A region affected by conflict and mass displacement, Eastern Sudan faces a number of challenges: high levels of poverty, a large refugee population, and a climate that alternates between severe flooding and recurrent drought (to name only a few). The economy is predominantly agricultural –...
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been pervasive, reaching people in various geographies, and all walks of life – albeit affecting people to different extents. Since the initial outbreak, new programs have been introduced to deal with the effects of COVID-19 and to reduce...
Sayara International is hiring an experienced Project Finance Officer to join its Eastern Europe team. This role is full-time, with opportunities for remote working. Please read the full Terms of Reference below and guidelines on how to apply for this role. We look forward to hearing from you.
Position Description:
The Project Finance Officer will be actively engaged in overseeing Sayara International’s project finances in the Eastern European (EE) region, working in close collaboration and under the supervision of the Director for Eastern Europe.
Candidates should have at least two years of demonstrable experience in financial project management and ideally worked on projects funded by the UK FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) or its predecessors (FCO and DFID). Candidates must have excellent writing skills in English.
The Project Finance Officer will report to Sayara’s Director – Eastern Europe.
About Sayara International:
Sayara International is a global development company that specialises in the design and implementation of rigorous research, social and behaviour change communications, approaches to countering disinformation, governance strategies, and innovative programming in fragile, conflict-affected, and transitioning societies. Founded in 2003, Sayara operates in more than 30 countries across Eastern Europe, Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Sayara supports the programming of our clients and partners with complex and sustainable research, evaluation, data-driven policy change, socio-political analysis, strategic communication, countering violent extremism, crisis management, and humanitarian response in the most challenging environments, working with and for the most vulnerable communities worldwide. Sayara’s origins in conflict and the company’s evolution across fragile contexts have equipped us with a set of values, core operating principles, systems, and competencies unique in the global development industry.
We provide services in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL); media monitoring; social and behaviour change communications (SBCC); stabilisation and sub-national governance; gender studies and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG); migration, displacement, and countering people smuggling and trafficking; and youth and education.
Sayara’s Eastern Europe team is comprised of experienced, in-house local experts (country-level leadership and program staff) across the region, plus an array of expert consultants with a variety of skillsets and local knowledge. Sayara’s network in the region extends to think tanks, academia, and other local partners.
Find out more about Sayara International:
Responsibilities:
Desired Qualifications/ Skills:
Location & Travel:
Remote work. Some travel may be required.
Job Type:
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), Monday-Friday.
Duration:
The Project Finance Officer will be offered a one (1) year employment contract, with a four (4) month probation period and the option for renewal, based on the discretion of, and mutual agreement between Sayara and the Project Finance Officer.
Application Process:
Please submit your detailed CV with up-to-date contact information via email to jobs@sayarainternational.com. Please use “Project Finance Officer” as the subject line of your email. The deadline for applications is 7th December 2021. Note that CVs will be screened on a rolling basis and Sayara will offer the position to the candidate who meets the requirements – even if it is before the deadline.
Based in Kyiv, Hanna is a Program Coordinator responsible for managing projects in the Eastern European region. This role comprises the design and implementation of rigorous research, social and behavior change communications, and approaches to countering disinformation.
Before joining Sayara, Hanna worked for the International Organization for Migration (the UN Agency for Migration), leading projects aimed at strengthening social cohesion and improving mental health and psychosocial support among conflict-affected populations in Ukraine. She also worked at the Alliance for Public Health, focusing on the delivery of public health projects for vulnerable populations.
Hanna holds an M.A. in linguistics from Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University and passed the Certification in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) from Professionals in Humanitarian Assistance and Protection (PHAP).
Hanna is fluent in English, Russian, and Ukrainian.
Marlous brings more than a decade of business development and project management experience to Sayara International. She has developed winning proposals for programs in countries affected by conflict and disasters around the world, covering a spectrum of technical areas such as refugee return and reintegration, sexual and reproductive health and rights, emergency response, global health, democracy and governance, technical innovation, and international business investments.
Prior to joining Sayara International, Marlous served as Business Development Manager for Act for Peace (Australia), where she was responsible for building partnerships and accessing funding for projects throughout Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Marlous has also provided business development, resource mobilization, and institutional fundraising services on a freelance basis to various not-for-profit organizations. She also served as Institutional Fundraising Coordinator for Rutgers and as Grants Consultant for Plus Projects (both in the Netherlands).
Marlous holds an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Wollongong in Dubai, UAE, as well as an M.Sc. in Business Administration from Erasmus University, the Netherlands. She also has a B.A. in Social Work from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands.
Marlous is fluent in Dutch and English. She also speaks/reads basic Arabic, German, and French.
Fareed has over fifteen years of experience designing and managing strategic communications, capacity-building, and research programs for an array of donor agencies and host governments, including DoS, DoD, FCDO, GIZ, UN and EU agencies.
Fareed has led some of our most complex programs, with an emphasis on social resilience, local governance, and community policing. In addition to overseeing a broad portfolio, Fareed managed the reporting, strategic and operational planning, and administrative and financial policies of the company.
