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Maher I. Hinnawi

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MAHER I. HINNAWI

Beirut, Lebanon
 
 
Over 35 years of international business experience in the Middle East and the US. A proven track record of successes in trade and investment related fields with focus on Business Development, Consultancy and Project Management. Strong experience in strategic planning, investment promotion and national and sectoral management program design and implementation in Lebanon and the Gulf region.
Recognized for having an initiative in problem solving and troubleshooting. Strict attention to detail has proved crucial in developing effective solutions. Attentive and active listener experienced in adjusting to different cultures as well as being an excellent communicator.
Keeper of a work ethic founded on a “whatever it takes attitude”. Demonstrator of leadership ability in establishing, communicating and helping others achieve company objectives. Well known as an effective team builder.
 
 
Professional Experience
 
 
2011 – Present      Self-Employed
 
      Consultancy and Advisory Services
 
- Advising and assisting both Lebanese expatriates and GCC nationals, in locating real-estate and identifying other potential investment opportunities in Lebanon.
- Closing the sale of an 11,000 sq. m prime lot valued at USD 45 million for a mixed-use (commercial & residential) development project in the greater Beirut area.  
- Worked with both PA Consulting Group & OCO Consulting of the UK on EU funded projects for the Lebanese public sector. We are still awaiting the government’s response!
 
Social Activism
 
- Today, with new technology and a rising ethic of global interdependence, there are very few constraints. Making use of that, allows campaigns extraordinary nimbleness, flexibility, focus and scale. I took advantage of that opportunity to launch a campaign to help support the displaced of Syria.
- The aim was to build a wave of support that will help empower me as an individual to fight for what I believe is right nationally, and/or globally.
- Used two major world organizations as platforms, Avaaz.org & Change.org.
- Helped start two minor on-line campaigns. In addition, launched single handedly a major campaign – that took 2 months of preparation to help exert pressure on the major powers to help alleviate the suffering of the displaced of Syria.
- All campaigns centered on the promotion of civic and humanitarian causes that were beneficial to society in general and which I care about in particular.
- Worked through on-line communication mobilizing supporters to help advocate said issues.
 
 
2003 – 2010
Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) & United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
 
