I am an experienced development practitioner, education leader, and policy strategist with a strong background in technology, education, disaster risk management, and community development. With a track record of impactful leadership in multiple organizations, I have worked extensively in education transformation, policy-making, and disaster resilience. My contributions include leading large-scale education initiatives, fostering youth entrepreneurship, and engaging in governance and policy-making at the local and national levels. Currently, I serve as a Board Member of the City Planning Commission, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, where I focus on policy drafting, strategic planning, resource allocation, and program implementation, particularly in education, employment, and economic development.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor’s in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Kantipur Engineering College (2003-2007). Later, I pursued a Master’s in Information and Communications Engineering from the Technische Hochschule Mittel-Hessen (THM), Germany (2012), focusing on electronic communication and Matlab/LabView-based projects. In 2018, I completed a second Master’s in Development Management from the Asian Institute of Management in the Philippines, where I worked on various projects related to community development and education. Currently, I am in the process of completing a Master of Science in Applied Economics (MSAE) at Brac University, Bangladesh, to deepen my understanding of education’s role in economic transformation, policy-making, and governance.

Professional Experience

Early Career in Technology & Education

I was involved in the management of Brain Works Learning Solution Center Pvt. Ltd., a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Learning Solutions, as the Program Director. I played a key role in conceptualizing and establishing the organization while creating technological awareness among academic institutions, government bodies, and the IT industry in Nepal. From 2008-2009, I was the Community/Academic Lead at Microsoft Nepal. Additionally, I volunteered with the Information Technology Society Nepal (ITS-Nepal), serving as Secretary, First Vice President, and President from 2007 to 2018. I was also the coordinator and founder of the “Education with ICT” project under ITS-Nepal, promoting ICT-enabled education in public schools.

Teach for Nepal & Leadership in Education

In 2014, I joined Teach for Nepal as a Recruitment and Selection Manager. My role expanded into community engagement and fundraising, and I later became the Director of Operations and RSM. Under my leadership, the team produced seven cohorts of outstanding fellows—around 400 fellows selected from approximately 50,000 registrations—impacting over 30,000 students and significantly improving school outcomes. My innovative approach and diverse engagement strengthened the organization’s sustainability and scalability.

Disaster Risk Management & Community Development

I have been actively involved in Disaster Risk Management. During the 2015 earthquake, I was part of a management team supporting families and students by providing materials for temporary shelters, food supplies, WASH resources, and teaching-learning materials. I also served as a national consultant for Caritas Switzerland-Nepal’s school rehabilitation project. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I focused on community engagement by raising funds to support thousands of underprivileged individuals—including LGBTQIA members, single women, landless families, and Dalit communities—through monthly food supplies and free health transportation services. Additionally, I worked as a consultant for NSET’s Technical Support for Resilient Community (TESREC) program, where I prepared TESREC’s experience of learning for scaling up model villages in Nepal.

Current Engagements

City Planning Commission, Kathmandu Metropolitan City

Currently, I serve as a Board Member of the City Planning Commission, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, where I play a crucial role in policy drafting, planning, resource allocation, strategic implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. In this position, I have been instrumental in programs like Book Free Friday, which integrates transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches, appropriate tools and technologies, and participatory methods to promote creative and skill-based learning. My efforts in the local education system ensure a holistic approach that includes:

• Investment in infrastructure through proper planning
• Investment in teaching-learning materials and resources
• Preparation of competent human capital
• Governance, Innovation Management & Sustainability

Beyond education, I have played a significant role in employment and economic enhancement by spearheading SEEP Mela, providing training and employment opportunities to thousands of youths in the country.

Founder & Chairman, BITS Ladder International Private Limited

I am the founder and chairman of BITS Ladder International Private Limited (est. 2013), which aims to bridge community gaps through collaboration by integrating education, innovation, and technology. During COVID-19, we piloted the Smart Learning Project, a virtual teaching-learning methodology. With school closures lasting over 1.5 years, I led the establishment of basic infrastructure and resources to pilot the Innovative Learning Center (ILC) to complement school education. Based on our pilot project learnings, we scaled the Innovative Learning Center (ILC) concept and introduced the शिक्षा मा पुस्तान्तरण (Youth for Education Transformation) initiative. Currently, 60 local youth serve as teaching assistants in 21 community schools in Jeetpur Simara Sub-Metropolitan City, supporting the education system’s transformation. Additionally, three ILCs are operating in community schools in Birgunj Metropolitan City, and one center is running in Tilathi Koiladi Rural Municipality, collectively benefiting around 12,000 students. BITS Ladder continues to collaborate with stakeholders to expand Innovative Learning Centers in various communities. Our initiatives—such as the Stupreneure Conference and Foodathon—aim to encourage youth entrepreneurship.

Political & Policy Engagement

I serve as a board member of Nitisala, an organization supporting local and national governments in participatory policy development and stakeholder capacity building. In 2079 B.S., I contested the local election for Deputy Chairman of Tilathi Koiladi Rural Municipality and led the political campaign of Nepal’s current Education Minister, Honorable Shisir Khanal.

Core Interests & Expertise

My core interest areas include organizational management, leadership, capacity building, strategic management, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), community development, political economy, policy formulation, and educational engagements. I consider myself a Development Practitioner, Management and Leadership Maestro, and Political Strategist.

My writings at Setopati: https://www.setopati.com/author/2315
Twitter: @sailjha
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shailendra.jha.96
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhashailendra/
Email: shaillendra.jha@gmail.com