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...
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.
She holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Antioquia, Colombia, and speaks fluent Spanish, Portugese, and English.
Background:
Sayara International is a global development company that specializes in rigorous research and innovative programming in conflict-affected and transitioning societies. Founded in 2003 and with more than 120 staff worldwide, Sayara is a leading organization providing services in monitoring and evaluation, socio-political analysis, strategic communication, governance, preventing and countering violent extremism, disinformation, migration, and youth and education. Our strength comes from our adherence to our core values, our unparalleled expertise in research methodologies, and the context-specific experience of our team members. We constantly innovate to create research designs that are customized to answer our clients’ questions.
Sayara’s Eastern Europe regional team operates from Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, and the Baltic countries. The regional team conducts projects in the Baltics and Eastern Partnership countries. We deliver 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. Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. region with local offices in Kenya, Sudan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Colombia, Ukraine, and France, Sayara is responsive to client needs in complex environments through local expert knowledge and an ethical, evidence-based approach.
Project Description:
With the aim to further support regional and local authorities’ efforts in addressing gender inequalities, UN Women is implementing the project “Building democratic, peaceful and gender equal society in Ukraine,” funded by the Government of Norway. This project focusing on the prevention of gender-based violence and the implementation of Women, Peace, and Security commitments in the crisis-affected communities of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The overall objective of this project is to collect and analyze data on gender stereotypes, public perceptions of gender roles, and attitudes towards gender-based violence. This research will lead to the “Endline Survey” of current and dominant attitudes, perceptions, opinions, and beliefs toward gender equality and gender-based violence in target hromadas in Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts.
Responsibilities:
Desired Qualifications:
Location & Travel:
Sayara seeks a candidate currently based in Ukraine. The candidate should have legal authorization to work in Ukraine. Travel throughout the region may be required.
Duration:
The project’s expected start is early November 2020 and it will last till early March 2021. More specific timing will be provided upon award of the contract.
Application Process:
Please submit your detailed CV with up-to-date contact information via email to jp@SayaraInternational.com. Please use “EASTERN EUROPE GENDER ADVISOR (CONSULTANT)” as the subject line of your email. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Background:
Sayara International is a global development company that specializes in rigorous research and innovative programming in conflict-affected and transitioning societies. Founded in 2003 and with more than 120 staff worldwide, Sayara is a leading organization providing services monitoring and evaluation, sociopolitical analysis, strategic communication, governance, countering violent extremism, disinformation, migration, and youth and education. Our strength comes from our adherence to our core values, our unparalleled expertise in research methodologies, the context-specific experience of our team members. We constantly innovate to create research designs that are customized to answer our clients’ questions.
Sayara’s Eastern Europe regional team operates from Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, and the Baltic countries. The regional team conducts projects in the Baltics and Eastern Partnership countries. We deliver 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. Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. region with local offices in Kenya, Sudan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Colombia, Ukraine, and France, Sayara is responsive to client needs in complex environments through local expert knowledge and an ethical, evidence-based approach.
Position Description:
The EE Research Specialist will be actively engaged in all aspects of Sayara’s project delivery in the Eastern Europe region, and must be willing to work as a member of, and occasionally lead, research teams. The selected candidate must demonstrate 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 project management, writing proposals, developing research questions, designing questionnaires, research instruments and population samples, managing fieldwork, analyzing quantitative and qualitative datasets, writing reports in English on research findings, and presenting the results directly to clients. The Research Specialist will report to the Eastern Europe Regional Director.
Responsibilities:
Desired Qualifications:
Location & Travel:
Sayara seeks a candidate currently based in eastern Europe. The candidate should have legal authorization to work in the country where they propose to be located. Travel throughout the region may be required.
Duration:
The Research Specialist 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 Research Specialist.
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 jp@SayaraInternational.com. Please use “EE Research Specialist” 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 leads 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 manages the reporting, strategic and operational planning, and administrative and financial policies of the company.
Before joining Sayara, 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.
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.
