RPS MENA

What RPS MENA does

RPS MENA (Research & Professional Services) is a privately-held social impact consulting, training, and research firm founded in early 2018 in Beirut, Lebanon, with a branch office in Istanbul, Turkey. The company serves NGOs, civil society organizations, INGOs, UN agencies, and select government and corporate clients across the MENA region, with active client footprints in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

The company operates a unified service platform comprising four pillars: (1) Consulting Services delivered through a network of 210+ experts covering organizational capacity assessments, policies and procedures development, organizational and digital transformation, and program design; (2) Capacity Building and Training Services structured as a 5-phase engagement (needs assessment, recruitment, content development, delivery across face-to-face, online synchronous, and asynchronous formats, and evaluation); (3) Research Services including feasibility studies, market assessments, economic and policy studies, and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) engagements; and (4) an Online Courses Platform hosting 98 courses ranging from free introductory content (e.g., "Future of Jobs," "Financial Freedom – MENA Region") to paid offerings at $25–$650+ covering NGO management (strategic planning, fundraising, business development, communication) and PMI certifications (PMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP, GPM-b). The technology layer centers on a custom Learning Management System with virtual classroom delivery, supplemented by an AI-powered Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool (AI OCAT) developed in collaboration with MadeBy – ZAKA that uses natural language processing to generate capacity assessment reports.

Revenue is generated through three streams: per-course fees (one-time/perpetual license model for individuals and SMBs via website self-service enrollment), professional services contracts for consulting and research engagements (typically negotiated with enterprise and institutional clients), and bespoke corporate training. The go-to-market combines direct sales to enterprise/INGO clients, self-serve course enrollment, channel partnerships (notably as a PMI Authorized Training Partner), and community-led engagement through the RPS MENA Project Management Community. Leadership is held by Dr. Ghina Tabsh (CEO & Managing Partner, 20+ years' experience) and Mr. Afif Tabsh (Founding Partner, 15+ years' experience).

Name

RPS MENA

Legal name

Research & Professional Services (RPS)

Website

https://rpsmena.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

RPS MENA is a Beirut-based social impact consulting, training, and research firm serving NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies, and development organizations across the MENA region through capacity building, MEAL research, PMI-certified training, and organizational assessment services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Management Consulting

NAICS

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) & Hyperautomation Platforms (HDAEAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) & Digital Robotics (HDAAAIAI)

Keywords

• Professional consulting services
• Project management training
• Organizational capacity building
• NGO development consulting
• Market research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Beirut

HQ country

Lebanon

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Courses: Online and in-person training courses including PMI certifications (PMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP, GPM-b), NGO development programs, and professional skills training. Courses range from free to $650+ per enrollment.
2. Consulting Services: Organizational capacity assessments, policies and procedures development, digital transformation, program design and implementation support. Served over 210 expert consultants across various projects.
3. Research Services: Comprehensive research studies for academic institutes, research centers, NGOs, corporates, UN and governmental entities covering feasibility studies, market assessments, evaluations, and MEAL services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

RPS MENA is a social impact consulting, training, and research firm that delivers professional services to NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies, governments, and corporates across the MENA region. Core offerings include organizational capacity assessments, policies and procedures development, digital transformation, program design and implementation, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning) services, PMI-certified project management training (PMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP, GPM-b), and an AI-powered Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool (AI OCAT).

