ZARA SALMAN
Dubai
Summary
Strategic public-sector consultant with extensive experience supporting ministries and government authorities in the GCC. Expertise in public-sector transformation, ESG governance, and performance management. Advised senior executives on governance and strategy execution, effectively translating national visions into actionable plans.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Advisor & Chief Strategy Officer
Data Trade Union
Dubai
01.2025 - Current
- Advised senior leadership on growth strategy and sustainability models to enhance organizational governance.
- Supported institutional decision-making for long-term expansion and structural alignment to drive organizational effectiveness.
- Designing strategic partnership frameworks enabling scalable, multi-market operations and regional coordination.
- Leading international market entry initiatives with a focus on Asia and high-growth emerging economies.
- Developed FEC ecosystem framework to facilitate cross-functional collaboration and strategic alignment.
Principal Consultant - Strategy & Government Advisory
The Business Clinic Middle East
01.2023 - Current
- Supported senior executives in translating national visions and policy priorities into actionable delivery roadmaps, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
- Advised government and semi-government entities on strategy development to enhance public-sector transformation initiatives.
- Acting as a trusted advisor across strategy execution, governance, and institutional performance.
- Designed leadership alignment programs and organizational transition frameworks to facilitate change management.
Policy & Research Consultant
Save the Children
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Conducted EU-aligned policy research and impact assessments to inform strategic decision-making.
- Facilitated evidence-based policy development and program documentation to support effective implementation.
- Established coordination frameworks uniting NGOs, government entities, and international partners to enhance collaborative efforts.
Policy Analyst
Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Prepared strategic briefings and conducted geopolitical and policy analysis for senior ministry leadership.
- Coordinated intergovernmental initiatives to strengthen international relations.
- Facilitated diplomatic dialogue and enhanced trade relations between GCC region and Sweden.
Education
MSc - Decision, Risk & Policy Analysis
Linnaeus University
SwedenBSc - Sustainable Development & Governance
Linnaeus University
SwedenExecutive Education - Sustainability & Leadership
Harvard Business School Online
USASkills
- Strategic planning
- Strategy execution
- Policy development
- Government advisory
- Public-sector transformation
- Policy analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
- Change management
- Performance management
- Sustainability governance
- International relations
- National vision alignment
Languages
- English, Fluent
- Arabic, Fluent
- Swedish, Native
Core Expertise
- Public-Sector Transformation
- Strategy Execution
- ESG & Sustainability Governance
- Performance & Efficiency Management
- Government & Semi-Government Advisory
- Stakeholder & Institutional Engagement
- Policy Analysis
- National Vision Alignment
Timeline
Advisor & Chief Strategy Officer
Data Trade Union
01.2025 - Current
Principal Consultant - Strategy & Government Advisory
The Business Clinic Middle East
01.2023 - Current
Policy & Research Consultant
Save the Children
01.2022 - 12.2022
Policy Analyst
Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden
01.2021 - 12.2021
MSc - Decision, Risk & Policy Analysis
Linnaeus University
BSc - Sustainable Development & Governance
Linnaeus University
Executive Education - Sustainability & Leadership
Harvard Business School Online