Hi, I'm Ridwan!

A Development & Research Professional.

I work at the intersection of development practice and research, with experience in climate adaptation, adaptive social protection, livelihoods and development programmes.

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Experience

Research Associate | Quay Asia Ltd.

12/2024 - 09/2025

Quay Asia is a British consultancy working across Asia’s developing economies to promote economic empowerment. The organisation partners with the private sector to strengthen workforce skills through vocational training, create meaningful career opportunities for women, and design innovative, financially sustainable approaches to labour market challenges. As a Research Associate, I support this mission by contributing to donor-funded initiatives in climate, energy, and social protection.

Key Contributions:

Adaptive Social Protection & Gender Equality: Assisted senior consultants in analysing social protection programs through a gender equality lens, synthesising findings to support recommendations for adaptive, inclusive systems.
Stakeholder Coordination: Assisted in coordinating with government ministries (Cabinet Division, MoSW, MoDMR, MoFECC), bilateral and multilateral agencies (EU Delegation, FCDO, WFP, UNDP, ADB, World Bank), and NGOs to organise consultations, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
Data & Knowledge Management: Documented key informant interviews, structured meeting minutes, and developed Excel-based trackers and dashboards to monitor deliverables, stakeholder follow-ups, and data metrics for real-time reporting.
Report Drafting & Analysis: Assisted in drafting analytical reports, synthesising stakeholder insights, mapping gaps, and recommending improvements for social protection initiatives.

Transcriptionist | Meta Platforms Inc.

2024

Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is a leading global technology company specialising in social media, digital advertising, and innovative communication technologies.

Transcribed interviews with top influencers (audio/video to English text) as part of META’s research project on popularising the new “Broadcast Channel” in Bangladesh.
Ensured high accuracy and maintained confidentiality of influencer data for the research project.

Professional Development

Project Management Competencies for Professionals (PMC)

Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka

Completed the Project Management Competencies for Professionals (PMC) programme at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka. The programme provided practical exposure to project planning, scope and schedule management, budgeting and financial resource management, stakeholder engagement, risk management, monitoring and evaluation, and project implementation. Through group projects, assignments, case-based learning and presentations, I applied these concepts to real-world project scenarios and developed a stronger understanding of managing projects from planning through delivery and evaluation.

Development in Practice Summer School 2026

Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka & Friendship Academy

Completed an intensive field-based learning programme on development practice, combining theoretical knowledge with practical community engagement in climate-vulnerable char areas of Bangladesh.

The programme covered key areas including -

Development theories and approaches
Poverty reduction strategies
Project management
Theory of Change and Log Frame
Development communication, monitoring and evaluation
Cost-benefit analysis
Gender in development
Climate resilience
GO-NGO collaboration
Entrepreneurship in development, and
Qualitative development research methods

Received practical exposure to -

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)
Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA)
Focus Group Discussions (FGD), Key Informant Interviews (KII)
Stakeholder mapping
Problem and solution tree analysis, and
Field-based community engagement approaches

Participated in intensive fieldwork in remote char communities of Gaibandha to understand grassroots realities related to livelihoods, climate vulnerability, gendered impacts, access to services, and community resilience initiatives.

Education

Master of Laws (LL.M) | University of Rajshahi

Duration: 2023-24
Major: International Law
CGPA: 3.32
Notable Courses: Human Rights Law, Environmental Law, Law of the Sea, Law of International Organisations, Intellectual Property Law, Economic Analysis of Law

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) | University of Rajshahi

Duration: 2017-23
Major: Law
CGPA: 3.17
Notable Courses: Government and Politics, Comparative Analysis of the Constitutions (Bangladesh, India, UK, USA), Administrative Law, Cyber Law, Company Law, Labour Law, The Code of Civil Procedure, The Code of Criminal Procedure, Law of Contract and Torts, Transfer of Property Act, Evidence Act, Taxation, Legal System of Bangladesh, Community Research etc.

Bio

I work at the intersection of development practice and research, with experience in climate adaptation, adaptive social protection, livelihoods and development programmes.

My interest in climate-related displacement developed through my academic research on the rights of climate-displaced people in Bangladesh and has since expanded through professional research experience and field-based work in climate-vulnerable communities.

At Quay Asia Ltd., I supported senior consultants and multidisciplinary teams on donor-funded research and technical advisory assignments, contributing to policy and literature reviews, qualitative research, stakeholder consultations, evidence synthesis, analytical reporting and project documentation.

In 2026, I participated in the Development in Practice Summer School at the University of Dhaka, conducting field-based research in char communities of Gaibandha. This experience led to my first research preprint, Learning from the Char: Field Reflections on Livelihood Systems and Climate Adaptation in Northern Bangladesh, available on SSRN.

I have also recently completed the Project Management Competencies for Professionals (PMC) programme at IBA, University of Dhaka, strengthening my capabilities in project planning, stakeholder management, monitoring and evaluation, risk management and programme coordination.

My longer-term research interests focus on the relationship between climate vulnerability, adaptation, livelihoods, social protection and human mobility, with particular interest in climate-related migration and displacement.

Certifications

Gender – The Basics | CARE Climate and Resilience Academy
Climate Justice and Gender Justice | CARE Climate and Resilience Academy
An Introduction to Climate Change and Human Rights | United Nations Climate Change: Learn Platform (UN CC)
Google Project Management Certificate | Google Career Certificates
Understanding Research Methods | University of London (Coursera)

Awards & Intellectuals

Accountability Action Fellowship 2021

Featured Writing in Prothom Alo (National Daily)

Space Law Analysis: Can the Moon Be Private Property?

Leadership & Skills

Campus Ambassador | Bohubrihi

e-Learning Platform (2020-21)

Bohubrihi is a Bangladeshi e-learning platform offering professional training and skill-development courses. Promoted Bohubrihi’s professional courses among students through campaigns and events. Secured sponsorships and partnerships that expanded the platform’s reach on campus and strengthened its visibility among young professionals.

External Relations Ambassador | Kalke

HR Tech Startup (2020-21)

Kalke was an HR-tech startup connecting young professionals with employers in Bangladesh. Represented Kalke in university and youth networks, connecting students with career opportunities. Facilitated partnerships and promoted the startup’s HR solutions, contributing to its brand recognition among emerging talent pools.

Executive Member | Rajshahi University Model United Nations

2017-19

RUMUNA is a student-led forum that simulates UN-style debates on global issues. Through participation in Model UN conferences, I practiced diplomacy, honed negotiation and public speaking skills, and developed a deeper understanding of international relations.

Founding Member | RU Cyclists

2017-19

This student initiative promotes cycling for health, community, and environmental sustainability. I co-founded the group, organised awareness campaigns, and led events encouraging cycling as an eco-friendly lifestyle choice.

Entrepreneurial Initiatives

Founder | Sheyal Pondit

Sheyal Pondit was an online bookstore launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to make books more accessible when physical shops were closed. I managed sourcing, marketing through social media, and direct sales to customers, building a small but engaged reader community.

Founder | Anindya

Anindya was a small-scale apparel venture specializing in custom-made sports jerseys. I designed jersey concepts, coordinated production with local vendors, and handled online promotion and sales, gaining first-hand experience in e-commerce and small business operations.

Get in touch

I’m always open to collaboration and knowledge-sharing

Mohammad Ridwan Rahman

ridwan.rahman04@gmail.com

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