In the development sector, achieving a significant and enduring impact requires not only a sense of commitment to a larger cause but also collaboration and alignment among various organizations to seed and serve larger goals.

Zeenat Afshan, our next pathbreaker, currently works as Program Officer – Non farm livelihood at Tata Trusts, managing business development, capacity building, and design development for their projects

Zeenat talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about how collective effort aims to support large-scale programs that benefit the greater good of beneficiaries, with a focus on building systems that can sustainably address social challenges.

For students, the indian philanthropic sector thrives in fast-paced environments, and demands exceptional interpersonal, presentation, leadership, and problem-solving skills!

Zeenat, can you tell us about your “early years” for the benefit of our young readers?

I grew up in Jamshedpur, a charming industrial town, and attended Little Flower School, an ICSE-affiliated institution run by the Sisters of Cluny. As it was a missionary school, there was a strong emphasis on developing English speaking skills from an early age. My extracurricular activities included basketball, traveling, exploring new places, and indulging in local cuisines. Initially, I was drawn to numbers, but as I progressed to college, I found myself moving away from that interest and choosing a different path.

My mother, who has since passed away, was a homemaker, while my father was involved in various business ventures. Witnessing the challenges of the business world, including losses, convinced me that I did not want to pursue business and encouraged me to focus on securing a full-time job for my career early on. 

What did you do for graduation / post graduation? 

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in English Honors from Jamia Millia Islamia, followed by a Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Peace Building, also from Jamia Millia Islamia.

What were some of the key influences that led you on the path that you are on  today?

My interest in English was solidified during my introduction to Julius Caesar’s works in classes 9 and 10, which helped me choose English as my focus. However, during my English Honors studies, I found the background of English Literature uninteresting, much like how I perceived history in school. This led me to seek a more specialized course.

In 2010 – 11, during the global context of the US-Afghanistan war, I learned about Conflict Analysis and Peace Building through a friend’s sister who was pursuing her Masters in the field. This course resonated with me, prompting me to decide to pursue it and let life unfold naturally.

How did you plan the steps to transition to a career in Advocacy & Public Policy?

To plan my career path, I aimed for roles that aligned with my interests and skills, ensuring each step contributed to my overall career goals.

I adopted a strategic approach. I did an Internship at the Centre for Education and Communication (Researcher – Advocacy) where I Advocated for the establishment of a Primary Health Centre in Raipura Village, Firozabad. Here, I also addressed minimum wage discrepancies in the Home-Based Craft Sector in UP, receiving acknowledgment from the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Next at the Centre for Advocacy and Research, I worked as Coordinator – Research and Documentation where I managed the ‘WAJOOD’ project, focusing on curbing sexual violence. We partnered with NALSA and DSLSA, resulting in the launch of their Paralegal training program. I led the School of Life Initiative, a youth-led intervention against violence.

Since then, I have been working at Tata Trusts where I began as Executive – Policy and Advocacy. I managed 9 fellowships focused on grassroots leadership and social entrepreneurship, conducted Logical Framework Analysis for thematic programs and developed annual work plans and budgets.

My next role was as Program Associate  – Migration and Urban Habitat where I worked on Tataa Trusts’ COVID-19 response program for distressed migrants where Government schemes were facilitated to migrants.

I currently work as a Program Officer – Non farm livelihood. I work on Tata Trusts Flagship program “Antaran”) with a mandate of generating revenues for Artisan entrepreneurs..

My qualifications, including a Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Peace Building from Jamia Millia Islamia, provided the foundation for my career in Advocacy and Social development.

How did you get your first break?

During my Master’s program, we were required to complete an internship. I interned with an organization called India Alliance for Child Rights (IACR), which advocated for children’s rights in India and reported to the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child). Thanks to my dedication and integrity during the internship, my boss offered me a permanent position in the organization upon completing my Masters. I accepted the offer and joined the organization immediately after finishing my degree.

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

Challenge 1: Balancing expectations: 

The social sector often offers limited financial incentives compared to the corporate world, which posed a challenge in meeting family expectations post my studies. I addressed this by communicating openly with my family about the realities of the sector and finding a balance that worked for everyone.

Challenge 2 : Limited Growth Opportunities:

The sector experiences low attrition, leading to stunted growth beyond a certain point. To address this, I focused on continuous learning and professional development to ensure my skills are in demand and I could progress in my career

Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?

Currently, I am involved in the Livelihood portfolio at Tata Trusts, focusing on generating livelihoods for beneficiaries in communities.

Key skills essential for this role include community engagement, stakeholder management, budgeting and financial planning, grant management (as we are a donor agency), project management, and more. An indispensable quality is empathy, enabling one to prioritize the greater good of the communities.

The underlying motivation to contribute to the larger good of society serves as a driving force, whether through direct or indirect means.

How does your work benefit society? 

Currently, I oversee the Antaran program at Tata Trusts, which focuses on enhancing the income levels of artisans. This involves capacity building for artisans, creating enterprises, strengthening ecosystems, and developing market-led designs and connections. All these efforts contribute to improving the income levels of families in society.

In the development sector, achieving a significant and enduring impact requires collaboration and alignment among various organizations. This collective effort aims to support large-scale programs that benefit the greater good of beneficiaries. Instead of working in isolation, we focus on building systems that can sustainably address social challenges. I have collaborated with organizations such as Microsoft, Crisil, Titan, Tata Realty, Tata Capital, Indrani Light Foundation, TraidCraft, and Fair Trade Forum of India. These partnerships are built on a shared strategy and approach, going beyond just common goals to create a more significant impact. Establishing these partnerships involves long-term interactions and mutual understanding, allowing us to seed and serve larger goals.

In such partnerships, accountability is paramount. It is essential to ensure that every penny received from these collaborations is used efficiently to directly or indirectly improve lives. This emphasizes the importance of thorough reporting and maintaining strong relationships with the partners, both on the funding as well as implementing side.

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

This goes back to a time when I was advocating for the village of Raipura in Firozabad. There was a hidden epidemic of Silicosis and Tuberculosis causing deaths in the district. An RTI filed with the district department revealed 20,000 cases in the last 5 years, with unknown causes. Further investigation uncovered the link to Tuberculosis and Silicosis.

In this village, residents had undiagnosed cases of silicosis and tuberculosis because the city hospital was 12 kilometers away, posing a significant challenge for them to travel there. After strongly advocating for the opening of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in the village, we succeeded in establishing one. I consider this to be the greatest achievement of my career.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

I firmly adhere to the wisdom of the late Verghese Kurien, known as the Milkman of India, who emphasized the importance of integrity in success. He taught us that to succeed, our integrity must be impeccable, as those who oppose us cannot defeat an honest person. This is a piece of advice I would have for the students.

Future Plans?

Currently employed in the Indian philanthropy sector, I aspire to transition into the realm of international philanthropy, seeking a senior leadership role.