Dr. Forhad Zahid Shaikh

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY With over 25 years of experience across public, private, and international development sectors, I have established myself as a seasoned Digital Transformation Specialist, a distinguished e-Governance strategist and architect, and an expert in innovative capacity building and BPR for public service digitalization. IIn the last 16+ years with UNDP Bangladesh under the a2i program, I spearheaded the national vision “Digital Bangladesh,” leading the design and planning for the implementation of 250+ digital services across 30+ ministries, significantly improved governance and service delivery. Collaborating with partners like UNDP, USAID, UNFPA, Gates Foundation, and IFC has enhanced my expertise in managing multi-stakeholder projects, fostering global partnerships, and delivering scalable digital transformation solutions across diverse contexts. Recently, my leadership in driving AI transformation initiatives for UNDP Bangladesh CO and designing DPI for Local Government services has leveraged cutting-edge technologies to optimize governance and service delivery. Dr. Forhad Zahid Shaikh Digital Transformation Specialist | eGovernance Strategist | Digital Capacity Builder | Architect of 250+ e-Services | Innovation Expert KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Pioneer of Flagship Digital Transformations in e-Governance Led 7 flagship digital initiatives piloting, including e-Nothi (Government e-Filing), BNDA (National Digital Architecture), EkPay (Payment Platform), and NPF (National Portal Framework), scaled nationwide by the Bangladesh Government. Architect of Integrated & Strategic Frameworks for Digital Transformation Designed the Integrated Service Delivery Platform (ISDP), digitalizing 600+ services across 30 ministries. Created 3 national frameworks—Digital Service Roadmap, Digital Service Design Lab, and Smart Bangladesh Quick Wins—fostering e-Governance, capacity building, and cross-sector collaboration. Advancing AI-Driven Transformation and DPI Design Driving AI-driven transformation at UNDP Bangladesh and designing DPI for local government services through donor-funded projects to enhance governance and service delivery. Advancing Digital Transformation Across Borders Contributed to digital transformation projects for Fiji, Philippines, and Bhutan Government, including Fiji’s S2F Service Tracker, BARMM’s Integrated Service Delivery Platform and Bhutan’s National Strategic Digital Transformation Plan, enhancing global governance. Key Contributor to 250+ e-Government and Digital Service Applications Led BPR, design, and planning for 250+ e-Government applications, enhancing governance and service delivery efficiency. Proven expertise in the private sector for ICT solutions In the private sector -), I led the development of 150+ web-based software solutions/websites/portals for local and international clients. Pioneered Bangladesh’s first eCommerce, Bangla email and news portal, demonstrating expertise in analysis, programming, and project management. Demonstrated leadership in national crisis management during COVID-19 Exemplified impactful leadership during COVID-19 national emergency by designing and implementing government Telehealth Centers rapidly, engaging 100+ doctors and delivering 1.56 million telehealth services to 700,000+ Covid patients ensuring timely healthcare access Distinguished Thought Leader in ICT4D and Digital Transformation Recipient of eight prestigious awards for contributions to ICT4D. Recognized speaker and resource person for 20+ organizations spanning development, IT, and academia. CORE COMPETENCIES • Strategic Leadership in Digital Transformation | 6+ Years • E-Governance Framework and Architecture Design | 10+ Years • Expertise in BPR and Digital Service Design & Plan | 15+ Years • International Donor-Funded Project Management | 15+ Years • Innovation in e-Government and ICT Solutions | 20+ Years • Strategic Enabler in Digital Transformation Capacity Building | 10+ Years • Expertise in Design thinking and citizen centric Solution | 16+ Years •Deep Analytical Expertise with Result-Driven Solutions | 10+ Years • Design AI-Driven Transformations for Efficiency & Productivity | 2+ Years PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE e-Governance Analyst (UNDP) & Chief e-Governance (a2i) UNDP Bangladesh, Aspire to Innovation (a2i) of ICT Division & Cabinet Division | June 2023 – Present e-Service Innovation Specialist (UNDP) & Chief Strategist - e-Governance (a2i) UNDP Bangladesh, Aspire to Innovation (a2i) of ICT Division & Cabinet Division | 2018 – May 2023 IT Manager (a2i, PMO) & Innovation Specialist (UNDP) UNDP Bangladesh, Access to Information (a2i) of Prime Minister’s Office |- -- Dr. Forhad Zahid Shaikh Bijoy Rakeen City, Section 15, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh EDUCATION Ph.D. | 2023 Doctorate in “Integrated Digital Service Delivery Framework.” Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh MBA | 2005 Major in Management Information System, Northern University, Bangladesh B.C.S | 1999 Bachelor in Computer Science, University of Pune, India CERTIFICATES GovStack Architecture: GovStack, ESTONIA (ITU, BMZ, DIA), 2024 Successful Negotiation: University of Michigan, 2024 Digital Fitness Program: UNDP, 2023 PSEA Training: United Nations, 2018 Cloud Computing & MongoDB: Orientation: 2009 Microsoft Solution Selling: MSSP Certification, 2007 RDBMS (Oracle 7.0): DataPro Infoworld, India, 1999 RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS Smart Rajshahi City: Challenges and Opportunities An Impact of Deep Learning and Machine Learning Technologies in Image Processing Risk Factors for COVID-19 Mortality Among Telehealth Patients in Bangladesh: A Prospective Cohort Study Digital Transformation, Service Model Re- engineering and Enhancement of Postal Services System Analyst (a2i, PMO) & Technology