UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

Leading the digital transformation of refugee assistance and internal support services, with a focus on AI, automation, and cybersecurity.

Led a team of 12 specialists to embed data-driven decision-making across protection, registration, and field operations.

Oversaw the digitization and optimization of 40+ workflows across HR, Admin, and refugee-facing services.

Designed and scaled AI-powered feedback platforms, incorporating transcription, categorization, and NLP-based insights.

Directed the automation of UNHCR’s legacy IVR helpline into a second-generation system, enabling over 600,000 refugees to schedule appointments, check case status, and access key services using basic phones no internet required.

Delivered $1.4M in cost savings through IVR system expansion and streamlined service workflows.

Led the strategic design and rollout of a Workflow Management System (WMS) that tracks refugee services from appointment to delivery. Worked closely with my DAG team to map business processes, remove bottlenecks, and reduce in-office service time by over 65%.

Created and implemented UNHCR Jordan’s first cybersecurity governance framework; six critical systems passed security audits with full compliance.

Co-led UNHCR’s technical input to Jordan’s National Census, ensuring accurate refugee representation and alignment with UN standards

Head of Data and Tech Group (DAG)

Data Analysis Group Lead

Drove Technology and information management strategies across diverse humanitarian contexts in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.  
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance data collection and reporting processes, improving operational efficiency.  
Developed and implemented training programs for local staff, resulting in a 30% increase in data accuracy.
During my HQ deployments, I served in Sudan, Greece, Syria, Iraq, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, South Sudan, Lebanon, Jordan, and Chad driving data and information‑management strategy across diverse humanitarian contexts in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Information Management Officer

Statisticiantoolbox.org

Co-Founder

UNICEF

Established enterprise-wide data governance framework ensuring ethical AI use while maintaining GDPR compliance across all child protection data systems

Regional  Inter-agency Information Management

UNDP

I was responsible for and oversaw several tasks related to local government authorities through various approaches, including processing job requests into live jobs and deliverables. In the IT department, job responsibilities included managing applications, software development and deployment jobs, network, security, and infrastructure upgrades (both virtual and physical), as well as projects to support the first line of support for IT. Project meetings and delegating duties and other work are also part of this job. Projects are not limited to the IT department, but other departments also require extra support. This includes any department that has requested assistance from the IT Project Management team and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).

Project Manager 

Salam Technology

I delivered cyber security training to the banking sector workforce to increase their knowledge of cyber security tools and techniques.
Cyber security training covered below topics
Detection and prevention of cyber-attacks; how to respond to a cyber-attack; information security; risk assessment; threat assessment; vulnerability scanning; securing your emails; securing your data; securing your computer; securing your phone; social media awareness; cyber-bullying awareness; data privacy; data ownership; data protection; data ownership; email security; securing your computer; securing your phone; securing your data; social media awareness; social media safety; cyber-bullying awareness; securing your emails; data privacy; threat assessment; threat assessment; vulnerability scanning;

Cyber Security Consultant

Caritas Schweiz

Architected and deployed predictive analytics systems that improved resource allocation accuracy by 42%, directly benefiting 50,000+ IDPs .As the Chief Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer at Caritas Schweiz, I was entrusted with the pivotal role of designing and implementing a comprehensive M&E framework aligned with the organization's corporate standards. My responsibilities spanned across various sectors, including Food, Livelihood, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), ensuring a holistic approach to monitoring and evaluation activities.

Chief Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

United Nations OCHA

Canadian International Development Agency 

In a challenging and rapidly evolving IT landscape, I stepped into the role ofChief of Data Management and  Digital Solutions Unit with a mission to modernize and transform our organization’s technological framework. My focus was on enabling advanced data management and analysis capabilities while ensuring scalability, security, and innovation. I led the seamless integration of cloud computing solutions, enhancing accessibility and operational efficiency, and spearheaded the development of cutting-edge software systems to automate and streamline data processes. Recognizing the critical importance of cybersecurity, I implemented robust protocols to safeguard sensitive information and ensure compliance with industry standards. Additionally, I managed server infrastructure to maintain high availability and performance, minimizing downtime and optimizing resources.

