Samah Halwany
Sociologist, Conflict Analyst & Sustainable Development Expert
A Professional sociologist who is seeking a career in conflict analysis and sustainable community development in the MENA area with Public Administration and International NGO’s Institutions
QUALIFICATION AND EDUCATION
Paris Catholic Institute Paris - France
Masters II, French "Sociology of Conflict and International Security" 2005 - 2007
Research Subject: « Communitarianism and Conflicts in Lebanon».
University of Vincennes Saint Denis Paris - France
Masters II, DEA, in Anthropology and Sociology of Exchange 2000 - 2002 Research Subject: « Materials for an anthropological approach of detention: The case of the detention camp Al-Khiam in the south of Lebanon".
Council for Development and Reconciliation (CDR)
Economic and Social Fund for Development (ESFD)
Community Development Unit t-Mission: Poverty Alleviation- EU & GOL funded Lebanon
a) Lead Community Development Officer for Sustainability and Evaluation May 2011- Present
CD Projects (GOL and Akkar projects): Improvement of Living Conditions of the most vulnerable villages in Lebanon through implementing community development projects based on participatory approach.
Writing recommendation, Field visit and Progressive reports.
Elaborating new models of sustainability for "Problematic Projects" (11 projects).
Elaborating criteria to evaluate the sustainability of CD unit projects (Agricultural, Health, Socio-cultural, sanitation and water supply projects), and formulate recommendations on the planned projects.
Elaborating indicators to monitor the planning and the implementation of CD unit projects.
Setting clear baseline data, design and implement the Monitoring and Evaluation system at ESFD.
Providing Capacity Building in management issues and supervisory support.
Elaborating a communication plan to sustain the contact with the CD unit partners as the Municipal councils and donors.
Contributing in assessing and screening projects identified within Akkar projects for financing decision.
Assisting the manager in modifying the CU unit participatory approach, applied during the planning of sustainable development projects, and adapted to the Lebanese context.
Assisting the manager in fundraising and proposal writing.
Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR)
Economic and Social Fund for Development (ESFD) Beirut & South
Community Development Unit t-Mission: Poverty Alleviation- EU & GOL funded Lebanon
b) Lead Community Development Officer Nov 2008-May2011
GOL Projects: Improvement of Living Conditions in AL Boustan (Sour district) and Al Loubieh (Saida District) Clusters through implant two agro-processing units in each cluster.
Project Management: supervised and supported proper project and budget management of works, supply and services contracts. Supervision of construction and final reception of works.
Wrote Field visit and Progressive reports.
Provided technical assistance services in the communities
Capacity Building project cycle and Project management
Contributed to conflict resolution
Identified suited operator for the factories
Ensured project sustainability
Monitored projects progress (physical and financial)
Médecins du Monde- France Beirut - Lebanon
Project Leader/ Public Relations June 2009
Organized the conference for Media and Humanitarian in the Arab World
Contacted media and doing press releases
Arab Open University of Beirut Beirut - Lebanon
Teaching Cognitive Education/ Self-development 2008-2011 part time job
ADYAN" (Lebanese foundation for interfaith studies and spiritual solidarity) Beirut - Lebanon
Co-fonder and Vice- President 2007- 2012
Secretary 2012- present
Responsible for Public Relations and communications 2008-2011
Project manager of "Development and Reconciliation Research 2010
Coordinator for Alwan Club at Carmel St Joseph-Mechref 2010
Executive director of the "Religious and Civil Peace" conference announced by the Middle East Council of Churches and organized by Adyan August – 2008
Médecins du Monde Association, (French International NGO) France - Yemen
1) Co- Director of MDM mission in Yemen
Strategy planning and decision making 2007 – 2008
Directed and controlled the activities pertaining to MDM missions in Yemen.
