Sheriff, an IAS officer of 1977 batch, started his career as a Lecturer in Delhi University has held several important positions both in the States, Centre and international levels.
Sheriff has also had long association with the working of Parliament, particularly with the Rajya Sabha. He has the distinction of serving as Secretary to two Vice-Presidents of India, K.R. Narayanan and Mohammad Hamid Ansari.
He had also worked as Secretary to President of India K.R. Narayanan. As Principal Adviser to the two Vice-Presidents of India, ex-officio Chairmen of Rajya Sabha and the President of India, a constituent part of Parliament, Sheriff is familiar with the Parliamentary practices & Procedures.
He has also examined Constitutional and legal issues related to statutory work of State legislation and election matters. While serving with the Chairmen of Rajya Sabha, he has been the driving force behind so many procedural initiatives and reforms brought in the working of Rajya Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.