Beyond technical execution, I prioritized building a collaborative and innovative team culture. By fostering skill development, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional collaboration, I empowered a multifaceted team of IT professionals to deliver high-impact projects with precision and creativity. Under my leadership, we successfully migrated to cloud platforms, developed bespoke software solutions, and fortified our cybersecurity posture, positioning the organization as a leader in technological innovation within our sector. These efforts not only strengthened our IT infrastructure but also enhanced data-driven decision-making, operational efficiency, and overall business resilience. My holistic approach as CTO has been instrumental in driving the organization’s success, ensuring we remain agile, secure, and competitive in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Chief of Data Management and  Digital Solutions Unit

The future of digital transformation will not be decided by the biggest platform but by the most trusted. I build trust into every system, whether scaling cloud solutions for people in need or designing AI strategies that protect human data.

I learned this early. A single data error once delayed school enrollment for thousands of children. My team fixed it, correcting 63,000 records and cutting delays by 90 percent. That day confirmed a lesson I carry into every project: technology is not about code, it is about human impact.

That belief has shaped my career:

Led the team that built, with my direct contribution, the first large-scale IVR appointment system in the humanitarian sector, connecting thousands to critical services.

Led and contributed to integrating fragmented education data, reducing school enrollment delays by 90 percent.

Forged and co-managed partnerships with Microsoft and AWS, raising more than $1 million for refugee-centric projects.

Directed and supported the rollout of DHIS2 open source platforms used by thousands.

Recognized as UNHCR’s regional technology champion in Jordan for leading impactful digital solutions.

These were not safe bets. They were calculated risks, projects others avoided. Risk is where innovation grows. Each success proved that trust, openness, and impact are not only ideals but also practical design principles.

My leadership philosophy is simple: execution over ego. The best ideas win, regardless of title. I focus on outcomes, empower teams, and create space for collaboration. That is how strong teams turn bold ideas into systems that last.

I stay ahead by learning. Every wave of AI, cloud, and governance reshapes how I work. I have shared these lessons on global stages, including TEDx and UN 2.0 events, where I spoke about building digital systems as public goods.

Core Focus Areas
Cloud Architecture | AI and Data Strategy | Digital Transformation | Open Source and Digital Public Goods | Governance and Security | Capacity Building

If your work touches AI, cloud, or open source for the public good, let us connect and build what lasts.

Principal Architect | Building Trusted Digital Public Goods | Cloud, AI and Open Source Strategy | Driving Innovation in the Humanitarian Sector

Technical Toolbox : Python, R, SQL, Power BI, Azure, AWS, Streamlit, LLMs, Transformers, LangChain, Prompt Engineering, Flask, HTML/CSS, REST APIs
Certifications (selected): CISM, PMP, ITIL, PRINCE2 Practitioner, TOGAF, Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate, IBM Generative AI Engineer ,Head of Data and Digital Solution.

Shahzad Asghar

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

I lead a multi-diverse team of software engineers, data scientists, and business/policy analysts working on cloud services, data analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML). We assess new technologies, build robust platforms, develop custom solutions, innovate through rapid prototyping, provision resources to teams, promote best practices, and strengthen the knowledge and use of cloud services, data analytics, AI, and ML at IFAD.

IFAD's mission is to transform rural economies and food systems by making them more inclusive, productive, resilient and sustainable. IFAD invests in the millions of people who are most at risk of being left behind: poor, small-scale food producers, women, young people and other vulnerable groups living in rural areas.

ICT Team Lead, Artificial Intelligence & ICT Analyst, Emerging Technologies

Georgetown University McDonough School of Business

Impact & Sustainability
▪ Wells Fargo (USA). Analyzed opportunities and challenges for Wells Fargo to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. dairy industry via targeted financing mechanisms and interventions.
▪ MEST Africa (Ghana). Conducted user research through surveys and interviews to evaluate the impact of MEST's entrepreneurship training program to develop the digital economy and workforce in Africa.
▪ Doconomy (Sweden). Developed a quantitative decision-making model to assess Doconomy's product-market fit, including early COVID-19 policies and responses, for expansion of climate-centric fintech services across Europe.

