Areas of Practice
Shahzad Asghar — senior technology leader, public sector and humanitarian systems.
Two decades shaping data, digital, and infrastructure programmes for United Nations operations and member-state institutions across the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and East Africa. Currently leading data, digital, and infrastructure delivery at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia in Beirut.
How I work
I translate executive vision into systems that survive contact with operations.
Structured allocation, weekly written reporting, direct coaching of staff into the next grade.
I negotiate hard, document carefully, and treat the contract as part of the architecture.
Digital Strategy & Transformation
I shape long-horizon technology strategy for public sector institutions, moving fragmented estates toward coherent, scalable platforms. My work sits at the meeting point of executive vision and engineering reality, turning mandate into infrastructure that holds under operational pressure.
- ESCWA Digital DiscoveryInventoried 181 databases and 145 portals across the Commission with lifecycle verdicts, securing director-level endorsement to proceed to remediation.
- AI-Assisted Tooling ArchitectureLed the architectural design of an AI-enabled project proposal system, including layered prompt design, role-based editing permissions, and integrated assistance.
- UN Global Pulse AcceleratorBuilt DigitalAAP, an AI feedback platform serving displaced populations, selected by the United Nations Global Pulse Accelerator programme.
Programme Delivery
I run technology programmes across multiple countries, dissimilar systems, and high-stakes timelines. The pattern is consistent: ambitious scope, hard deadlines, and complex integration across services that must hold under real conditions, measured against time, cost, and quality.
- IVR Appointment PlatformDelivered an interactive voice response system serving over 700,000 refugees, replicated across five country operations including Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Ethiopia.
- Regional GIS Service RecoveryManaged a multi-day geospatial service interruption affecting 22 Arab member states, republishing over 1,000 layers and restoring full regional service.
- Forensic Data IntegrityLed the removal of 165,000 duplicate records from a refugee registration database, restoring data confidence for downstream operations.
Technical Advisory & Governance
I advise senior leaders on systems, cloud, networks, end-point management, and collaboration platforms. My role is to translate technology choices into business consequences they can act on, and to set the standards that hold the environment together over time.
- Cybersecurity Governance FrameworkAuthored a country-level cybersecurity governance framework for an emergency operation, covering policy, controls, and incident response protocols.
- MENA Regional Cybersecurity WorkshopLed a regional workshop convening security leads from country operations across the Middle East and North Africa.
- Standards & Operational PracticeDefined standards, procedures, and operational practice for ICT services across a multi-mandate division, including portal lifecycle policy and request management governance.
Team Leadership & Capability Building
I lead technology teams across web delivery, data engineering, and infrastructure and cybersecurity. My approach is structured: clear allocation, weekly written reporting, and direct coaching of staff into the next grade.
- Three-Workstream DivisionLead web delivery, data engineering, and infrastructure and cybersecurity teams within a UN regional commission, spanning eight professional staff.
- Recruitment PanelsServed on comparative review panels for senior data management roles, applying institutional shortlisting guidance.
- Operating RhythmEstablished a structured weekly reporting format and consolidated project reporting to executive leadership, replacing informal exchanges with documented governance.
Operations, Procurement & Service Management
I run the operational layer of technology: procurement, service desk, infrastructure, and the cross-functional coordination across corporate platforms that finance, human resources, and administrative functions depend on.
- Vendor NegotiationRenegotiated regional ESRI licensing from approximately 136,000 USD down to 26,000 USD, with an additional 15,000 USD waiver, while preserving service continuity.
- Service Desk StandupEstablished the DSDSD Portal Request Management System at request.unescwa.org, formalising intake, ticketing, and prioritisation across portal services.
- Cross-System IntegrationIntegrated Ministry of Education systems via API into refugee enrolment workflows, reducing school enrolment delays by 90 percent.
Budget & Resource Stewardship
I prepare and monitor financial plans for technology services, holding accountability for cost discipline, vendor commitments, and value delivered against allocation.
- Procurement Cost ReductionDelivered six-figure savings on regional GIS licensing through structured vendor negotiation and rebaselined contract terms.
- Workplan ReportingProduced consolidated project reporting tied to budget execution, supporting director-level oversight of programme spend.
- Investment DirectionDirected available budget toward platform consolidation and lifecycle remediation rather than fragmented one-off builds.
Open to senior technology leadership conversations.
Public sector, multilateral, and humanitarian system roles welcome.
Where this work is documented
These six areas describe how the work is organised. For what came out of it, see the builds, a catalogue of the systems and prototypes behind these practices, and the AI projects written up in more depth. The career journey sets out the sequence, and areas of expertise covers the subject knowledge underneath.
The governance side is treated separately under AI governance in the United Nations and information technology audit in the age of AI. The operating-model approach is set out in the digital transformation strategy for humanitarian organizations.