Haroon oversees Sayara’s team of analysts and manages data collection operations in Afghanistan. With over a decade of experience coordinating MEL and mixed-method research to inform public health, rule of law, education, and community development programs, Haroon specializes in designing methodologies tailored to complex environments. He has managed and co-designed a wide variety of large-scale evaluation surveys for donors such as USAID, DFID, and the EU.
Haroon holds an M.D. from the University of Nangarhar, with a focus in epidemiology and biostatistics. He is currently completing an M.A. in Demography and Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Haroon is fluent in English, Dari, and Pashto, and proficient in Urdu and Arabic.
Katie supports Sayara’s program portfolio and business development efforts. Prior to joining Sayara, Katie worked as a political analyst at a political action committee, where she supported communications and worked with over 65 congressional campaigns in implementing a program of collaborative politics and digital engagement.
Katie holds an M.Sc. in Global Health and Public Policy from the University of Edinburgh. Her research and studies focused on the intersection of socio-economic conditions, health inequalities, and human rights and the changing role of civil society in governing global health policy.
Katie also holds a B.A. in Journalism from New York University. She speaks intermediate Italian.
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.
Lee is responsible for overseeing Sayara’s portfolio of MEL (monitoring, research, and learning) projects. She has a particular focus on participatory research and evaluations, and on developing and testing innovative methodologies to ensure all research projects take a multi-voiced approach.
Lee’s experience includes leading research, monitoring, and evaluation projects for a wide variety of partners, including UN agencies, governments, international foundations, and NGOs.
Lee holds an M.A. in International Development from the University of Melbourne. She speaks fluent English, French, and Russian, and is proficient in Pashto, Dari, 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.
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.
Victoire focuses on human security issues in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and East Africa. She designs methodologies for some of Sayara’s most complex studies, finds data management solutions for multi-country programs, coordinates data collection in unstable environments, and leads mixed-methods analyses that inform humanitarian and development policy and programming.
Victoire has an extensive background in researching issues related to migration for UN agencies, the European Union, and international NGOs. Before joining Sayara, she conducted research for IOM in Mauritania and for UNRWA in Jordan.
Victoire holds both an M.A. and a B.A. in Social and Political Sciences from The Paris Institute of Political Studies (also known as Science Po Paris). She also holds an M.A. in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law from the Paris II Assas University and an MPhil in International Relations (Security and Defense) from the University of Lyon III.
Victoire is fluent in French and English, proficient in German, and is familiar with Arabic to an intermediate skill level.
Based in Beirut, Zena ensures quality control of Sayara’s projects through technical and financial oversight. She also helps to implement research, MEL programs, and social cohesion initiatives. She is an expert in administering assistance programs to vulnerable and at-risk populations, particularly Syrian refugees in Lebanon and the surrounding region.
Zena has worked in the private sector and for the U.S. government, European Union, and UN agencies. Prior to joining Sayara, Zena served as a communications officer for the USAID-funded Developing Rehabilitation Assistance to Schools and Teacher Improvement Program and Lebanon Value Chain Development Programs.
Zena hold an M.B.A. from the University of Florida and a B.A. in Communication Arts, with a minor in Economics, from the Lebanese American University. She speaks English and Arabic.
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.
Wojciech is the Director overseeing Sayara’s project portfolio in Eastern Europe. He is an expert on geo-political insecurity in the Baltic region and Eastern Europe.
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. Recently, he led an FCDO-funded Baltic Independent Media project and an IOM-funded project that sought to understand how radicalization and violent extremism spread online in Bosnia and 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Sarah speaks English, intermediate Spanish, and basic Dari.
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, and is fluent in English and Arabic.
Salomon is a civil society leader, skilled trainer, an expert on youth and migration issues, as well as an experienced consultant. He has worked as an advisor for the United Nations, International Labour Organization, FHI 360 and Expertise France among others. He previously led Sayara’s Ethiopia team for an EU-funded mapping of services for migrants, refugees and trafficked persons in the Horn of Africa. Solomon holds a Master’s degree in Management and Social Development, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, as well as a Certificate in Program Evaluation from the University of Pretoria. Solomon has been recognized with awards for his work in Ethiopia from the Institute for International Education and Harvard School of Public Health.
