Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Awards
Timeline
Generic
Irada Garakhanova

Irada Garakhanova

Baku

Summary

PMP and PMI-ACP certified project manager with over a decade of experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects across public institutions and international organizations. Skilled in managing full project lifecycles, delivering across diverse technical portfolios, and ensuring compliance with operational, social, and environmental standards. Proven ability to collaborate across sectors, guide project teams, and contribute to inclusive and impactful development outcomes.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Programme Management and Operations Specialist

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
10.2023 - Current
  • Leads the development and formulation of project proposals, aligned with FAO’s Strategic Framework, national development priorities, donor requirements, and resource mobilization strategies.
  • Contributes to programme design and budget development to support the effective delivery of FAO Azerbaijan’s portfolio.
  • Integrates environmental and social safeguards into project planning and implementation in line with donor and UN standards.
  • Manages all phases of the project cycle, including appraisal, approval, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and operational closure.
  • Oversees planning, budgeting, and financial management for an active USD 11.5 million portfolio, ensuring compliance with corporate procedures and efficient resource use.
  • Applies results-based management approaches to monitor programme delivery, track indicators, and support adaptive decision-making.
  • Provides technical oversight to national consultants and project teams to ensure timely and high-quality implementation.
  • Ensures effective allocation of financial, human, and material resources, coordinating closely with internal teams (HR, finance, procurement) for smooth and efficient programme delivery.
  • Reviews and finalizes progress reports, terminal reports, technical documents, and knowledge products to ensure quality and coherence.
  • Manages operational and financial aspects of contractual agreements, ensuring alignment with FAO rules and quality standards.
  • Fosters collaboration with government institutions, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and communities to enhance programme impact and visibility.
  • Prepares progress updates, stakeholder engagement summaries, and monitoring inputs aligned with project logframes and FAO and donor reporting frameworks.
  • Drafts analytical briefs, meeting minutes, and technical notes to inform decision-making and strategic positioning.
  • Advises the higher management on policy, regulatory, and sectoral issues related to climate change, agriculture, food security, nutrition, and rural livelihoods, as required.
  • Facilitates engagement with local communities and government counterparts to ensure inclusive, needs-based project implementation, while also monitoring progress and addressing technical or procedural bottlenecks.

Programme Support Specialist

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
09.2019 - 09.2023
  • Supported day-to-day implementation of FAO Azerbaijan’s projects, including development of work plans, procurement coordination, and logistical support for missions, trainings, and evaluations.
  • Drafted and reviewed Terms of Reference, Letters of Agreement, correspondence, and project documentation in line with operational standards and procedures.
  • Facilitated timely procurement and delivery of goods and services, contributing to effective project implementation in alignment with approved work plans.
  • Contributed to financial oversight by tracking expenditures, processing payments, and supporting the preparation of project reports.
  • Led organization of flagship and high-level events, managing end-to-end logistics, vendor coordination, stakeholder engagement, and on-site execution in alignment with strategic communications plans.
  • Assisted in communication and visibility efforts, including development of training materials and contributions to media and outreach content.
  • Synthesized data for internal reviews and supported collaboration with government counterparts and UN agencies to align project interventions with national priorities.

Leading Specialist

Ministry of Education
02.2014 - 08.2019
  • Served as Department Focal Point for projects implemented in collaboration with international organizations and NGOs, coordinating planning, execution, and reporting.
  • Played a key role in drafting and advocating for the State Program on Inclusive Education for People with Disabilities (2018–2024), contributing to its successful government adoption.
  • Developed pilot initiatives and supported scale-up efforts in inclusive education, engaging a broad range of stakeholders including UN agencies and civil society.
  • Contributed to the preparation of legislative proposals and policy briefs, conducting legal research and aligning recommendations with international best practices.
  • Provided legal and procedural guidance to regional authorities and citizens, ensuring consistent application of education-related regulations.
  • Reviewed legal documents and administrative decisions submitted by ministries, subordinate agencies, and citizens for compliance and follow-up.
  • Organized national-level events, conferences, and consultation meetings, supporting both technical content development and logistics.

Education

Master’s Degree - Comparative Social and International Studies

London Metropolitan University
01.2013

Bachelor’s Degree - Political Science

Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
01.2012

Advanced Programme - European Law and Economics

Riga Graduate School of Law
01.2019

Diploma - Innovation in Governance for Urban Nature-based Solutions

Lund University
01.2023

Skills

  • Program design and implementation
  • Strategic planning and risk management
  • Results-oriented project management
  • Resource mobilization
  • Contract management expertise
  • Data analysis and reporting
  • Proficient in Azerbaijani, English, and Russian

Certification

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute | 2025
  • Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) – Project Management Institute | 2025

Awards

Certificate of Appreciation – FAO, 2023 For outstanding support in facilitating FAO’s participation at COP29 of the UNFCCC., FAO Employee Recognition Award – 2023 Honored as part of the Employee Recognition Programme for exceptional contributions to project delivery., Erasmus Research Grant – 2013 Selected for field research on gender equality in the workplace, conducted in Denmark as part of MA studies.

Timeline

Programme Management and Operations Specialist

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
10.2023 - Current

Programme Support Specialist

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
09.2019 - 09.2023

Leading Specialist

Ministry of Education
02.2014 - 08.2019

Bachelor’s Degree - Political Science

Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Advanced Programme - European Law and Economics

Riga Graduate School of Law

Diploma - Innovation in Governance for Urban Nature-based Solutions

Lund University

Master’s Degree - Comparative Social and International Studies

London Metropolitan University

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Irada Garakhanova