Khadijah Madihi
Summary
Dedicating her career as a child rights specialist, Khadijah focuses on child protection, alternative care reforms, and system strengthening. Known for her visionary approach, she has spearheaded transformative projects in collaboration with global organizations, governments, donors, and local communities across Asia. Her expertise spans strategic review, policy development, and knowledge transfer workshops aimed at enhancing outcomes for vulnerable children and marginalized communities. Khadijah excels in project management and forging dynamic partnerships, leading to successful project completions and sustainable solutions that uplift children and empower communities. Her strong research skills, including regional mapping, needs assessment-evaluation and data analysis, inform evidence-based policy development. With demonstrated leadership, Khadijah has mentored teams and emerging leaders in the social service sector, contributing to lasting impact and positive change.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Advisor on Child Protection Issues (Asia)
International Social Service (ISS, Geneva)
06.2023 - Current
- Provided strategic guidance and expertise to enhance child protection initiatives across Asia
- Identified emerging trends and best practices to inform innovative program development and strategic partnerships
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop solutions for complex challenges in the social service sector
- Fostered strong partnerships with government agencies, non-profits, and international organizations to ensure a collaborative approach to child protection
- Advised donors on program implementation, leading to improved outcomes and sustainable impact for vulnerable children.
Senior International Consultant (Violence Against Children)
Maestral International, USA
11.2020 - Current
- Provided expert technical support for comprehensive strategic reviews and the formulation of national policies aimed at enhancing child protection and overall child well-being
- Spearheaded knowledge transfer initiatives, including the design and implementation of regional e-learning programs, to improve the protection of displaced children and children on the move
- Advised on the development and refinement of child protection initiatives and programs across Southeast Asia, ensuring they are contextually relevant and effective.
Founder & Independent Family & Child Protection Specialist (Asia)
Asia Family First
12.2018 - Current
- Founded and led Asia Family First as an independent specialist, providing extensive consultation to support regional social workforce development, alternative care options, and deinstitutionalization initiatives for vulnerable children across Asia.
- Collaborated with governments, international organizations, and communities to enhance family-based care, social protection, and child protection systems.
- Conducted regional mapping, feasibility studies, and data compilation, facilitating knowledge exchange and advocacy efforts with partners including LUMOS, Global Social Service Workforce Alliance, Better Care Network, Save the Children, UNICEF, and Oxford Policy Management.
Director – Strategic Partnerships & Development (pro-bono)
Reyna Movement, SG-Malaysia
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Led strategic partnerships and development initiatives at Reyna Movement, fostering collaborations with governmental bodies, NGOs, and civil society to expand women empowerment and upskilling programs for marginalized women and refugees
- Collaborated with UNHCR and other international agencies to coordinate aid distribution to 14,000 Rohingya refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic and floods in state of Johor.
Head - Family and Children Services (consultancy)
Muslimin Trust Fund Association
05.2019 - 11.2019
- Led the oversight and strategic direction for two orphanages, focusing on the holistic well-being and development of children under care
- Implemented family-strengthening initiatives to create supportive environments within the orphanages and beyond.
Project Manager & Director Fostering First Asia
Core Assets Group Limited, UK
04.2016 - 05.2018
- Led a 2-year in-depth analysis of childcare options and social welfare systems across 10 countries, resulting in a published study
- Conceptualized and secured grants exceeding USD350,000 from the Nippon Foundation – the funds supported the pioneering Asia collective promoting family preservation and family-based care
Associate Trainer
National Community Leadership Institute, Singapore
06.2014 - 03.2016
- Conducted leadership and Service-Learning training programs designed for youth leaders and government scholars, focusing on fostering leadership skills and community engagement.
Consultant (short assignment)
The Island Foundation, Riau Archipelago - Indonesia
02.2015 - 05.2015
- Consulted on developing operational systems for education, village development, and health programs tailored for remote coastal and Sea Gypsy communities
- Provided training and supervision to local staff, enhancing organizational effectiveness and ensuring sustainable program implementation.
Director Outcomes Singapore Pte Ltd & Key Assets Singapore Limited
Core Assets Group Limited, UK
02.2010 - 08.2013
- Directed and managed two independent social enterprises within the Core Assets - Fostering & Children's Services Group (UK), overseeing strategic partnerships with local and global organizations to enhance outcomes for vulnerable children in care
- Established strategic networks with international organizations and academic institutions such as IFCO, CAPRA, Monash University, and James Cook University, collaborating with global peers to achieve optimal care outcomes for children.
Fostering Coordinator (contract)
Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore
07.2009 - 01.2010
- Conducted interviews with foster carer applicants, assessing their suitability to provide care for children facing family challenges, trauma, and abuse.
Operations Analyst – Crisis Prevention & Recovery Unit
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Indonesia)
08.2008 - 03.2009
- Managed workforce deployment strategies post-disaster reconstruction projects
- Oversaw recruitment of more than 140 international and local technical experts, including developing Terms of Reference (ToR), conducting selection panels, and facilitating contract agreements for immediate mobilization under the Agency of Rehabilitation & Reconstruction for Aceh & Nias (BRR).
Child Welfare Officer (contract)
Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore
04.2008 - 07.2008
- Conducted social assessments and developed rehabilitative intervention plans for cases referred by the Children's Court, focusing on child welfare and family support.
