Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
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Sahar Basharat

Executive Secretary
Islamabad

Summary

Sahar Basharat obtained her postgraduate degree from Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Islamabad. She did her Masters in Political Science from University of the Punjab, Lahore. At present, she has been associated with Sustainable Development Policy Institute as Executive Support Manager to the institute’s Executive Director. Prior to joining SDPI, she served the Embassy of Arab Republic of Syria, Islamabad as Secretary to the Ambassador. She also remained associated with EFU Life Assurance Ltd as Branch Administrator in Islamabad. At SDPI, she is responsible for conducting regular communication and correspondence with all the stakeholders and keeping departmental information up-to-date. She provides administrative support in project meetings and initiatives wherever required. She is the key person in conducting routine events like convening of SDPI Board of Governors meetings as well as other events in collaboration with international donors and local partners. Additionally, she assists the Executive Team in a variety of core resource-related administrative tasks, including diary management, meetings and events arrangement, visa processing and travel arrangements, liaison with international partners and donors, and executive office’s meetings and video conferencing with government officials, policy makers, donors and private sector partners. In the major events wherein she has provided her instrumental efforts and skills included: 8th South Asia Economic Summit in December 2015; a seminar organized by International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in July 2015; A project meeting of Pathways to Resilience in Semi-Economies (PRISE) in February 2016; Think Tank Initiative (TTI) Regional Meeting, and Data Visualization Orientation Seminar in December 2016 in Bangkok; Since her joining the institute, she has been regularly performing her role in organizing SDPI annual flagship event - Sustainable Development Conference (SDC). During COVID-19 period, when the institute shifted to remote working, she provided executive support and facilitation to the institute’s Policy Dialogue Series in which about 100 webinars, participated by national and international experts, were held in response to COVID-19 pandemic. Sahar has attended various trainings and has been awarded letters of appreciation by Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK and SDPI Board of Governors for her excellent professional attitude and work ethics. She is also the member of a number of core advisory committees within the organization where her professional input is valued in decision-making. She is a writer and her recent published research article can be accessed at https://cgss.com.pk/paper/pdf/Vision-2030-of-Uzbekistan-Socioeconomic-Transformation-and-Regional-Cooperation.pdf

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
9
9
Certifications

Work History

Executive Secretary

Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
Islamabad
11.2014 - Current
  • Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
  • Updated spreadsheets and created presentations to support executives and boost team productivity.
  • Orchestrated successful conferences and associated travel for speakers and attendees.
  • Handled scheduling for executive's calendar and prepared meeting agenda and materials.
  • Organized and updated schedules for executives.
  • Screened personal and business calls and directed to appropriate party.
  • Filed paperwork and organized computer-based information.
  • Managed mail and both incoming and outgoing correspondence, mail, email and faxes.
  • Took notes and dictation at meetings.
  • Managed and reviewed filing and office systems.
  • Organized logistics and materials for each meeting, arranged spaces and took detailed notes for later dissemination to key stakeholders.
  • Streamlined operations and prioritized tasks, allowing senior staff to increase productivity.
  • Answered high volume of phone calls and email inquiries.
  • Worked with clients to effectively plan and coordinate logistics for special projects and events.
  • Worked with senior management to initiate new projects and assist in various processes.
  • Created and managed office systems to efficiently deal with documentation.
  • Coordinated events and worked on ad hoc projects.
  • Handled logistics, catering, agendas and travel arrangements for meeting and event planning for board of governors, executive director and joint executive director.
  • Transcribed phone messages and relayed to appropriate personnel.
  • Documented and distributed meeting notes to identify, analyze and improve workflows.
  • Greeted arriving visitors, determined nature and purpose of visit and directed individuals to appropriate destinations.

Secretary to the Spouse of Ambassador

Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Islamabad
05.2011 - 08.2014
  • Assisted in arranging tea-parties, coffee morning, brunch, luncheon, dinner receptions, cultural events, informal meetings at Ambassador's residence.
  • Circulated invitations and record confirmation or regrets for the event within the Embassy premises and at the Ambassador Residence.
  • Correspondence with the members of the International Foreign Women Association (IFWA) and Pakistan Foreign Office Women Association (PFOWA) members on behalf of the Spouse of Ambassador.
  • Worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately.
  • Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
  • Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and other communications.
  • Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.

