Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
LANGUAGES
Timeline
Generic

AHMED MHANNA

Gaza

Summary

Dynamic Executive Director with over 20 years of experience in humanitarian response, housing recovery, and reconstruction in Gaza, specializing in Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) rights. Proven expertise in program management, donor compliance, and strategic leadership, complemented by a successful track record of forging strong partnerships with UN agencies and international financial institutions. Committed to advancing resilient, climate-smart housing systems and equitable finance models that uplift displaced and vulnerable communities. Recognized for adaptability and resilience in challenging environments, with a results-driven approach to fostering collaboration and delivering impactful solutions.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Director

Palestinian Housing Council
08.2021 - Current
  • Emergency (Currently)
  • Strategic command & coordination: Chair PHC daily ops huddles; represent PHC in Shelter/SMC/HLP clusters and with MoPWH, MoLG, and MoSD; clear go/no-go decisions for field movements and distributions.
  • Rapid programming: Stand up mobile engineering/help-desk teams; open service hubs; execute NFI/tarp/tent/lighting distributions; prioritize life-saving repairs and accessibility adaptations for PWDs.
  • Protection & HLP mainstreaming: Enforce do-no-harm; activate HLP hotline/help desk; triage urgent tenure/documentation issues blocking assistance.
  • Operations & compliance: Approve emergency procurements, vendor rosters, and cash-for-work (CFW) rosters; ensure donor and audit-ready records.
  • Information management: Issue 72-hour situational updates; validate damage/site data; publish 4Ws to clusters; initiate incident/risk logs.
  • Early Recovery (3–12 months)
  • Area-based/site upgrades: Prioritize ~15 high-vulnerability sites; approve BoQs/workplans; integrate CFW and community committees; ensure accessibility and safety fixes.
  • Light repairs & safety: Scale minor/medium repairs; issue structural safety guidance; roll out IEC materials; train local artisans.
  • HLP Supporting Unit (pilot): This is a stand-up unit (legal officers, call center, database) that will standardize SOPs (claims intake, STDM/GIS mapping, referrals) and coordinate with HLP-TWG.
  • MEAL & learning: Launch outcome tracking, PDM, and after-action reviews; publish quarterly learning briefs for donors.
  • Finance & Controls: Shift from emergency to framework agreements; strengthen the internal control environment; and recover costs.
  • Recovery (12–36 months)
  • Scaled housing rehabilitation: Approve targeting criteria; sequence neighborhood/area-based blocks; blend in-kind, CFW, and grants.
  • Municipal and utility coordination: Co-plan with municipalities and utilities (roads, debris, WASH, electrics) and synchronize permits and standards with MoPWH.
  • HLP resolution at scale: Expand mediation, documentation reissuance support, and community dispute mechanisms; integrate with social protection where relevant.
  • Market systems & local capacity: Onboard and mentor contractors/SMEs; promote regional supply chains and quality assurance.
  • Risk & safeguards: Institutionalize PSEA, AAP, grievance redress, and environmental/social management.
  • Reconstruction & Development (36+ months)
  • Large-scale reconstruction: Approve master schedules and financing packages; align designs with updated master plans, land use, and resilience standards.
  • Urban planning & resilience: Lead PHC’s role in participatory planning, coastal/wadi protection, seismic and climate-smart codes; integrate public spaces and livelihoods.

