Professional Overview
Full Name
Niamatullah Rahi
Current Position
NGOs Capacity Building and Grants Management Specialist
SSEOA | Nov 2022 - Present
Education
Masters in Public Policy and Administration
Kabul University, Afghanistan
2016-2019
Bachelor of General Law
Goa University, India
2006-2009
Core Expertise
NGO/CSO Capacity Building
Grants Management
Project Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Policy Advocacy
Team Leadership
Strategic Planning
Monitoring & Evaluation
Budget Management
Civil Society Development
Donor Relations
Risk Management
Professional Profile
Niamatullah Rahi is a highly accomplished development professional with over 13 years of extensive experience in the NGO and UN sectors, specializing in capacity building, grants management, and civil society development. Currently serving as the NGOs Capacity Building and Grants Management Specialist at UNDP, he provides strategic leadership for capacity development initiatives supporting 400+ NGOs/CSOs across Afghanistan.
With a proven track record of managing complex projects and multi-stakeholder partnerships, Niamatullah Rahi has successfully coordinated more than 185 National and International NGOs in Afghanistan and South Asia. His expertise spans the full project cycle from needs assessment and strategic planning to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. He has demonstrated exceptional ability in engaging with government authorities at all levels, facilitating policy dialogues, and resolving operational challenges faced by civil society organizations.
Key Responsibilities
Capacity Building & Institutional Development
- Leading capacity development initiatives for 400+ NGOs/CSOs through UNDP's capacity support project
- Designed and implemented comprehensive training programs based on systematic needs assessments
- Provided hands-on technical support and mentoring to strengthen organizational systems
- Contributed to major capacity-building projects including I-PACS and Tawanmandi initiatives
- Developed policies and strategies for multiple NGOs and CSOs in Afghanistan
Grants Management & Financial Oversight
- Supervised 340 low-value grants for women-led NGOs/CSOs funded by UN Women
- Managed small grants mechanisms ensuring compliance with donor requirements
- Oversaw budgeting, financial reporting, and expenditure tracking for multiple programs
- Implemented robust monitoring systems for grant implementation and impact assessment
- Facilitated grant evaluation processes, selection, and implementation oversight
Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Managed teams of up to 400 employees during tenure at AWEC
- Led advocacy efforts resulting in policy changes benefiting NGOs/CSOs
- Co-led technical committees with OCHA and UN agencies on regulatory frameworks
- Engaged with de-facto authorities to resolve operational challenges for NGOs/CSOs
- Represented civil society at national and international pledging conferences
