Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 42 years of experience, the expert excels in policy analysis, program evaluation, and social development. Career highlights include leading international and local projects, providing technical support to UN agencies and governments. Notable accomplishments encompass evaluating FAO's Lebanon program and advising on food security strategies in Sudan. Previously held roles such as Governance Practice Leader at UNDP, the expert has successfully built teams across cultural contexts. Their expertise spans governance, poverty reduction, and community-based development, with a strong emphasis on human rights approaches and participatory methodologies.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving international donors such as the European Union and the Ford Foundation. Responsibilities have included providing technical assistance and leading evaluations for FAO's country program in Lebanon and the Food Security Policy and Strategy Capacity Building Programme in Sudan. The expert has been involved in governance, social development, and food security projects across the Arab region, including Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen. They have also engaged in capacity building and strategic planning initiatives, contributing to regional and national development efforts in collaboration with UNDP and other international organizations.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in civil society, food security, poverty reduction, social development, and democratization, the expert has held roles such as Social Policy Advisor, Governance Team Leader, and Senior Researcher. Background includes positions at diverse sectors, providing technical support and strategic guidance. Cross-cutting expertise includes integrating human rights approaches into community-based development and employing participatory methodologies in project implementation. The expert's work spans regional and country-specific initiatives in the Arab States, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe, emphasizing governance and social development in diverse cultural and institutional contexts.

The expert has extensive geographic experience across the Arab region, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and France. They have worked on governance, social development, and food security projects in countries including Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Egypt, Burkina Faso, and Kosovo. Their expertise in regional development issues is evident through long-term assignments and evaluations, contributing to local governance and cultural understanding in these areas. The expert has also been involved in initiatives in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, enhancing their familiarity with diverse regional dynamics.

Languages and education

With a background in sociology, the expert holds a DEA in Sociology with distinction, a DSP in Sociology, a Maitrise in Sociology, a Licence in Sociology, and a DEUG in Sociology and Social Sciences, all from Université Lumière Lyon II, France. Additionally, they obtained a DEUG in Arabic Language and Civilization from Université Jean Moulin - Lyon III, France. Their educational background is deeply rooted in sociology, focusing on social development and related fields.

The expert is bilingual in Arabic and French and fluent in English. These language skills have been utilized in various international contexts, including collaboration with multilingual teams and conducting research and assessments in diverse regions such as the Arab States, France, and Central Asia. The expert's proficiency in these languages has facilitated effective communication and engagement in multicultural environments.