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Dhana Lama (Executive Director) - I have been entrusted this role from the end of November 2021. It's been a very humbling experience. It has also been great privilege and joy, being a part of UMN's history since 1987. I have never imagined serving in this role. I am grateful to God, UMN, partner organisations globally and locally, and many people who have shaped, nurtured, and believed in me. It is indeed a very challenging role in the given context of the COVID pandemic and the need to comply with government policies which are stricter every year, especially affecting Christian faith-based organisations, the geographical focus of our work and significantly reducing the number of expatriate positions, etc. I hope to continue to lead and contribute to UMN's Vision and Mission, outworking of our Values, consolidating some of the changes and of course, adapting to changes. Above all, contributing to God's kingdom by serving people for transformation. I look forward to journeying together in partnership and prayer. |
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Bibhu Singh (Funding Management Team Leader) - Bibhu Singh has been working with UMN since 1996 in various roles. She is currently Funding Management Team Leader, providing overall co-ordination and leadership for funds management within the organisation. This includes sourcing of new funds and ensuring sufficient financial support for the organisation to fulfill its objectives. She has a Masters degree in Statistics from Nepal's Tribhuvan University another Masters degree in Organisational Leadership and Management from the Allahabad Institute, India. |
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Paul Chhetri (HR & Support Services Team Leader) - I come from a management background and have been working in UMN since 2009. From 2009-2013, I worked as a Cluster Team Leader in Mugu (Karnali Province). Currently I am working as HR & Support Services Team Leader, providing overall coordination and support in HR Support Services management within the organisation. While in Mugu I gained a unique, valuable, and unforgettable work experience, skills, and knowledge in team-building and community development, which has further enhanced my passion in building teams to achieve organisational objectives. |
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Bal Kumari Gurung (Programme Support Team Leader) - Bal Kumari Gurung has been working with UMN since 1992, initially in Rural Development Centre, NGO support pilot programme and then in Peacebuilding from 2004 to 2020. She joined the Leadership Team in August 2015. She has an MA in Applied Conflict Transformation Studies from Pannasastra University of Cambodia. Her passion is to enhance the capacity of individuals and communities for positive change in their attitudes, behaviours, beliefs and practices towards fullness of life that God has envisioned for humankind. She believes that while working for transformation one has to be transformed from within first, have a strong faith that change is possible and should keep on pursuing with God’s Grace despite being tested many times. She feels privileged to be serving with UMN. |
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Bishnu Sapkota (Finance Team Leader) – Bishnu Sapkota has worked with UMN since 1995. Initially he worked in a remote district project as an Admin and Finance Coordinator. Bishnu joined the Finance Department at UMN Headquarters during 1998 as an Internal Auditor and later worked as the Finance Advisor for several years. He is currently the Finance Team Leader, providing overall co-ordination and leadership for financial management of the organisation, this includes capacity building of clusters and partner organisations too. He has a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Tribhuvan University of Nepal and another bachelor’s degree in Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK. |
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Kshitij Raj Prasai (Liaison Coordinator) – Kshitij has been working in UMN for the last 12 years in various positions. Earlier he served in UMN as the Education Team Leader. He has experience in working in remote regions of Nepal when we worked as an Education Advisor in UNDP assisted COPE project for seven years. Before this Kshitij also worked in The Asia Foundation as the District Coordinator from 1996 to 2000. Kshitij has a Master's degree in Economics and Education. Kshitij strongly believes in human relationships to bring transformation and development. |
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Katherine Parker (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Advisor) – Katherine joined UMN in 2013 and the Leadership Team in December 2021. She has been part of the Health Team as a WASH Advisor, then was based in the Rukum Cluster as a Community Transformation Advisor and currently is part of the Programme Team. Katherine is passionate about engaging community groups in participatory research about their environment and in a process of identifying and linking values to action. Before coming to Nepal, Katherine worked with the Community Health and Agricultural Development program of the Methodist Church of Cambodia and at the Asian Rural Institute in Japan. Her Master of Science degree, in biology, is from California State University. Her thesis was on bacterial contamination of drinking water in rural Ghana. |
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Bishal Babu Shrestha (Programme Partner Team Leader) – I joined UMN in 2010 as a Cluster Team Leader (CTL). I served UMN as a CTL for more than 11 years in Doti and Rupandehi Clusters. I started as PPT Leader in October 2021 based in Thapathali Office. I have completed my Masters in Sociology and am studying for a Masters in Rural Development. As the PPT Leader, I have to provide overall leadership and management to contribute to achieving fullness of life through the implementation of UMN's strategy, projects and leading for the transformation of the lives of the poorest people living in poverty in UMN's working locations. It is my privilege to serve in this position and have direct contact with all CTLs and cluster teams, while also indirectly connecting with partners and communities. |
