Rania Dagash-Kamara
NEW YORK
Summary
Clear and collaborative leader with demonstrated success in strategic vision, planning and organizational efficiency. Documented strength in building teams, partnerships and fund raising towards organizational success.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Executive Director
World Food Programme, United Nations
02.2024 - Current
- Led strategic initiatives aligning with WFP's mission to enhance global food security.
- Developed and implemented operational frameworks to optimize resource allocation and program effectiveness.
- Managed stakeholder relationships, facilitating partnerships to support humanitarian efforts and program sustainability.
- Conducted risk assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and developing mitigation strategies for operational continuity.
- Liaised with government agencies to secure grant funding for critical programs and initiatives.
- Fostered a positive work environment by creating open lines of communication and addressing concerns promptly.
- Mentored staff members for professional growth, leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity.
- Supported board members with timely updates and comprehensive reports, resulting in better decision making.
Deputy Regional Director
UNICEF
11.2021 - 01.2024
- Effective leadership and guidance to 21 countries on delivery of targets;
- Led regional advocacy on survival, protection, development and participation of children and women;
- Led integration of regional UNICEF initiatives in broader UN activities;
- Lead alignment of global and regional policies priorities in East and Southern Africa;
- Provided country support on programme, resources, budget, fundraising and management performance;
- Led management of UNICEF's resources in accordance with established policies, standards, rules and procedures.
Chief Policy and Best Practices
UN Department Of Peace Operations (former DPKO)
11.2018 - 11.2021
- Oversaw the work programme of the Service and advise the Director on programmatic priorities; provide substantive direction on knowledge management and policy planning;
- Supervised the development of analytical and concept papers to address challenges in peacekeeping;
- Maintained close relations with member states, UN legislative bodies, UN departments, specialised agencies, funds and programmes, other international and regional intergovernmental organizations, as well as NGOs, civil society organizations and academics institutions;
- Represented DPO in internal and public fora to address peacekeeping policy and emerging global trends;
- Direct and guide the work of the Service, and Division (as OIC), including the supervision of staff, monitoring of work plans, recruitment, budgetary matters and fundraising.
Representative
UN Assistance Mission To Somalia
07.2013 - 10.2016
- Established and led UNSOM Office in Nairobi;
- Developed relationships with Offices of President and Prime Minister;
- Liaised with Member State Ambassadors, donors and international partners on key political developments in Somalia;
- Initiated mission's engagement with Gulf and Arab states;
- Prepared analytical briefs to Headquarters on UN mandate and strategies;
- Established four political presences and sub-offices across Somalia;
- Initiated NGO coordination forum on mediation and reconciliation.
- Recruited, supervised and evaluated staff.
Chief of Staff
UN Office To The African Union And OSESSS
04.2014 - 02.2016
- Led management of Office, implementation of policies and procedures;
- Oversaw development and monitoring of plans for mandate implementation and Results-Based Budgets;
- Provided guidance on United Nations policies and procedures; Liaised with member states, donors, delegations and UNCT, including preparation of working paper and reports to Secretary-General and Security Council;
- Ensured effective functioning of communications structures and systems;
- Oversaw implementation of knowledge management approaches such as lessons learnt, after-action reviews and end-of-assignment reports;
- Supervised administration, security and strategic communication, including human and financial resource management.
Chief Strategic Planning
UN Political Office To Somalia
08.2010 - 06.2013
- Led development of first Integrated Strategic Framework for Somalia with common vision between mission and UNCT on political, security, development and humanitarian priorities;
- Established Senior Leadership Meeting to improve policy formation, planning and coordination between mission, UNCT African Union and IGAD;
- Developed UNPOS Political, Security and Development Strategy 2011;
- Successfully led the coordination of the ‘Roadmap to Ending the Transition in Somalia’ collaborating with government authorities, mission components and UNCT agencies;
- Successfully prepared and defended mission budgets and planning frameworks;
- Acted as Chief of Staff.
Team Leader East and Southern Africa
OCHA
04.2007 - 08.2010
- Maintained overview of humanitarian response in East and South Africa;
- Effectively coordinated UNHQ support to Kenya post-election violence, including funding from CERF and PBSO;
- Led preparation of Zimbabwe Consolidated Appeal Process following collapse of health system, including securing US$ 26 million from CERF (highest allocation in 2009); i
- Initiated regular engagement with the permanent missions of Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Madagascar in New York which facilitated humanitarian action in-country;
- Strengthened coordination on Zimbabwe between OCHA, UNDP and DPA which was hailed as an exemplary partnership by the UN Leadership;
- Significantly improved quality of analytical notes, recognized by the USG;
- Coordinated a high-level consultations on food security in Horn of Africa.
