Rafat Kabbara, Assistant Manager - Facilities Management

Rafat Kabbara

Assistant Manager - Facilities Management

Higher Colleges of Technology

Location
United Arab Emirates - Sharjah
Education
Higher diploma, Pro-Green - Buildings Specializing
Experience
29 years, 9 months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :29 years, 9 months

Assistant Manager - Facilities Management at Higher Colleges of Technology
  • United Arab Emirates - Sharjah
  • My current job since September 2017

• Implement Facilities Management strategic objectives and initiatives as well as policies, procedures, and processes across all campuses under my responsibility.
• Management budget in coordination with all functions within the campus.
• Monitor and control the campus Facilities Management expenditures against budget and report any deviation to executive management.
• Direct and plan soft and hard services Facilities Management.
• Oversee corrective and preventive maintenance operations.
• Oversee Facilities projects carried out on campuses and monitor and control the work of contractors, ensuring that disruptions to core business activities are minimized.
• Identify and recommend possible areas of improvement related to campus operations and maintenance activities.
• Identify current and future facilities set-ups and maintenance needs via engagement of relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage and monitor log with all employee requests and complaints related to campus facilities.
• Oversee the supervision of vendors and third-party providers to ensure adherence to service standards, quality, and contractual agreements.
• Oversee the implementation of Health and Safety policies, procedures, and processes on campuses.
• Supervise the conduct of safety and security inspections on-campus facilities, and investigate cases of noncompliance with international standards, governmental regulations, and internal Health and Safety policies, procedures, and processes.
• Oversee the implementation of warehouse and inventories policies, procedures, and processes on campus.
• Monitor Facilities Management service levels on campus and follow up with staff to correct work deficiencies.

Facilities Coordinator at Higher Colleges of Technology
  • United Arab Emirates - Sharjah
  • December 2005 to September 2017

• Working as a facilities coordinator responsible for college buildings and facilities including renovations, property development and assets management.

• Coordinates all Facilities operations within approved resources and budgets, advising management on the status of projects

• Prepares requests for proposals (RFPs) for the design and/or construction of new facilities, alterations, and extensions in accordance with system requirements

• Prepares contract documents, drawings and specifications

• Monitors onsite construction projects and ensures user satisfaction, quality control, contract compliance, and adherence to safety regulations and codes; attends site progress meetings with contractors

• Participates in the preparation of snag lists prior to building handover and monitors facilities throughout the warranty period for deficiencies

• Oversees materials testing and inspections according to local and international standards

• Develops and implements a preventative maintenance program for the college's capital assets

• Manages all service contracts, evaluates service levels and ensures effective budget optimization

• Follows up on facilities issues by conducting appropriate research, delineating key issues and ensuring effective resolution

• Works with Finance on budgeting issues related to Facilities

• Takes a lead role in Health and Safety policy matters and operations, including Fire Warden responsibilities, health and safety training, and the application of safety rules in public buildings

• Liaises with municipalities, government bodies, and statutory undertakers as required

• Provides a variety of reports to management and maintains current facilities records and files using appropriate databases

• Assists with logistical support at college events as required

• Keeps abreast of developments in the field by engaging in professional development activities

• Contributes to the development of the HCT by monitoring programs and identifying areas for improvement by observing and implementing system-wide policies and procedures and by participating in extra-curricular activities and community events

Associate vise president - Operations at Alfardan Real Estate Co. L.L.C.
  • Qatar
  • March 2005 to September 2005

Ensures smooth day to day operations of BU and all properties especially relating to:
• Carrying out proactive preventive maintenance and inspections to ensure minimum breakage/disruption
• Disposing maintenance requests in shortest possible time when they arise
• Ensuring enough supplies on hand to prevent long delays when needed
• Ensuring tenant satisfaction

Responsibilities:
• Ensuring efficient operations esp. cost-effective, high-quality engineering and maintenance services to existing properties
• Optimizing speed/cost efficiency trade-off for procurement process
• Responsible for operational planning and budgeting

Maintenance Engineer at University of Sharjah
  • United Arab Emirates - Sharjah
  • May 2002 to March 2005

Manages, coordinates and directs all the buildings maintenance activities and personnel involvement in the implementation and execution of the maintenance work required in the university campus (2 millions square meters) including electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, civil and carpentery works.

MEP coordinator at Darwish Engineering Emirates
  • United Arab Emirates
  • November 1999 to April 2002

Worked on construction supervision and coordination of MEP works of residential & commercial buildings such as ETISALAT Exchange Building (Value: DHS 20 M) at Zabeel, Dubai and Al-Batha Compound (value: DHS 25 M) in Sharjah. Worked also on vacuum severage phase VI in university city- sharjah.

Responsibilities:

1. Study and project execution plan and endeavor to follow through for complition of site activities as planned.
2. Monitor the site progress according to the master time schedule.
3. Guide the draftsman for the preparation of coordinated drawings with details as per the project requirements.
4. Review and coordinate with other trades and services drawings and forward for owner/engineer approval.
5. check electro-mechanical service installation and coordinate with manufacturers/suppliers for system installation to meet recommendations and approved quality plan.
6. Prepare O& M manuals, As BUILT drawings, schedules and documents for handing over to the client.

Maintenance Engineer at Darwish Engineering Emirates
  • United Arab Emirates
  • May 1999 to November 2000

Worked as a service and maintenance engineer at University of Sharjah buildings including: Indoor sport complexes, men's accomodation & engineering colleges for men.

