Hany Besada
Ottawa,ON
Summary
Seasoned Senior Policy Advisor with a track record of successfully developing and implementing strategic policy initiatives. Excel in fast-paced environments, utilizing research, analysis, and problem-solving skills to drive positive outcomes. Build strong relationships with stakeholders and provide informed advice on complex policy matters. Deliver notable results by spearheading influential policies that shape organizational direction and growth.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Policy Advisor (EC-06)
Environment and Climate Change Canada
, Canada
03.2024 - Current
- Drafting the next edition of Canadian Government’s Federal Sustainability Development Strategy Progress Report (2025 FSDS Progress Report).
Senior Research/Programme Advisor & Senior Research Coordinator
United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
New York, United States of America
05.2018 - 02.2024
- Led technical aspects of the Office's research portfolio which included digital economy, South-South trade and investments, capacity development, and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) programming while spearheading the management of relevant international partner institutions.
- Guided the strategic planning and scoping process for multiple UNOSSC reports on different development topics pertaining to South-South Cooperation, such as the United Nations Secretary General's Independent Report on South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
- Formulated effective strategies for mobilizing financial and non-financial resources, such as research fellowships and personnel secondments.
- Managed diverse country-level programs, including technical capacity development, women's empowerment, and Sustainable Development Goals programming.
Research Professor
Carleton University, Institute of African Studies (IAS)
Ottawa, Canada
07.2013 - 03.2022
- Co-managed a multi-year program funded by the Qatar Foundation, with a focus on entrepreneurship education in the Gulf while incorporating an African perspective.
- Led a comprehensive, multi-year research project exploring effective private sector involvement in inclusive extractive industries in Africa via collaborative assessment of AMV's impact on sustainable mining and resource extraction.
- Supported the implementation and evaluation of Mining Community Development Agreements in Sierra Leone, established by African regional governments and donors.
Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow
United Nations University (UNU), Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (INRA)
Accra, Ghana
05.2015 - 11.2020
- Spearheaded a multi-year consortium involving diverse stakeholders to strengthen the production of locally sourced intelligence and comprehensive data analysis on mineral beneficiation, local content, and regional value addition. The primary objective was to provide valuable insights for the development and execution of impactful governance initiatives across African nations.
- Developed comprehensive analysis of policies, legislation, fiscal regimes, domestic legal systems, corporate actors affecting natural resource extraction and governance in Ghana, Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania. Evaluated the role of environmental and social governance.
- Established a comprehensive research strategy employing quantitative and qualitative methods aimed at identifying good corporate practices and capturing industry experiences related to strengthening mineral and hydrocarbon value chains in resource-rich African states and Environment, Social Governance practices.
Senior Fellow
University of Ottawa, Centre on Governance (CoG)
Ottawa, Canada
07.2015 - 07.2019
- Headed an important research initiative at the Centre specifically focused on the effective management and governance of natural resources in East and Horn of Africa, covering aspects such as land, water, energy, and mineral resources.
- Led a multi-year research project investigating the intersection of African food, water, energy (petroleum), and land resources. Designed structural and non-structural solutions to address sustainable growth challenges. Created a smart sustainability monitoring assessment tool for government officials and business leaders to inform policy development and business decisions.
Deputy Executive Director
Diamond Development Initiative (DDI)
Ottawa, Canada
04.2017 - 07.2018
- Established GemFair project under De Beers to create secure and transparent market for ethically sourced diamonds using blockchain technology, enabling sightholders with provenance record.
- Managed the implementation of DDI's Maendeleo Diamonds Standards Program, an innovative system that curtailed the spread of conflict minerals and ensured proceeds from artisanal mining supported peacebuilding and economic reconstruction efforts in resource-rich African states.
- Worked closely with Sierra Leone's national and sub-national governments, along with the Mano River Union governments, to contribute to the development of artisanal mining policy as part of the Kimberley Process Regional Approach.
- Developed and implemented HR policies and practices, created job descriptions and work plans for program staff.
- Managed the development of program and project funding proposals, budgets, and financial reports.
- Managed communication plans and developed strategies through various social media platforms for both internal and external communications.
Senior Regional Advisor
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
01.2015 - 06.2016
- Established and implemented the AMDC's Mineral Linkages Division to support local content growth, supply chain analysis, and promote value addition in Africa's mineral and hydrocarbon sectors.
- Played a key role in designing policies and strategies aligned with the AMV to promote diversification in the mineral sector through targeted resource corridor approaches.
