Key skills and expertise

With 25 years of experience, the expert is highly skilled in media development, investigative journalism, and human rights research. They have led international projects with organizations such as the Thomson Reuters Foundation and BBC Media Action, focusing on capacity building and media training. As a senior correspondent and producer, they managed teams and covered significant geopolitical events. Notable accomplishments include participation in a Pulitzer Prize finalist team and developing influential journalism training programs. Leadership roles have involved mentoring, project implementation, and strategic oversight in complex environments.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated with international donors such as the Thomson Reuters Foundation, BBC Media Action, Internews, ICRC, and UNDP. Involvement includes media development and capacity-building projects, focusing on journalism training, investigative techniques, and verification. These collaborations have a regional scope, covering areas like the Balkans and Middle East, with thematic focus on media and communications, governance, and democratization.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked extensively in sectors such as civil society and NGOs, humanitarian aid and emergency, human rights, conflict resolution, democratization, media and communications, and advocacy. Previously held roles including media development consultant, senior correspondent, and producer, with responsibilities in journalism training, investigative reporting, and human rights documentation. Interdisciplinary expertise spans media and governance, with a geographic scope covering the Middle East, North Africa, and the Balkans. Work often involves cross-cutting themes of democratization and conflict resolution.

Extensive geographic experience across the Middle East and North Africa, having worked in countries such as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Syria, Turkey, and Western Sahara. This includes deep familiarity with regional governance and cultural dynamics, particularly through long-term assignments and recurring involvement in conflict zones and democratization initiatives. Work has often focused on media development, human rights, and international cooperation projects.

Languages and education

Fluent in colloquial and Modern Standard Arabic, as well as Turkish. Possesses reading knowledge of Spanish and French, and intermediate spoken Spanish. These language skills have been utilized in diverse professional contexts, including in-country work across the Middle East and North Africa, and collaboration with multilingual teams in international media and human rights projects.

Holds an M.A. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Chicago, USA, with a focus on modern Middle Eastern history and Arabic literature. Also completed an intensive Arabic course at the Center for Arabic Studies Abroad, American University in Cairo, Egypt. Additionally, earned a B.A. in history and linguistics from Macalester College, USA.