Assessments And Evaluation
Having worked in project implementation for more than 25 years across various industries and environments, I have frequently been asked to assess the effects of multiple programs and projects. My assessments are widely recognized for their ability to identify both areas of success and areas in need of improvement, and all these findings are realistic for stakeholders to put into action. What distinguishes my evaluations is their openness and participation, making them distinct.
Notable Features
Conducted a Global Assessment of the Needs of the Romani Population (Sida, Sweden): Conceptualized, developed project proposals, fundraised, and monitored projects in Serbia, Montenegro, and the Federal Republic of Macedonia. This project led to the establishment of the Roma Experts Network.
Evaluated the Civilian Peace Services Programme in Macedonia (Ministry of Development, Germany): The Ministry made a multi-year commitment following the first evaluation of the program.
Conducted Stakeholder Consultations and Audits of the Capabilities of Institutions Serving the Muslim Minority in Sri Lanka: Held consultations and assessed the capacities of institutions serving the Muslim minority to promote their participation in the peace process and complex power-sharing agreements. This endeavour, supported by Cambridge University and the Carnegie Foundation, contributed to establishing the Muslim Peace Secretariat.
What?
Sector
Where
When
With Whom
Sector?
Women, Global Health, Child Rights
What?
Capacity Development, Assessments And Evaluation, Strategic Partnerships
Where?
Malaysia
Why?
Malaysia has a network of nine National Institutes of Health under the Ministry of Health. One of these is the Institute of Health Management in Kuala Lumpur. A joint review by the Prime Minister’s Office (EPU), Ministry of Health and UNICEF presented the need for a think tank in the area of healthy policy, finance and management.
When?
2006, 2007
What Exactly?
With Whom?
UNICEF, Institute Of Health Management, Malaysia
What Happened?
Set up a UNICEF collaborating centre at the Institute of Health Management (National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The mission of this health policy centre is to provide accurate and timely information to health care decision-makers, analysts and providers, so that they can offer services, which are effective and efficient in improving the health of Malaysians.
Dr. Eben Friedman
Regional Representative , European Centre for Minority Issues
Sector?
Women, Child Rights, Hiv Aids
What?
Assessments And Evaluation
Where?
Malaysia
Why?
To improve the delivery of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV programs in Malaysia it was important to establish a baseline of the ground situation. The second challenge was to find ways of engaging the growing private health care providers in this public health initiative.
When?
2006, 2007
What Exactly?
I was tasked with conceptualizing and negotiating with the government of Malaysia the conducting of the first qualitative and quantitative survey of Malaysia’s PMTCT program. I also worked closely with the teams at the Ministry of Health in the design of the study and the analysis of the results.
With Whom?
UNICEF, Malaysia
What Happened?
The first qualitative and quantitative survey of Malaysia’s PMTCT program was done. This helped Malaysia make evidence based decisions on the future direction of this program.
Director
Eurpean Centre for Minority Issues, Germany
Sector?
Women, Child Rights, Harm Reduction, Hiv Aids
What?
Assessments And Evaluation, Strategic Communication, Strategic Partnerships
Where?
Malaysia
Why?
To counter the tide of HIV AIDS in Malaysia it was important to scale up the methadone substitution therapy and needle syringe exchange program nationwide.However there was opposition to this from a variety of influential quarters.
When?
2006, 2007
What Exactly?
Sunoor Verma launched the consultations with the Ministry of Health, Royal Malaysian Police and civil society partners on the drafting of a National Strategic Plan on Harm Reduction. He then provided all the necessary support for the drafting of this national strategy in terms of technical expertise.
With Whom?
UNICEF, Institute Of Health Management, Malaysia
What Happened?
Strategic plan for scale up of Harm Reduction was adopted and budgeted by the government and was implemented nationwide.