- Guided African governments in integrating AMV's linkages and diversification pillars into their Country Mining Visions, while promoting energy policy reforms that bolster environmental and sustainability measures across member nations.
- Played a pivotal role in designing capacity development programs that empower African governments with tools like mineral and hydrocarbon policy guidelines to ensure sustainable development while promoting environmental stewardship and preventing conflicts.
- Developed a series of technical policy reports covering topics such as fiscal regimes, economic diversification, linkage promotion, and regional mineral and hydrocarbon value chains in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and Uganda.
- Provided policy advice to the Government of Uganda and various mining companies regarding the establishment of special agreements aimed at integrating small-scale miners into the formal mining sector.
Senior Project Investigator
Qatar Foundation, Qatar National Priority Research Fund
Doha, Qatar
01.2013 - 06.2016
- Co-led a multi-year analysis of the Gulf's role in managing and governing natural resources in Sub-Saharan Africa, totaling $733,000.
- Delivered expert advisory services to multiple governments, including Qatar and various African nations, regarding the potential for economic diversification within the sectors of natural resources and sustainable energy solutions.
- Produced economic, political, and security risk analysis reports for African governments to enhance foreign investment management strategies with a focus on maintaining political stability and preventing conflicts.
Theme Leader, Governance of Natural Resources (GNR) Program, Senior Researcher, Development Cooperation
North-South Institute (NSI)
Ottawa, Canada
06.2010 - 10.2014
- Headed the implementation of an innovative GNR program that featured interdisciplinary projects addressing various themes: the private sector's influence; locally-driven small-scale mining; conflict-related resource challenges; rising global economic powers; and meaningful gender integration.
- Administered research efforts to examine the regulatory landscape surrounding petroleum industry in several African states with a goal of promoting environmental and social governance (ESG) commitments.
- Strengthened and expanded NSI’s flagship publication, the Canadian International Development Report (CIDR).
- Delivered expert analysis on African mining and hydrocarbon sectors, advising the Government of Canada and relevant Canadian mining firms on specific trends and socio-economic governance matters.
Research Specialist
United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel (HLP) Secretariat on Post-2015 Development Agenda, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
New York, United States
09.2012 - 12.2013
- Led the HLP Secretariat's efforts in researching policies regarding natural resource management/governance, sustainable energy, climate change, and the environment.
- Played a vital role in shaping the basis of the Post-2015 Development Agenda HLP report through meticulous drafting, publishing, reviewing and editing of HLP Secretariat's background papers.
- Assisted in informing the SDG process through substantial inputs prepared from open consultations at national, thematic, and global levels under the United Nations Development Programme’s initiative on the post-2015 development agenda.
Program Leader – Health & Social Governance (HSG) Program, Africa Portal Head / Senior Researcher – African Initiative
Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Waterloo, Canada
01.2007 - 06.2010
- Led successful efforts to secure funding for and oversee a $10 million research initiative examining how climate change impacts Africa's health challenges, migration patterns, food security, conflict prevention/peacebuilding, sustainable energy solutions and mineral governance. The project's outcomes positively influenced government policies in African Ministries of Environment and donor programming.
- Established and led the HSG program to foster discussions and enhance competency in key global health and social topics.
- Developed and oversaw the Africa portal, an online forum dedicated to exchanging insights on governance-related matters impacting Africa. Facilitated interactive discussions and encouraged participants to contribute ideas for comprehensive research.
Strategic Policy Analyst
South African Ministry of Provisional Government
Pretoria, South Africa
01.2005 - 12.2006
- Analyzed the South African automotive industry to identify areas for improvement in terms of labor issues, production costs, and export facilitation. Conducted policy research to strengthen this economic sector.
- Informed the Minister about the regulatory and policy frameworks impacting South Africa's automotive sector.
- Provided policy recommendations and focused intervention practices to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic automotive sector.
Principal Researcher – NEPAD Business in Africa
South African Institute of International Affairs
Johannesburg, South Africa
06.2004 - 12.2006
- Authored comprehensive policy reports, journal articles, and opinion pieces regarding trade opportunities, investment promotion, and facilitation in Africa for the purpose of informing and guiding South African Government and private sector investments on the continent.
- Created an extensive business database to facilitate government-to-business networking across multiple countries.
Research Manager
Africa Business Group
Johannesburg, South Africa
01.2003 - 06.2004
- Engaged in extensive field research within a variety of African states to investigate and appraise the existing business, trade, and investment environments.