 
Senior Advisor to IDAL’s Chairman and Managing Director
 
 
- Advised and supported IDAL’s Chairman and Managing Director in the areas of capacity building and human resource management. Devised and successfully implemented a proactive plan to restructure, mobilize and motivate IDAL’s staff, resulting in improved performance and efficiency. Proposed a set of project management and monitoring tools to IDAL’s management, including performance targets for evaluating employees. .  
- Provided IDAL’s Chairman & Managing Director with strategy advice on investment promotion initiatives and proposed techniques to promote IDAL’s services to local and foreign investors and reinforce Lebanon’s position as a viable investment destination. Assisted IDAL’s management in instituting a dynamic investor service mentality within IDAL’s staff, improving their capabilities to respond to investors’ inquiries and developing a database to store investment information accessible to IDAL’s staff.  
- Successfully devised and implemented a comprehensive capacity building program for IDAL’s core directorates (One Stop Shop, Information & Promotion, Studies, Planning & Statistics, and Financial & Administrative affairs). Evaluated IDAL’s current capacity in each directorate, identified gaps and deficiencies and highlighted training needs to overcome such shortcomings. Implemented a plan, based on the above findings, aiming at streamlining business processes, improving communication channels and increasing employees’ efficiency and productivity while ensuring the execution was in close cooperation and full synchronization with other capacity building initiatives planned under the UNDP/IDAL project.  
- Managed the UNDP project at IDAL, handling all human resources issues as well as budgeting and finance related tasks. Provided technical inputs to various project planning and implementation processes. Responsible for the recruitment process, preparing TORs of staff and consultants, to include monitoring and assessing the performance of the project staff. Submitted periodic status reports of project progress and challenges to the UNDP and IDAL’s Board of Directors.
- Provided day-to-day assistance and advice to IDAL’s One Stop Shop Directorate, playing a proactive role in attracting over USD Five Billion worth of investment projects to Lebanon during the 2002-2010 period.
- Spearheaded the Agro-Food program, a national plan devised to promote the agro-industry sector in Lebanon. Supervised the team responsible for implementing the project. Handled the negotiations with the Syndicate of Lebanese Food Industries and successfully developed strategic alliances between IDAL and key Lebanese industrialists to further promote the program’s goals and objectives.  Oversaw IDAL’s participation in major industry events in Europe and the US, raising the profile of Lebanese food products among international consumers, generating leads for Lebanese industrialists and creating new niche markets.
- Involved in the planning and implementation of a pilot project launched in coordination with USAID and SRI International, to promote the development of Lebanon’s olive oil sector. Conducted several meetings with industry leaders and stakeholders to develop the project’s action plan and implementation process. Liaised with NGOs and various stakeholders to facilitate and promote the public/private sector partnership for the project.
- Prepared and drafted a plan for the development of IDAL’s Export Plus program, an initiative launched by IDAL to promote the exports of fresh agriculture produce. Submitted a proposal to IDAL’s Board of Directors & the Office of Prime Minister, recommending a detailed action plan to create new export markets and increase the program’s benefits to Lebanese farmers and exporters.
- Assisted IDAL’s Chairman & Managing Director in launching an aggressive initiative to strengthen Lebanon’s ICT sector. Participated in all preliminary works carried out by various local and regional consultants to undertake the initial studies for the Beirut Emerging Technology Zone (BETZ), as well as the preparation of an international invitation to bid for the design stages of the project. Participated in strategic workshops and meetings with leading international ICT companies including INTEL, COMPAQ, Microsoft, and others to promote Lebanon’s role as a regional ICT hub and a strategic center for back offices services including call centers, localization services, etc. Value of design and infrastructure estimated at USD 32 million.    
- Assisted IDAL’s Chairman & Managing Director in supervising the feasibility studies completed on the Beirut Cultural, Conferences and Center (BCCC). Key duties and responsibilities included liaising with project managers, undertaking periodic monitoring and evaluation meetings on project’s deliverables and ensuring that IDAL’s Management is kept abreast of all aspects of the project. Final value of project was estimated at USD 450 million.
- Coordinated with OMSAR and the UNDP a training program for IDAL’s staff aiming at capacity building. Key responsibilities included assessing training needs, proposing training courses and supervising the implementation of training plan.  
- Supported IDAL’s Chairman on the preparation of the annual budgets, and other operational matters including reviewing contracts and invoices submitted by suppliers and coordinating payments orders according to IDAL and/or UNDP procedures as required. Supervised all procurement and disbursement activities for the UNDP/IDAL project and provided IDAL’s Financial & administrative affairs Directorate with frequent assistance at the request of IDAL’s Chairman & Managing Director.
- Assisted IDAL’s Chairman and Managing Director with the drafting of high-quality reports to the Office of the Prime Minister pertaining to timely issues related to IDAL’s core services and projects.
- Planed with IDAL’s Chairman & Managing Director several meetings and strategic workshops with potential official investment delegations and key private investors. Fostered and established networking relationships with numerous high profile investors from the Middle East & Latin America, assisting them on their investment needs where appropriate.
 
 
 
2002 – 2003
 
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
 
UNCTAD-National Trade/Investment Specialist
 
- Participated in the preparation, design and implementation of the Investor Perception Survey – a survey gauging investors’ attitudes toward investing in Lebanon. Coordinated and managed activities of consultants and the various stakeholders in cooperation with the UNDP and UNCTAD. Developed detailed work plans and schedules for project activities, establishing detailed performance targets and coordinating consultant team activity accordingly. Advised and briefed IDAL’s Management on issues pertaining to the survey.
- Acted as a focal point and team leader to the international experts throughout the various stages of the survey. Provided logistical support to the UNCTAD mission and the accompanying international experts; to ensure meeting the project’s timeline from design to submission of findings stages.
- Conducted necessary research and field work, providing the international experts with situation analysis and data on the Lebanese economy, including sectoral conditions, competitive and comparative advantages, policy agenda of the Lebanese government and a review of IDAL’s scope of work and mission.
- Participated with stakeholders in selecting and prioritizing target Lebanese companies to partake in the survey and the audit interviews and advised on the sectoral distribution of the sample.
- Actively involved in the analysis of the survey’s findings. Contributed to the drafting of the final report, presenting and analyzing the conclusions of the survey and putting forward the recommendations for the next phase.
 