Kachi brings a modern aesthetic approach to Sayara’s reports, videos, and infographics. Before joining Sayara, she worked as a design contractor for US government agencies and major companies such as Sony and Lenovo. Kachi has also designed videos for Emmy Award winners and continues to consult for high-profile clientele as a Brand Image Expert. Her background in science, mathematics, and marketing has fine-tuned an uncommon attention to details that helps her craft an authoritative design presence. Kachi holds an MBA in Marketing and Operations Management.
Basirullah handles Sayara’s global human-resource management systems, vendors, travel, visas, and work permits. He also supports start-up activities in new countries. Before moving to the United States, Basirullah was employed by Sayara, for over a decade, in Kabul. He also worked for the International Rescue Committee and USAID in Afghanistan.
Basirullah studied Political Science at the American University of Afghanistan. He speaks English, Pashto, Dari, Persian, Arabic, and Urdu.
Talha is responsible for managing Sayara’s project portfolio in Pakistan. He is a strategic communications expert with over seven years of experience in digital media and dissemination for youth-targeted campaigns and social-media outreach. He has worked for a range of government agencies, international donors, and media outlets, including the Government of Pakistan, British High Commission, European Union, International Centre for Migration Policy Development, Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, VICE, The Guardian, MSNBC, and Now This.
Talha holds an MA in Film and a BA in Multimedia Journalism from the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. He speaks English, Urdu, and Punjabi.
Sameera provides support in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis for Sayara’s projects in the Middle East. Her work focuses on the humanitarian response to the Syria Crisis, child protection, and education programming. Previously, Sameera worked on projects related to migration, gender, and development in Central Asia. From 2016 to 2017, she was a US State Department Fulbright Research Grantee in Kazakhstan.
Sameera has a BA in Geography and Global Studies from the University of Vermont.
Renee oversees the acquisition of new business at Sayara. She coordinates closely with Sayara’s field offices to identify market opportunities, design concept notes, develop white papers, form partnerships, and lead proposal strategies and processes. Renee has nearly two decades of experience providing grant, business-development, and project-management services to international development firms and non-profit organizations, including FLAG International, the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance, the QED Group, International Relief and Development, and World Learning. Her areas of expertise include economic development, access-to-finance, community stabilization, CVE, and humanitarian assistance. She has managed projects throughout the Middle East, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.
Renee holds an MBA in International Business from George Washington University and a BA in Political Science and English Literature from the University of Pittsburgh.
Alexa oversees Sayara’s research, MEL, CVE, and behavioral communications programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan. She has particular experience managing social-cohesion initiatives that seek to counter violent extremism and enhance sub-national governance through capacity-building efforts and support to civil society. Alexa previously worked for the University of Chicago Crime Lab, where she conducted research and evaluated programming on education inequality and gang violence. Later, she worked for Women Without Borders, in Vienna, Austria, focusing on the Mothers Schools Initiative, a family-centered counter-radicalization platform that spans Europe, Africa, and Asia. Her work for Women Without Borders focused on coalition-building among families, educators, law enforcement, and government officials to support at-risk youth.
Alexa holds a BA in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and is currently pursuing her MSc in International Strategy and Diplomacy at the London School of Economics. She speaks English and is proficient in French.
Jenny manages Sayara’s research and behavioral-change communication programs in Colombia. She has a background in journalism and is the co-founder of Mente Abierta, an education communication NGO in Colombia. With Sayara, Jenny contributed to the design and implementation of a migration, protection, and advocacy campaign. Jenny has over five years of experience overseeing, designing, and executing educational and behavioral-change communication strategies that support grassroots organizations, NGOs, and local government and academic institutions. These strategies have focused on the issues of human rights, historical memory, youth empowerment, and public health.
Jenny hold a BA in Journalism and a diploma in Digital Media from the University of Antioquia, in Colombia. She speaks native Spanish and is fluent in English.