Crafting Impactful Social Change through Research-led Campaigns & Community Engagement
My expertise lies in driving social change through impactful campaigns informed by rigorous research, grassroots engagement, and strategic digital media utilization. I combine political & council experience with international capacity-building to design interventions that deliver measurable outcomes.
I combine grassroots organising, policy expertise, and research-driven communications to deliver campaigns, capacity-building and projects that create measurable social impact.
Expertise & Services
I offer strategy, campaigning, research, and community engagement services — designed for local government, NGOs and civic networks.
Campaign Design & Delivery
Design, stakeholder mapping, digital & offline mobilisation, KPI-based delivery.
Research & Evaluation
Mixed-method research, community fieldwork, evaluation frameworks and impact reporting.
Community Engagement
Community liaison, capacity building and co-design of interventions with stakeholders.
Training & Capacity Building
Tailored workshops for civil servants and community leaders; international assignments.
Experience
London Borough of Tower Hamlets — Councillor May 2018 - May 2022 (4 years 1 month) · London
As a democratically elected local representative, I held a unique and privileged position to make a tangible difference in people's lives. In my role as councilor, I provided community leadership and collaborated with local communities and organizations, encompassing the public, voluntary, community, and private sectors, to develop a vision for my local area. Through collaborative efforts, I aimed to enhance services and elevate the quality of life for the citizens I served. As a local councilor, I contributed to the formulation of well-defined strategies and policies to realize our vision for the area, ensuring that the perspectives and priorities of my local area were effectively represented in council discussions. Notably, I successfully served as the Chair of the Licensing Committee and the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee during the years 2021 and 2022.
The MCB (Muslim Council of Britain) — Community Engagement July 2020 - July 2021 (1 year 1 month) · London, England, United Kingdom
In my role as the community engagement lead for the MCB, I spearheaded a comprehensive investigation into the elevated COVID-19 risk faced by BAME communities in England. This collaborative effort involved the University of Surrey and Royal Surrey NHS Trust. By leveraging my extensive community networks, local expertise, and effective communication abilities, I successfully identified, engaged, and ensured research impact with key community stakeholders across England.
Ministry of Planning, Government of Bangladesh — Training Consultant April 2017 - May 2017 (2 months) · Riga, Latvia
In my capacity as a project lead, I provided assistance to the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) of the Ministry of Planning in Bangladesh. The objective was to facilitate the acquisition of best practices from their Latvian counterparts, with the aim of enhancing the electronic procurement system in Bangladesh. My responsibilities included identifying, engaging, and organizing knowledge exchange sessions with the Latvian counterparts. Through these sessions, the CPTU team gained a comprehensive understanding of e-procurement in Latvia, encompassing the legal framework, key features, technological requirements, and existing partnerships. Furthermore, we recognized the significance of cultural immersion in fostering a deeper understanding of the Latvian context. To this end, we arranged informative presentations from the Latvian Institute, which provided valuable insights into the country's history and culture.
University of Exeter — Module Tutor: The Challenges of World Politics in the 21st Century January 2017 - March 2017 (3 months) · Exeter, United Kingdom
During my tenure at the Department of Politics, I collaborated with Dr. Gregorio Bettiza in facilitating an undergraduate-level module titled "The Challenges of World Politics in the 21st Century." My role involved leading seminars that provided students with an opportunity to delve into the intricacies of the liberal international order. The discussions encompassed the emergence and expansion of global governance institutions and regimes, the evolution of human rights norms, the dynamics of capitalism, and the complexities of the global political economy. Furthermore, the seminars addressed a spectrum of persistent and emerging international challenges, including poverty, environmental crises, and armed conflicts. We critically examined the extent to which the actors and structures within the liberal world order contribute to resolving or exacerbating these global issues. The course culminated in an exploration of potential threats to the liberal international order, such as terrorism, the rise of emerging powers, the resurgence of populism, and the impact of identity politics. Through these discussions, students gained a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of global politics and the complexities of navigating the challenges of the 21st century.
DPHE, LG Division, Bangladesh Government — Training Consultant October 2016 - December 2016 (3 months) · Türkiye
During my tenure at the Department of Public Health and Engineering (DPHE), I spearheaded the capacity-building project in Türkiye for the Bangladesh Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The project aimed to enhance the capabilities of the implementation team by exposing them to the comprehensive water sector in Türkiye. This exposure equipped them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively implement rural piped and non-piped water supply components upon their return to Bangladesh. Throughout the project, I collaborated with renowned institutions and organizations, including the National Research Center on Membrane Technologies (MEM-TEK) under the esteemed leadership of Prof. Ismail Koyuncu, the Turkish Water Institute (SUEN), the Omerli water treatment plant, the Pasaköy Advanced Biological water treatment plant, BUSKI water treatment headquarters, and the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs in Ankara.
