Rashad Kamel work experiences
Rashad Kamel is an information and communication technology expert who has worked as a consultant for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA). He has extensive experience in e-government, digital transformation, and the integration of criminal justice data systems. Throughout his career, Kamel has successfully designed and implemented various projects related to e-government and citizen service centers, including developing an integrated criminal justice information system in Iraq. He has also provided support for transitional justice initiatives in Yemen and developed a public information framework for the National Agenda for the Future of Syria. Kamel is a published author and a frequent public speaker on e-government and digital transformation.
brief introduction
The range of Rashad experiences has resulted in my broad set of applicable skills & adaptability across vastly different fields. Starting with a mechanical engineering degree I moved on to working in digital technology with brands such as LG & Epson, then developing interpersonal customer skills through working in tech retail (Future Shop/ Best buy), & then moving into the field of publishing & private journalism including the establishment of several digital journalistic institutions.
My most recent 12 years have been characterized by government work in the Middle East & Asia, UN work, & private sector work. I have extensive managerial experience: I have trained hundreds of employees directly, prioritizing longevity in my projects through continuous training, efficient knowledge transfer, & encouraging growth & improvement. This is achieved through applying international standards of M&E enhanced by reflecting on lessons learned & best practices. My greatest pride is the teams that I have built that have produced many experts who have led entrepreneurial projects of their own, of which I take great pride. I have direct experience launching trademarks which have become characterized by excellence in their field & establishing tech companies in the fields of futuristics such as AI.
Much of my recent work involves public relations in communication with stakeholders & beneficiaries, from governments to international organizations, utilizing public diplomacy standards to achieve the project outcomes & goals. I was part of the UNDP team creating the 5-year Country Program Action Plan in Jordan & in Iraq. This required futureproofing, stakeholder interest balancing, & an understanding of the grander architecture of the governments & how the Action Plan will function across time, ensuring sustainability & high returns on investments.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Senior Consultant - United Nations Economic & Social Commission for Western Asia - UN (ESCWA) (2021) Training of Trainers (ToT) on the ESCWA template entitled: “National e-accessibility policy template for the Arab region”.
In continues to my work in drafting the National e-accessibility policy template for the Arab region”, Un -ESCWA team created based on it an interactive and easily accessible online tools by policy makers and interested users, and now second step which is my task in this consultancy is to (Design and develop of the TOT Training material focusing on the National e-accessibility policy template for the Arab region), Develop and deliver all materials needed for this ToT , and conduct the training.
Methodology and Data Analysis International Expert – Criminal Justice and Legal Reforms/UNODC, Country Office Pakistan (2021)
After analyzing the collected data from Criminal Justice Institution in Baluchistan, I submitted an assessment report identifying data gaps, bottlenecks and suggesting revisions and mitigation strategies to over come most of the challenges faced the data collection process, and how to be prepared for the data stock take phase II, with higher data quality and integrity level. I worked with UNODC Baluchistan role of law roadmap action plan delivery Unit in updating the data collection Questionnaires, revising the set of indicators aligned with the strategic outcomes that can be incorporated in standardized reporting Criminal justice digital reporting formats. I assisted the Delivery Unit data science and programmers’ experts in elevating the DBMIS – Data Base Management Information System portal, user experiences, APIs, and portal security standards. Prepared action plan to conduct the data stock take for the project phase II.