Food security and livelihood Senior officer

Action Against Hunger
05.2018 - 08.2021
  • Defining and managing the alliances with the pertinent stakeholders and actors.
  • Establish a work plan with the Enterprise Development beneficiaries to coordinate, prepare, address, and develop a transparent implementation training methodology.
  • Coordinate the various ongoing projects and manage the synergies and joint activities.
  • Facilitate communication and act as an intermediary with similar initiatives within the project's area of influence.
  • Contribute to preparing monitoring plans and implementation procedures for each activity.
  • Train internal staff and Enterprise Development beneficiaries to participate in the action in the specific areas related to the entrepreneurial initiative established.
  • Elaborate on all training materials and work methodology to develop the business coaching and mentorship technical work plan with the enterprise owners.
  • In coordination with the awareness and communication technique, collaborate promptly in visibility and awareness of the mission and the Gaza base.
  • Participate in the data collection for project activity evaluation or for communication purposes under the supervision of the Head of Project.
  • Meet with the Enterprise Development beneficiary regularly, either in person or over the telephone, to discuss their current business and life issues. The Meetings can be developed bilaterally or in groups.
  • Oversee and guide the Enterprise Development beneficiary in developing clear goals and objectives for their established entrepreneurial initiative.
  • The promotion of the acquisition of personal and professional competencies will allow Enterprise Development beneficiaries to reinforce the entrepreneurial initiatives established.
  • Help the Enterprise Development beneficiaries acquire the resources needed to operate a successful entrepreneurial initiative and identify appropriate solutions for identified business constraints.
  • Work with the Enterprise Development beneficiaries to help them in stabilizing and developing their Strategic Planning, Marketing and promotional planning, and Financial Management and planning, general administration, and personnel issues.
  • Encourage and motivate the Enterprise Development beneficiaries, building their sense of self-worth and confidence.

Program Manager

Mercy Corps International
09.2016 - 09.2017
  • Strategy and Vision:
  • Contribute to the development of a sectoral strategy.
  • Contribute to continuing the development and design of viable Food Security strategies.
  • Contribute to the development of advocacy and fundraising strategies.
  • Contribute to a Syria-wide market assessment study to identify opportunities and needs.
  • Contribute to the technical and operational advocacy strategies of the mission, region, and HQ.
  • Design and Planning:
  • Oversee the design, planning, and implementation of food security and livelihoods activities.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Programs, Grants Managers, and Sector Managers, and provide proposal input.
  • In charge of quality control and quality assurance process for livelihood activities.
  • Collaborate with finance to develop budgets for food security-related work.
  • Work with MEL and sector managers to ensure that participatory approaches for food security beneficiaries are integrated into project design, monitoring, vulnerability identification, and evaluation.
  • Lead discussions on vulnerability assessments and targeting to ensure basic food security standards and inclusiveness.
  • Integrate the use of community approaches in project design, implementation, and maintenance.
  • Lead technical food security assessments with other thematic areas and external sector agencies.
  • Ensure provision of program quality in all aspects of design, planning, and implementation of activities.
  • Stay abreast of and analyze food security trends and develop/adjust program strategies to meet needs. Identify opportunities for the design and development of concept notes and proposals for further programming.
  • In collaboration with the Programs Team, Security and Access Team, and the Information and Analysis Unit, contribute to designing and conducting food security needs assessments.
  • Implementation and Program Coordination:
  • Adhere to USAID and Mercy Corps policies, guidance, and procedures in promoting the rights of displaced people; and ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and assess new and better ways to assist.
  • Contribute to developing assessments, monitoring, and analyses that better understand and analyze beneficiaries' food security risks, identifying and promoting positive coping mechanisms.
  • Provide technical oversight to the field teams and mentor senior staff in the design of food security activities.
  • Work with the North Syria Programs Coordination Manager to overcome implementation challenges based on practical solutions.
  • Ensure the tracking, monitoring, and quality reporting of all food security (BREAD) activities.
  • Complete budget pipeline planning, monitoring, and monthly follow-up.
  • Ensure the documentation and filing of project activities complies with Mercy Corps policies and procedures.

Livelihood program officer

Humanity and Inclusion (Handicap International)
04.2015 - 09.2016
  • Oversee all Palestinian field office livelihood programs (Gaza, West Bank, and East Jerusalem).
  • Adhere to Handicap International policies, guidance, and procedures in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities; and ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and assess new and better ways to assist.
  • Map out public, private, and civil society stakeholders working with people with disabilities, youth employment, and entrepreneurship.
  • Identify potential partners from the private sector, public sector, and civil society to help the program facilitate the inclusion and mainstreaming of people with disabilities in employment and entrepreneurship initiatives.
  • Designing and managing waged employment and microfinancing approaches.
  • Concept development: Using information from research and exploring ideas and opportunities regarding PWD-focused employment products and services, including financial, informational, and skills development.
  • Conduct market research to examine the feasibility of new concepts and ideas for PWDs’ proposed micro-projects and services use qualitative and quantitative methods. Gender dynamics should be considered in the design and execution of research.
  • In charge of quality control, quality assurance, and the MEAL process.
  • All livelihood projects are monitored and managed in terms of finances.
  • Donor reporting, briefings, and representing Handicap International with donors regarding livelihood projects.
  • Ensure the timely production and submission of quality financial and narrative reports in compliance with donor policies and regulations.
  • Coordinate with support service staff and country offices in the financial management of project grants, including budget preparation, monitoring, and variance reporting.
  • Collaborate with others in Handicap International and partners (including Communications, Advocacy, and Resource Development staff) to ensure accurate and appropriate project communication in all relevant materials and presentations.