Before co-founding Sayara International, Fareed served as a Senior Program Manager at USAID, where he designed and managed stabilization programs whose total budgets exceeded $365 million. As a Political Advisor with the Disarmament and Reintegration Commission of Afghanistan, he led the Disarmament of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG) program.
Fareed also worked as a Public Information Officer with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Afghanistan where he led strategic communications and public information campaigns for Return of Voluntary Afghans (RVA), Return of Qualified Afghans (RQA), and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) programs.
Fareed holds an M.A. in Political Science from Balochistan University in Quetta, Pakistan.
Sayara International is hiring an experienced Project Review Lead to join its Eastern Europe team. This role is offered on a consultancy basis. Please read the full Terms of Reference below and guidelines on how to apply for this role. We look forward to hearing from you.
Position Description:
The Project Officer will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of project reviews covering the areas of media development, media literacy, media capacity-building, communications, etc. The selected candidate must have experience in leading project reviews for HMG (FCDO).
The successful candidate will: rely on their established networks to build project review teams; draft project review ToRs; quality assure deliverables (reports, presentations); and ensure that the findings “land” with the Client.
The Project Review Lead will report to Sayara’s Director – Eastern Europe.
The Project Review Lead will contribute to the work Sayara does to build positive change in societies that most need it. You will be working as part of a welcoming and diverse international team of experienced professionals.
About Sayara International:
Sayara International is a global development company that specialises in the design and implementation of rigorous research, social and behaviour change communications, approaches to countering disinformation, governance strategies, and innovative programming in fragile, conflict-affected, and transitioning societies. Founded in 2003, Sayara operates in more than 30 countries across Eastern Europe, Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Sayara supports the programming of our clients and partners with complex and sustainable research, evaluation, data-driven policy change, socio-political analysis, strategic communications, countering violent extremism, crisis management, and humanitarian response in the most challenging environments, working with and for the most vulnerable communities worldwide. Sayara’s origins in conflict and the company’s evolution across fragile contexts have equipped us with a set of values, core operating principles, systems, and competencies unique in the global development industry.
We provide services to clients around the world, including the United Nations (UNDP, UNOPS, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women), the European Union, governments (U.S., UK, France), universities, international NGOs, and other major donors. These services are in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL); media monitoring; social and behaviour change communications (SBCC); stabilisation and sub-national governance; gender studies and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG); migration, displacement, and countering people smuggling and trafficking; and youth and education.
Sayara’s Eastern Europe team is comprised of experienced, in-house local experts (country-level leadership and program staff) across the region, plus an array of expert consultants with a variety of skillsets and local knowledge. Sayara’s network in the region extends to think tanks, academia, and other local partners. Our Eastern Europe regional team operates from Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, and the Baltic countries, conducting projects in the Baltics and Eastern Partnership countries.
Find out more about Sayara International:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Responsibilities:
• Plan, coordinate, and lead the project review process in cooperation with the Director – Eastern Europe.
• Discuss the scope of project reviews and prepare the ToRs.
• Support review team building (identifying consultants).
• Contribute to report-writing (ensuring the reports are Client-friendly) and quality control all deliverables.
• Make recommendations for the adjustment of projects.
• Other ad hoc tasks, as assigned.
Desired Qualifications/ Skills:
• Minimum Master’s degree (B.A. with significant relevant prior experience may be considered), in social science, political science, international affairs, development, or another relevant field.
• Several years of experience in leading/conducting project reviews, including for FCDO.
• Political acumen, especially in dealing with HMG stakeholders.
• Experience in the sector of communications and media.
• Ideally familiar with Eastern European geopolitics.
• Russian language knowledge a plus (not mandatory).
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation (humanitarian work and/or development programmes).
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong commitment to high quality work and integrity in all interactions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to engage appropriately with various audiences.
• Excellent English language writing skills.
Location & Travel:
Sayara seeks a candidate based in a European timezone (GMT, CET, EET, EEST). Travel throughout the region may be required.
Job Type/ Duration:
The Project Review Lead will be required to work around 15 days per month (depending on the number of project reviews commissioned by the Client) on a consultancy basis.
Application Process:
Please submit your detailed CV with up-to-date contact information, as well as a list of any professional publications, via email to jobs@sayarainternational.com. Please use “Project Review Lead” as the subject line of your email. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Sayara International is hiring an experienced Project Officer to join its Eastern Europe team. This role is full-time, with opportunities for remote working. Please read the full Terms of Reference below and guidelines on how to apply for this role. We look forward to hearing from you.
Position Description:
The Project Officer will be actively engaged in supporting Sayara International’s project delivery in the Eastern European (EE) region, working in close collaboration and under the supervision of the Director for Eastern Europe.
Candidates should have at least two years of demonstrable experience in project management and previously implemented FCDO projects. Ideally, they will have some understanding of media, communications, or journalism, as well as the media and political landscape in Eastern Europe. Candidates must have excellent writing skills in English.
The Project Officer will report to Sayara’s Director – Eastern Europe.
The Project Officer will contribute to the work Sayara does to build positive change in societies that most need it. You will be working as part of a welcoming and diverse international team of experienced professionals.
