Rawan B. Atallah
Qualification & Certifications
Feb,2002
BA in Banking and Finance (minoring in Computer Science) - Yarmouk University - Jordan
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Feb, 2018
Mini MBA - German Jordanian University / Cambridge training college
April 2022
Certified Travel Life Coach for Sustainable Tour Operators
May 2023
Approved Trainer on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria
Work Experience
Freelance Tourism Expert
Freelance
June 2017 - Present
Business Development & Research Consultant
Freelance
June 2017 - Present
Tourism Enterrpise Development Manager
USAID BEST Project
August 2015 - May 2017
Project Specialist – SME Development &Tourism Awareness
Economic Growth Through Sustainable Tourism (EGST) Project
Nov 2013 - August 2015
SME Development Specialist
USAID Jordan Tourism Development Project (SIYAHA II)
Oct 2008 - Oct 2013
Projects and Grants Coordinator
USAID Jordan Tourism Development Project (SIYAHA I)
Aug 2005 - Sep 2008
Project Coordinator
USAID/Chemonics International Inc.TAPS Project
Nov 2003 - June 2005
Business Development Coordinator
Al-Noor Finance Consultants Company Ltd. (Forex Capital)
Apr.2002 – Oct.2003
USAID Makanati: Led the tourism industry business case to promote workforce diversity, advocating for women’s inclusion at all levels, including leadership roles.
USAID Growth Activity (BGA): Conducted market analysis to assess the impact of the Gaza crisis on tourism SMEs, identifying recovery and sustainability strategies.
CBI Tourism Project (Jordan): Provided technical assistance to ASEZA, JTB, and Jordan Trail, to enhance the adoption and implementation of sustainable tourism principles through research, training, FAM trips, and mentorship programs.
Jordan’s Agri-Tourism Roadmap: Led the development of a national strategy, engaging public-private stakeholders to create an action plan for sustainable agritourism.
FAO-EBRD Jordan: Advised on strengthening links between agriculture and tourism, supporting value chain analysis and mapping agritourism service providers.
World bank / Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities – Jordan: Participated in a comprehensive study on Jordan's tourism competitiveness, analyzing the cost structure, price competitiveness, and operational expenses across the tourism value chain. Identified gaps and policy recommendations to enhance industry efficiency and international market positioning
Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN): Developed interactive community-based tourism experiences, conducting focus groups and training local providers.
GSTC Training – Petra: Conducted specialized GSTC criteria training for key tourism stakeholders in Petra, supporting sustainability integration in the destination.
Travelife Training, coaching and mentorship: Delivered sustainability training and consultancy for tour operators and destinations, supporting certification processes. Continuous provision of coaching and auditing of Tour Operators
EU-funded MEDUSA Project - : Co-led a 3-year cross-border project focusing on adventure tourism, including industry research and capacity-building programs, and supervised the implementation of a subgrant program.
Saudi Public Investment Fund (Al Ahsa): Conducted a tourism assessment, analyzing assets and gaps to develop a strategy for positioning Al Ahsa as an agritourism destination.
GIZ MOVE-HET Project: Co-implemented a tourism labor market analysis and secondary research to assess workforce dynamics and future trends.
USAID BEST Project: Supported SME grant assessments, business development plans, and the creation of community-based tourism experiences under the Distinctive Destination program.
EU-funded MED Pearls Project: Led awareness and capacity-building sessions on Slow Tourism and Sustainable Tourism, supporting tourism SMEs and stakeholders.
Jordan Trail Association: Provided advisory services on community development, donor funding strategies, and the implementation of multiple donor-funded projects.
Baraka Consulting: Managed a 2-year project in Um Qais and Pella, developing work plans, financial management, and sustainable community-based tourism initiatives.
Jordan Society of Tourism & Travel Agents: Conducted market research and mapping of tourism service providers in Zarqa and Irbid to identify adventure and experiential tourism opportunities.
Artisanal Sector Research – Jordan: Conducted a market assessment and training needs analysis for the artisanal sector in As Salt, Wadi Mousa, and Iraq Al Amir, supporting Drosos Foundation in designing a targeted program to enhance income-generating opportunities through community-based development models.
Training & Capacity Building: Designed and delivered training sessions for associations, donor projects, and SMEs, focusing on business development, proposal writing, pitching skills, and strategic planning to strengthen organizational capacity and market positioning.
Business Development Advisory: Provided strategic guidance and capacity-building support for micro and small businesses, including House of Culture, Beit Aziz, Baraka Consulting, and Salt Development Corporation, enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability.
Jordan Trail Development: Led national initiatives for the development of the 640km Jordan Trail from Um Qais to Aqaba, overseeing institutional development, product enhancement, capacity building, and marketing strategies to establish it as a key national asset.
Salt Development Corporation Support: Managed efforts to enhance city trails in Salt, supporting their national and international promotion to strengthen cultural and historical experiences.
Agri-Tourism Development – Balqa / Bookagri : Supported the design and implementation of agri-tourism experiences in Balqa Governorate, fostering rural economic development and community engagement.