Responsibilities:

1. Perform periodical site visits for inspection, check preventive maintenance, identify problems and initiate corrective messures.
2. Monitor sub-contractor's work to meet the requirements of consultant/owner.
3. Prepare O & M manuals, AS BUILT drawings, schedules and documents for handing over to the client.
4. Complete snag lists for final handing-over issued by the consultant to meet recommendations and requirements of the owner.

Mechanical engineer at Sarco Contracting Company
  • Lebanon
  • September 1998 to April 1999

Worked as a Mechanical Engineer in Projects Estimation & Pricing Department on cost estimation of projects involving HVAC, plumbing, fire fighting systems such as: Beirut Trade Center, Movempick Hotel, Leisure Hill Complex.

Assistant Officer at Lebanese Army
  • Lebanon
  • August 1997 to August 1998

Worked as a maintenance engineer of chillers, booster pumps in the North military zone.

Library student assistant at American University of Beirut
  • Lebanon
  • April 1994 to June 1997

worked in the Reference Department at Jafet Memorial Library-American University of Beirut, for three consecutive academic years (1994-1997). As Student Assistant, I demonstrated a
remarkable ability in learning and applying library procedures and policies.

Mechanical Engineer ( Trainee) at Debbas Enterprise S.A.L
  • Lebanon
  • June 1996 to September 1996

Worked on load calculation, mechanical equipment selection, quantity takeoff, sizing of ducts, pumps, and pipes of HVAC systems in Beirut International Airport.

Education

Higher diploma, Pro-Green - Buildings Specializing
  • at American University of Beirut, American University in Cairo, Lebanese American University,
  • February 2020

Professional Diploma in Green Technology, specialization - Buildings accredited from three reputed universities.

Master's degree, Executive Masters of Business Adminstration ( EMBA)
  • at University of Sharjah
  • May 2005

completed 17 out of 18 courses

Bachelor's degree, Mechanical Engineering
  • at American University of Beirut
  • June 1997

Bachelor of Engineering, major: Mechanical Engineering

High school or equivalent, Mathematics section
  • at Tripoli Evangelical school
  • September 1991
Diploma, Lebanese Baccalaureate part II
  • at Ministry of education
  • July 1991

Mathematics section

Specialties & Skills

Military
Installation
MS Project
Mathematics
Education
Windows 10, MS office , IExplorer,
Mathematica, Matlab, MathCAD, Working model, MS project
AutoCAD 2020, Mechanical Desktop, Carrier
Communication skills
Management skills

Languages

English
Expert
Arabic
Expert

Memberships

Order of Engineers
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • November 1998
AUB Alumni Association
  • Member
  • July 1997
ASHRAE
  • Member
  • March 1995
PMI
  • member
  • January 2017

Training and Certifications

Certificate of Attendance - Facilities Management Transformation (Certificate)
Date Attended:
April 2021
Excellence Award - Excellence in Service (Certificate)
Date Attended:
July 2014
Excellence Award - Excellence in Service (Certificate)
Date Attended:
June 2012
Certificate of Recognition - Exceptional Employee (Certificate)
Date Attended:
January 2021
Unified Validation Workshop (Training)
Training Institute:
Higher Colleges of Technology
Date Attended:
July 2018
Duration:
8 hours
Strategic Performance Retreat (Training)
Training Institute:
Higher Colleges of Technology
Date Attended:
January 2018
Duration:
16 hours
Conducting Effective Appraisal (Training)
Training Institute:
FormaTech
Date Attended:
September 2017
Duration:
8 hours
Development High Potential Teams (Training)
Training Institute:
Informa
Date Attended:
July 2018
Duration:
8 hours
Green Energy Applications (Certificate)
Date Attended:
May 2017
Maintenance Planning, Scheduling and Control (Certificate)
Date Attended:
June 2020
AutoDesk - AutoCAD 2D and 3D (Training)
Training Institute:
Orient Management Consulting and training
Date Attended:
December 2018
Duration:
32 hours
LEED Green Associate (Training)
Training Institute:
Orient Management Consulting and training
Date Attended:
December 2018
Duration:
16 hours
ISO 41001: 2018 Facility Management System Internal Auditor (Training)
Training Institute:
Orient Management Consulting and training
Date Attended:
August 2019
Duration:
16 hours
Facilities Operation Management (Training)
Training Institute:
Orient Management Consulting and training
Date Attended:
November 2018
Duration:
16 hours
First Aid Course (Certificate)
Date Attended:
September 2014
Valid Until:
August 2016
Managing Strategy (Training)
Training Institute:
HCT / informa
Date Attended:
April 2017
Cambridge Project Management Program (Training)
Training Institute:
Cambridge Education Institute
Date Attended:
April 2016
Duration:
40 hours
Safety in Construction Industry (Training)
Training Institute:
Mirdif Security and Safety Consultants
Date Attended:
October 2002
Duration:
16 hours
Improving Supervisory Skills (Training)
Training Institute:
University of Sharjah
Date Attended:
September 2004
Duration:
24 hours
Quality in Maintenance (Training)
Training Institute:
University of Sharjah
Date Attended:
April 2004
Duration:
40 hours
Technical Report Writing and Managing Contruction Contracts (Training)
Training Institute:
Green Light Center training and management Consultant
Date Attended:
September 2015
Duration:
40 hours
Gulf Sustainability Award - Reaction to Crisis - Gold winner (Certificate)
Date Attended:
September 2021

Hobbies

  • table tennis, swimming, reading, Piano and running