Independent Consultant
independent
Total years of experience :26 years, 1 Months
Public Affairs
Public Policy
Strategy Building
Advisory
* Develop relations and joint cooperation programs with Governments in MENA for technology adoption, Internet industry development and online business growth. Ensure that Google is positioned as a trusted advisor to government officials on technology issues.
* Design and lead initiatives that aim to create a better environment for innovation, access to information and economic growth in the region.
* Identify and develop Google’s positions and lobbying strategies on priority legislative and policy issues in coordination with country management and cross-functional leads throughout the region.
* Work internally with cross-functional teams and advise them on public policy issues to guide development of products, services and policies.
* Identify emerging public policy issues and opportunities and their business impact on Google, regionally and globally.
* Advocate Google's public policy positions before policy makers and government officials in the region, at different legislative and regulatory levels.
* Represent company at external events, including participation on expert panels and in events and activities with other thought leaders.
* Commission research analyses and policy reports, presentations and talking points to support company's policy positions, before key external stakeholders.
* Manage external consultants, suppliers and service providers, in compliance with company policy.
* Work with trade associations, industry partners, non-profit groups, and other relevant third parties and surrogates to promote and build support for Google’s policy positions.
* Hold roundtables/briefings/presentations with media and press, on issues relevant to Google and regional projects.
• Managed the internal politics portfolio by assuming primary responsibility for monitoring, researching, and analyzing the socio-political ramifications of developments on subjects such as: U.S.-Egyptian relations, political parties, the judicial corps, the Egyptian Parliament and youth dynamics. Advised American officers responsible for these portfolios of significant developments, providing analysis, alerts to areas of concern and the most feasible course of action to handle them.
• Stayed abreast of developments affecting bi-lateral relations and US image in host country. Accompanied the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission and other U.S. officials to meetings, bi-lateral talks, and negotiations. As well, briefed and advised the Ambassador’s Office, embassy officers and high-level visiting officials on the full range of issues related to domestic Egyptian politics and U.S. relations with Egypt. Worked closely with Government of Egypt officials on these issues.
• Assisted the Ambassador with media interviews and public speeches. This included providing factual, accurate and timely information, advice and recommendations; as well as writing and developing audience-specific speeches and public addresses.
• Developed and maintained a network of high-level contacts and run regular meetings with government officials, journalists, correspondents, opinion leaders, parliamentarians, judges, think tanks, civil society organizations and other influencers.
• Obtained information from a variety of published and unpublished sources to prepare factual analytical reports and forecast likely future developments and potential public/press reactions and best courses of action to handle them.
• Mentored new employees on information resources, contact work, effective media relations approaches, conflict resolution, and timely delivery of assigned projects. Keeps management updated on morale-related issues.
• Represented the embassy as appropriate in seminars, meetings and official functions
• Identified problem areas and bottlenecks in the application procedures and reported them to the Visa Chief and Consul General. Formulated potential strategies and action plans to alleviate such problems and avoid negative press reports.
• Designed and implemented outreach programs for Al-Azhar and the Ministry of Al-Awqaf applicants for Ramadan and other Islamic holidays.
• Managed the content related to the non-immigrant visa unit on the Embassy website. Ensured content is current, accurate and convincing to applicants but also keeping their expectations in accordance with the U.S Government interests and regulations.
• Conducted pre-screening interviews with visa applicants and identified salient aspects of each case to optimize the adjudication process.
• Conducted demographic studies and prepare reports on the issuance, refusal and return rates of visa applicants. Referred these reports to the U.S. immigration authorities and other interested parties.
• Developed and applied fraud detection/prevention approaches to maximize the efficiency of the adjudication process.
* Managed and coordinated all aspects of the project with the Jordan and Jeddah offices.
* Created show concepts, ideas, developed structure, managed budgets, created artistic visuals, and handled show layout and scheduling.
* Created and administered surveys and polls to evaluate public response to concepts and themes of broadcasted shows. Organized and moderated small-scale focus groups for market research purposes.
* Interviewed celebrities and public figures.
* Supervised and directed all work activities of 2 temporary hires.
Office of Military Cooperation, US Embassy, Cairo
Liaison Officer, March 1998-December 1999
* Acted as a liaison between Government of Egypt officials and U.S. Army personnel assigned to the office, ensuring smooth communication and cooperation between the two groups.
* Kept Commanding Officer informed of major political developments in Egypt and the region, and their implications to the mission.
* Briefed and trained new officers on cross-cultural issues and proper interaction with Government of Egypt officials.
