Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 18 years of experience, the expert excels in agriculture and rural development with a focus on plant pathology and food safety. Key qualifications include proficiency in DNA extraction, PCR techniques, and data analysis using Genstat and SPSS. The expert has successfully led international projects, such as a German-funded quality assurance initiative in Egypt, providing technical assistance and capacity building. Previously held roles include Technical Director at Maba Company, where responsibilities encompassed overseeing crop management and ensuring compliance with international standards. Career highlights include achieving ISO 22000 and GLOBAL GAP certifications, demonstrating leadership in optimizing operations and enhancing safety protocols.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with the German Project in Egypt on "Technical dialogue on quality assurance of plant products of primary agricultural production" from January to September 2022. This involvement included data collection, analysis, recommendation development, and capacity building through organizing seminars, workshops, and train-the-trainer courses. The project was sector-specific, focusing on agriculture, and took place in Egypt, emphasizing quality assurance and stakeholder networking.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in agriculture, food systems, and rural development sectors, the expert has held roles such as Technical Director and Manager, focusing on plant pathology, food safety, and quality assurance. Responsibilities have included managing agricultural operations, achieving international certifications, and implementing integrated pest management. The expert's interdisciplinary expertise includes data analysis and digitalization in agriculture. The geographic scope of work has primarily been in Syria and Egypt, providing a strong understanding of regional agricultural practices and regulatory frameworks. Background includes positions at ICARDA in Syria, focusing on seed health and agricultural research, and various roles in Egypt, offering deep familiarity with local agricultural practices and regulatory standards.

Languages and education

With a strong command of languages, the expert is a native Arabic speaker and possesses proficient English language skills, demonstrated by a 5.5 IELTS score and a TOEFL certification from Cairo University. These competencies have been utilized in various professional settings, including international projects and multilingual teams, supporting effective communication in global agricultural research and development initiatives. The expert holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Cairo University, completed between 2013 and 2017 with an excellent overall grade of 4/4. Prior to this, the expert earned an MSc in Plant Pathology from the same institution, achieving an excellent grade of 3.7/4 from 2010 to 2013. The educational background also includes a BSc in Agricultural Sciences, specializing in Plant Protection, from Aleppo University, Syria, graduating with a very good grade of 72.31/100.