Senior Consultant - United Nations Economic & Social Commission for Western Asia – Lebanon - UN (ESCWA) (2020) Developing “ESCWA template on e-Accessibility national policy for the Arab region” – Lebanon. Project Main Objectives - Prepare & develop an “ESCWA template on e-Accessibility national policy for the Arab region”. A template to help Arab policy makers at the national level in fulfilling their mandate to address accessibility issues & ensure equal rights for persons with disabilities: education, employment & voting rights. Creating a sustainable & inclusive socioeconomic environment to allow full participation in all aspects of daily life. - Distance Learning & Innovation - Assist UN-ESCWA (ADIP) project team in their initiatives towards promoting accessibility international standardizations in the Arab region - Assist UN-ESCWA (ADIP) project team in promoting the UN-ESCWA e-accessibility brand to both public & private sectors. - Promote leading International & National best practices & promote the e-accessibility Index & to ranking Arab countries in that index. - Assist UN-ESCWA (ADIP) project team in building effective communication plans, targeting legislative institutions in the Arab region & concerned media. - Building the Monitoring, Evaluation & lessons-learned plan template
Evaluation Consultant – United Nation development program Jordan UNDP (2020), Conduct a final evaluation of Property Tax Project Phase II
The conducted evaluation helped UNDP Jordan and project stakeholders determine the overall results of the project outputs. The evaluation assesses the validity, feasibility, effectiveness, and efficiency of the property tax automated system, taking stock of both positive and negative experiences, and the project sustainability. I measured success based on indicators relating to each output as specified in the project phase II document. I also submitted my recommendations to enhance the project efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, present forward looking, and how to enhance the impact of the project, and focus strongly on presenting recommendation for future programming interventions built on lessons learned.
Senior Specialist - UNDP Iraq e-Governance (2019) Supporting Iraqi government in stepping towards e-governance & examine interrelations & strengthen networks between government entities to achieve the promises of e-governance Responsibilities - Assist UNDP Iraq to develop a Country Program Action Plan for 2020-2024 - Conduct first scoping mission to discover the opportunities & challenges in supporting Iraqi government in stepping towards e-governance & examine interrelations & strengthen networks between government entities to achieve the promises of e-governance: good governance, democracy, efficiency, effectiveness & utilizing “enterprise architecture” approach in the governance processes for better e-services; taking into account the issues of privacy & security & inclusiveness that will have economic & social benefits on the lives of the people of the country. - Assist UNDP governance team in Submitting the project document to launch the Iraq Center for Public Service Excellence. - Assist UNDP Karbala team to develop & promote the Smart Karbala initiative. - Assist UNDP Iraq governance unit in mapping e-governance efforts in Iraq, draft situation analysis, on active actors, stakeholders, initiatives, projects, & their synergies & recommend appropriate on which platforms services are most likely to provide scalability & interoperability, & high impact on citizens & citizens satisfaction from government services. - Assist UNDP governance team in finalizing the project document to launch the Criminal Justice data integration system in Iraq. - Assist UNDP governance team in submitting the citizen service center in Karbala project document.
Managing director - “Automating the Higher education learning outcomes” Project (2018) Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Najran University Project - Tamayuz AI – NVS Soft - Project Manager 2018 Goal & Responsibilities Bridging the gap between Academia & the job market. - With My team of experts in education, project management, ICT, & AI, we started from Big Data analysis, utilizing AI tools & platforms, to predictions & learning outcome scenarios, to continuous planning improvement. - We created implementation strategies, plans of action to design & implement & promote the most advanced groundbreaking integrated solutions to automate higher education learning outcomes in KSA - Using three creative tools (KPI Management tool, Rules Builder tool, Improvements Plan repository system) & smart decision support system dashboard. This project required the engagement of various organization, & media, streamlining the various data & indicators & designing AI processes that can handle the analysis.
Team Leader - UN-ESCWA SIH (Syria Information Hub) (2017-2018) Create the Syria information HUB for National Agenda for the future of Syria phase II (NAFS) Responsibilities & Overview Found the Syrian Information HUB from theory to the actual application, based on the creative work in partnership with the UN-ESCWA NAHS Team, & IT experts involved in the project, as it is the first of it kind project in the region, it was beautifully challenging to design & to promote. - Post-conflict rebuilding agenda in Syria had to be supported by an ongoing source of information, which provides governments, donors, experts, & media with a unified, aggregated source of information (Hub) on the rebuilding process in Syria & its demands, a source that blends statistical figures, expert analysis, ongoing live steam of data & information, & ready-made analysis to be a reliable source for monitoring & evaluation purposes. - Leading the Information Unit in NAFS project, & assisting NAFS team in: Designing NAFS Programme workplan for 2017-2019 Determining project missions to be conducted for the accomplishment of outputs in line with the available budget. Determining the resources needed to implement the workplan Budget development Setting timelines of activities Discussing the resource mobilization strategy
Completing such a project, required from me to train the project's staff & hundreds of project experts to work in an environment that takes information seriously in terms of providing information, using information, & converting data from data to knowledge, to experience.
