Rahima Sultana Kazal
Executive Director
Founder and General Sectary of AVAS Executive Committee
Since 01 June 1998
rskazal@avas.org.bd
Rahima Sultana Kazal is the Executive Director at AVAS and leads as the chief executive of this organization. She has more then 35 years of experience in development sector. At AVAS, Kazal is responsible for lead program, finance. Her oversee to program quality, accountability, humanitarian response, financial compliance and communication with donors, government and other stakeholders.
Management Team
Meet the professionals providing strategic, program, operational and financial leadership across AVAS.
Leadership with Purpose and Accountability
AVAS is led by a multidisciplinary management team with experience in development, humanitarian action, program management, finance, safeguarding, organizational development and community engagement. The team provides strategic and operational leadership while ensuring accountability to communities, governing bodies, partners and regulatory authorities.
Management functions
Executive Leadership
Program and Quality
Finance and Administration
Fundraising and Organizational Development
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
Safeguarding and Protection
Communications and Partnerships
Localization
Rahima Sultana Kazal
Executive Director
Founder and General Sectary of AVAS EC
Since 01 June 1998
rskazal@avas.org.bd
Rahima Sultana Kazal is the Executive Director at AVAS and leads as the chief executive of this organization. She has more then 35 years of experience in development sector. At AVAS, Kazal is responsible for lead program, finance. Her oversee to program quality, accountability, humanitarian response, financial compliance and communication with donors, gov
ernment and other stakeholders.
Jannatun Naeym Oyshi
Deputy Executive Director
Since 01 June 2026
ded.avas.bsl@gmail.com
Umme Saufunnesa
Director Finance & Administration
Since 09 October 2019
directorfanda@avas.org.bd
Umme Saifunnesa has led AVAS’s finance and administration as Director since September 2023. With 20 years in NGO finance, she has managed project finances for Plan International, Counterpart International, HELVETAS and Manusher Jonno Foundation. She oversees budgeting, procurement, audits and donor reporting, and holds an M.Com.
Md. Zohurul Hasan
Director fundraising & Organization Development
Since 02 May 2002
zohurul2002@avas.org.bd
Md. Zohurul Hasan Talukdar has served AVAS for over two decades, rising from Accounts Officer to Director – Finance & Administration and, since 2019, Director – Fundraising & Organisational Development. He leads resource mobilisation, partnerships and compliance, convenes AVAS’s PSEAH Committee and holds an M.Com in Accounting.
Md Shahidul Islam
Director Communication and Advocacy
Since 01 June 1998
01 February 2001
director.advocacy@avas.org.bd
Md. Shahidul Islam, Director – Advocacy and Communication, is an advocate of the Bangladesh Bar Council with 25 years in rights-based development at AVAS, Plan International and Save the Children. He leads AVAS’s communication, media and advocacy, and holds an MPH, an LLB and a postgraduate diploma in disaster management.
Md. Ali Ahsan, Monitoring Coordinator, has worked with AVAS since 2001 on WASH, disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, gender and governance. He designs monitoring systems and tools, ensures data quality across projects and was Technical Manager of AVAS’s locally led disaster risk reduction project in coastal Bangladesh.
Afroza Bilkiss, Director – Programme, leads AVAS’s programme portfolio, guiding project teams and the training and monitoring functions to deliver quality, inclusive and accountable programmes for women, children and climate-vulnerable communities across Barishal Division and coastal Bangladesh.