Meet the professionals providing strategic, programme, operational and financial leadership across AVAS. The team supports accountability to communities, governing bodies, partners and relevant authorities.
Leadership and Management Functions
The management team covers executive leadership, programme quality, finance and administration, fundraising, organizational development, monitoring and evaluation, safeguarding, communication, partnership and localisation.
Management Team
Rahima Sultana Kazal — Executive Director
Founder and General Secretary of AVAS Executive Committee. Serving since 1 June 1998. [email protected]
Rahima Sultana Kazal leads AVAS as chief executive, with more than 35 years of experience in the development sector. She oversees programme quality, accountability, humanitarian response, financial compliance and relationships with partners and government stakeholders.
Jannatun Naeym Oyshi — Deputy Executive Director
Serving since 1 June 2026. [email protected]
Umme Saifunnesa — Director, Finance & Administration
Working with AVAS since 9 October 2019. [email protected]
With two decades of NGO finance experience, she oversees budgeting, procurement, audits and donor reporting and has handled project finances for a range of development partners.
Md. Zohurul Hasan Talukdar — Director, Fundraising & Organizational Development
Working with AVAS since 2 May 2002. [email protected]
He leads fundraising, resource mobilisation, institutional partnerships and compliance, and supports safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment structures.
Md. Shahidul Islam — Director, Communication & Advocacy
An advocate of the Bangladesh Bar Council with experience in rights-based development, he leads AVAS communications, media and advocacy activities.
Md. Ali Ahsan — Monitoring Coordinator
Working with AVAS since 2001. [email protected]
He has worked across WASH, disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, gender and governance, developing monitoring systems and supporting programme data quality.
Afroza Bilkiss — Programme Director
She leads programme teams and coordinates quality, inclusive and accountable programme delivery for women, children and climate-vulnerable communities.
Governance
AVAS has an elected Executive Committee and wider governance bodies overseeing institutional policy, accountability and strategic direction.