Samsonraj Pandian

Experience

• 

  Emmanuel Hospital Association

  Jun 2003 - Dec 2003

  Project Officer

   Co-ordinated and mobilized the polio program in partnership with World Vision in an entire administrative division. Prepared management records and reports including operating plans as needed. Networked with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local government officials, and community leaders in the program area to ensure continued project quality. Coordinated the training and development opportunities for the project staff. Planned, conducted and managed surveys.

• 

  World Vision

  Jan 2004 - Oct 2015

  I worked as the National Coordinator, where I managed an annual ~4.5M budget as well as effectively mobilized human, operational, and technical resources.I produced and submitted high-quality proposals in line with donor requirements. I highlighted and responded to grant opportunities in compliance with World Vision India's strategic objectives and child wellbeing targets. I established and sustained strong relations with World Vision support offices. I positioned the organization as the preferred partner by building progressive relationships with donors. I created a proposal database repository to be ready with ideas for future grant opportunities. I introduced thematic consortiums and optimized the official website to cater to external stakeholders. I established a relationship with a senior USAID official who flew 3,000 km to attend an event organized by WV for the first time in World Vision (WV) India’s history. Trained on a unique tool called Proposal Pro to build the capacity of staff to raise funds. I delivered trainings to the donor engagement teams in Bangladesh on Proposal Pro. Credited for generating ~$7M from private and governmental donors. Redefined the organization’s strategy by improving the diversification of resource allocation. Monitored programme funding pipeline by targeting crucial gaps and funding needs through proposals. Built proposal pipeline worth ~$62M to raise the target money of ~$4.5M per annum.  Awarded ~$1.2M grant from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Achieved a remarkable 39% grant award rate on $40M in grant submissions. Show less As a manager, I spearheaded the idea of design execution to ensure that the entire program team received an in-depth understanding of program design, the theory of change, a detailed implementation plan, and reporting.I headed all aspects of program execution and financial management in line with the organization/donor policies, strategies, and frameworks. I nurtured collaborative working relationships with World Vision support offices. I drove the entire assessment, design, and redesign process.  Coached program teams on project design, the theory of change, implementation plan, and evaluation & assessment process, and reporting procedures. Chosen to Mongolia office for three months to help set up the design, monitoring, and evaluation team. Developed the team’s capacity for an expat manager to successfully transition into this leadership role. Show less  Worked with the Program Managers of 18 multi-sectoral, long-term, development programs to ensure efficient operational management. Ensured that the programs were designed, managed and implemented following organization’s strategies, project frameworks, and approved design. Convened regular program review meetings to take stock of overall program management and learning, facilitated informed decision making, to enable achievement of successful program outputs. Ensured optimal quality and timely submission of reports and proposals for internal and external Donors. Built capacity of staff on M&E tools, data analysis, data management, basic surveying and sampling techniques. Show less  Implemented a multi-sectoral long-term Development Program in coordination with Ministry of Health, Local NGOs and other government departments. Ensured effective operational management of program through line management of key program staff. Convened regular program review meetings to take stock of overall program & financial control and learning. Overall management of the Program that includes; maintaining a system of objective setting and performance appraisal for program staff, capacity building/ training responsibilities of direct reports, monitoring direct report performance based on agreed job descriptions, ensuring their compliance with all policies of the organization, and promoting a culture of innovation. Show less  Implemented USAID funded Child Survival Project interventions in 10 Administrative Blocks (in one of the most remote locations in Northern India) in coordination with Ministry of Health, Women and Child Development Department and Local NGOs. Provided overall direction to field activities in the respective program district and lead the field team in day to day implementation. Provided overall leadership, capacity building and coaching to staff and volunteers responsible for Operations Research. Show less

  • National Coordinator - Grant Acquisition and Multilateral Funding

    Apr 2012 - Oct 2015

  • Manager - Design

    Jan 2010 - Mar 2012

  • DME Specialist

    Jan 2011 - Apr 2011

  • Program Quality Manager

    Jun 2008 - Jan 2010

  • Program Manager

    Jun 2006 - May 2008

  • Project Officer

    Jan 2004 - May 2006
• 

  Samaritan's Purse

  Nov 2015 - now

  As the Director of Program Development, I facilitated project operations for efficient and effective administrative and program delivery.I provided strategic direction and spearheaded the execution of programmes/projects in compliance with set standards and goals as well as government priorities. I incorporated lessons learned into existing and future programmes for continuous operational excellence. I drafted and communicated progress reports with key stakeholders for the decision-making process. I fostered strong relations with donors for seamless project/program operations. I provided leadership to monitoring and evaluation, communications, and strategic partnership departments of the organization’s country office. I restructured and implemented the reporting system. Administered an annual budget of ~$3M by streamlining operations and reducing additional costs. Raised ~ $6M funding for a multi-sector integrated protection project. Improved project evaluation system for high-quality output throughout the program life cycle. Partnered to design and draft a five-year strategic plan for the country office. Provided cover to deputy country director and country director for continuous operations. Raised funds of around ~$500K from the Embassy of Japan, Winrock International (USAID CTIP grant). Show less • Set strategic directions for the programs/projects by ensuring that they are developed and implemented is consistent with strategic plans and standards of the organization. • Lead the development of high-quality program/project designs aligned with the organization’s strategies and government priorities. • Regularly monitor and review project implementation to ensure quality, contractual compliance, and timely reporting. • Oversee program and project evaluations and ensure lessons learned are incorporated into current and future programming. • Ensure timely preparation of reports and share with appropriate donor agencies, government departments, and stakeholders.• Provide leadership to the Monitoring and Evaluation department, Communications department, and Strategic Partnership department of the organization's country office.• Build and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders and donors.• Be part of the senior leadership team and play a critical role, ensuring effective and efficient financial, administrative, and program delivery.• Serve as the Deputy Country Director (DCD) and/or Country Director (CD) when the DCD/CD are outside the country of operation. Show less

  • Deputy Country Director

    Aug 2022 - now

  • Program Development

    Aug 2019 - Aug 2022

  • Director Program Development

    Nov 2018 - Aug 2019

  • Program Development Officer

    Nov 2015 - Nov 2018