Senior consultant - UNDP Jordan (2016) Mapping/Scoping mission to assist Jordanian government & UNDP to determine the areas of intervention to in the e-services/ e-governance sectors. Responsibilities As a specialized consultant - Assisted UNDP-Jordan governance team in conducting a survey on Jordan's development strategies 2016-2020 in both ICT & sustainable development sectors. - Conducted a field survey of exciting projects. - Conducted many meetings of ministers, directors of IT departments, & directors of development & planning departments, in order to agree on a set of ICT projects with a high developmental priority & significant impact, which have a greater chance of sustainability, with a greater & faster return for countries and society. Outputs of the Mission - Priority intervention report: Identifying Government of Jordan ICT/survive sector priority project. - Drafting the Citizen service centers – CSCs, Project document - Drafting Property Tax Project – Phase II, Project document - Presenting the Smart document system to the MoICT Minister & her e-government team. - Drafting IFTTA Academy Electronic Platform in coordination with IFTAA department
Senior Consultant – UN-ESCWA Lebanon (2014-2015) Developed the public information framework for the National Agenda for the Future of Syria. Responsibilities As Senior Consultant for the Public Information Enabling Vehicle: - Supported the NAFS teams in formulation of the National Agenda for a post-conflict Syria, - Drafted the public information framework as an enabling tool for the National Agenda for the Future of Syria. - Conducted a stakeholder mapping to support the National Public Information Framework, & NAFS agenda, - Promoted the National Public Information Framework guiding principles on how to: The use & re- use of public data, Transparency, openness, & accessibility, Responsiveness, Prioritization of national data & information collections, Presentation of evidence for maximum impact, Efficiency, - Drafted National Public Information Framework Three-Layers Approach outline guides: Government Open Data approach Data Management tools & guides (From Data to Knowledge) NPIF- Access to information initiatives
Senior Specialist - UNDP-Iraq (2012- 2015)
Integrated Criminal Justice Information System
Responsibilities
- Work closely with UNDP Iraq Rule of Law team & Iraqi Inter-agency working group - Iraqi Criminal & Justice System official committee to build the project technical description, implementation plans, drafting project document, preparation of project tender RFP (Request for Proposal), support UNDP in the tendering process, & supervise implementation.
- The challenges I overcame in this project were many, technical challenges, administrative challenges, & the success factor of the project was in my management with cooperation of the UNDP team, the work between the nine Iraqi government criminal justices’ agencies involved in the project,
Project Challenges Tackled Successfully
- Fulfilling the aspirations of donors, the Iraqi Human Rights Organization, & right-to-justice activists for all Iraqis.
- Training & knowledge transfer have also been challenges in this project which that I have to overcome, therefore I designed & implements a tailored training & knowledge transfer plan for each working group users in the project (IT staff, police, prosecution, Judiciary, & prison, system user staff)
- Documentation & building institutional memory for the project & allowing the project to expand & sustain, was a priority in my work plan.
Senior Consultant - UNDP Jordan July (2014)
Empowering Jordanian Knowledge Stations and Utilizing the Citizen Service Centers (CSCs)- UNDP Jordan
Responsibilities I assisted UNDP Jordan, Ministry of Municipal Affairs/Ministry of Public Sector Development and Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to utilized 1700 Knowledge Stations all over Jordan to be ready to provide governmental and essential e-services and to be considered as part of Citizen Service Centers initiative especially in the rural areas in Jordan. In this project I crafted the Jordanian- Citizen Service Centers Study (standards, services, needs, key indicators and role of CSOs, support Launching 10 CSC Pilot project, and set the guide for “Technology Stations” to adopt the CSC concept (Branding, Technology, information security, training, and business model)
Signor consultant – supporting Ministry of Municipal Affairs in drafting the project document to launch Citizen Service Centers (CSCs) in each municipality - UNDP Jordan – August 2014
Responsibilities I assisted both UNDP and Ministry of Municipal Affairs, and Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in their initiative to spread the benefits of citizen service centers, and providing all types of government services, including: Municipal Services, e-government services, Other government services that the centers have been authorized to complete I conducted a scoping mission to discover ready opportunities to take advantage of equipment, already in used systems, human resources, locations to establish Citizen Service Centers. Raising service awareness and strengthening the capacity of stakeholders to provide services to citizens and expanding the spectrum of government services available to border segments of citizens in areas far from the center of the Capital. I assisted them in in their planning to market Citizen Service Centers as one of the important and successful enabling structures globally and regionally in delivering government and municipal services to the citizen and building the Jordanian standard for Citizen Service Centers.