About Sayara International:
Sayara International is a global development company that specialises in the design and implementation of rigorous research, social and behaviour change communications, approaches to countering disinformation, governance strategies, and innovative programming in fragile, conflict-affected, and transitioning societies. Founded in 2003, Sayara operates in more than 30 countries across Eastern Europe, Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Sayara supports the programming of our clients and partners with complex and sustainable research, evaluation, data-driven policy change, socio-political analysis, strategic communication, countering violent extremism, crisis management, and humanitarian response in the most challenging environments, working with and for the most vulnerable communities worldwide. Sayara’s origins in conflict and the company’s evolution across fragile contexts have equipped us with a set of values, core operating principles, systems, and competencies unique in the global development industry.
We provide services in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL); media monitoring; social and behaviour change communications (SBCC); stabilisation and sub-national governance; gender studies and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG); migration, displacement, and countering people smuggling and trafficking; and youth and education.
Sayara’s Eastern Europe team is comprised of experienced, in-house local experts (country-level leadership and program staff) across the region, plus an array of expert consultants with a variety of skillsets and local knowledge. Sayara’s network in the region extends to think tanks, academia, and other local partners.
Find out more about Sayara International:
Responsibilities:
Desired Qualifications/ Skills:
Location & Travel:
Remote work possible, ideally based in Eastern Europe. Some travel may be required.
Job Type:
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), Monday-Friday.
Duration:
The Project Officer will be offered a one (1) year employment contract, with a four (4) month probation period and the option for renewal, based on the discretion of, and mutual agreement between Sayara and the Project Officer.
Application Process:
Please submit your detailed CV with up-to-date contact information via email to jobs@sayarainternational.com. Please use “Project Officer” as the subject line of your email. The deadline for applications is 30 November 2021. Note that CVs will be screened on a rolling basis and Sayara will offer the position to the candidate who meets the requirements – even if it is before the deadline.
Sayara International is hiring an experienced Research Lead to join its Eastern Europe team. This role is offered on a consultancy basis. Please read the full Terms of Reference below and guidelines on how to apply for this role. We look forward to hearing from you.
Position Description:
The Research Lead will lead on research activities delivered within the framework of Sayara’s flagship project in Eastern Europe (FCDO-funded). The selected candidate must be capable of leading research and analysis, while also contributing directly to it. The selected candidate must demonstrate a high aptitude for successfully completing all stages in the research process. They should have a proven track record of taking ownership of all aspects of research management, writing proposals, developing research questions, designing research instruments, writing reports in English on research findings, and presenting the results directly to clients.
The Research lead will report to the Director of Global Innovation.
The Research Lead will contribute to the work Sayara does to build positive change in societies that most need it. You will be working as part of a welcoming and diverse international team of experienced professionals.
About Sayara International:
Sayara International is a global development company that specialises in the design and implementation of rigorous research, social and behaviour change communications, approaches to countering disinformation, governance strategies, and innovative programming in fragile, conflict-affected, and transitioning societies. Founded in 2003, Sayara operates in more than 30 countries across Eastern Europe, Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Sayara supports the programming of our clients and partners with complex and sustainable research, evaluation, data-driven policy change, socio-political analysis, strategic communications, countering violent extremism, crisis management, and humanitarian response in the most challenging environments, working with and for the most vulnerable communities worldwide. Sayara’s origins in conflict and the company’s evolution across fragile contexts have equipped us with a set of values, core operating principles, systems, and competencies unique in the global development industry.
We provide services to clients around the world, including the United Nations (UNDP, UNOPS, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women), the European Union, governments (U.S., UK, France), universities, international NGOs, and other major donors. These services are in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL); media monitoring; social and behaviour change communications (SBCC); stabilisation and sub-national governance; gender studies and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG); migration, displacement, and countering people smuggling and trafficking; and youth and education.
Sayara’s Eastern Europe team is comprised of experienced, in-house local experts (country-level leadership and program staff) across the region, plus an array of expert consultants with a variety of skillsets and local knowledge. Sayara’s network in the region extends to think tanks, academia, and other local partners. Our Eastern Europe regional team operates from Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, and the Baltic countries, conducting projects in the Baltics and Eastern Partnership countries.
Find out more about Sayara International:
Responsibilities:
Desired Qualifications:
Location & Travel:
Sayara seeks a candidate based in a European timezone (GMT, CET, EET, EEST). Travel throughout the region may be required.
Job Type/ Duration:
The Research Lead will be required to work around 15 days each month (depending on the number of project reviews commissioned by the Client) on a consultancy basis.
Application Process:
Please submit your detailed CV with up-to-date contact information, as well as a list of any professional publications, via email to jobs@sayarainternational.com. Please use “EE Research Lead” as the subject line of your email. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Do not submit a writing sample – writing samples will be requested of finalists only. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sayara International is hiring an experienced Programme and Research Manager to join its growing Sudan team. Candidates must be either based in Khartoum already, or willing to relocate there to take up this position. Please read the full Terms of Reference below and guidelines on how to apply for this role.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Position Description:
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Sudan Country Director and the Regional Director for East and Horn of Africa, and working closely with Sayara International’s HQ, the Programme and Research Manager will be responsible for managing the implementation of the Sayara’s programmes and research projects in Sudan. From Sayara’s Khartoum office, they will provide day-to-day management of projects within the Sudan portfolio.