 
1992 – 2001
 
OSPREY, Alabama, USA
OSPREY is a defense industry consultant to US firms operating in the GCC countries
 
Partner and co-owner
 
- Assisted and advised various US defense contractors on establishing and building relationships with relevant public sector entities to help market their products within the GCC.
- Coordinated with US companies and various key GCC government officials, as required, to ensure appropriate negotiations of contracts and proper implementation of projects.  
- Involved in the implementation of projects to ensure proper execution of the terms of agreements between US companies and the various suppliers and consultants. Played a key role in ensuring completion of project milestones and meeting set deliverables.
 
 
 
1986 - 1991
 
Al Hadaf Trading Establishment, Riyadh, KSA
Al Hadaf is a public relations company and health care consultancy group  
 
Partner and General Manager
 
- Responsible for setting up the company in Riyadh, drawing up required business processes and procedures, growing Al Hadaf within a two-year period to a successful operation in the healthcare (UK) and defense (US) consultancy sectors with a sizable client base.
- Assisted and advised several British and US firms among which are the International Hospital Group -- securing and signing contracts with major players in the Saudi public healthcare sector including the Saudi National Guard Hospital -- in addition to helping Litton, Hughes, KVH, etc. achieve market entry and secure contracts.
 
 
 
1981 – 1985
AMFAC, Riyadh, KSA
AMFAC is a US-based company managing the Equestrian Club Complex for the Saudi Royal Family
 
Manager
 
- Managed a team of 75 employees serving various departments such as food & beverage, maintenance, landscaping, and multiple sports facilities. Introduced innovative management techniques earning high praise and recognition from the client.
- Overlook and handled several administrative and accounting tasks including inventory control and finance related issues. Handled the implementation of the “Saudization” program on the human capital front.
- Supervised and coordinated the planning and construction of new sports facilities within the Equestrian Club Complex.
 
 
 
1978 – 1980
Proctor & Gamble, Jeddah, KSA
 
Assistant Finance and Accounting Manager (KSA)
 
- Developed and applied manufacturing cost controls specifically in the production of detergents and soaps in Saudi Arabia.
- Handled various finance duties including submitting quarterly and yearly budgets and P&L statements and preparing monthly cash flow forecasts.
 
 
Additional Skills
(Summary):             Professionalism:
- Extensive knowledge of and connections to Lebanese/Middle East, Western and African cultures, politics and economics.
- Over 30 years of successful business development and project management experience in diversified entrepreneurial and institutional environments.
- A proven track record of successes in trade and investment fields with a focus on Business Development and Consultancy.
Project Management
- Strong background in the public sector operations and procedures with experience in strategic planning, investment promotion and national and sectorial management program design and implementation. Familiarity with the processes and procedures of international organizations to include UNDP, UNCTAD and other donor organizations.
 
Investor/Client Orientation
- Ability to identify clients/investors needs while proposing the appropriate solutions, as well as establishing and maintaining effective relationships with the relevant contacts and outside collaborators from both the private and public sectors.
- Hands-on experience in investment generation and servicing, particularly in the areas of marketing, market intelligence and investor information gathering, packaging and dissemination.
Managerial Competencies/Decision Making
- Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives in multi-disciplinary areas.
- Significant know-how in providing sustainable capacity building for public and private sector staff. A proven record of building and managing teams, while creating an enabling environment. Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor and develop staff even under extreme conditions such as, political turmoil and ‘occupation’.
- The ability to use independent judgment in decision making and provide thorough and accurate analysis.
- Demonstrated capability in resolving issues/problems through creative solutions.
Communications
- An effective and diplomatic communicator – both internally and externally – at all levels. Intercultural communication skills.
- Good communications (both spoken and written), including the ability to draft/edit a variety of studies and reports while articulating ideas in a clear and concise manner.
 
 
 
Education:​Bachelor of Business Administration (Spring 1975 –Summer 1978)
​Southern Illinois University, U.S.A.
Languages:​Fluent Arabic and English
 
Computer Skills:​Microsoft Windows and MS Office Applications
 
Extra Curricular Activities:
 
- Vice-President, Student Council Rawdah High School(1972/73)
- President, Student Council Rawdah High School(1973/74)
- Boy Scout leader, Association of Lebanese Boy Scouts (1973)
- President, Arab Student Association, Southern Illinois University (1976-1978)
- Vice President, International Student Council, Southern Illinois University (1976)
- President, International Student Council Southern Illinois University (1977)
 
 
Personal Data:​
- Date of Birth:  ​April 27, 1954
- ​Marital Status: ​Single (divorced)
- ​Nationality: ​Lebanese
 
References: ​​
- Available upon request
 
 
 

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