Sumiran Shrestha

Social Worker and Development Systems Thinker engaged with UN Women, German Development Cooperation, the European Union, the Asian Development Bank, Alliance Asia, Karkhana Samuha and Karkhana Global.

Nepal

About

Sumiran is a Social Worker and Development Systems Thinker with over 20 years of expertise in Programme Management and Communication. His role extends beyond traditional development practices, focusing on integrating systems thinking into program development and management, policy advocacy, and knowledge curation. In his advisory and consulting capacities, Sumiran collaborates with organizations like UN Women, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), German Development Cooperation and the EU Delegation, also representing European Consultancy firms. He also serves as Chairperson for Alliance Asia Nepal - Development Advisors, and as Executive Vice President for Karkhana Samuha, and Karkhana Global, a 501(c)(3) organization. For his role as the EVP, he was awarded Education Non-Profit Leader of the Year, Chairperson Awards 2024. His approach encapsulates a holistic understanding of development, emphasizing interdependencies and long-term sustainable solutions in areas such as gender, governance, health, education, energy and humanitarian action. Sumiran's work has involved working with governments including the European Union, US, France, Finland, Sweden, and Norway, contributing to international and national development initiatives with local governments and organizations like Asian Development Bank, UN Women Asia Pacific Regional Office in Thailand, UN Women Myanmar, UN Women Nepal, UNICEF, DT Global (formerly AECOM International Development), Particip, Stem VCR, Hivos/Energia, Population Services International and Action Against Hunger amongst others. His expertise lies in creating and implementing programming and communication systems using results-based management techniques, with a focus on sustainability and adaptability. He has successfully addressed programming and communication needs in diverse areas including access to justice, adolescents, agriculture, education, energy, food security, livelihoods, migration, women’s economic empowerment, and COVID-19 response. His strategies have reached and influenced key audiences across South East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands, including Bhutan, Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, and the Pacific Island Countries, always with an eye towards the interconnected nature of these systems and the long-term impact of development work.

Experience

  • International Consultant - Communication Specialist at Asian Development Bank (ADB)
    Jan 2026 - Present · 7 mos

    Strategic Program and Communication on behalf of Alliance Asia Nepal and MSC Consulting for ADB TA-10004 REG: Preventing Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) in ADB Projects with Civil Works - Nepal

  • Team Leader - Strategic Communication and Public Relations at German Development Cooperation
    Aug 2025 - Present · 1 yr

    Team Lead, Communication and Public Relations on behalf of Alliance Asia Nepal

  • Team Leader - Global Gateway Communication at European Union
    Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

    On behalf of Alliance Asia Nepal and Business Advantage implementing comprehensive one window thematic Communication for the European Union Delegation in Nepal based on the Global Gateway Strategy.

  • Karkhana Samuha (6 yrs 9 mos)
    • Strategic Advisor: OC2 Education Out Loud, Global Partnership for Education
      Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 7 mos

      Education Out Loud (EOL), the Global Partnership for Education’s (GPE’s) fund is the largest in the world dedicated to support civil society capacity building and engagement in education policy processes. OC 2 of Education Out Loud focuses on strengthening civil society's role in monitoring and improving transparency and accountability in national education policies and implementation, leveraging diverse skills and networks for better educational outcomes.

    • Executive Vice President
      Apr 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 4 mos

      Advising Strategy Development and Implementation including Program Development and Evaluation, Guiding Leadership and Management, Fundraising and Resource Mobilization, Advocacy, Knowledge Management and Communication.

    • Advisor
      Nov 2019 - Mar 2021 · 1 yr 5 mos

  • Chairperson and Co-founder at Alliance Asia Nepal
    Nov 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 9 mos