Consultant – Aceh Government Transformation Programme
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Indonesia)
01.2008 - 02.2008
- Led the assembly of a Special Advisory Team comprised of experts in Anti-Corruption, Communications, Economics, Human Resources, Legal, Management of Information, and Transition units
- This team provided crucial support to Aceh's first democratically elected Governor in establishing a new government structure following decades of civil strife and recovery from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
Reporting Officer - Emergency Response & Transitional Recovery
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
08.2006 - 12.2007
- Produced periodic progress reports and annual bilateral donor reports for international stakeholders, including governments and private donors
- Compiled monitoring reports and prepared documentation like briefing notes and human-interest stories summarizing project outputs and work plans for UNDP field offices to ensure transparent and timely accountability to stakeholders, enhancing effectiveness in emergency response and transitional recovery efforts.
Student Development Officer
Singapore Sports School
01.2006 - 06.2006
- Supervised the academic, emotional, and social development of a cohort of 350 students.
Programme & Volunteer Relations Executive
CLUBlLYA Singapore
04.2005 - 12.2005
- Designed and implemented rehabilitative programmes for at-risk youths identified by the Special Crimes Branch as part of a community-sponsored project.
Probation Officer - Child Protection Officer
Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore
08.1999 - 03.2005
- Conducted social investigations and risk assessments for child abuse cases and direct engagement with young offenders.
Education
Integrative Adapt Therapy (IAT) -
Health Global Connect (GHC)
01.2021
Participatory Research for Social Services -
Social Service Research Centre
National University of Singapore, Singapore01.2020
Research Skills for Social Services Research Mentoring -
Social Service Research Centre
National University of Singapore, Singapore01.2020
Overseas Disaster Deployment Training -
Singapore Red Cross
01.2019
PRINCE2 - Foundation Certification for Project Management -
APM
01.2007
Master of Arts - Peace And Conflict Resolution Studies
University of Sydney
Australia03.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science And History
National University of Singapore
Singapore06.1999
Skills
- Strategic Partnership Development & Networking
- Advocacy & Policy Development
- Research and Data Analysis
- Strategic Planning & Programme Development
- Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Cross-Cultural Competence
- Training & Capacity Building
- Crisis Response & Humanitarian Aid
- Social Service Workforce Development
- Child Protection & Welfare
Websites
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/khadijah-madihi-0b298b44/
- https://bettercarenetwork.org/library/principles-of-good-care-practices/leaving-alternative-care-and
- https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/id/ERTR-Annual-Report-2007.pdf
- https://www.undp.org/indonesia/publications/ertr-annual-report-2008
Affiliations
- Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN), Expert Reviewer for the Maternal, Newborn, and Children Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) Fund and member of AVPN Expert Collective
- Prevention Framework - Practitioner Review Group, The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (Global)
- UNHCR Child Protection Case Management, BID Panel (Malaysia)
- Executive Committee - Ee Peng Liang Memorial Fund Regional Social Service Leaders Exchange Programme, National University of Singapore – Department of Social Work, SG
References
- Jean Ayoub, Secretary General & CEO of International Social Service (Geneva), Jean.ayoub@iss-ssi.org
- Philip Goldman, President of Maestral International (USA), pgoldman@maestral.org
Training
- 2021, Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS) in Humanitarian Action
- 2018, Foundations for an Effective Humanitarian Volunteer, UNHCR Regional Centre for Emergency Preparedness
Additional Information
ASIAN VENTURE PHILANTHROPY NETWORK (AVPN)
Expert Reviewer for the Maternal, Newborn, and Children Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) Fund
THE ALLIANCE FOR CHILD PROTECTION IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION
Prevention Framework - Practitioner Review Group
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ee Peng Liang Memorial Fund Regional Social Service Leaders Exchange Programme (National University of Singapore – Department of Social Work)
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Malay
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Indonesian
Intermediate (B1)
Timeline
Senior Advisor on Child Protection Issues (Asia)
International Social Service (ISS, Geneva)
06.2023 - Current
Senior International Consultant (Violence Against Children)
Maestral International, USA
11.2020 - Current
Director – Strategic Partnerships & Development (pro-bono)
Reyna Movement, SG-Malaysia
01.2020 - 01.2021
Head - Family and Children Services (consultancy)
Muslimin Trust Fund Association
05.2019 - 11.2019
Founder & Independent Family & Child Protection Specialist (Asia)
Asia Family First
12.2018 - Current
Project Manager & Director Fostering First Asia
Core Assets Group Limited, UK
04.2016 - 05.2018
Consultant (short assignment)
The Island Foundation, Riau Archipelago - Indonesia
02.2015 - 05.2015
Associate Trainer
National Community Leadership Institute, Singapore
06.2014 - 03.2016
Director Outcomes Singapore Pte Ltd & Key Assets Singapore Limited
Core Assets Group Limited, UK
02.2010 - 08.2013
Fostering Coordinator (contract)
Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore
07.2009 - 01.2010
Operations Analyst – Crisis Prevention & Recovery Unit
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Indonesia)
08.2008 - 03.2009
Child Welfare Officer (contract)
Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore
04.2008 - 07.2008
Consultant – Aceh Government Transformation Programme
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Indonesia)
01.2008 - 02.2008
Reporting Officer - Emergency Response & Transitional Recovery
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
08.2006 - 12.2007
Student Development Officer
Singapore Sports School
01.2006 - 06.2006
Programme & Volunteer Relations Executive
CLUBlLYA Singapore
04.2005 - 12.2005
Probation Officer - Child Protection Officer
Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore
08.1999 - 03.2005
Integrative Adapt Therapy (IAT) -
Health Global Connect (GHC)
Participatory Research for Social Services -
Social Service Research Centre
Research Skills for Social Services Research Mentoring -
Social Service Research Centre
Overseas Disaster Deployment Training -
Singapore Red Cross
PRINCE2 - Foundation Certification for Project Management -
APM
Master of Arts - Peace And Conflict Resolution Studies
University of Sydney
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science And History
National University of Singapore
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