The Programme and Research Manager will guide staff to facilitate the organised, smooth running of all programme activities with clients and other stakeholders from the beginning to the end of each project to maximise results. In addition, they will take a holistic view of the programmes across Sudan to ensure effective design, delivery, management, administration, and staff support.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of taking ownership of all aspects of project management including writing proposals, implementing budgets and workplans, directing fieldwork, managing staff in the office and the field, documenting programme progress and processes, and maintaining positive relations with clients and staff. The Programme and Research Manager will report directly to the Country Director.
The Programme and Research Manager will contribute to the work Sayara does to build positive change in societies that most need it. You will be working as part of a welcoming and diverse international team of experienced professionals.
About Sayara International:
Sayara International is a global development company that specialises in the design and implementation of rigorous research, social and behaviour change communications, approaches to countering disinformation, governance strategies, and innovative programming in fragile, conflict-affected, and transitioning societies. Founded in 2003, Sayara operates in more than 30 countries across Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Sayara supports the programming of our clients and partners with complex and sustainable research, evaluation, data-driven policy change, crisis management, and humanitarian response in the most challenging environments, working with and for the most vulnerable communities worldwide. Sayara’s origins in conflict and the company’s evolution across fragile contexts have equipped us with a set of values, core operating principles, systems, and competencies unique in the global development industry.
We provide services in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL); media monitoring; social and behaviour change communications (SBCC); stabilisation and sub-national governance; gender studies and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG); migration, displacement, and countering people smuggling and trafficking; and youth and education.
Sayara’s Sudan programming operates from Khartoum and is part of the East and Horn of Africa regional programme. This regional team conducts projects in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania. Globally, our teams of professionals are based in field offices in Kabul, Khartoum, Kyiv, Medell n, and Nairobi, with support from our offices in London, Paris, and Warsaw, and our headquarters in Washington, D.C. Sayara delivers services to clients around the world, including the United Nations (UNDP, UNOPS, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women), the European Union, governments (U.S., UK, France), universities, international NGOs, and other major donors.
Find out more about Sayara International:
Website: https://sayarainternational.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SayaraIntl
Facebook – Sayara International: https://www.facebook.com/sayarainternational
Facebook – Sayara Sudan: https://www.facebook.com/SayaraSudan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/9407279/admin/
Responsibilities:
Program and Research Management – Financial, Administrative, and Human Resources:
Programme and Research Planning and Implementation:
Management of Research and Programme Activities:
Relationship Management and Resource Mobilisation:
Desired Qualifications/ Skills:
Location & Travel:
Sayara seeks a candidate who will be willing to relocate and be based in Khartoum, Sudan. Travel throughout the country may be required (depending on COVID-19 safety measures).
Duration:
The Programme and Research Manager will be offered a one (1) year employment contract, with a four (4) month probation period and the option for renewal, based on the discretion of, and mutual agreement between Sayara and the Programme and Research Manager.
Application Process:
Please submit your detailed CV with up-to-date contact information, as well as a list of any professional publications and writing samples (such as final reports) via email to: jobs.sdn@sayarainternational.com. Please use “Sudan Programme and Research Manager” as the subject line of your email.
The deadline for applications is 30th September 2021. Note that CVs will be screened on a rolling basis and Sayara will offer the position to the candidate who meets the requirements – even if it is before the deadline.
Wojciech is the Director overseeing Sayara’s project portfolio in Eastern Europe. He specializes in Eastern European geopolitics and big data analytics.
Prior to joining Sayara, Wojciech managed research projects on behalf of major international organizations, including the European Commission, DFID, Foreign Commonwealth Office, World Bank, and U.S. State Department. In particular, Wojciech managed a significant IOM-funded project that sought to understand how radicalization and violent extremism spread online in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Wojciech holds a Postgraduate degree in Computer Science from the Warsaw University of Technology, an M.A. in Public Administration and NGO Management from Grand Valley State University (Michigan, USA), and an M.A. in International Relations from the Cracov University of Economics.
In addition, Wojciech is currently pursuing a certificate in Data Science from Harvard University. He is also a PhD candidate at King’s College London. He speaks Polish, English, and Spanish.
Elizabeth has a background in research and M&E in support of a wide range of interventions in conflict-affected and fragile states. She has focused on both qualitative and quantitative research design and analysis as part of a third-party monitoring team, as an external evaluator, and as a country analyst.
At Sayara, Elizabeth has worked on evaluations in Afghanistan covering education, civil society development, and a health sector response to gender-based violence. She has also evaluated an education programme in Somalia and continues to work on media research in Eastern Europe.
Elizabeth’s areas of expertise include the ethics of programming and conducting research in conflict zones, strengthening accountability of international organizations, and developing innovative approaches to M&E which support flexible and adaptive programming in conflict-affected and fragile states.
