About

International Development Expert

Mr Nasir Kazmi has more than 25 years of experience in international development, with a focus on education, youth development, health, and good governance. He specializes in the education sector, providing a systems perspective, covering all levels of education ranging from early childhood and basic education to technical and vocational education and training, youth skills development, and university education.

Nasir is committed to fostering inclusive and equitable development, alleviating poverty, and advocating for marginalised populations to realise meaningful social change. His technical skills and management background enable him to achieve exceptional results in areas such as enhancing governance and accountability, and strengthening system capacity and implementation. He has established and served on Ministerial and Technical Working Groups, worked successfully with diverse stakeholders, and developed collaborative approaches and sectoral support interventions in various countries and regions.

Countries experience: Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, UK, USA and Zimbabwe.

Expertise

  • International Development

  • Policy dialogue, diplomacy, and advocacy

  • Government processes, education governance & reforms, and system strengthening

  • Strategy and delivery

  • Programme/Project management & implementation

Background

Mr Nasir Kazmi studied Economics and Statistics at the University of the Punjab. He then pursued an MSc in International Relations at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, followed by an MBA in International Management (FCO Chevening Scholarship) at Royal Holloway, University of London.

After serving as a Research Officer in the Higher Education Commission (HEC Pakistan), and for UNDP, Nasir held various positions with the British Council, including Director Grant Funded Programmes, and Director of the British Council in Islamabad. He subsequently served as Deputy Chief of Party, and Chief of Party Designate, for a USAID-funded Higher Education Programme in Pakistan.

Nasir then joined the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, serving in a senior role as Education Adviser for over a decade, working to support educational reforms and initiatives throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, before becoming the Lead Adviser - System Strengthening at the Education Development Trust, UK. Presently, Nasir is an Associate Partner at the Thuso Group, which provides strategic consultancy and advisory services. Additionally, Nasir also serves as a Trustee for the Council for Education in the Commonwealth and as an Independent Governor at the University of West London. He is based in London, United Kingdom.