Alex Ray Email & Phone Number

Denmark

Paris, Île-De-France, France

I coordinate with programmatic and technical specialists to create strategic communications for Climate and Clean Air Coalition. The main aim of these communications is to raise awareness and stakeholder engagement.

Beirut District, Lebanon

With a background in editing news, academic and generalist publications, I have a proven track record of successful communications consultancies with national and international NGOs and development agencies. Much of my work for NGOs and researchers includes analysing primary data for consistency and clarity of message. I have also conducted primary research and reporting on data analysis in the Syrian context and through my on the ground experience in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon am well acquainted with methodological, ethical and political issues affecting data collection. I have worked for the Arab Reform Initiative, German Development Corporation and Lebanon Support, Hivos International, Arab Reform Initiative, Syria Trust for Development, and the United Nations Development Programme in Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea.Recent communications consultancies include:- Long-term agreement for communications support to the EU-UNDP Strengthening Integrated Sustainable Land Management project in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. - Developing guidelines on gender-sensitive reporting for the Press Council of Timor-Leste (UNDP Timor-Leste)

My freelance writing shares insights into issues facing the Arab world, drawn from a decade of first hand experience of travel and study in the region.I have published internationally in Middle East Eye, the Australian Financial Review, Counterpunch, Foreign Brief and OffGuardian. I have also worked on commissioned report writing for the German Development Corporation (2016) and Syria Trust for Development (ongoing).A selection of my articles can be seen online at https://betweendeserts.com/

Having lived and worked in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon since 2011, I have developed an intricate understanding of daily life and practicalities in the region, particulalry from the perspective of foreign organisations and individuals trying to engage with local communities and issues. This experience saw me contracted to research, advise and supervise the Australian National University's Arabic language immersion program in Amman Jordan on several occasions from 2016-2019. Similarly in 2018 I was approached by a small team seeking to establish an alternative language and cultural immersion program in Lebanon know as ‘Sonbula’ Arabic which was to run in cooperation with the Lebanon Mountain Trail.Having knowledge of the gaps and differences in administrative bureaucracies and standards between western and Jordanian and Syrian institutions has put me in a position to advise parties from both sides on how to work together towards mutually beneficial outcomes. I have been particularly effective in finding solutions for organisations that lack financial resources but have other assets and capabilities that can be leveraged. Examples of my work in this area include developing a program proposal and concept documents for national cultural initiatives of Syria Trust for Development (November 2018 – May 2019) and founding and developing an international public relations campaign on primary school nutrition for the Jordanian Royal Health Awareness Society. I have also advised on the nomination of Syrian cultural elements for UNESCO list of intangible heritage in urgent need of saving (August 2016 - January 2018). This contributed to the successful listing of Syrian Shadow Puppetry as Syria's first item of intangible cultural heritage listed by UNESCO. Advised on communications and growth strategy for Recycle Lebanon (ongoing)

Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste

Amman Governorate, Jordan

I plan, lead and oversee the company’s educational exchange programs for university students from the UK, Jordan, Iraq and Australia. Student volunteers work with Jordanian NGOs on practical education projects that yield valuable, cross-cultural learning and collaboration. I was hired to expand the company’s philanthropic programs by gaining support from high-profile local and foreign sponsors and other stakeholders. In my first year, I built our primary program, Changing Lives, from one British university and one in-country program per year to five British and Australian universities and six programs per year.Working in a complex cultural environment, and reporting directly to the CEO, I consolidated and extended a sponsor network including members of the Hashemite Royal Family, Jordanian government ministers, the British and Australian ambassadors to Jordan, British and Australian universities, and international and local NGOs. Leading a small team in a diverse entrepreneurial company, my responsibilities include representing the CEO at meetings and formal occasions, special event management, budget management, reporting, and program coordination.In this role I helped facilitate the entry of the Australia-Middle East Journalism Exchange into Jordan through financial, logistics and networking support. The program is now in it's third year and has established strong independent links between Australian and Jordanian media and journalism institutions, helping to improve the two-way flow of information and understanding between Australia and the Arab world.

Amman Governorate, Jordan

I conduct strategic research in support of the group's investment, public relations and CSR goals.

Beirut District, Lebanon

Daily copy-editing of all sections of the print edition of Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper.

Taught English on a one-one basis to Arabic speakers

Sydney

Vessel maintenance and preparation, docking and berthing, and barge support and safety services for both industrial tug boat helping to construct the Sydney desalination plant. Private charter yacht maintenance and preparation, docking and loading, guest boarding and departure. Licensed marine radio operator.

Ma Middle East And Central Asian Studies

Writing For Newspapers And Magazines, Communication And Media Studies

Arabic For Non-Native Speakers, Arabic Language And Literature, Fluent

Bachelor Of Liberal Studies, Environmental Studies

Diploma Of Arabic For Non-Native Speakers, Foreign Languages And Literatures, General, B

Jordanian Colloquial Arabic