Area Coordinator & Deputy Head of Office
OCHA
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Led monthly donor briefings on key humanitarian developments and gaps including shifts in policies
- Led development of IDP strategy in Muzaffarabad;
- Successfully moderated monthly UN-Military-NGO forum;
- Developed Early Recovery Plan for Pakistan including managing field-offices and winter contingency planning;
- Trained local government counterparts on disaster preparedness and response.
- Coordinated regional response efforts to humanitarian crises, ensuring effective resource allocation and collaboration among stakeholders.
- Developed and implemented training programs for local teams, enhancing operational readiness and community engagement.
- Analyzed data on humanitarian needs assessments, informing strategic decisions for program development and resource distribution.
- Fostered partnerships with NGOs and government agencies to strengthen collaborative initiatives in disaster response efforts.
- Led cross-functional teams in project planning, execution, and monitoring, achieving timely delivery of critical services in the field.
- Drove process improvements through regular evaluations of program performance, contributing to enhanced service delivery standards.
- Mentored junior staff members, fostering professional growth and promoting a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.
- Monitored key performance indicators to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes.
- Organized successful events and initiatives, promoting community engagement and increasing brand visibility.
- Improved team performance by implementing efficient scheduling and resource allocation strategies.
- Increased efficiency by streamlining processes and introducing time-saving tools in daily operations.
- Managed budgetary constraints, optimizing resources usage to achieve desired results without overspending.
Deputy Programme Manager
IOM
01.2003 - 08.2005
- Produced monthly overview of displacement situation in Iraq;
- Initiated first inter-agency assessment of Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq;
- Developed IOM Guidelines for IDP Monitoring and QIPs;
- Secured over $20 million donor funding;
- Pre-positioned depots across country for emergency response;
- Established network of over 15 new NGO partners inside Iraq to implement activities;
- Processed over USD 10 million worth of assistance projects;
- Contributed to development of UN Iraq IDP Strategy.
Consultant
WFP
04.2000 - 11.2002
- Led strategic initiatives aligning with WFP's mission to enhance global food security.
- Developed and implemented operational frameworks to optimize resource allocation and program effectiveness.
- Managed stakeholder relationships, facilitating partnerships to support humanitarian efforts and program sustainability.
- Conducted risk assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and developing mitigation strategies for operational continuity.
- Liaised with government agencies to secure grant funding for critical programs and initiatives.
- Fostered a positive work environment by creating open lines of communication and addressing concerns promptly.
- Mentored staff members for professional growth, leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity.
- Supported board members with timely updates and comprehensive reports, resulting in better decision making.
Education
Master of Arts - Vernacular Architecture
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford, UK01.2000
Bachelor of Science - Architectural Engineering
University of Khartoum
Khartoum, Sudan10.1996
Diploma - Project Management
Varsity College
Cape Town, South Africa07.1997
International Diploma - Humanitarian Assistance
Fordham University
New York, USA07.2002
Skills
- Strategic planning and execution
- Partnership building and fund raising
- Performance Analysis
- Mentoring and coaching
- Policy and control implementation
- Staff Management
Timeline
Assistant Executive Director
World Food Programme, United Nations
02.2024 - Current
Deputy Regional Director
UNICEF
11.2021 - 01.2024
Chief Policy and Best Practices
UN Department Of Peace Operations (former DPKO)
11.2018 - 11.2021
Chief of Staff
UN Office To The African Union And OSESSS
04.2014 - 02.2016
Representative
UN Assistance Mission To Somalia
07.2013 - 10.2016
Chief Strategic Planning
UN Political Office To Somalia
08.2010 - 06.2013
Team Leader East and Southern Africa
OCHA
04.2007 - 08.2010
Area Coordinator & Deputy Head of Office
OCHA
01.2006 - 12.2006
Deputy Programme Manager
IOM
01.2003 - 08.2005
Consultant
WFP
04.2000 - 11.2002
Master of Arts - Vernacular Architecture
Oxford Brookes University
Bachelor of Science - Architectural Engineering
University of Khartoum
Diploma - Project Management
Varsity College
International Diploma - Humanitarian Assistance
Fordham University