MBA Global Consultant

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Strategic Technologies Program
▪ Identified and evaluated use cases and best practices for the management of climate data, particularly Earth observation satellite data, to help guide meaningful climate action and decision making at the U.S. Federal level.
▪ Conducted research to assess the human rights impact of blockchain and distributed ledger systems around the world, with a particular emphasis on applications for land rights management systems in developing nations.

Technology Policy Research MBA Intern

Ashoka

Changemaker Companies
▪ Performed extensive mixed-methods research and data analysis on corporate engagements – including employee surveys, stakeholder interviews, and revenue streams – to critically evaluate Ashoka's social impact across their products and partnerships portfolio.
▪ Developed detailed technical guides for survey design and administration, impact measurement, data handling, and data analysis.

Corporate Products and Partnerships MBA Intern

Apple

Developer Publications & GPU Software
▪ Documented best practices for Metal, investigating and communicating simple fixes for 15 common customer problems, resulting in significant performance and experience improvements for top-rated apps, games, and tools.
▪ Authored over 10 technical and marketing publications for Mac eGPU devices, providing app developers with necessary information to create new high-end experiences in graphics, compute, and other intensive use cases.
▪ Rebuilt and managed Apple’s technical library for Metal, authoring and curating over 500 documentation pages and samples, in close collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams including Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Marketing, Legal, and Evangelism.
▪ Produced and edited technical content for Metal at WWDC, totalling over 30 presentations and 10 labs, focused on introducing new technologies, troubleshooting existing issues, and increasing feature adoption amongst customers.
▪ Coordinated alignment and integration of Metal documentation with other SDK technologies such as Core Video, Core Animation, SpriteKit, SceneKit, and Swift.
▪ Delivered localized versions of the Swift Playgrounds app and curriculum to K-12 students and teachers in Latin America, by leading workshops and test sessions in schools in Mexico City, thus expanding Apple’s worldwide education initiatives and market outreach.

Software Engineering Author

Idean

Design Agency
▪ Designed and developed private productivity apps for CLIENT, focused on improving employee communication across local and global offices, as well as improving visibility of important company achievements and initiatives.
▪ Led agile and scrum development processes and design thinking to produce a public data analytics app for CLIENT, delivering real-time mobile app performance and usage metrics to Fortune 500 tech executives.
▪ Developed proof-of-concept prototypes to demonstrate a wide-range of design and development options for prospective clients, spanning app categories such as social media, education, and ICT.
▪ Delivered and coordinated internal workshops and hackathons to increase knowledge, experimentation, and adoption of new technologies.

OTHER

Project A: Public Social Media App
Supported the development of photo-centric features, such as a gesture-driven photo gallery and geographically clustered photo map

Project B: Enterprise Meeting Management App
Designed and developed a native experience that ties several disparate APIs into a single ecosystem to create a unique, integrated experience for day-to-day business tasks and schedule management

Project C: Executive Dashboard
Developed an APM data viewer for C-level executives to monitor their family of mobile apps through custom charts and quick problem resolution

Project D: Enterprise Master Hub
Developed a fully immersive mobile portal with SSO to access and talk between several smaller applications and services

Project E: Children's Educational Game
Engineered the graphics engine and physics logic of a series of mini-games that simulated natural phenomena

Project F: Public Social Media App
Supported the development of content-digestion features, such as a group-based feed and time-sensitive delivery

Project G: Design/Development Internal Workshops
Created and delivered a couple of internal workshops detailing workflow approaches and strategies in front-end mobile development

Mobile App Developer & UX Designer

University of Bristol

Computer Science Teaching Assistant

Mobile App Prototyper

Deloitte México

Business Analyst Intern

I'm focused on advancing technology development, innovation, and strategy to meet the world's sustainable development goals (SDGs).

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Shahzad Asghar

Ricardo Rendon Cepeda

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