2) Coordinator and core representative of MDM office in Sana’a Yemen
On several missions (contact, exploratory Missions), project planning, fund raising and prior implementation of the project " Improve the health care services in Beny Qays-Hajja"
Co-founder for the the forum of international NGOs working in Yemen and organized a workshop with the donnors involved in Yemen Consolidated information on potential manpower and human resources in the project area, and seeking funds
Evaluated all parameters and determinants of access to healthcare
Assessed the socio-political context and medical situation (with the help of a medical coordinator)
Supervised and coordinating communication between MDM and local authorities (political, medical, administrative) and international organizations, (INGOY Forum)
Networked: politicians, journalists, doctors and administrators…
Identified and mobilizing strategic partners, local and international
Conducted regular team meetings to review mission development and status.
Provided supervision and management of internal resources.
Ensured efficient working practices are employed.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Effective researcher on interrelation between communities and countries.
Conducting interviews with a various range of authorities and locals.
Dealing with issues and finding effective solutions through analytical thinking and strategic planning.
Project planning, managing, monitoring and evaluating financial and implementation projects.
Writing Proposals and Field visit, Progress and Recommendation Reports.
Flexible and team worker.
Excellent motivational and leadership skills.
Excellent interpersonal with communicative skills (verbal & written).
Culturally aware and easily adaptable to diverse backgrounds and traditions.
Trilingual Arabic, French and English.
Excellent computer skills (Excel, Word, Power Point) and beginners (MIS and GIS).
CONSULTATIONS
Beirut - Lebanon
Consultant and member of Advisory board for conflict resolution and Peace-building project, which is funded by Catholic Relief Services and implemented by Permanent Peace Movement.
Consultant and member of the Experts Committee for plural inclusive citizenship project, titled "Many Communities, One Nationality", which is funded by MEPI and implemented by Adyan Foundation.
TRAINING
Adyan Foundation Lebanon
Inclusive citizenship-Trainer Sept-Dec 2012
Training For Trainers, in several regions in Lebanon, for 20 young leaders (a total of 100) from faith-based organizations, political parties, CSO’s, Media, and Education fields.
Communitarianism and Citizenship- Lecturer March-2012
In the course of Religions and Public Affairs for university students.
Middle East Counsel of Churches Cairo- EgyptPeace-building- Trainer Aug 2009
Training Arab youth participants (30), during the MECC annual conference on conflict elements and peace-building (lecture, analytical exercises and activities)
Adyan Foundation Beirut - Lebanon
Peace-building- Trainer October 2010
Training Adyan Volunteers (35 participants) during Adyan annual Camp on conflict elements and peace-building (lecture and analytical exercises).
PUBLICATION
UNESCO: Moscow and Beirut Offices Beirut- Lebanon
Writing socio-political articles based on a survey Feb 2009
Participation in UNESCO e-book on "Christianity and Islam in the Context of the Contemporary Culture". Title of the article, Initiatives of Lebanese Civil Society in Dialogue: Adyan Foundation’s Experience, (116-126 pp).
Link: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001852/185275M.pdf
As-Safir: Local newspaper Beirut- Lebanon
Writing an article related to The Arab Spring Sept 20, 2011
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Member of Médecins du Monde-France Paris- 2006-2008
Member of the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (L.A.D.E). Beirut-2000-2005
Co-founder and Member of the well renowned Middle Eastern environmental Beirut-1997-Present organization: Operation Big Blue Association (OBBA).
Co-founder and Member of a Relief Organization, Khiam Al Kheir "tent of Beirut-1997-Present Charity".
Member of the Committee of Development Circle (C.D.C.) Beirut-1996-1998
Delegate of the Students Committee- Lebanese University- ULIDSS. Beirut-1995-1998
Former Scout Leader in the Lebanese Scout Association. Social Worker Beirut-1990-1997 during the war and organization of social events
INTERESTS
Swimming, Camping, Hiking, Theatre, Traveling, Biking, Reading (sociological, political, novels and alternative healing) and Music.
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