Innovation Associate (UNDP) UNDP Bangladesh | Access to Information (a2i) of Prime Minister’s Office |- IT Consultant (System Analyst) MAXWELL STAMP LTD., BICF Project, IFC |- Chief Operating Officer (COO) Zed and Zed IT Services Ltd., Dhaka, Bangladesh |- Director Technical Corona Information Technology Ltd., Dhaka, Bangladesh |- Head Programmer Bangladeshinfo.com Limited (Texas Group), Dhaka, Bangladesh |- Programmer & Faculty (Oracle) Genetic Computer School, Rajshahi Branch, Bangladesh |- MAJOR PROJECTS PORTFOLIO Integrated Service Delivery Platform: Led the design and implementation of a scalable, interoperable, and user-centric Integrated Service Delivery Platform (ISDP) for 30+ Ministries under a2i, UNDP Bangladesh. Digital Service Roadmap 2021: Designed the framework and coordinated roadmap planning sprints for 58 ministries, defining the primary scope of 2,800+ digital services under the supervision of the Prime Minister’s Office, coordinated by a2i and UNDP Bangladesh. Smart Transformation of LGI PFM Services and DPI: Led the digitization of 5 PFM services, designed LGI DPI, and developed an interoperable architecture for a transparent and accountable service delivery model for Bangladesh’s Local Government under a2i, UNDP, funded by the Gates Foundation. Logistics Management Information System (LMIS): Designed and developed a webbased LMIS for DGFP to enhance supply chain efficiency and reporting under the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT. Start-to-Finish (S2F) Service Delivery Tracker: Led the design and development of the S2F Tracker, enabling digital allowances, real-time tracking, mobile access, and enhanced transparency for Fiji’s Ministry of Women and UNDP Pacific, delivered by a2i, UNDP Bangladesh. Digital Transformation Support for Bangsamoro, Philippines: Facilitated digital center replication and service delivery innovation and designed an integrated digital service delivery architecture for BARMM and UNDP Philippines. Service Innovation Fund (SIF) and Innovation Bank: Designed Innovation Framework and launched the SIF program, supporting 200+ innovation projects, and developed the Innovation Bank System to manage and track innovations under a2i, UNDP. Digitalization Capacity Development Model (DSDL): Developed the Digital Service Design Lab (DSDL) framework to enhance digitalization capacity for 30+ ministries and 180+ agencies under a2i, UNDP, and the ICT Ministry. Government e-Filing: Led the pilot implementation of the first e-Filing system, scaled as e-Nothi across 12,000 government offices by a2i, UNDP under the Prime Minister’s Office to enhance file management and decision-making. Uniformed Structured and Integrated Government Web Portal: Designed and piloted a standardized web portal framework across 64 districts, leading to the implementation of the National Integrated Portal Framework (NPF) for 52,000 government offices under a2i and PMO. COVID-19 Telehealth Center and COVID-19 Portal: Designed and implemented the COVID-19 Telehealth Framework and Portal, delivering 1.56 million telehealth services to 704,890 patients, engaging 1,000+ volunteer doctors, and providing real-time pandemic updates under DGHS with USAID and UNDP support. Digital Land Record Management System (e-Porcha): Designed and implemented the first digital land record system in Jessore, later upgraded to the Electronic Land Record System (ELRS) with virtual record rooms, piloted in three districts and scaled to 51 DC Offices as the Online Khotian System, reducing TCV for citizens. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System for BICF: Developed an M&E system for the Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund (BICF) under IFC, ensuring efficient project monitoring through comprehensive system analysis and quality delivery. • • • • • • • • • TECH SKILL & EXPERTISE Strategic Planning: Balanced Scorecard, PESTLE Analysis, SWOT Analysis Project Management: JIRA, MS Project, Trello, Slack Artificial Intelligence: ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, TensorFlow Process Optimization: Six Sigma, BPR, Agile, MS Visio, Aris, Pareto, Fishbone, Benchmarking, Pega, Lean Design Thinking: Miro, Mural, SurveyMonkey, Figma, MS PowerPoint Data Analytics: Power BI, Tableau, Excel, SPSS, Google Analytics Database Management: Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB Programming Expertise: PHP, ASP.NET , Java, JavaScript, Cgi Interoperability Architecture: DPI, DPG, X-Road, GovtStack, Open API, ISDP LANGUAGES English (Fluent) Bengali (Native ) Hindi (Conversational) French (Beginner) AWARD Bangladesh Innovation Award 2023 Digital Service Design Lab (DSDL) Bangladesh Innovation Award 2023 COVID-19 Telehealth Center BASIS National ICT Awards 2022 COVID-19 Telehealth Center Leadership Excellence Award 2021 by Leaders Forum Bangladesh (LFB) Manthan Award 2010 e-Purjee e-Service Innovation Movers & Shakers Award 2013 ICT4D by Computer Jagat WSIS Prizes 2023 COVID-19 Telehealth Center WITSA Global Excellence ICT Awards 2021 for COVID-19 Telehealth Center • • • • • • • • MEMBERSHIP • • • • REFERENCES Md. Mustafizur Rahman Former Chief Consultant, PM Office Former Sr. Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs BD Former Secretary, Ministry of Land, Project Director, a2i, ICT Ministry Phone: - Email:-Anowarul Haq Assistant Resident Representative Democratic Governance Portfolio Phone: - Email:- Member: National Telemedicine Taskforce, ICT Division Member Secretary: BASISe-GovHub Committee for Collaboration on eGovernment Implementation, ICT Division, a2i, and BASIS Lifetime Member: Leader’s Forum Bangladesh (LFB) Lifetime Member: Bangladesh Former Member: “Vision-2041: Smart ICT Division” Masterplan Implementation Committee, ICT Division Former Member: Smart Bangladesh Design Lab (SDL) Implementation Committee, ICT Division Former Member Secretary: Model Smart Village Implementation Committee, ICT Division • • • • • •