Prior to joining Sayara, Elizabeth’s work in Syria covered the fields of stabilization, governance, civil society development, philanthropic support to accountability initiatives for grave crimes, access to justice, countering violent extremism, and peacebuilding.
Elizabeth holds a B.A. (Hons) in Arabic and Middle East Studies with Spanish from the University of Exeter, UK, where she focused on Kurdish Studies, Arabic literature, and religious identities in Egypt. She also holds an M.A. in European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, focusing on EU foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa.
Nama is a social scientist who specializes in mixed-methods data collection in complex environments. Over the past eight years, Nama has built a global research network throughout South Asia, the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
Nama oversees all of Sayara’s research, monitoring, and evaluation activities, which are conducted on behalf of the European Union, the U.S. Department of State, UN agencies, USAID, international NGOs and foundations, academic institutions, and a variety of other clients. She uses sociology and behavioral economics to inform and evaluate policies and programs that protect vulnerable groups, address trans-national crime, and counter violent extremism and disinformation.
Nama holds an M.A. in International Relations from the Sorbonne University in Paris, an M.A. in Sociology from the University of Caen in Normandy, and a B.A. in Social Science from the University of Strasbourg. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at the Sorbonne and a junior fellow in the European Research Council’s Social Dynamics of Civil Wars research program.
George is a media and business innovation specialist with a decade of experience working in emerging markets throughout the Middle East and North Africa. George’s private sector background has focused on developing ground-breaking media products tailored toward youth.
While working for Viacom’s broadcasting arm, OSN Network (previously Showtime Networks), George helped develop the pan-Arab Axis of Evil Comedy Tour and an interactive English Premier League program that allowed Middle Eastern audiences to interact with commentators, celebrity guests, and former Premier League football players via SMS and television chat.
George has also taught marketing and entrepreneurship at EMDI, in Dubai, and lectured at the Lebanese American University in Beirut. He currently lectures at Madrid’s IE Business School.
George holds an M.B.A. from the IE Business School and a B.A. in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Northeastern University.
Abdiaziz Ismail is Sayara’s Country Advisor for Somalia. Abdiaziz is an expert in countering human trafficking, migration, and governance. Prior roles include working in Somaliland’s Ministry of Interior as a capacity development officer for local governance, where he was instrumental in forming and institutionalizing Somaliland’s new Counter Human Trafficking Agency.
Abdiaziz led the Somaliland component of Sayara’s EU-funded Better Migration Management project to map migration service providers across five countries in the Horn of Africa. In addition, he also has extensive experience as a consultant for international organizations including the United Nations and Expertise France, among others.
Abdiaziz holds a Master’s degree in Project Management and Planning from Amoud University in Somalia, and a Bachelor’s degree from Alneelain University in Khartoum, Sudan. Languages spoken include English, Somali, and Arabic.
Rahmatullah manages and supervises the program management team in Sayara’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. He has over a decade of experience in stabilization, community engagement, and civilian-military initiatives. His recent projects have focused on Islamic militancy and radical movements in Central Asia and P/CVE programming in the MENA region.
Rahmatullah has managed and supervised over $50 million in development and stabilization projects for USAID in Afghanistan. As USAID-Afghanistan Deputy Field Program Officer for Khost Province, he oversaw the implementation of a variety of development and stabilization programs, including the Local Governance and Community Development Program and the Afghanistan Civilian Assistance Program.
Rahmatullah holds a B.A. in Journalism from the Afghan University in Kabul. He speaks English, Dari, Pashto, and Arabic.
Naqeeb oversees Sayara’s financial systems and manages sub-contracts. He has more than 12 years of experience in public financial management, accounting, and industrial finance.
In Afghanistan, Naqeeb served as a financial advisor for the Ministry of Finance, training staff to implement the Afghanistan Financial Management Information System (AFMIS). He later worked as a financial analyst for USAID, leading the agency’s Financial Analysis and Risk Management Team.
Naqeeb holds a B.A. in finance from Kardan University. He is fluent in English, Dari, Pashto, Hindi, and Urdu.
Sarah is particularly interested in ethnic and civil conflict and human security issues. She works on both communications and research projects in Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and Central America, focusing on P/CVE, governance, migration, gender equality, and education.
Previously, Sarah worked as a Program Associate for the United Nations of Minnesota Global Classrooms program. From 2013 to 2015, she was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia, teaching English for Livelihoods in Cartagena.
Sarah holds an M.A. from Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program, with a concentration in Terrorism and Sub-State Violence, and a B.A. in International Relations, with a Certificate in Conflict Studies, from Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
She speaks English, intermediate Spanish, and basic Dari.
Laura oversees Sayara’s operations in East Africa. A U.S.-trained attorney, Laura has over a decade of experience designing and managing programs to enhance human rights, good governance, and social inclusion in Africa.
Prior to joining Sayara, Laura worked for several years as an independent consultant for a broad range of clients, including African governments, local and international non-governmental organizations, and large donor organizations such as USAID, the UN, and EU consortiums. Laura is passionate about research and practical interventions that enhance the social inclusion of marginalized communities such as migrants, ethnic minorities, survivors of trauma, and other vulnerable groups.