Economic Development program officer

Mercy corps International
11.2010 - 10.2014
  • Identify and explore opportunities where Mercy Corps activities can create private sector employment and development through youth development, micro-projects, and youth/adult education (vocational training) within the time and resource parameters in the industry and agriculture sectors.
  • Manage a wide-scale youth vocational training program, including defining what professions have the most demand in the local market and developing proper training material, including curricula, trainers’ manuals, and trainees’ manuals.
  • Implementation of the training, including the MEL process and documentation.
  • Design and implement sector/market development programs. We offer high-quality project delivery with a focus on employment results.
  • Ensure all program activities are implemented on time and in accordance with technical and budgetary requirements, including compliance and M&E with Mercy Corps requirements, as well as security protocol.
  • Develop monitoring and reporting plans, designing monitoring and evaluation tools, participating in relevant (external and internal) project evaluations, and/or needs assessments, developing indicators on different levels to evaluate program outputs, outcomes, and impacts.
  • Participate in designing and developing multi-sectoral program monitoring plans and tools, creating different-level indicators, quality assurance standards, and technical assessments for MC staff and partners, where technical support and capacity building is required.
  • On behalf of MC, attend all relevant partners’ coordination meetings and any other meetings pertinent to the program in Gaza.
  • Design and implement QC/QA process.
  • Responsible for tracking the political and security situation and alerting if any expected consequences might affect the program's delivery or staff safety.

Supervisor Engineer

UNDP/PAPP
05.2006 - 10.2007
  • Supervise work on-site, ensuring that all the work is done according to contract drawings, bill of quantities, and technical specifications.
  • Manage the reporting process for UNDP management.
  • Conduct financial and contract management.
  • As a security focal person, track the security situation, directing all the team on site from a security perspective, giving the security clearance, and developing security reports.
  • Handing sites over to owners.
  • Presented to stakeholders, resulting in unanimous support for new projects.

Projects Manager

General construction company
09.2002 - 03.2006
  • General management duties
  • Working as an executive director in terms of operational aspects.
  • Developing plans to improve the overall performance of the company.
  • Manage engineering activities in cooperation with the engineering projects manager.

Education

MPA - small and medium enterprises development

Al Azhar University
01.2017

BA - Construction Engineering

The Arab Academy for science and technology and p
01.2002

Skills

  • Emergency management expertise
  • Housing and property rights expertise
  • Area-specific engagement methods
  • Housing finance expertise
  • Digital information systems
  • Organizational leadership
  • Stakeholder relationship management
  • Risk management expertise
  • Recovery program development
  • Shelter rehabilitation
  • Program design expertise
  • Regulatory compliance expertise
  • Urban design and infrastructure management
  • Organizational growth strategies
  • Budget oversight

References

Reference available upon request

LANGUAGES

English
Arabic

Timeline

Executive Director

Palestinian Housing Council
08.2021 - Current

Food security and livelihood Senior officer

Action Against Hunger
05.2018 - 08.2021

Program Manager

Mercy Corps International
09.2016 - 09.2017

Livelihood program officer

Humanity and Inclusion (Handicap International)
04.2015 - 09.2016

Economic Development program officer

Mercy corps International
11.2010 - 10.2014

Supervisor Engineer

UNDP/PAPP
05.2006 - 10.2007

Projects Manager

General construction company
09.2002 - 03.2006

BA - Construction Engineering

The Arab Academy for science and technology and p

MPA - small and medium enterprises development

Al Azhar University

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AHMED MHANNA