Ahmad Karout Email & Phone Number

Beirut, Beirut Governorate, Lebanon

Responsible for overseeing projects.Designing and implementing programsWriting proposals.Drafting periodic reports.Providing information and input on the political and governance developments in the country.Conducting training, consultations, workshops, and organizing roundtables with stakeholders.Developing in-depth knowledge of assigned program areas.Maintaining tracking systems for programmatic and financial information.Managing data collection efforts to monitor and track program activities.Initiating meetings or reports in response to current and emerging needs..

Beirut, Lebanon

Responsible for overseeing projects.Designing and implementing programsWriting proposals.Drafting periodic reports.Providing information and input on the political and governance developments in the country.Conducting training, consultations, workshops, and organizing roundtables with stakeholders.Developing in-depth knowledge of assigned program areas.Maintaining tracking systems for programmatic and financial information.Managing data collection efforts to monitor and track program activities.Initiating meetings or reports in response to current and emerging needs.

Lebanon

• Established a multimedia/IT hub and social enterprise in Beirut that delivers a wide range of media-related services to public sector clients, CSOs, and private companies. Kazamedia’s non-profit arm, ITvism, aims to promote the use of IT and digital technologies in the civil society sector to support civic activism both online and offline. • Established internal systems, including personnel policies, procurement procedures, financial management systems, and marketing strategy. • Led design and development of branding identity, website, online registration system, and digital auction platform for a media innovations fair organized by the Promoting Active Citizen Engagement program. • Developed and implemented a social media ad campaign to support the outreach efforts of Baladi Plus, a project aimed at building the capacity of municipalities to implement local development initiatives. • Leads marketing and publicity of company services, activities, and campaigns, as well as networking with potential clients, CSOs, and donor organizations. • Managed production of more than forty documentaries, TV ads, and explainer videos

Sodeco, Beirut, Lebanon

Beirut, Lebanon

To support the efforts of the Lebanese parliament in implementing its new communication and outreach strategy developed with support from WFD through: - Advice to the parliament on ways of establishing a way for citizens and CSO’s to be consulted throughout the bills proposal phase and provide input into bills which intends to explore through an open online platform (e- consultation platform)- Advice to the parliament on ways of publishing more and periodical information primarily through the parliamentary website and parliament application- Work and liaise with the relevant departments at the Lebanese parliament, specifically the newly established Communication and BTS Unit.

Beirut, Lebanon

Outreach and new businessCountry analysisPlan research Strategies.Manage data collection Data verificationInterpret and analyze data.Write research reports.

Beirut District, Lebanon

1. Recruited and trained a network of enumerators in targeted areas in Lebanon 2. Managed the network of enumerators during data collection period 3. Assisted with development of quantitative survey and survey methodology 4. Assisted with development of qualitative methodology and questionnaires5. Conducted a series of focus group discussions and key informant interviews6. Managed finance and procurement operations

Beirut

Conducted a capitalization study for Empowering Now project, documenting successes, lessons learned, and recommendation for best practices in the livelihood sector, specifically when it comes to youth and women employability.

Istanbul, Turkey

• Review and analyse SRPII’s current programmatic strategic framework and communication efforts;• Interview key stakeholders, such as SRPII staff and partners;• Develop a strategic communication plan that includes objectives, themes, target audiences, and tools, and that is integrated with SRPII’s overall program objectives;• Develop an evaluation plan for the strategic communication plan that details potential indicators, approaches, and tools;• Recommend an efficient approach to monitor and report on trends in media and social media relevant to Syria;• Develop a capacity building plan for SRPII communications staff and recommend other resources or tools that may be needed to further build SRPII’s communication efforts.

