports and briefing notes to senior staff, government services, and external organizations. Show less

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  The Ismaili Canada

  Mar 2023 - Aug 2023

  Program Director, Horizons Al-Ummah Summer Program
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  Lakehead University

  Sept 2023 - Dec 2023

  Graduate Assistant

  ● Planned, hosted, and marketed the Gender and Women’s Studies Fall Speaker Series, which included discussions with professional and budding researchers on their research, policy projects, and activism.● Coordinated the Annual Feminism Conference 2024 at Lakehead University.

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  Youth Center for Research

  Jan 2024 - now

  Evaluation Consultant
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  City of Red Deer

  Nov 2024 - now

  Research and Evaluation Specialist