Moustapha Rifai Email & Phone Number

Istanbul, Turkey

As Gemicart's Chief Technology Officer, I am in charge of overseeing the company's information technology and development functions, leveraging my strong background in technology and software engineering to drive business growth through the power of technology.My primary responsibilities include the following:Supervising the design and implementation of Gemicart's technical infrastructure to ensure its scalability, security, and usability.Leading a talented team of engineers and developers while fostering an environment of innovation, creativity, and continuous learning.Collaboration with other executive team members to align technology strategy with overall business goals.Participating actively in technology conferences and events in order to share knowledge and insights with others in the industry.Ensuring that relevant laws and regulations, as well as company policies and procedures, are followed.Creating and implementing technology policies and procedures to ensure the business's efficiency and effectiveness.Identifying and addressing potential technical challenges, as well as identifying opportunities to use technology to drive growth and efficiency.Keeping up with the latest technological trends and advances so that Gemicart can remain at the forefront of the industry.

Beirut, Beirut Governorate, Lebanon

As Associate ICT Officer (Applications) at UNHCR, I was responsible for leading the team that monitored, analyzed, designed and developed applications for the organization. My role was to oversee the development of new applications and lead development projects to ensure they met the organization's business needs and goals.My main responsibilities as Associate ICT Officer (Applications) included:Leading the team responsible for developing applications to ensure they meet the business needs and goals.Working with other departments to identify their application requirements and ensure they are included in the development process.Manage the quality of the system development process to ensure applications are delivered on time, within budget, and to required standards.Conduct regular reviews to control the quality of project deliverables and ensure they meet business requirements and objectives.Working as an Associate ICT Officer (Applications), I gained valuable experience in project management, software development and team management. I learned how to effectively collaborate with stakeholders across the organization, identify opportunities for improvement in the development process, and deliver high-quality applications that meet the needs of the business. Overall, it was a rewarding experience that allowed me to contribute to UNHCR's mission to support refugees and asylum seekers around the world.

Beirut

After developing a two-way SMS system for refugees under a subcontract with UNHCR, I discovered my interest in the humanitarian sector. I applied for the Data Management Associate position at UNHCR and was selected to join the team.As a Data Management Associate, I was responsible for collecting, compiling and analyzing data on refugees and asylum seekers. I also performed technical tasks related to the development and maintenance of a new platform (Project X) that served the application needs of the organization.My main responsibilities at UNHCR included:Development and implementation of Project X, including development of platform modules such as Cash Assistance, Call Center and Interview RecordingTroubleshooting technical issues and identifying changes needed to keep Project X running smoothlyMaintain application infrastructure, including servers and backup systems.Provide second level technical support to platform users to resolve any technical issues.Develop external tools for several offsite operations, such as a distribution system, a validation system, and a mobile information tool.Through my work at UNHCR, I gained valuable experience in both data management and technical development. I also developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by refugees and the humanitarian sector in general.Based on my contributions and expertise, I was selected for promotion to lead a team in UNHCR Lebanon to provide solutions in support of UNHCR's operations.

Verdun, Beirut, Lebanon

As a partner and CTO at XpertMe, I played a key role in leading the technical team responsible for delivering network and application solutions to our customers. In this startup environment, my role was a combination of business and technical responsibilities that allowed me to develop a wide range of skills.My responsibilities included:Gathering, reviewing, and documenting our customers' business requirements to ensure our solutions meet their needs.Developing technical business proposals for clients outlining our proposed solutions and associated costs.Lead the technical team to ensure the successful implementation of our solutions, including mobile and website application development.Lead the development of several successful projects, including a mobile gym app for Genesis Club in Verdun and a cab ordering app for a local cab provider.Contributed to the overall business strategy of XpertMe, which provides software development, design, and marketing solutions to clients in Lebanon and beyond.While XpertMe was not able to survive due to lack of hands-on business experience, I was able to develop valuable skills in both business and technical areas through my experiences as a partner and CTO. I learned the importance of leading teams, gathering and validating business requirements, and developing offerings that meet customer needs. These experiences have been valuable throughout my career and have allowed me to take on leadership roles in a variety of industries.

Beirut, Beirut Governorate, Lebanon

As a Full Stack Developer at STDesigners, I had the opportunity to work on a wide range of web development projects using PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, Adobe Flash, jQuery, HTML, and ActionScript. This was my first work experience as a developer, and it provided me with a solid foundation in software development and an understanding of the importance of collaboration, communication, and attention to detail.During my time at STDesigners, I was able to:Design and develop complex web applications that met clients' needs and exceeded their expectations.Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including designers, project managers, and QA engineers, to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality software solutions.Implement coding standards and best practices to ensure the maintainability, scalability, and security of web applications.Develop a BULK SMS desktop application using C# that enabled clients to send SMS messages to a large number of recipients at once.Participate in the entire development lifecycle, from requirement gathering to testing and deployment, to ensure the success of software projects.Develop problem-solving and analytical skills that helped me troubleshoot technical issues and find creative solutions to complex problems.Overall, my first work experience as a Full Stack Developer at STDesigners was an invaluable learning opportunity that allowed me to develop my technical and interpersonal skills, gain real-world experience in software development, and lay the foundation for a successful career in the field.

Saida, Lebanon

As IT consultant for Medical Management Group, I was tasked with designing and implementing the technological infrastructure of their new dental polyclinic. This involved working closely with the management team to identify their requirements and develop a customized solution that would facilitate the efficient operation of the clinic.My responsibilities included:Installation of servers and the design and implementation of network infrastructure to enable efficient management of clinic operations.Selecting, installing, and configuring the VIOP system to enable effective clinic-wide communications.Integration of dental equipment with dental management software to enable seamless capture and management of patient records.Installation and configuration of the dental management system to facilitate clinic operations, such as scheduling and patient management.Developed the clinic's online presence by establishing a website and integrating it with the dental management scheduling system.Through my work at Medical Management Group, I gained valuable experience in consulting and project management for IT and gained a comprehensive understanding of healthcare needs and challenges. Working closely with the management team and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the technology infrastructure for the clinic has also allowed me to improve my communication and collaboration skills.As an IT consultant for Medical Management Group, I had the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the success of a new dental outpatient clinic. It was also an opportunity to gain new skills and experience in a dynamic and challenging environment.

Beirut, Beirut Governorate, Lebanon

As a team member at DoubleU, I was responsible for preparing and managing content for mobile value-added service (VAS) providers in the Middle East and Africa. This included creating ringback tones, ringtones, and other elements for WAP portals, which was a routine task for our team.I identified an opportunity to streamline the process and increase efficiency. I leveraged my technical expertise to create an automated software that could detect the right part of the music and cut it accordingly. To do this, I utilized published libraries and adapted them to our specific needs.As a team member at DoubleU, I learned how to collaborate effectively with my colleagues, identify areas for improvement, and leverage technology to solve complex problems. My experience in creating an automated software for preparing ringback tones was a highlight of my time at DoubleU, and I am proud to have contributed to the success of our team.