Responsible of coordination, multi-stakeholders consultations, communication, and visibility.• Responsible of two out five project components: Networking & multi-stakeholder consultations, and communication & visibility• Promoting networking among CSOs (individual; platforms; alliances; networks) as well as between civil society, authorities, and the EU, through organizing events, direct communications, surveys, and e-platforms.• Mass communication in particular through the use of information technology in terms of new communications and networking approaches, as well as regular visibility duties such as press releases, newsletters, website management, and social media.• Drafting the communication and visibility strategy for the program• Conducting a needs assessment survey with full analyses and recommendations for more than 30 EU funded NGOs across the south-Mediterranean region.• Participation in a civil society mapping exercise in Lebanon.• Follow up on regional mapping of civil society (nine countries)

Beirut District, Lebanon

• Played an instrumental role in designing the overall media strategy for a $25 million civil society program funded by USAID in Lebanon, including setting objectives, identifying suitable partners and activities, and developing programmatic approaches that draw on lessons learned from implementation experience. • Worked with partner CSOs and media organizations to design media campaigns, including: Production of the “Lebanese Citizen Diaries,” a web series promoting responsible citizenship through satire and humor Establishing the first independent, youth-led Web TV in Lebanon, with original programming touching on civic issues Developing a website and print magazine on municipal news (“Baladiyat News”) Creating a history book wiki (“Shou Terikhak?”) in response to national debate on lack of a unified history book in public schools Establishing a civil society web portal (“Civic Board”) Conceiving, designing, and overseeing implementation of a high-profile campaign tackling traffic violations (“Kamashtak”).  Assisting a nascent youth-led organization in crafting a strategy and curriculum for delivery of training and coaching assistance to over 40 CSOs on social media skills and techniques, with a focus on usage of digital applications to support advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns. • Assisted OTI project in Tunisia (managed by Development Alternatives Inc) in developing media strategy during week-long assignment in Tunis. • Designed and delivered media relations training to various CSOs around Lebanon. • Participated in and presented at annual strategic review meetings held in the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.

Beirut

•Oversaw design and implementation of grant activities with CSOs to foster civic education, citizen engagement, and conflict resolution. •Mapped local civil society actors to identify appropriate partners and activities, and developed partnerships with CSOs ranging from well-established national and regionally based organizations to nascent youth-led groups and rural organizations. • Conducted regular field assessments and developed regional strategies for engaging civil society actors with the potential to act as change agents. • In the aftermath of the May 2008 clashes, helped design and implement rapid-response interventions aimed at diffusing sectarian tensions and fostering cross-confessional dialogue. •Ahead of 2010 municipal elections, worked with a local theater troupe to produce an original play promoting youth engagement in the democratic process, which was performed in 50 communities, reaching about 17,000 people and generating extensive media coverage. Organized all aspects of grand finale, including media outreach, video material, social media content, design and production of materials. Event was attended by 3,000 people, including the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and local officials. • Oversaw the work of a local partner in mapping over 900 municipalities across Lebanon, including political dynamics and local civil society groups. Worked closely with programmer to design GIS-based mapping software capturing the data gathered visually. •Helped CSOs develop integrated communication strategies capitalizing on multiple media platforms and provided technical assistance and mentoring on media relations, community outreach, and advocacy to local municipalities. •Analysed the rapidly changing political environment and contributed to “rolling assessments” to ensure responsiveness to local developments. Also participated in and presented at annual strategic review meetings held in Jordan, Egypt, and Hungary.

Beirut

• Assisted with start-up of Lebanon Civic Initiative (LCI), a $25 million, three-year project funded by USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI). • Managed procurement of office furniture, IT software and hardware, and IT setup and networking for an office of 25 staff members. • Maintained computer systems, local area network, and administrative filing system. • Assessed IT procurement needs of local CSOs receiving grant assistance from the project. • Negotiated and liaised with vendors and suppliers of office and IT equipment. • Participated in strategic planning meetings, technical evaluation committee meetings for review of grant proposals, and assisted with grant development in South Lebanon region.• Promoted within nine months to technical position as Project Development Specialist.

Bachelor Of Science (B.Sc.), Computer Communication, 3.4

Coursework, Sociological Science

Life Sciences - Baccalaureate Degree, Life Sciences