Negotiations
For more than two decades, my consultancy work in the development and humanitarian sectors has focused on negotiation under challenging circumstances. With vast expertise in various settings, I have successfully negotiated agreements that resulted in concrete achievements, moving agendas forward quickly and producing practical results. Whether dealing with political, ethnic, or business complexity, my approach to negotiation is distinguished by strategic thought, good communication, and a thorough understanding of the issues at hand. I have repeatedly helped resolve complicated challenges and attain common goals by encouraging constructive discourse and forging stakeholder consensus.
My track record reflects a proven ability to manage difficult situations and negotiate effective outcomes. I have consistently delivered constructive outcomes, from fostering high-level conversations between government officials and civil society organisations to mediating between warring parties in post-conflict situations. By using my diplomatic skills and encouraging collaboration, I have formed alliances, built coalitions, and made a long-term impact in communities worldwide.
What?
Sector
Where
When
With Whom
Sector?
Women, Humanitarian Emergencies, Child Rights
What?
Negotiations, Capacity Development, Dialogue Management, Strategic Communication
Where?
Malaysia
Why?
The Avian Influenza epidemic in South East Asia prompted UNICEF and the Ministry of Health to look at areas where health communication with the citizens could be improved? Risk communication expertise was non-existent in the country.
When?
2006
What Exactly?
Having worked closely helped withthe Ministry of Health and knowing UNICEF’s strength in communications identified the gap in risk communication expertise. I formulated a capacity building- quick implementation proposal and secured funding for it. I selected international consultants for conducting a series of workshops on risk communication. Along with Ministry of Health counterpart I supervised the implementation and evaluated the outcome.
With Whom?
Institute Of Health Management, Malaysia
What Happened?
Following this workshop the Ministry of Health integrated Risk Communication in its strategic communications tool-box and used it in other emergency situations. Participation from all states of Malaysia in the workshop ensured that there is a nationwide utilization of the tool-box.
Regional Representative
European Centre for Minority Issues
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