Action Learning Shift

SHIFT is an independent consultancy led by Shirin Husseini, International Development Specialist and MENA Regional Expert. It provides contextual, strategic, and transformative services across development and humanitarian settings.

Using an action-learning approach, SHIFT supports programme planning, design, management, and evaluation, while strengthening leadership, systems, learning processes, research, and evidence-based decision-making.

Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience.

David Kolb

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International Development Consultancy

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The Shift Behind Action Learning Shift

Action Learning Shift brings over 15 years of experience in international development, leadership, and systems strengthening across the MENA region and beyond.
Grounded in applied, experiential learning, we support teams and programmes to navigate complexity, reflect in action, and drive meaningful change.

13

17

Years of experience

Countries

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Organisations

35+

Action Learning Solutions

SHIFT offers applied, practice-oriented support across three core areas of international development.

Strengthening programme logic, delivery, and learning through context-driven design, clear planning, adaptive implementation, and reflective evaluation practices.

A laptop displaying a webpage with the text 'I design and develop experiences that make people's lives simple.' is placed on a wooden table. It is set in an outdoor seating area with white furniture and greenery in the background. The setting appears to be calm and conducive to work or relaxation.

Facilitation, Learning & Capacity Development

Designing and delivering adaptive learning experiences, collaborative workshops, and action-learning processes hat support teams to reflect, adapt, and enhance programme effectiveness.

Supporting collaboration, partnership-building, and organisational development through systems thinking, leadership practice, and approaches to enhance coordination, effectiveness, and local ownership.

Strategic Partnerships, Leadership & Systems

Programme Management & Evaluation

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The Action Learning Approach

SHIFT applies a practical, experiential learning cycle designed for complex development environments.
The approach turns real-world action into insight, and insight into improved practice.

Act engage with real challenges in context
Reflect examine actions, assumptions, and results
Learn generate insights and identify what needs to change
Adapt adjust strategies, decisions, or systems for stronger impact

Repeated over time, this cycle strengthens leadership, improves collaboration, and deepens local ownership of change.

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What I Bring to the Work

SHIFT brings a combination of practical experience, reflective practice, and adaptive methods to support meaningful and sustainable change.

Over 15 years of international development experience across the MENA region and beyond.

Strong grounding in leadership, learning, PMEL, and systems strengthening.

Applied, practice-based methods suited to complex and evolving environments.

Experience collaborating with governments, civil society, and international organisations.

A commitment to context-driven, equitable, and locally led change.

Join Our Action Learning Community

Learning thrives when it is shared. Whether you are exploring new approaches, strengthening your team’s practice, or navigating complex challenges, SHIFT offers a space for reflection, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Connect to begin a conversation about how Action Learning can support your work.