Key skills and expertise

With 24 years of experience, the expert excels in nutrition and health, specializing in infant and young child feeding during emergencies. Key skills include strategy development, policy analysis, and capacity building. Career highlights include leading international projects with organizations like WHO and UNICEF, contributing to national nutrition strategies and policy gap analyses. Previously held roles such as Regional Technical Advisor and Consultant have resulted in accomplishments in developing operational research agendas and national nutrition policies. The expert's work has significantly impacted health and nutrition programs across the MENA region.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated with international donors such as UNICEF and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Responsibilities have included providing technical assistance, conducting evaluations, and facilitating capacity building in health and nutrition sectors. Projects were regional and national in scope, focusing on areas like infant and young child feeding and school feeding programs. Geographic locations for this work include Lebanon, Jordan, and Georgia, demonstrating the expert's ability to manage and implement diverse initiatives effectively.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across key sectors including food security, health, and nutrition, with roles such as consultant, technical advisor, and program manager. Responsibilities have included strategy development, policy analysis, and capacity building, with cross-cutting expertise in infant and young child feeding, emergency nutrition, and public health. The geographic scope of work is primarily regional, encompassing the MENA region, with notable involvement in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Georgia. This experience has equipped the expert with deep familiarity with local governance and cultural dynamics, particularly in health and nutrition sectors.

Languages and education

Bringing a multilingual capability, the expert is fluent in Arabic, English, and French. These language skills have been utilized in diverse professional contexts, including in-country work in Lebanon and collaboration with international organizations such as WHO and UNICEF. The expert has effectively engaged with multilingual teams and stakeholders across the MENA region, enhancing communication and project implementation in health and nutrition sectors. Educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing and Health Sciences from the University of Dundee, Scotland, UK, with a focus on infant and young child feeding during emergencies. Additionally, the expert holds a Master of Science in Nutrition and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.