Hanan Al-Shamma Iraq
International Business

Name:  Hanan Al-Shamma
Date of Birth: 25/05/1966
Place of Birth: U.S.A.
Nationality: Dual Iraqi/American
Residence:  Baghdad, Iraq
Languages: Fluent in Arabic, English and Basic Knowledge of Spanish.
Sex:  Female
Marital status: Married with two children.

University Degree:
1. BSc. Architectural Engineering, Baghdad University, 1984-1989 ranked second in a class of 64 graduates.

2. Full diploma in Business Management from Cambridge University with distinction (more than 90%). Subjects completed Communication, Business Organization, Finance,  Marketing and HR.

3. Studied Spanish for two years from 2001 until end 2002.  Have basic knowledge of the language and can improved my skills if put into practice.

Professional Experience:

Administration 1991 – To date :
1999 – To date  Sr.Admin Assistant, assumed responsibility as OIC Operations in 2003 after evacuation of International Staff from Iraq.
1992 – 1998 Admin Assistant with UNICEF Baghdad
1991 – 1992  Admin assistant with UNHCR

Architect:
1989 – 1992 Architect at Al-Bayati Architects from 89- 91 and worked part time between 84 to 89 and 91 to 92.

Major tasks and responsibilities:

Administration:

- OIC Operations in Iraq in 2003 after evacuation of International staff to Jordan.  Assumed responsibility for supervising the completion of security reinforcement for the office in Baghdad.  Negotiated the lease for the new UNICEF Premise and followed up on signing of the lease. 

- Negotiated lease agreements for office premises and warehouses, arrange travel, visa and accommodation for about 280 staff members between Baghdad country office and sub-offices.  In 2004 after moving to work with Iraq Support Center in Amman, I have assisted International staff in finding accommodation in Amman and have also managed the UNICEF Iraq Premises including supervising maintenance contractors, Security Guards and the maintenance of office vehicles.

- My Architectural background has supported my performance at work,  I have been a member of the team involved in the assessments of premises, locations suitable for use by UNICEF as an office.  Have also participated in the redesigning/rehabilitation of premises to meet office requirements.  My knowledge of building construction and basic electrical and mechanical skills has helped me in supervising maintenance engineers and assessing the actual needs of maintenance.

- Protocol with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  From the years 1992 to 2003 I worked continuously and harmoniously with the Iraqi MOFA to ensure all legal documents related to visas, travel permits within Iraq, authorizations for lease agreements, and receptions with senior officials and counterparts were obtained on time, despite the pressures on the UN in Iraq during that period. 

- Liaise with travel agencies and obtain compatible prices in line with UNICEF rules and regulations, issue Travel Authorizations, calculate claims and initiate payment requests in ProMS.  Monitor TAs through Rover reports and follow up on pending TAs on a monthly basis.  Follow up with Travel Agent on booking and settlement of tickets.  I am familiar with the use of the Galileo system for booking tickets.

- In charge of transportation unit in Iraq with a fleet of 24 vehicles and 18 drivers.  Distribution and organization of work among drivers to ensure equal distribution.  Managing field trips to 18 governorates in Iraq on weekly basis and ensuring office mail was delivered within 24 hours to its destination within the country.

- Organize workshops and meetings; liaise with counterparts on administrative details related to workshops and accommodation.  Manage contacts and relations with different hotels both in Iraq before 2003 and in Amman since 2003. 

- National Security focal point with UNICEF Baghdad from October 2002.  I was fully involved in security issues during evacuations, and contributed to the security planning prior to war on Iraq in 2003. 

- Supervise 21 staff members, from 1999 to 2004, an Admin Assistant at G6, Admin Assistant at G5 level, Radio operator G3 level, and 18 drivers one of whom is a Sr. Driver at G3 level.  Due to the restriction of movement in Iraq, I am currently supervising 8 staff members.

- In charge of Inventory of NEP, and PSB secretary for the last 14 years.  Keep all records of PSB/NEP and report to NY annually.  In charge of procurement of office equipment and supplies.  Petty cash custodian since 1997 for both US $ account and Local Currency account.

- Conduct on the job training in ProMS for Admin Assistants at levels G6, G5 and training on minor Administrative tasks for drivers with a future perspective/plan of promoting them to higher levels within the organization.   

Personal Interests:

I enjoy studying and learning and believe that there is always room for improvement.  I enjoy an environment of frankness and honesty at work and usually profit from the comments and remarks of other staff to improve myself.   Listening to others is a skill that has helped me improve my performance, as it is a part of learning more about me as well as others. 

I enjoy the challenge of working in an international organization and seek the opportunities to learn more about the organization and share this with my colleagues.  I believe that a continuous review of the work process is needed to maximize the output of staff and give more room for learning and improving.

I derive great satisfaction from working within a team environment, and contributing to the development of working together with staff, and I consider this a priority for UNICEF.  There are many challenges to creating a “team environment”; however I believe that focusing on the “full picture” and the essence of UNICEF’s work - children and women in need - helps to negate differences, and build real strength within a team.  An example of this is some of the drivers from the Admin team.   I have worked hard to involve those who had the skills, willingness and enthusiasm to progress in UNICEF and have involved them in different areas and supported their training. Seven of these team members have been promoted to assistants in HR, Admin and Programme.  I continue to work to involve staff in Admin in different fields of work and it gives me great pleasure to see them develop and get promoted.

As someone committed to the mission of UNICEF, I am also committed to improving my knowledge and skills in order to better serve UNICEF.   In addition to my University Degree in architectural engineering, I have recently been awarded a Full Diploma in Business Management from Cambridge University.  I plan to continue my studies to obtain a Masters Degree in Business Management.