I attributemy success in Malaysia to some key factors that I feels are vital though very rare to find:
A visionary-
Indra Nadchatram was former CEO of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation and later UNICEF’s Communication Officer. Indra unhesitatingly shared with me her entire knowledge bank on the HIV AIDS landscape in Malaysia, encouraging me to take steps in unchartered territories yet warning me of potential land mines and also connecting me to the key players. Indra’s dedication to the well being of children and to halting the spread of HIV AIDS was a fountain of inspiration for me during my stay in Malaysia. It always helped having an office right next to Indra’s.
The late Dr. Rohani, Dr. Christopher Lee, Dr. Norliza Noorodin, Dr. Hayati and Dr. Shaari of the Ministry of Health were committed to the fight against HIV AIDS at a time when it was the least sexy portfolio at their Ministry. Datuk Chua Soi Lek the Minister for Health took the bold step of introducing harm reduction well conscious of the political risk it carried. Shayne Nelson, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank who nurtured a culture of community service at all levels at his bank and launched the “Living with HIV” program in Malaysia in 2002, which educated 3000 of the bank’s employees on the basics of HIV AIDS.Fashion designer Sonny San who organized the first public fundraising for UNICEF… people who went way beyond the call of duty, everyday. They welcomed me warmly to their offices and were always willing to engage in discussions and search for solutions.
Regional Representative
European Centre for Minority Issues
Sector?
Minority Issues, Inter Ethnic Relations
What?
Assessments And Evaluation, Dialogue Management
Where?
Sri Lanka
Why?
The Muslims in Sri Lanka are a minority spread out across the island state. They tended to be the balance of power in parliamentary equations. However the peace process in Sri Lanka did not include them as a party in negotiations. The inner divisions within the Muslim community further diminished the chances of their participation. It was felt that for the eventual peace agreement to be implemented the participation of a Muslim representation is a must.
When?
2005
What Exactly?
Sunoor Verma was retained to conduct Needs assessment; Stakeholder Consultations; Situation analysis and Institutional capacity assessment of the divided Muslim communities in Sri Lanka in relation to the peace process in that country. This involved, consulting with political, religious, community leaders and other members of the Muslim communities, the government, international missions and further relevant actors in Sri Lanka. The project was carried out in a climate of growing security concerns and travel restrictions.
With Whom?
Cambridge University
What Happened?
Visible and invisible opinion makers were consulted thus ensuring a report, which is highly reliable. This substantive report detailed the identity, interests and positions of Muslim political actors in Sri Lanka in relation to the peace process. This report was presented to the peace process facilitators.
Adviser, Department for Europe
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
Sector?
Refugees, Global Health
What?
Negotiations, Project Development, Assessments And Evaluation, Dialogue Management
Where?
Republic of Macedonia
Why?
In 1999 during the Kosovo refugee crisis, following concerns of inter-ethnic instability, the Republic of Macedonia imposed a condition on the international community for admitting refugees from neighboring Kosovo. The number of refugees that are evacuated from Macedonia to NATO countries would be the number of newly admitted refugees into the country. In the race against time, while it was vital to evacuate as many refugees as possible, it was important to give priority to vulnerable cases. Prioritizing medical cases among an exhausted from difficult travels and traumatized population was one aspect of the challenge. The other- convincing reluctant host governments accept medical cases for evacuation and the associated costs to their health systems.
When?
2000
What Exactly?
Sunoor Verma’s services were retained by the UNHCR to formulate priority criteria for the evacuation of refugee patients to NATO countries. Sunoor prioritized the cases from 7 geographically dispersed refugee camps, and negotiated with NATO country delegations transfer and treatment of emergency medical cases from among the refugees. He coordinated and monitored the facilities for evacuation of severely ill refugees. He played a key role in the initiation, planning and implementation of extending the medical evacuation program to approximately 200,000+ host family refugee cases. Sunoor monitored the standard of medical escorts during evacuation. He worked in partnership with local medical authorities, government authorities, donor community and NGOs to facilitate the patient evacuation process.
With Whom?
UNCHR
What Happened?
Medical evacuation program extended to approximately 200,000+ refugees residing with host families.
Significant increase in evacuation of patient to NATO countries for treatment.
Adviser, Department for Europe
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency