Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 43 years of experience in management, insurance, and microfinance, the expert excels in business design, project management, financial product development, and risk analysis. They have led projects for SMEs and NGOs, set up insurance companies, and conducted feasibility studies. Career highlights include designing microfinance products, managing insurance portfolios exceeding US$ 700M, and implementing digital financial services. Leadership roles have included being a CEO and team leader on international projects, with responsibilities in strategy development, training, and capacity building across the MENA region and beyond.

Project experience and donor exposure

With a background in collaborating with international donors such as the European Union, Agence Française de Développement, KfW, and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the expert has been involved in project implementation, technical assistance, evaluations, and capacity building. These projects span thematic areas like microfinance, social protection, and SME development, with regional and national scopes in locations such as Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, and Ghana. The expert has contributed to initiatives aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and supporting private sector development.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across diverse projects involving civil society and NGOs, microfinance, social development, insurance, and SME development, the expert has held roles such as management consultant, insurance expert, and CEO. Responsibilities have included project management, financial product development, and strategic planning. Their interdisciplinary expertise extends to digital financial services in agriculture and rural development. The geographic scope of their work has been regional and country-specific, particularly within the MENA region and parts of Europe and Africa, offering a broad perspective on sectoral integration and development initiatives.

Background includes positions at various locations, with extensive experience in the MENA region, particularly Lebanon since 1983. They have also worked in Kurdistan, Iraq, from 2013 to 2016, and have undertaken projects in Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and Algeria. Additionally, international experience extends to Ghana and several European countries, including France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. This diverse geographic exposure has provided them with deep familiarity with local governance and regional development issues.

Languages and education

With a background in languages, the expert is fluent in French, their mother tongue, and has excellent proficiency in English and Arabic, with strong reading, speaking, and writing skills. These language skills have been utilized in various international and multilingual contexts, including project management and collaboration across the MENA region. Additionally, they have basic proficiency in Italian, enhancing their ability to work in diverse linguistic environments.

The expert holds a BA in Sociology/Anthropology from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. They have also completed training in negotiation and conflict resolution at Search for Common Grounds and pursued legal and financial building of private enterprises at Université Saint Joseph, both located in Lebanon.