- Collaborated on drafting the Africa Business Handbook, an instrumental tool used by South African authorities to develop effective trade and investment policies with other African countries.
Education
Ph.D. - Politics And International Studies
University of Warwick
Coventry, United Kingdom 11-2018
Master of Arts - International Relations
Alliant International University
San Diego, California, United States Of America12-2002
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations
Alliant International University
San Diego, California, United States Of America11-2000
Skills
Technical Skills
Management of large teams and multimillion dollars multi-year research, capacity development and training programs
Proven policy work with governments, multilateral institutions, private sector actors, civil society, international organizations and development agencies
Well published with a large and diverse publication track record
Experienced in Multimedia and Social Media Communication
Strong resource mobilization portfolio
Prudent financial planning and management
Substantial field experience and extensive on the ground contacts
Translating research into policy and practice
Fields of Professional Activity:
Digital Economy and Technologies
for Sustainable Development
Trade and Investment Promotion &
Facilitation
Climate change and environment
sustainability
South-South and Triangular
Cooperation
Natural Resource Governance and
Management
Sustainable Energy Solutions
Economic and Political Risk
Management
Private Sector Development
Peacebuilding and Economic
Reconstruction
Environment Social Governance
(ESG)
Languages
English
Full Professional
French
Professional
Arabic
Native/ Bilingual
Current Affiliations
Visiting Senior Fellow – Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
Non-Executive Director – MAFCO Capital (Public Sector, Oil & Gas), Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Senior Research Fellow – United Nations University – Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), Accra, Ghana
Senior Fellow – Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Selected Consultancies
03/2024- Present African Development Bank, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
· Undertake a comprehensive study examining gender and peace positive natural resource management focusing on the contribution to building resilient communities in the Liptako-Gourma and Sahel in Central and West Africa.
11/2023-06/2024 Investment Promotion Agency Qatar
· Conducting thorough studies on investment promotion strategies, economic development theories, and industry best practices, aimed at providing a comprehensive analysis of Invest Qatar’s initiatives and their impact within the context of Qatar's National Development Strategy and Vision 2030.
01/2023-Present African Development Bank, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
· Undertake a comprehensive study focusing on governing natural resources outflows (illicit financial flows and resource-backed loans) for enhanced economic resilience in fragile and transitional African countries with a focus on Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.
02-2021-02/2022 University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
· Authored a comprehensive policy report and a book chapter on energy futures in South Africa.
03/2020-07/2021 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Geneva, Switzerland
· Published a policy report titled “Partnership for Action on Green Economy – Evaluating the impact of the artisanal mining industry on the environment and green economy in Burkina Faso.”
03/2020-06/2020 CANADEM/Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Ottawa, Canada
· Supported the National Constitutional Amendment Committee of South Sudan in evaluating and amending the National Petroleum Revenue Management Agreement of South Sudan aimed at ensuring petroleum proceeds do not instigate conflict but lead to broad-based sustainable development, gender empowerment, and lasting peace.
01/2019-07/2019 African Union (AU) African Minerals Development Centre, Conakry, Guinea
· Supported the re-establishment of the African Minerals Development Centre and helped put together a new business and operational plan for the Centre which involved private sector entities and a whole host of African governments as part of the intergovernmental policy initiative.
04/2016-09/2017 African Capacity Building Foundation
· Contributed to the publication of knowledge products around trade and investment facilitation, development financing and natural resource governance in Africa.
03/2016-04/2016 Responsible Mining Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland
· Contributed to the establishment of indicators related assessing the extent to which mining companies are contributing to sustainable development in resource-rich countries.
08/2014-08/2015 United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, Hamilton, Canada
· Authored a study on “Catalyzing Water for Sustainable Development and Growth: Canadian Water SDG Current and Aspirational Targets.”
12/2013-12/2014 United Nations Children’s Fund
· Authored two studies on “Social Cohesion and Community “aimed at assessing the role of community groups protect women (gender-based violence) and children while promoting human security in conflict and post-conflict settings (Chad and Burundi).
Training and Certifications
2022 Transitioning to Complex Risk Management and Resilient Urban Futures
Harnessing South-South Cooperation and Learning from COVID-19 –
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Global Education and
Training Institute.
2022 United Nations Human Rights Responsibilities – United Nations
Development Programme.
2022 Ethics and Integrity at the United Nations Development Programme – United
Nations Development Programme.
