Zayaan Shaafiu is the Managing Director of Public Policy Lab. His policy work spans economic policy, health, social protection, housing, urbanism, education, electoral politics, gender equality and child protection, financial inclusion, and labour rights – alongside AI workflow integration, M&E system design, data collection frameworks, and public administration.
Selected work
Lead Researcher and principal author of the Cost of Politics in the Maldives for WFD, where findings led to announced government electoral reforms. Lead consultant on UNICEF's Child and Family Well-Being Project – a six-component national initiative. Previously worked with UNDP on the Strategic Action Plan (economic sectors). At the Ministry of Social and Family Development, leads knowledge management systems, policy modelling tools, AI-integrated workflows, and island-level service provider mapping.
Prior government experience
As Director at the President's Office (Special Programs Unit), led data collection systems across central hospitals, regional hospitals, and 55 islands. Achievements included a 70% reduction in specialist waitlists, reduction of psychiatry waitlists from 18 months to 2 months, launching teleconsultation to 55 island health centres, and establishing the first public hospital analytics unit in the Maldives.
Also worked at the Modelling and Forecasting Section of the Maldives Monetary Authority, developing the research base and indicator set for national financial inclusion. Was an analyst on occupational health and safety studies for the Public Interest Law Centre.
Education
Master's in Applied Economics and Policy, University of Windsor. Dual Bachelor's in Economics and Teaching (Politics & International Studies), University of Adelaide – Excellence Award, first in class for Development Economics and Public Economics.