Amal Saker
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Summary
Senior political-science researcher and editor-in-chief (Arabic & English publication). 25 years of experience in GCC affairs. Accomplished managing-editor with a demonstrated history in the research industry. Skilled in writing, editing, politics, policy research & analysis, political risk analysis, and political science. Seasoned research professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) centered around political reform in Saudi Arabia.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work history
Deputy General Manager
Harf and Fasela Media
Abu Dhabi, UAE
2018.11 - 2023.07
- Managing the institution, including overseeing research teams and supervising its websites such as QPosts and European Eye on Radicalization
- Writing editorials, articles, research, political reports, and policy papers related to the UAE and region, and global issues
- Consulting local decision-makers based on research results & analysis of developments.
- Assisted General Manager to ensure site consistently achieved or surpassed annual financial targets.
- Elevated operational standards by challenging existing practices, processes and decision-making with strict customer service focus.
- Coached and developed new talent by monitoring individual performance, conducting appraisals and providing meaningful feedback.
- Resolved internal staff conflicts to mutual benefits of all parties involved.
Editor in Chief
European Eye on Radicalization
Abu Dhabi, UAE
2018.11 - 2023.07
- (Arabic version), European Eye on Radicalization web site
- Editing all articles and studies that are translated from the English version of the website
- Writing several editorials for the site.
- Briefed writers on scope of writing projects, giving appropriate contextual information to boost quality of work.
- Understood implications of slight nuances between different versions of English and cultures when creating content for international audiences.
- Fact-checked content to prevent publication of false information.
- Harnessed new formats to help improve reader engagement.
- Helped writing team to refine content and embody brand voice.
- Considered implications of translation and internationalisation of content for intentional word choice.
- Advised writers on powerful storytelling techniques to craft memorable content.
- Monitored analytics to understand how readers engage with written content and identify gold standards to aim for.
- Provided writing team with tools to improve efficiency and accuracy, including constructive feedback and templates.
Deputy Director
Future for Advanced Studies and Research
, UAE
2014.04 - 2018.10
- Executive Affairs, Editor in chief (Events Trend Magazine - in Arabic), Future for Advanced Research and Studies, Abdelhadi , UAE
- Writing analyses, research, political reports, and policy papers related to the areas of interest in the UAE
- Managing the editorial board of the magazine, including editing topics, composing editorials, conducting analysis, as well as furbishing action-plans and following up on implementation
- Conducting panel discussions that ensure the achievement of the main objectives of the Center
- Leading Center outreach through follow-ups and building external relations sustained through continued cooperation.
- Facilitated negotiation processes with external vendors and business partners.
- Monitored and analysed industry trends, staying informed about market dynamics.
- Coordinated with senior management to communicate and execute strategic directives.
- Monitored budget to meet sales and revenue targets.
Senior Editor/ Senior Researcher
Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research
Abu Dhabi, UAE
2010.06 - 2012.01
- Writing articles, research, political reports, policy papers and analytical studies.
- Monitored analytics to understand how readers engage with written content and identify gold standards to aim for.
- Briefed writers on scope of writing projects, giving appropriate contextual information to boost quality of work.
- Fact-checked content to prevent publication of false information.
- Managed new content production to address content gaps.
- Wrote articles and reports for scholarly journals, contributing to industry discourse.
- Resolved unexpected issues with strong communication and resourceful problem-solving.
Head of Research Analyst Unit/ Senior Editor
The Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed
Dubai
2008.03 - 2010.05
- Preparing unit's work plan, in addition to conducting and presenting research and reports on topics of urgent importance to the decision-maker in the UAE
- Preparing monthly reports on the most prominent political developments in countries of interest
- Editing and summarizing the most prominent international reports, alongside translating them into Arabic
- Delivering opening speeches in conferences, seminars, and workshops of the executive office.
Senior Researcher/ Editor
ECSSR
Abu Dhabi
2001.11 - 2008.02
- Preparing reports on various topics of interest to the decision-maker
- Summarizing to Arabic the latest editions of books published around the world in English
- Translating several articles and reports from English into Arabic as needed
- Monitoring the most important developing news and emerging reports.
Chief Editor/ Researcher
Third World Forum
Cairo
1999.08 - 2001.04
- Briefed writers on scope of writing projects, giving appropriate contextual information to boost quality of work.
- Tailored content to priorities and preferences of target reader group demographic.
- Provided writing team with tools to improve efficiency and accuracy, including constructive feedback and templates.
- Leveraged digital proofreading tools to flag and fix grammatical errors.
Editor/ Researcher
ECSSR
Abu Dhabi
1999.02 - 1999.07
- Summarizing to Arabic the latest editions of books published around the world in English
- Monitoring the most important developing news and emerging reports.
Editor/ Researcher
World Forum
Cairo
1997.01 - 1999.01
- Used software to mark-up content for swift communication with writing team.
- Tailored content to priorities and preferences of target reader group demographic.
- Helped writing team to refine content and embody brand voice.
- Monitored analytics to understand how readers engage with written content and identify gold standards to aim for.
- Managed new content production to address content gaps.
- Briefed writers on scope of writing projects, giving appropriate contextual information to boost quality of work.
Education
Ph.D - Political Science
Institute of Arab Research and Studies
2014
M.A - Political Science
Cairo University
2000
B.A - Political Science
Cairo University
1996
Skills
- Excellent content editor of Arabic materials
- Excellent creative writing skills
- Experience in professional & academic-research social media marketing
- Leadership experience across highly diverse working groups that succeeded in high-level strategy development
- High ability to deal with stressful situations and work under pressure
- Extensive network of researchers, academics, policymakers, and center leaders with an eager focus on further expanding
- Budget management
- Story pitching
- Building advertisements
- Community relations
- Ability to check facts
- Covering events
- Assigning articles
- Quality Control
- Policy drafting
Languages
Arabic
Native
English
Fluent
Timeline
Deputy General Manager
Harf and Fasela Media
2018.11 - 2023.07
Editor in Chief
European Eye on Radicalization
2018.11 - 2023.07
Deputy Director
Future for Advanced Studies and Research
2014.04 - 2018.10
Senior Editor/ Senior Researcher
Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research
2010.06 - 2012.01
Head of Research Analyst Unit/ Senior Editor
The Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed
2008.03 - 2010.05
Senior Researcher/ Editor
ECSSR
2001.11 - 2008.02
Chief Editor/ Researcher
Third World Forum
1999.08 - 2001.04
Editor/ Researcher
ECSSR
1999.02 - 1999.07
Editor/ Researcher
World Forum
1997.01 - 1999.01
Ph.D - Political Science
Institute of Arab Research and Studies
M.A - Political Science
Cairo University
B.A - Political Science
Cairo University