Nicolas Gholam
Berlin
Summary
Highly motivated and results-oriented Rural and Sustainable Development professional with 9+ years of experience in market access, entrepreneurship development, food security, rural tourism, climate-smart agriculture, policy / scientific research, and conflict resolution initiatives. Proven ability to design and implement impactful programs; conduct training, coaching and mentoring that empower rural communities and social/sustainable entrepreneurs alike.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
FOUNDER
MAWSAM Beirut SARL
2020.01 - Current
- Established a one-stop-shop hub for Lebanese small-scale producers, providing market access, logistical support, and business development expertise.
- Contracted 8 smallholder producers and selling their products in more than 95 points of sales with a team of 7 young talents.
- Launched "Hadees Al Mawsam" podcast focused on rural development issues
Advisory Committee Member
Legal Agenda
2022.09 - 2024.04
- Supported in conceptualizing a multi-disciplinary book on the Governorate of Akkar entitled: “Akkar: A Region in Limbo”.
- Defined multiple problematic and written 7 articles, 2 case studies and 2 investigations. (In review – expected publication September 2024)
ECONOMIC GROWTH CONSULTANT
FAIR TRADE LEBANON
2022.05 - 2024.02
- Designed and implemented more than 20 rural development and market access projects in the Mediterranean and West Africa.
- Developed 15 training materials on market access, conflict resolution, PVE, and entrepreneurship.
- Conducted 8 market studies and research on community-based interventions.
- Developed 4 operating models for socio-cultural projects in rural areas, conducted 2 Rapid Rural Appraisals (RRA).
- Projects with UNDP, UN Habitat, Care International, Norwegian Refugee Council, Land O’Lakes, Jean Paul II Foundation, GIZ, ENI CBC Med, World Fair Trade Organization, Chico Mendes.
INNOVATOR FELLOW HYBRID
EIT Food
2023.07 - 2024.01
- Cultivated entrepreneurial talent within the agri-food ecosystem through a research-intensive fellowship program focusing on the use of AI in the service of seed breeding.
- Developed innovative ideas to address global challenges in the food system and its resilience to climate change.
STRONG CITIES NETWORK COORDINATOR
INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC DIALOGUE (ISD)
2021.06 - 2022.04
- Coordinated and implemented national and local-level activities to prevent violent extremism and counter terrorism
- Assessed municipal readiness for the Strong Cities Network program based on in-depth community consultations and multi-stakeholders' analysis
- Drafted training materials and participated in the Dutch Safety Houses study tour for the Prevention of Violent Extremism
- Designed and delivered training on Fundamentals of PVE, Local Action Planning, Introduction to M&E and Community Consultation for local officers of the Iraqi National Security Administration.
OUTREACH & OPERATIONS
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT UNIT - AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT
2019.02 - 2021.05
- Created and implemented outreach strategies for multiple funded projects
- Managed value chains and turned food initiatives into financially independent entities for 50 rural small scale producers working in organic and climate-friendly practices
- Distributed seedlings (300,000) and seeds (14,000 bags), oversaw agricultural land assessments, and managed urban farms
- Established networks with civil society organizations and grassroots initiatives
- Improved supply chains for over 100 producers within farmers' markets
- (2 farmers' markets per week over 3 years and a half)
- Organized producer committees and developed events to increase market traffic
- Collaborated with municipalities to create traditional food festivals
- (more than 25 big scale events over the span of 3 years and a half)
SOUK MANAGER
SOUK EL TAYEB | TRADITIONS & PEOPLE
2015.09 - 2018.11
- Created and implemented outreach strategies for multiple funded projects
- Managed value chains and turned food initiatives into financially independent entities for 50 rural small scale producers working in organic and climate-friendly practices
- Distributed seedlings (300,000) and seeds (14,000 bags), oversaw agricultural land assessments, and managed urban farms
- Established networks with civil society organizations and grassroots initiatives
- Improved supply chains for over 100 producers within farmers' markets
- (2 farmers' markets per week over 3 years and a half)
- Organized producer committees and developed events to increase market traffic
- Collaborated with municipalities to create traditional food festivals
- (more than 25 big scale events over the span of 3 years and a half)
Education
Innovator Fellowship - Food Systems Innovation
EIT Food
Leuven, Belgium01.2024
Master of Science - Rural Community Development
American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon05.2022
Bachelor of Science - Business Management - Marketing
Universite La Sagesse
Beirut, Lebanon05.2017
Skills
- Agri-market linkages
- SME Development
- Food Security & Livelihood
- Product Development
- Market Study
- P/CVE
- Competitive Analysis
- Value Chain Analysis
- Project Management
- Community Development
- Organizational Design & Structure
- Research & Development
- Marketing Strategy
- Curriculum Development
- Training Content Development
- Market Entry/Market Expansion
- Operational Process Development
- Team Leadership
- Strategic Thinking
- Entrepreneurial and Innovation
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Arabic
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
German
Elementary (A2)
Spanish
Beginner (A1)
Detailed Portfolio and Consultancy Jobs
AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST OR VIA MY LINKEDIN PROFILE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasgholam/
Scientific Articles & Conferences
· Gholam, N., Maalouf, L., Tohme Tawk, S., Jaber, L. S., & Hamadeh, S. K. (In Review). Use and governance of AI in Food Security – Case of Lebanon. American University of Cairo, IDRC
· Speaker at the International Mountain Conference’s Focus Session #62: Social Innovation in Mountain Areas – September 2022 | Innsbruck, Austria. Contribution entitled “Adjusting in Style – A Lebanese Case Study”
· Belhouchette H. (dir.). (2021). Understanding the current status, emerging challenges, global uncertainties and coping mechanisms of agriculture and food systems around the Mediterranean: Proceedings. 110 p. 3. Mediterranean Forum for PhD Students and Young Researchers, 2021/07/06-07, Online - CIHEAM Montpellier, France.
· FAO Science and Innovation Forum 2023: Science and innovation for climate action – Summary report | Rome.
Certification
- Sustainable Food Systems, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - June, 2024
Timeline
INNOVATOR FELLOW HYBRID
EIT Food
2023.07 - 2024.01
Advisory Committee Member
Legal Agenda
2022.09 - 2024.04
ECONOMIC GROWTH CONSULTANT
FAIR TRADE LEBANON
2022.05 - 2024.02
STRONG CITIES NETWORK COORDINATOR
INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC DIALOGUE (ISD)
2021.06 - 2022.04
FOUNDER
MAWSAM Beirut SARL
2020.01 - Current
OUTREACH & OPERATIONS
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT UNIT - AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT
2019.02 - 2021.05
SOUK MANAGER
SOUK EL TAYEB | TRADITIONS & PEOPLE
2015.09 - 2018.11
Innovator Fellowship - Food Systems Innovation
EIT Food
Master of Science - Rural Community Development
American University of Beirut
Bachelor of Science - Business Management - Marketing
Universite La Sagesse
- Sustainable Food Systems, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - June, 2024
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