Secretary to the Ambassador

Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Islamabad
11.2007 - 05.2011
  • Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
  • Updated spreadsheets and created presentations to support diplomats and boost Ambassador's office productivity.
  • Handled daily scheduling tasks and provided administrative support for entire department.
  • Answered multi-line phone system and enthusiastically greeted callers.
  • Drafted agendas, recorded minutes and generated documents to facilitate meetings.
  • Maintained electronic filing systems and categorized documents.
  • Created and updated records and files to maintain document compliance.
  • Provided clerical support to company employees by copying, faxing and filing documents.
  • Entered data into system and updated customer contacts with information to keep records current.
  • Booked airfare, hotel and ground transportation to coordinate office travel.
  • Organized envelopes, postage and mail correspondence for staff and leadership.
  • Offered technical support and troubleshot issues to enhance office productivity.
  • Scheduled appointments and conducted follow-up calls to clients.
  • Maintained daily report documents, memos and invoices.
  • Organize embassy events including courtesy calls, coffee mornings, luncheons, dinners & embassy national day receptions and get together parties, and the cultural events.
  • Liaison with other embassies, ministry of the foreign affairs of Pakistan, government institutions, local and national organizations.
  • Escort the honorable guests and responsible to make protocol arrangements.
  • Ensure Ambassador's office confidentiality.
  • Maintain calendar and schedule high level meetings and table talks with the government officials and with the dignitaries of Pakistan.
  • Drat letters, note verbals, greetings and farewell letters.
  • Ensure security clearance of the visiting guests.
  • Undertake any challenging task assigned by the Ambassador.

Regional Branch Administrator

EFU Life Assurance Ltd
Islamabad
03.2006 - 11.2007
  • Handled visible number of incoming calls per day to address customer inquiries and concerns.
  • Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
  • Conducted research, gathered information from multiple sources and presented results.
  • Actively listened to customers, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to supervisor.
  • Offered friendly and efficient service to customers, handled challenging situations with ease.
  • Worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately.
  • Created spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel for daily, weekly and monthly reporting.
  • Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
  • Received and processed stock into inventory management system.
  • Onboarded new temps by entering employee information into systems.
  • Delivered services to customer locations within specific timeframes.
  • Worked within applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
  • Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and other communications.
  • Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
  • Increased customer satisfaction by resolving issues.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
  • Coordinate with all the regional branches to collect their monthly statistical data of productivity, persistence performance, and report to the National Sales Director, Head Office.
  • Manage monthly and quarterly regional branch meetings, record minutes and forward to the Head office.
  • Verification and clearance of monthly expenses, cash memos, and payment vouchers, including renovation expenses of the regional branches and get them approved by the Head office.
  • Draft and circulate memos to all the regional branches for taking Productivity, Persistency, and Recruitment reports and business targets for each month.
  • Request to the Head office for the office stationery, application proposals, company leaflets, and other documents required for the sales departments and trainers.
  • Assist the Sales staff, arrange hard print training material for the trainers of sales consultants, and issue Sales Representative identity cards from the head office.
  • Take daily attendance of the staff and report to the Regional Branch Manager.
  • Issue warning letters and meeting memos to the staff and regional branch managers.
  • Handled calls, make appointments, and setup meetings with the local and national business community.
  • Responsible for arranging traveling plans, hotel reservations, and other related matters for the Branch Manager.

Education

Master of Philosophy - Public Policy

Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Islamabad
Evacuee Trust Complex, Agha Khan Road,Sector F-5/1
02.2018 - 11.2021

Master of Arts - Political Science

University of The Punjab
F7H8+HFV, Canal Rd, Quaid-i-Azam Campus, Lahore
06.2014 - 11.2016

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science And Government

University of The Punjab
F7H8+HFV, Canal Rd, Quaid-i-Azam Campus, Lahore
06.2003 - 11.2005

BBA - Business And Managerial Economics

Pakistan Adventist Seminary
Sheikhupura District, Sheikhupura
08.1998 - 06.1999

Skills

Documentation and reporting

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Certification

CGSS Certificate of Participation in the Article Writing Competition

Timeline

CGSS Certificate of Participation in the Article Writing Competition

04-2022

UNESCAP Certificate on “Training of Women Entrepreneurs on Expanding Business through E-commerce and Digital Marketing”

04-2022

Elsevier Research Academy Certificate of Two day workshop on “Promoting Research Excellence in Academics across Pakistan”

02-2022

IAAP Certificate of Completing the 2 day training conference ES Tech 2021

09-2021

The Aga Khan University Certificate of attending workshop on Achieving the SDGs: Has COVID-19 made this impossible?

03-2021

Movers & LinkedIn Certificate of Workshop on "Digital Branding & Employability, co-developed with LinkedIn Social Impact"

01-2019

Silega Certificate of Completion of Silega Expedition Training of Experiential Learning Programe on Decision Making and Planning, organized by Silega Expedition, in collaboration with EY

07-2018

Master of Philosophy - Public Policy

Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Islamabad
02.2018 - 11.2021

SDPI Certificate of attending the Workshop on Communication and Presentation Skills

09-2015

SDPI Certificate of attending the Workshop on Management Skills for Office Professionals

01-2015

Executive Secretary

Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
11.2014 - Current

Master of Arts - Political Science

University of The Punjab
06.2014 - 11.2016

Secretary to the Spouse of Ambassador

Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
05.2011 - 08.2014

Secretary to the Ambassador

Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
11.2007 - 05.2011

Regional Branch Administrator

EFU Life Assurance Ltd
03.2006 - 11.2007

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science And Government

University of The Punjab
06.2003 - 11.2005

BBA - Business And Managerial Economics

Pakistan Adventist Seminary
08.1998 - 06.1999
Sahar BasharatExecutive Secretary