Product overview

RPS MENA (Research & Professional Services) is a social impact consulting, training, and research firm serving the MENA region. The company operates as a unified service platform comprising four core offerings: an Online Courses Platform (with 98 courses covering NGO management, project management certifications like PMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP, GPM-b, and PMR, plus business development skills), Capacity Building & Training Services (5-phase comprehensive training programs in leadership, strategy, fundraising, MEAL, and HR), Consulting Services (delivered through a network of 210+ experts covering organizational assessments, digital transformation, and program design), and Research Services (institutional research, market studies, and MEAL evaluations). Additionally, the AI-Powered Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool (AI OCAT) represents their AI-enabled product offering developed in collaboration with MadeBy - ZAKA, available as a free probono service. The company also offers specific courses including Strategic Planning for NGOs, Fundraising, Communication Strategies, Business Development, and various PMI certification preparation programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Courses Platform A portfolio of 98 online courses covering NGO management, project management certifications, business development, and professional skills training, delivered with lifetime access and expert instruction. Audience includes NGO staff, project managers, program officers, and consultants.
• Capacity Building & Training Services A comprehensive 5-phase training service covering Training Needs Assessment, Recruitment & Allocation, Content Development, Training Delivery (face-to-face, online synchronous, online asynchronous), and Evaluation & Learning Assessment. Topics include Leadership, Strategy, Fundraising, Communication, Finance, MEAL, and HR. Audience: NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies, governments, and corporates in MENA.
• Consulting Services Professional consulting services delivered through a network of 210+ experts. Includes Organizational Capacity Assessments, Policies & Procedures Development, Organizational & Digital Transformation, Program Design & Implementation, Organizational Setup & Registration, and Organizational Capacity Development. Audience: NGOs, INGOs, governments, and corporates in MENA.
• Research Services Comprehensive research services covering Institutional Research & Studies (feasibility studies, market assessments, economic studies, policy studies) and MEAL services (community needs assessments, evaluations, impact assessments, baseline studies). Audience: academic institutes, research centers, NGOs, corporates, UN and governmental entities.
• AI-Powered Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool (AI OCAT) An AI-powered tool developed with MadeBy - ZAKA that automatically generates organizational capacity assessments based on hundreds of indicators, documents, and data points. Offered as a free probono service. Audience: NGOs and impact-driven organizations seeking capacity assessment.
• PMP Exam Preparation Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of projects successfully completed over 8 years of operations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Project Management Institute (PMI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2025RPS MENA became a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP), enabling delivery of world-class PMI-backed training programs including PMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP, CAPM, PgMP, PfMP, DASM, DASSM, DAC, DAVSC, and Certified in Generative AI certifications.
• United Nations Global Compact Network LebanoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2025RPS MENA joined the UN Global Compact initiative, the world's largest corporate sustainability movement with over 20,000 companies across 160+ countries. This membership reinforces commitment to embedding the Ten Principles of the Compact into strategy and operations spanning human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.
• Aie ServeminorOthersPartner organization featured in the RPS MENA partner ecosystem
• JustPeaceminorOthersPartner organization featured in the RPS MENA partner ecosystem
• Youssef Tabsh FoundationminorOthersPartner organization featured in the RPS MENA partner ecosystem
• Mira-Clé Training, Outsourcing & ConsultingminorOthersPartner organization featured in the RPS MENA partner ecosystem
• NGO Management AssociationminorOthersPartner organization featured in the RPS MENA partner ecosystem
• Keylearn SALminorOthersPartner organization featured in the RPS MENA partner ecosystem
• RainmakersminorOthersPartner organization featured in the RPS MENA partner ecosystem
• Centre de formation professionnelle USJminorOthersAcademic institution partner featured in the RPS MENA ecosystem, engaged in discussions for collaborative program development and delivery
• MadeBy - ZAKAcoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with MadeBy - ZAKA team to develop AI-powered Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool (AI OCAT). This tool is based on years of organizational assessment experience, hundreds of indicators, and data points integrated into an easy-to-use platform.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Management Systems International (MSI): Tetra Tech-owned international development firm specializing in M&E, organizational development, and capacity building for governments and NGOs. Comparable to RPS MENA's consulting and research services in MEAL, program design, and institutional strengthening for the development sector.
• GreyCampus: Professional training and certification provider focused heavily on PMP, PMI-ACP, and Six Sigma, with live online and classroom formats. Direct competitor in the project management certification training space, with similar course-pricing and instructor-led delivery model.
• Simplilearn: Large-scale online professional training company with deep PMI and agile certification course offerings. Comparable to RPS MENA's blended online + in-person PMI training model, though operating at much greater scale and lower price points.
• IREX: Global development and education organization with active MENA programming covering civil society strengthening, youth, and governance. Comparable to RPS MENA's NGO capacity-building and research services for the development sector.
• World Learning: International NGO delivering professional training, exchange programs, and organizational capacity building worldwide, with significant MENA presence. Comparable to RPS MENA's training, consulting, and research services for civil society and development professionals.
• KnowledgeHut: Global training provider offering PMP, PMI-ACP, and other PMI certification prep courses online and in-person, often via authorized partners. Directly comparable to RPS MENA's PMI ATP-led training business, with overlapping customer segments of mid-career professionals pursuing project management credentials.
• Pact: International development organization delivering capacity building, M&E, and organizational development services to NGOs and civil society globally. Comparable to RPS MENA's consulting and research arm serving NGOs, INGOs, and donors across emerging markets.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Global online learning platform hosting courses from top universities and PMI itself. Comparable to RPS MENA's self-serve online course catalog (98 courses), though serving a vastly broader and global learner base with much deeper content libraries.
• Skillsoft: Enterprise learning and talent development platform with broad professional certification content. Comparable in the corporate training and professional development space, but as a much larger incumbent serving global enterprises rather than the MENA NGO niche.

Emerging players

• Berytech: Lebanese innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem actor supporting startups, SMEs, and social impact initiatives. Comparable to RPS MENA as a Lebanon-rooted organization in the impact/social enterprise space, though focused on startup incubation rather than NGO capacity building.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rpsmena

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RPS MENA