Laura received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, and holds an M.A. in Public Health from Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, and a B.A. from the University of Virginia. She speaks English and French.
Manuela oversees Sayara’s social and behavior change initiatives and business development efforts in Latin America. She designs educational communication campaigns and produces media content focused on migration, human rights, transitional justice, and the historical memory of the armed conflict in Colombia.
Previously, Manuela designed communication strategies for organizations such as World Vision International, IOM, Medellín’s Mayor, University of Antioquia, and Bolivarian Pontifical University. She was also a fellow for Havas PR, in New York. Manuela has over nine years’ experience working with grassroots organizations, NGOs, museums, local governments, and academia.
Manuela holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Antioquia, Colombia. She speaks fluent Spanish, Portugese, and English.
Bakry Osman is the director of Sayara’s Sudan country office. Prior to joining Sayara International, Bakry co- founded and led Apex Consulting, a leading Sudanese consulting company providing services to many of the largest donor organizations in Sudan. Bakry has strong expertise in youth engagement, civil society, peace and conflict management, Political Analysis, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
Bakry previously worked for an international development agency in Khartoum and has carried out independent consultancies for international organizations including the German and the French governments.
Bakry holds a degree in Business Administration from the Canadian Sudanese College in Khartoum. He is fluent in English and Arabic.
Ziyanah supports Sayara’s program portfolio and business development efforts. She previously interned with the Aga Khan Development Network, supporting the Central Scholarship Unit.
As an undergraduate, Ziyanah interned at the Middle East Institute, as well as with the University of Virginia’s Initiative on Religion, Politics, and Conflict.
Ziyanah holds a B.A. in History and Women, Gender, and Sexuality, with a minor in Middle Eastern Studies, from the University of Virginia. She speaks intermediate Arabic.
Gianluca is a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning expert with a focus on gender in Latin America and the Caribbean. Formerly, he was a planning, monitoring, and data specialist for UN Women Colombia throughout 2014 to 2017.
Gianluca worked as a program officer for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F) and as a monitoring and evaluation specialist in the United Nations MDG Achievement Fund in New York (2012-2013). Gianluca joined the Fund after serving the UN Resident Coordinator Office, UNDP and UNICEF in Trinidad & Tobago (2011-2012) and the UNDP Strategy Unit in Honduras (2009-2010).
During 2006 – 2008, Gianluca worked in Colombia as a program manager for poverty reduction initiatives focusing on displaced populations, victims of the conflict, and reintegrated ex-combatants. His experience included working for the first National Human Development Atlas of Trinidad and Tobago and serving as lead author of the National MDG Report in Honduras 2010.
Gianluca holds a Masters degree in program evaluation and international development from the Institut d’Etude du Développement Economique et Social in Sorbonne University, Paris.
Gisela Zapata, Ph.D, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Demography and researcher at the Centre for Regional Development and Planning (CEDEPLAR) of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil. She previously worked as a researcher and Teaching Fellow at the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS) at Newcastle University (UK).
Gisela has extensive teaching, research and consulting experience in Latin America, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Her research focuses on socio-economic and population themes, especially international migration and displacement, and the migration-development nexus. Her work has been published in prestigious scientific journals.
Gisela holds a Ph.D in Human Geography from Newcastle University (UK) and a Masters’ Degree in Economics from North Carolina State University (USA). Gisela is a native Spanish speaker, and is fluent in English and Portugese.
Yvonne Maingey, Ph.D, holds a doctorate from the University of Nairobi, Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation. Her research interests focus on the nexus between development and climate change adaptation, with a specific interest in multiple stakeholder engagement as a tool for mainstreaming climate change adaptation into national infrastructural development.
With a decade of experience as a consultant in the sustainable development and environment sector, Yvonne is the founder and CEO of CaelKlima – a climate change advisory and product development startup. She started CaelKlima to play a significant role in informing and ensuring that adaptation to climate change is integrated into decision-making processes. The organization is dedicated to building capacity of the private sector, as well as local and national state agents, to mainstream climate change.
Yvonne also holds a Master’s degree in environmental education from New York University and an LLB Law degree from the London School of Economics.
Scott is a governance, stabilization, and communications specialist with a decade of experience in countering violent extremism and disinformation. Having worked for more than fifteen years in conflict-affected environments, in both the public and private sectors, Scott has unique insight into how mainstream media and digital platforms – as well as non-traditional means of communication – relate to development and stabilization activities.
After starting his career as a White House aide, Scott spent several years as a senior communications advisor to two American ambassadors in Afghanistan, where he assisted with the coordination of communication and public diplomacy strategies for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.
Scott went on to work for USAID’s Office of Transitional Initiatives in Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Pakistan, specializing in the development of district-level governance and CVE strategies. Before joining Sayara, Scott also served as a communications advisor to Zain Telecommunications, in Iraq.
Scott holds an M.Sc. in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles.
William is a Colombian economist with over 35 years of experience as a researcher in socio-economic, population, and migration issues. He brings an unrivaled track record in data collection, handling, and analysis of large sets of socio-demographic information, both quantitative and qualitative, for studying Latin American migration.
