Effective program manager with experience implementing programs in challenging, dynamic environments like Libya, Syria and Lebanon for funders including USAID, US Department of State and National Endowment for Democracy. Bringing deep understanding of Democracy, Rights and Governance. Strategic manager experienced in leading highly effective teams.
Skills
Program management
Budgeting
Program design
Monitoring and evaluation
Teamwork and supervision
Communication
Organization
Problem solving
Work History
Program Officer, MENA, 12/2019 - Current George Mason University – Fairfax, VA,
Manage Lebanon portfolio consisting of three projects worth $3,000,000 and including over 30 subgrants and subcontracts
Supervise four staff in DC and one staff in the field
Ensure grants/agreements are in compliance with federal regulations and IRI policy and are completed on time
Monitor and track budget estimates and program expenditures to ensure projects remain within budget and lead regular budget analysis discussions
Design new projects and lead the proposal process for the Lebanon team
Oversee MEL implementation for all projects, including designing, piloting, and administering data collection tools, baseline/endline evaluations, analyzing data, and producing reports
Review and edit reports to ensure high quality quarterly, semi-annual, final and other relevant reports for funders
Monitor and analyze political developments in Lebanon
Serve as primary POC and coordinate with funders and implementing partners
Engage with potential partners and work with them to develop and finalize scopes of work for subgrants to achieve project objectives
Troubleshoot operational challenges in complex environments like Libya, Syria, and Lebanon and devise creative and compliant solutions
Perform Program Manager duties for Libya and report to MENA Director in the absence of Country Director and Program Manager
Perform Program Manager duties for Lebanon and report to MENA Director in the absence of Program Manager
Managed research and communications grants, contracts, and consultants
Ensured research informs programming and wider US policy in Syria
Interfaced with donor to agree on research topics
Developed strategic reports on SES II emerging trends, donor priorities, innovations, and best practices
Tracked and reported on security and political developments in Syria by following local Syrian Arabic media
Maintained responsive reporting mechanism to provide updates on ad hoc, daily, weekly, and monthly bases
Served as lead for all SES II contractually obligated reports to the donor
Provided timely reporting outlines, drafts, and final reports for COP review and submission to USAID
Adapted program report formats per donor feedback and ensured conformance with donor standards and requirements
Facilitated internal workshops for report development
Enhanced reports with photos, maps and graphics to support reporting narrative
Worked with SES II technical teams obtain relevant, current, accurate and technically sound information to shape project reports with focus on innovation and transparency
Generated content for program website
Coordinated events in Syria with other donors/implementers
Wrote success stories and produced video success stories to enhance reporting
Developed photography guidelines/standard operating procedures for use inside Syria
Designed communications materials for distribution to potential partners and key stakeholders
Created supplementary communications products as agreed with the donor (brochures, PPTs, etc.)
Communications Assistant, 10/2015 - 09/2017 Blumont, Inc. – City, STATE,
Wrote, edited, & formatted reports, proposals, presentations & other program related materials
Managed content production for internal and external communications (success stories, newsletter, fact sheets, staff profiles, website management, etc.)
Managed social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube)
Organized and managed content and information from the field
Monitored website analytical reports
Attended industry and business development events
Managed acquisitions/logistics of gift-in-kind shipments
Established & maintained partnerships with donor organizations
Strategized with country staff for efficient & compliant commodity importation & distribution
Education
Bachelor of Arts: International Affairs, MENA, Expected in 12/2014 - University of Colorado At Boulder - Boulder, CO, GPA:
Coursework in Arabic, Middle Eastern politics, economics and culture
Certificate in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies
Study abroad in Tunis, Tunisia February through May 2013 with coursework in Arabic, revolution and social movements
Resumes, and other information uploaded or provided by the user, are considered User Content governed by our Terms & Conditions. As such, it is not owned by us, and it is the user who retains ownership over such content.
How this resume score could be improved?
Many factors go into creating a strong resume. Here are a few tweaks that could improve the score of this resume:
