Evaluator
Researcher
Facilitator

Working with Shama at the Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan, I saw firsthand how she built and led a strong Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning function in an extremely challenging context. She brought remarkable calm, clarity, and rigor to complex governance, policy, and evaluation processes, including the cross-programme, multidisciplinary AKDN Quality of Life Study. Her ability to translate evidence into strategic action strengthened both decision-making and programme impact. Shama’s work consistently led to more responsive, grounded, and effective programming. She is a great team member—enterprising, proactive, and always willing to take initiative.

I have worked with Shama over the years as a colleague at Aga Khan University and later in a funding relationship with Shirkat Gah – Women’s Resource Centre, where she served as a board member. Her attention to execution in project management—especially in research methods—is unmatched. Her expertise spans both quantitative and qualitative approaches, with particular strength in immersive and mixed-methods research. She has consistently demonstrated openness to evolving her expertise and leadership, continually expanding the scope of her work. Over two decades of professional engagement, I have witnessed her finesse in leading diverse teams across Southeast Asia, South and Central Asia, and more recently, across the Global South through Fenomenal Funds. Her facilitation skills—especially through interactive workshops and co-creation approaches—have been instrumental in effectively managing geographically diverse teams.

The development sector is a complex space to work in, but Dr. Shama Dossa ensures that her values—being reflective, community-led, and people-centred—remain at the core of her work. This is what I observed and admired in her as her student, teaching assistant, and research assistant. Her teachings extend beyond the classroom. While I learned qualitative research, participatory methods, and programme design, she also taught me the importance of holding onto one’s values in professional work. Dr. Dossa teaches not only through words, but through action—consistently embodying the ethics she instills in her students. Knowing her, learning from her, and working alongside her have played a significant role in shaping my professional aspirations and values. I will always be grateful for that opportunity.

Shama’s Learning and Evaluation workshop was both insightful and highly practical for our team at HERFund. She helped us clearly understand how Theory of Change is connected to strategy, and demystified how MEL frameworks can support more intentional, aligned action. Her facilitation was engaging, grounded, and responsive to our context and mission. We came away with greater clarity, confidence, and practical tools to strengthen our work.