Senior consultant - UNDP Jordan September (2014) Government Services Mapping and e-Services Guides project – Ministry of Public Sector Development (MoPSD). Responsibilities In this Mission I drafted the project document for “Government of Jordan Service Mapping and e-Services Guide”, set the “Government Service Mapping and e-Services Guide, project implementation estimate, and provided both UNDP and the Ministry of Public Sector Development (MoPSD) with a list of donors who are most interested in funding such a project. I assisted UNDP in conducting the RFP – Request for proposal to build a web-based platform to assist MoPSD and all government service providers to submit their services description, processes, and other services information in unified forms connected to a service repository (database), this web-based system is designed to provide MoPSD with all data, forms extracting, data sorting, and exporting, and capacitate the MoPSD services mapping staff to work as project trainers; Trainers of Trainers (ToT) approach.
International Senior consultant - UNDP Yemen- Aden (2013- 2014)
Responsibilities
Providing support to the Implementation of Transitional Justice (2013-2014) to support the work of the Commission to Consider & Address Land Issues & the Commission on Forcibly Dismissed Employees
Creating business models to accelerate decision making for more than 600K, HLP-Home land property & work displacement dispute cases.
Project Manager – UNDP Syria e-Government, Syria (2010 – 2012) Develop e-government portal, & communication & public relation unit. Overview After the success achieved by the digital government services website that I launched with the eSyria project between 2007 and 2011, the ownership of the website was transferred to the Ministry of Communications to be approved as the core of the e-government website. In cooperation with the United Nations Development Program in Syria and within its the “Government Services Reform” project I was accredited by the Syrian government and the United Nations Development Program as 1. Communications Manager for the Syrian e-Government Project, 2. Member of the Executive Team of the Syrian e-Government Project, and 3. Director of the e-Government Website and Services Unit
Responsibilities During the years 2011 and 2012, I completed with the executive team of the Syrian e-government, many vital projects, strategies, and work guides, especially with regard to infrastructures for exchanging government data, digital payments, government communication and communication with stakeholders, and the latter was at the core of my work. - Designed and supervised the completion of the Syrian electronic government website "e.sy". - Designed and supervised the implementation of the Syrian e-government communication strategy - Supervised e-government branding designed and implementation, - Assisted the e-government executive team in launching and promoting new e-services,
Managing director - eSyria.sy project Syrian Computer Society (2006-2011) 22 media portals more the 200 editors/reporters Overview Creating & managing top leading online digital news and content platforms in Syria. The “eSyria” project was presented at the Digital Transformation Summit in Tunisia in 2005, and I received the project in 2006, and worked on designing it from theory to practice. Work on the project started in 2006 and was completed and launched in 2007. I managed the project with its 230 employees, editors, journalist and administrators from 2007 to 2011. Achievements The project succeeded in publishing more than 100,000 articles on various Syrian activities during that period and launched websites that are considered pioneering at that time. Responsibilities The process of creating the project involved Building its strategy, Building a action plans, and Hiring editorial, computer programming and supervising cadres
Supervised the training of over 400 journalists on Digital journalistic work, Integrating written news, video and images, and Benefiting from the potential of the Internet in creating content of a new type.
The esyria.sy project included the following sites: 13 Syrian local news and content portal covering local content for each of the Syrian provinces, The cultural Syrian agenda Syrian Airport Traffic Website Syrian weather forecast Syrian books website Syrian websites directory Syrian entrepreneurship and business creativity website Syrian digital government e-services portal (Healthy leaving) Food and Health Website
Co-Founder - Syrian Private Press Team (SPPT) Syria (2005–2008) The Syrian Private Press Team - SPPT is considered as the first & only nongovernmental initiative work to enhance the media capacity in Syria.