Culinary Tourism Initiatives: Managed local food tourism initiatives, including the conceptualization and implementation of a cooking experience to promote culinary heritage and immersive gastronomy experiences.
Strategic planning: Actively contributed to various components of the USAID BEST project, supporting its strategic goals in business development, capacity building, and tourism enhancement initiatives.
Fundukia School Laboratories Upgrade: Managed the refurbishment of school laboratories, ensuring they met industry standards to enhance educational quality and hands-on learning opportunities.
National Awareness Campaign: Developed and managed a nationwide campaign promoting industry awareness, with a focus on youth and women. The campaign successfully engaged over 1,000 students through a national student art initiative and media outreach.
Community Engagement & Outreach: Conducted awareness workshops, coordinated media coverage through radio stations, and developed educational collateral to engage local communities and raise industry awareness.
National Handcraft Sector Audit: Led a comprehensive mapping and audit of Jordan’s handcraft sector in partnership with the National Handcraft Association, identifying key opportunities for sector growth and sustainability.
Gender Equity & Women’s Empowerment: Led initiatives to increase women’s participation in various industries by implementing empowerment programs, promoting gender inclusion, and facilitating workforce integration strategies.
Child Labor Assessment & Advocacy – Aqaba & Petra: Conducted an assessment of child labor issues in Aqaba and Petra, evaluating risks and proposing interventions to address vulnerabilities. Supported the Care for Petra Campaign, advocating for responsible visitor behavior and site preservation in coordination with PDTRA, Brooke, and ILO, ensuring stakeholder collaboration for sustainable impact.
Grants Design and Management: Support the project's grant program implementation, including developing grant schemes, concepts and applications evaluation, and fund allocation, monitoring, and reporting.
Heritage Trail Development & Enterprise Growth: Managed the development of heritage trails and implemented enterprise development programs through NGOs in both Salt and Ajloun, fostering cultural preservation and economic opportunities.
Gender Integration Initiatives: Guided and monitored gender equity programs, ensuring inclusive participation and workforce diversity across project activities.
Gender Equity Seal Implementation: Supported the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in establishing a Gender Equity Steering Committee.Spearheaded an awareness and training campaign on the Gender Equity Seal, guiding four tourism companies through the certification process and ensuring compliance with the required standards. This process involved capacity building, procedural training, and corporate engagement, ultimately helping businesses enhance workplace diversity, inclusion, and gender-sensitive policies.
Local Community & Municipality Support: Led research and rapid appraisals for municipalities and local communities in Madaba, Petra, Ajloun, Salt, Wadi Rum, Tafileh, and Jerash, assessing development needs and supporting targeted interventions.
Capacity Building Grants Management: Successfully managed over 10 capacity-building grants for tourism associations and educational institutes across various governorates in Jordan, including JRA, JHA, RACA, Eco Hotels, and others. Oversaw the grant lifecycle, from proposal evaluation and fund allocation to implementation, monitoring, and reporting. Ensured that grantees met performance benchmarks and achieved measurable outcomes in institutional strengthening, workforce development, and service enhancement.
Madaba Cluster Development Coordination: Managed and coordinated project activities related to the Madaba cluster, ensuring smooth implementation and stakeholder engagement.
Enterprise Development Program: Facilitated the Madaba Enterprise Development Program, supporting 27 projects with a total funding value of $1.3 million, contributing to local business growth and sustainability.
Public Relations & Media Management: Coordinated events, public relations, and media campaigns, while overseeing monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of project activities to ensure transparency and impact measurement.
Operational & Administrative Support: Provided logistical and administrative support for procurements, subcontracts, events, and staff travel, ensuring efficient execution of project activities.
Research & Technical Support: Conducted technical and desk research to support the component’s strategic initiatives and evidence-based decision-making.
Grant Application & Budget Coordination: Assisted in grant application processes, supporting the development of grant budgets to ensure effective fund allocation and compliance with donor requirements.
Project Management & Monitoring: Held primary responsibility for managing and monitoring project work plan and budget, ensuring alignment and financial accuracy across all activities.
Consultant Coordination & Support: Managed expatriate and local consultants, ensuring the fulfillment of their scopes of work, contract adherence, and timely deliverables.
Logistics & Operations Management: Oversaw the coordination of project logistics, including event planning, procurement, and operational support for seamless project execution.
Financial Record Keeping: Maintained detailed project financial records, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with donor and organizational guidelines.
Stakeholder Relations Management: Engaged with key stakeholders, USAID, and partners, ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and alignment with project objectives.
Business Development & Strategy: Coordinated business development activities, including the design and implementation of promotion and marketing plans to enhance market reach and investor engagement.
Market Research & Analysis: Conducted daily market research on global financial markets, analyzing trends and identifying opportunities to inform strategic decision-making.
Investor Training & Capacity Building: Provided training sessions for investors on foreign exchange trading principles and concepts, equipping them with the knowledge to navigate global financial markets effectively.
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