Harshi Gunawardana
@harshigunawardana
Experienced virtual assistant specializing in international programme support.
Sri LankaWhat I'm looking for
I am a versatile Virtual Assistant with 17 years of experience providing high-level administrative, coordination, and communication support to international organisations. I work effectively across time zones and thrive in remote, fast-paced environments.
My background includes programme coordination, donor communications, reporting, and stakeholder engagement at UN and NGO headquarters and field offices. I have drafted reports, success stories, briefing notes, and visibility materials for donors and partners.
I excel at calendar and schedule management, email handling, travel logistics, data entry, research, and preparing presentations and reports. I have supported virtual coordination with UN agencies, country teams, and contributed training on documentation and reporting.
I hold a PhD in Management and combine academic rigour with practical programme administration skills to ensure accuracy, professionalism, and timely delivery of tasks for global teams.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
USProgramme Management Officer
United Nations Mine Action Service
Jan 2021 - Jan 2024 (3 years)
Managed donor communications, schedules, and reporting across multiple time zones and drafted reports, success stories, and briefing notes to support programme visibility and stakeholder engagement.
USProgramme Specialist
United Nations Mine Action Service
Jan 2019 - Jan 2021 (2 years)
Oversaw reporting, documentation, and stakeholder communication while managing internal schedules, meeting logistics, and follow-up actions to support programme delivery.
ULReporting & Communications Specialist
UNDP Sri Lanka
Jan 2018 - Dec 2018 (11 months)
Prepared reports, presentations, and donor visibility materials; coordinated meetings and partner communications and delivered training on documentation and reporting practices.
Project Manager / Coordinator
Fondation Suisse de Déminage
Jan 2009 - Dec 2016 (7 years 11 months)
Managed project documentation, donor reporting, schedules, workshops and travel arrangements, and developed awareness materials to ensure effective stakeholder coordination.
Project Manager / Coordinator
Norwegian People's Aid
Jan 2005 - Dec 2008 (3 years 11 months)
Handled project documentation, donor reporting, organized meetings and travel, and coordinated stakeholders to support field operations and programme delivery.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
UJUniversity of Sri Jayewardenepura
Doctor of Philosophy, Management
2017 - 2017
Awarded a PhD in Management from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2017.
SASri Lanka Institute of Development Administration
Master of Public Management, Public Management
2009 - 2009
Completed a Master of Public Management at the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration in 2009.
NMNational Institute of Business Management
Diploma in Business Management, Business Management
2004 - 2004
Completed a Diploma in Business Management from the National Institute of Business Management in 2004.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Location
Sri LankaAuthorized to work in
Job categories
Interested in hiring Harshi?
You can contact Harshi and 90k+ other talented remote workers on Himalayas.
Message HarshiFind your dream job
Sign up now and join over 100,000 remote workers who receive personalized job alerts, curated job matches, and more for free!