William has dedicated almost 20 years to working on migration issues in the fields of research, training, analysis, and public policy formulation. He is a leading expert on Venezuelan migration and a key advisor for organizations such as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Regional Office for the European Economic Area, EU and NATO (Regional Office of South America, Missions of Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, Peru, and El Salvador), and the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Lima, Geneva, and Brasilia.
William also has significant experience in formulating, managing, and executing projects for international cooperation agencies, Colombian government institutions, academia, and the non-governmental sector in Latin America and Colombia.
Williams holds a Master’s in International Migration from the Technological University of Pereira, Colombia, and a B.A. in Economics from Universidad Libre Seccional Pereira. Frequently published and invited to speak at international events, William has also participated as an invited professor at institutions in Colombia, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, Panama, and Spain.
Javier Morla is a monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning specialist based in Mexico City with experience in 15 countries around Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, and South East Asia. In his previous role, Javier led research and monitoring evaluation activities on a labor and education project in Mexico among migrant communities.
Before moving to Mexico from Washington, D.C., Javier provided technical and management support for research, monitoring, and evaluation components of global health, food security, and emergency projects at the Research Triangle Institute and the Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance (FANTA) Project. Javier has consulted with Population Services International, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations, the World Bank, and various civil society organizations to lead teams in developing and implementing research solutions and comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems.
Javier holds a Master’s degree in development management with a focus on program evaluation from American University, Washington, D.C., as well as a B.Sc. in International Affairs and Economics from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
Holly Ashmore is Sayara International’s Communications and Content Manager. Based in the UK, Holly has over a decade of experience in communications, public relations, and marketing.
Before joining Sayara in 2020, Holly led the global communications function for London technology company 7digital and handled freelance PR and communications for audio and music technology clients. During five years at PR agency Weber Shandwick, Holly worked with global consumer and business-to-business technology clients including Microsoft, Motorola, Sonos, Citrix, Technicolor, and more.
Holly holds a B.A. in English & American Literature from University of Warwick.
Fredrick is a mixed-methods researcher and a monitoring & evaluation specialist based in Nairobi. He has significant experience in designing and conducting research, designing MERL frameworks, leading third-party monitoring assignments in fragile states, and evaluating projects across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Fredrick has worked for several years as an independent consultant for international development organizations (such as Hivos, Save the Children, Oxfam, Women for Women, Hand in Hand International, UK FCO/FCDO, and the Society for International Development), government agencies (including the City Council of Nairobi, Agricultural Finance Corporation, and Kenya Trade and Remedies Agency), and private sector institutions (such as the Export Trading Group and Kenya Forex Bureau Association). He is passionate about development finance and interventions that improve the livelihoods of the most vulnerable members of the society.
Fredrick holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Nairobi’s Institute for Development Studies, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi’s School of Business. He speaks English and Kiswahili.
Naseer has been with Sayara since 2009, when he joined the Kabul office as an IT Assistant. Naseer now leads the IT and cyber security functions for the organization, ensuring the protection of information systems as well as providing technical support and computer-related training to the team globally. He manages the website infrastructure and coordinates IT needs for new projects.
Previously, Naseer was a Program Manager at Sayara and handled a one-year social media campaign in Afghanistan which was focused on migration issues and funded by the European Union. He has also managed two components of a program to counter violent extremism in Kabul.
Naseer holds a B.A. in Computer Science from Kabul University, Afghanistan, as well as various Microsoft certificates.
A Program and Financial Management expert with over 15 years’ experience, Mansoor has managed the implementation of more than 30 multi-million-dollar Strategic Communication programs.
Mansoor’s role is to oversee all programs and support activities in the Middle East and South Asia (MESA) region, as well as designing, updating, and evaluating the strategy for this region and each country Sayara works in. He supports and oversees monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on the implementation of planned activities and manages the overall programs and support functions.
Mansoor specializes in compliance and oversight, ensuring that all program activities and support functions comply with applicable national and international laws and regulations.
Prior to joining Sayara, Mansoor worked with the Financial Management Office of the U.S. Embassy Kabul, where he supported U.S. Embassy, USAID, U.S. Army, and Provincial Reconstruction Team missions across Afghanistan. He also worked as a Finance Officer at the Aina Media and Culture Center where he supported U.S. Army Strategic Communication and Journalism training projects.
Mansoor holds an M.B.A degree in Project Management and Leadership from Kardan University (Faculty of Economics) in Afghanistan and a B.B.A degree in Business and Financial Management from Maryam University, Afghanistan.
Sara is a Program Assistant based in Sayara’s Sudan office. Coordinating data collection and handling monitoring and quality control of researchers throughout Sudan’s 19 states, Sara supports the team’s activities across a variety of programs focusing on migration, strategic communications, transitional justice, and more.
Prior to joining Sayara, Sara worked with Apex Consultancy as a Programs Officer, liaising with partners, handling project logistics, and preparing desk reviews and qualitative research tools used in programs conducted for clients such as Save the Children, AICS, and IOM.
Sara has also worked as an Outreach Officer at Sahla Services in Sudan, promoting the company through handling community marketing, relationship management, and customer engagement, among other responsibilities. Sara also interned with Schlumberger Sudan as a Health, Safety, and Environment officer, promoting environmental sustainability measures, and implementing project activities.