London Borough of Tower Hamlets — Strategy Associate August 2012 - July 2016 (4 years) · London, England, United Kingdom
I have consistently provided coherent guidance to managers, employees, and HR colleagues on matters pertaining to People Strategy, Workforce Planning Framework, and Talent Management Framework. Notably, during my 48-month engagement in organizational development activities for the Resources directorates at Tower Hamlets, I played a pivotal role in supporting and executing significant projects that not only shaped the council's culture but also contributed to the overall development of the workforce. One of the key achievements during my tenure was the successful attainment of the Silver accreditation in the Investor in People assessment, which was a direct result of the comprehensive health check I conducted. Additionally, I collaborated with a colleague to manage the Navigate Talent Management Programme, a corporate talent management initiative that offered effective interventions to council employees, thereby facilitating their career advancement. MentorWise: I successfully developed and managed an in-house corporate mentoring program as part of the tri-borough (Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham; and Kensington and Chelsea) My Mentor initiative. This resulted in the effective pairing of aspiring mentors and mentees across various sections of the council. HR Newsletter: In The Loop — I spearheaded the branding, content management, and editing of the newsletter. Furthermore, I skillfully managed the project team and collaborated with senior management to ensure efficient internal communication within the department. Human Resource Departmental Management Team: I occasionally chaired the Human Resource Departmental Management Team, comprising senior managers from the three significant sections: Consultancy, Strategy, and Operations. Additionally, I provided strategic advice and managed the Service Head's organizational vision to implement culture change programs and employee engagement interventions based on feedback received through various consultations.
East Thames Group — Graduate Business Partner January 2012 - July 2012 (7 months) · Stratford
Collaborated with HR Business Partners to provide support in executing people management initiatives. Recognized the requirement for novel and supplementary management information reports. Conducted thorough reviews and analyses of monthly reports pertaining to the designated business sector to identify trends and determine appropriate actions in conjunction with HRBPs. Engaged in targeted research on People Strategy and Induction Revitalization. Contributed to the design of competency frameworks and workforce planning strategies for the organization. Worked closely with HRBPs to implement People Strategy projects, ensuring their timely completion.
Helen Senton Associates — Scheme Manager October 2010 - December 2011 (1 year 3 months) · Finchley Road, Stamford Hill
I provided service responding to individual needs in two sheltered housing schemes based in north London. I was responsible for the overall administration and maintenance of the scheme as a Scheme Manager. I had conducted assessments with residents to identify their support needs and created a support plan for residents based on their needs, with agreed actions and timescales. I also organised and led regular meetings to discuss and assist residents' progress and helped residents understand the rights and obligations of their tenancy. I liaised regularly with social or health services and looked after the overall administration and maintenance of the scheme including health and safety. I have encouraged and enabled the residents to organise social events and strived to promote resident involvement at the scheme.
House of Commons — Researcher July 2010 - September 2010 (3 months) · Westminster
During my final year as a student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, I had the opportunity to participate in a work placement, marking my first research job. This valuable experience greatly contributed to my BA dissertation on Transnationalism and the British Bangladeshi community in the UK. My responsibilities included conducting research on local, regional, and international issues as per the requirements of Ms. Rushanara Ali, the Member of Parliament for the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency. I handled constituent queries and drafted outgoing correspondence. Additionally, I diligently monitored media coverage, particularly in British Bangladeshi print and electronic media. Leveraging my bilingual proficiency, I effectively communicated with media contacts, community leaders, and activists. I also drafted and translated publicity materials in both Bengali and English, ensuring clear and accurate communication.
UpRising Leadership Programme — Participant January 2009 - December 2009 (1 year)
During my tenure as a successful applicant and participant in the inaugural cohort of the Uprising Leadership Programme, an initiative spearheaded by the esteemed Young Foundation, I had the privilege of attending a two-day residential leadership retreat at the renowned Roffey Park Institute. This immersive experience was further enriched by personalized coaching and goal-setting training provided by seasoned professionals, enabling me to fully leverage the nine-month program. I had the distinct pleasure of attending thought-provoking knowledge and skills sessions delivered by eminent leaders and educators from across the corporate sector. Additionally, I was fortunate to be assigned a dedicated mentor who provided invaluable guidance in aligning my career aspirations with the program's objectives. As a testament to my commitment, I successfully designed and executed my own social action campaign. Furthermore, as a cohesive cohort, we had the opportunity to visit prominent institutions such as the BBC, the Houses of Parliament, and the City Council, gaining firsthand insights into their operations and societal impact.
Raleigh International — International Development Project June 2009 - July 2009 (2 months)
In collaboration with Raleigh International and a local NGO in the Karnataka state of India, we successfully executed a project aimed at contributing to the economic development of a small village named Huskuradhi in the Mysore district. As one of the twelve leaders selected from the inaugural batch (2009) of the Uprising Leadership Programme, I received comprehensive training in leadership and communication skills, which prepared me for this international development project. The primary objective of the project was to enhance the economic prospects of the village. Over the course of two weeks, our team diligently worked on planting mango and amla trees across the vast fields, thereby initiating a positive impact on the villagers' livelihoods and stimulating economic growth in the region.
Education
- MA, Management — University of Westminster (2012–2014)
- Postgraduate Diploma, Law & Community Leadership — SOAS (2012)
- BA, International Relations — London Metropolitan University (2008–2011)
- IIIT European Summer School — International University of Sarajevo (2015)
Contact
Email: ehtashamul.haque@hotmail.co.uk
LinkedIn: /in/ehtashamhaque
Availability
Consultancy, training, speaking and research partnerships.