SPPT works hand in hand with the Syrian Ministry of Information, Syrian Journalists Union & 52 Private media entities in Syria to: Draft the Syrian media strategy. Set the goals for the private press in order to accelerate the media reforms needed. Provide the Syrian Government with expertise to help in developing the need assistance. Represent the Private media’s point of view & needs.
Expert - Ministry of Information, Syrian Reforming Press & Media Law Committee (2003 -2012).
Editor in Chief - Al-Rakameiat IT Magazine, Damascus–Syria, (2002–2010) www.alrakameiat.com Responsibilities Co-founder of the first IT magazine in Syria, Editor in chief, Paper based-and online. - Creating the business model & implementation plan of Al-Rakameiat Magazine - Setting up the office & the team of Al-Rakameiat - Setting the editorial & content policy & supervising the editorial content as editor in chief - Managing the production, sales, marketing & editorial teams - Mainstreaming sales, editorial & production activities - Setting the annual budget & monitoring financial activity to ensure profitability - Representing Al-Rakameiat Publishing with major clients & partners
Managing Director - Al-Rakameiat Publishing ME FZ LLC, Dubai–UAE, (2003–2005) Responsibilities & Achievements Co-founder of the IT publishing house in Dubai -UAE media city and published both Byte and CRN magazines, - Obtained the license to publish" Byte ME", one of the most esteemed titles in the world of IT - Obtained the licenses to publish "CRN ME" in both Arabic & English. CRN is one of the most influential titles in the IT world - Launched the products & distributed titles in the Levant & GCC regions - Successfully sold the company to private investors in November 2005
Other Activities:
Sales Manager - Future Shop/Best Buy Toronto – Canada, (2000-2002) Responsibilities Manger in Training - Supervising Sales activities in the Greater Toronto Region - Mainstreaming Sales Activities - Supervising the implementation of the GUEST System in sales activities - Assigning tasks for sales teams (Department/Product) Achievements - "GUEST" Sales Program - Managing Supply Chain System - Handling Sales Shifts - Top-Gun Sales Award for 2001
Sales & Marketing Manager - EPSON Syria (HitCO) Damascus – Syria, (1997-1999) Responsibilities Marketing and sales manager for EPSON printers, promoting EPSON Printers brand in Syria and achieving best marketing award in MENA 1999 and 2000. - Managing EPSON Division in Syria- HTE - Developing marketing & sales strategies for EPSON products in the Syrian Market Achievements - Achieving the highest Growth Rate for EPSON products sales worldwide in 1999. - Receiving the "International Best Marketing Achievement" award in 1999 - Arabizing Manuals for many EPSON products. The Arabized Manuals became the standard manuals for the whole MENA Region. - Expanding EPSON product share in the Syrian market to become the second largest share in 1998 & the market leader in 1999 & 2000.
Project Manager – System Analyst, Department of Heavy Machinery – Military Engineering Division Damascus – Syria, (1996 – 1998) Responsibilities - Designing the inventory & resources management system. - System analysis & process flow management. - Design the Database schema - Using MS Access to build the Database. - Data integrations with the new database. - Assigning tasks among different teams (programming/Quality). - Assurance/Auditing/Inventory Control. Achievements - Automating the inventory/resources system for the Engineering Division. - Managing & mainstreaming activities among different divisions to deliver the system before the deadline. - Supervising the design of queries & permissions used to handle the inventory system.
Director - Directorate of School-Buildings, Ministry of Civil Administration. Damascus – Syria (1992 – 1996) Responsibilities - Directing & implementing maintenance & renovation of 600 school-buildings - Managing 180 engineers & technicians working under the supervision of the Directorate - Budget & fiscal planning (including the yearly budget presented by the ministry to the government). ASSOCIATIONS: - Guest lecturer at the Faculty of Information Technology at both Damascus University & Aleppo University - Syndicate columnist in various Arab publications - Regular speaker at ICT conferences & events - Member of the Syria-Canadian Association
EDUCATION: - BSc in Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Damascus University, Syria, 1984-1990
Married to Nada Abou Zina
Born in Syria, Damascus
Nationalty : Canadian