2022 UNDP Legal Framework – United Nations Development Programme.
2022 The Gender Journey – United Nations Development Programme.
2022 Greening the Blue – United Nations Development Programme.
2022 South-South Cooperation in Cross-Border E-Commerce for Poverty
Eradication and Global Sustainable Development – Ministry of Commerce
of People’s Republic of China.
2021 Preventing Sexual Harassment and Other Prohibited Conduct – United
Nations Development Programme
2021 Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of the Local Population –
United Nations Development Programme
2021 Fraud and Corruption Awareness and Prevention – United Nations
Development Programme
2021 Basic Security in the Field – United Nations Development Programme
2012 – 2016 Various United Nations training programs, among others: i) Policy
Formulation and development; ii) strategic communications; iii) partnership
development in conflict and post-conflict environments; iv) capacity
development and training of government officials and private sector actors
on variety of developmental concerns.
Professional Membership
2024 - MAFCO Capital Advisory Board, Dubai, United Arab Emirate
2022 - Warwick University Africa Hub Advisory Board, Coventry, United Kingdom.
2018 - Canadian Council for International Co-operation, Ottawa, Canada
2017 - Canadian International Council, Africa Study Group, Ottawa, Canada.
2015 - United Nations Associations Board, San Diego, United States.
2014 - Pan-African Legal Network Board, Paris, France.
2014 - Africa Business Group Board, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2013 - African Politics Conference Group, Washington DC, United States.
2013 - External Reference Group, African Capacity Building Foundation Advisory
Board, Harare, Zimbabwe.
2012 - Cambridge Review of International Affairs Review Board, Cambridge,
United Kingdom.
Publications
- 19 Policy Reports
- 9 Policy Papers
- 7 Policy Briefs
- 17 Books (Authored and Edited)
- 32 Papers in Peer-Reviewed Journals
- 23 Book Chapters
- 15 Working, Technical and Occasional Papers
- 5 Periodicals, Newsletters and Magazines Articles
- 77 Opinion Newspaper Articles
- Complete list Found in Annex
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Policy Advisor (EC-06)
Environment and Climate Change Canada
03.2024 - Current
Senior Research/Programme Advisor & Senior Research Coordinator
United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
05.2018 - 02.2024
Deputy Executive Director
Diamond Development Initiative (DDI)
04.2017 - 07.2018
Senior Fellow
University of Ottawa, Centre on Governance (CoG)
07.2015 - 07.2019
Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow
United Nations University (UNU), Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (INRA)
05.2015 - 11.2020
Senior Regional Advisor
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC)
01.2015 - 06.2016
Research Professor
Carleton University, Institute of African Studies (IAS)
07.2013 - 03.2022
Senior Project Investigator
Qatar Foundation, Qatar National Priority Research Fund
01.2013 - 06.2016
Research Specialist
United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel (HLP) Secretariat on Post-2015 Development Agenda, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
09.2012 - 12.2013
Theme Leader, Governance of Natural Resources (GNR) Program, Senior Researcher, Development Cooperation
North-South Institute (NSI)
06.2010 - 10.2014
Program Leader – Health & Social Governance (HSG) Program, Africa Portal Head / Senior Researcher – African Initiative
Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
01.2007 - 06.2010
Strategic Policy Analyst
South African Ministry of Provisional Government
01.2005 - 12.2006
Principal Researcher – NEPAD Business in Africa
South African Institute of International Affairs
06.2004 - 12.2006
Research Manager
Africa Business Group
01.2003 - 06.2004
Ph.D. - Politics And International Studies
University of Warwick
Master of Arts - International Relations
Alliant International University
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations
Alliant International University
Similar Profiles
Michael EDOUMichael EDOU
Web Developer at Government of Canada - Environment and Climate Change CanadaWeb Developer at Government of Canada - Environment and Climate Change Canada
Cheryl JacomeCheryl Jacome
Administrative Officer at Environment And Climate Change Canada, Canada Water AgencyAdministrative Officer at Environment And Climate Change Canada, Canada Water Agency
Aaron ThomasAaron Thomas
Data & Policy Analyst Intern at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)Data & Policy Analyst Intern at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Grace C. KasoufGrace C. Kasouf
Policy Support Officer at Environment and Climate Change CanadaPolicy Support Officer at Environment and Climate Change Canada
PATRICIA CHAMBERLAINPATRICIA CHAMBERLAIN
Turkey Guide at Irish creek outfittersTurkey Guide at Irish creek outfitters