Sara holds an M.Sc. in Gender Development and Peace Studies from Ahfad University in Sudan. She also holds a B.A. with Honors in Environmental Science, with a major in Environmental Technology from Omdurman Ahlia University.
Sara speaks Arabic and English.
Shams is a Program Assistant based in Sayara International’s Khartoum office. She provides support to the program technical team, assisting with the development of materials and handling data management among other responsibilities. While at Sayara, Shams has contributed to projects for international donors focusing on strategic communications, transitional justice, disinformation, migration, and other key areas of research in Sudan.
With a keen interest in human rights, Shams has experience in research, communications, project management, and teamwork within international development and research contexts.
Prior to joining Sayara, Shams served as a Communication and Outreach Officer with the Sudan Research and Consultancy Group.
Shams holds a B.A. in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies from the National University in Sudan. She speaks both Arabic and English.
Nathalie is a Project Manager at Sayara International. She is currently responsible for managing a project which addresses the issue of COVID-19 disinformation in 7 countries of the Sahel region of Africa (Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad) and in Sudan.
Based between Paris and Khartoum, Nathalie has also lived and worked in Zimbabwe, Mexico, and Bahrain. Prior to joining Sayara, Nathalie worked for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a role managing projects promoting academic, cultural, and scientific cooperation between France and Bahrain. She has also spent two years as a research fellow at CEDEJ (The Centre for Social, Legal, and Economic Studies and Documentation) in Khartoum, Sudan.
Nathalie holds an M.A. and a B.A. in Social and Political Sciences from Sciences Po Paris (The Paris National Institute of Political Studies). She is also working towards a PhD in international relations, focusing on separatist conflicts and state-building in Africa. Her findings are based on extensive field trips in Sudan, South Sudan, and the United States.
Nathalie is fluent in French, English, and Spanish, and is also familiar with Sudanese Arabic.
Hind Saad is a highly skilled Program Associate based in Sayara International’s Khartoum office, supporting Sayara’s program portfolio and business development efforts. With over 5 years’ experience in Sudan, Egypt, and the United Kingdom, Hind is committed to ongoing development and research to maximize efficiency and business results.
Previously, Hind worked with Apex Consulting as a Programs Officer, conducting literature review and qualitative research for projects to ensure data quality and ethical standards were upheld. In this role, Hind traveled to the field to conduct focus group discussions with women’s groups focused on gender equality and livelihoods and conducted key informant interviews with local children’s service provider organizations. Hind drafted qualitative interview notes, worked in a team to conduct an analysis of qualitative data, assisted with the development of project materials, and handled data management for projects.
Prior to joining Apex Consulting, Hind was the head of the Environmental section at Ghrabib Consultancy, where her team undertook a national project for the Sudanese Ministry of Petroleum and Gas entitled “Assessment of Potential Non-Edible Bio-Fuel Resources in Sudan for Bio-Fuel Production Project.” Hind also contributed to the bioremediation and biodegradation project for produced water treatment in petroleum sites at the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company.
Hind holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Misr University for Science and Technology in Egypt.
Diana is a graphic designer at Sayara International based in Colombia. Working within Sayara’s Communications and Content team, Diana supports the company’s projects and business development efforts by overseeing and developing creative communication products displaying complex data and subject matters. These include full communication campaigns, visual concepts and identity, data visualization, reports and proposals, and brand communications.
Prior to joining Sayara, Diana led creative design at the Communications Research and Extension Center (CIEC) at the University of Antioquia, Colombia. There, Diana designed international and external communication campaigns aimed at promoting human rights, civil society mobilization, governance, peace, and public health. The role entailed conceptualizing graphic pieces, developing online platforms, editorial and multimedia graphic design, and design of printed materials such as marketing stationery and booklets.
Other roles have included graphic design and advertising communication at the Poncherazo Amagá Cultural Corporation and Lasallian University Corporation in Colombia. Diana also worked as a freelance advertising graphic communicator, and production and media coordinator with the INVITRO Advertising Agency at the University of Medellín.
Diana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Communications from the University of Medellín, Colombia.
As Director of Global Innovation, JP Gravelines leads the development and implementation of novel methodological techniques that strive to incorporate the attitudes and perceptions of people on the ground into the heart of everything Sayara does, by marrying cutting-edge technology with rigorous analytical methods.
JP has over a decade of experience in various capacities in the greater strategic communications community including counter-disinformation, government communications, independent media support, preventing and countering violent extremism, counter-insurgency, and stabilization. JP’s technical skills intersect these themes through M&E, primary research, audience analysis, and assessment.
JP has worked with the NATO International Security Assistance Force, the United Nations Office Counter Terrorism, and the Canadian Army’s Psychological Operations element. JP has supported programming led by the UK FCDO, U.S. Department of State, USAID, and thought leadership agencies such as RUSI and the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.
JP holds an M.A. in Political Science, an M.B.A. in Finance, and a B.Sc. in Mathematics. He is based in Kyiv and speaks basic Russian.