• Closely aiding the President of the U.S./Middle East Project (USMEP) - a not-for-profit policy institute focusing on the situation in Palestine-Israel, as well as broader dynamics and conflicts in MENA/West Asia and how those interact with the shifting terrain of global geopolitics. The USMEP offers hard-nosed, clear and insightful policy analysis and ideas. Its work strives to advance a dignified Israeli-Palestinian peace; an end to occupation, discrimination and refugeehood in which international legality is upheld; equality and mutual security, respecting the rights of all people. The USMEP pursues its mission through a range of activities that include high-level meetings, convenings, policy advisories and publications, as well as consultations with heads of state and senior officials, civil society groups and a wide range of international agencies. • Managing the organization’s relationship and communication with Board members, Senior Advisors and funders.• Coordinating a range of activities that include studies, publications, conferences and Board meetings as well as collaborations with a wide range of international agencies pursuing similar goals.• Responsible for media and communication strategies as well as drafting project and funding proposals.

• Founder and manager of a photography business focused primarily on portrait, beauty and fashion. Responsible for all aspects of business management including: marketing, business development, logistical arrangements, invoicing and contracting. • Key clients include UNICEF UK (commissioned photographer for UN Goodwill Ambassador Sir Roger Moore and Marks & Spencer CEO Marc Bolland). Portfolio available at: www.matteomencarelli.com

- Programme Coordinator | January 2015 - February 2017- Researcher/Project Assistant | October 2013 – December 2014• Responsible for the overall functioning of the programme, overseeing a budget of over $1,500,000.• Managed ECFR’s flagship track 1.5 dialogue project on regional détente between Iran and Saudi Arabia involving an intensive series of proximity talks between EU policy makers/experts with their regional counterparts. This included several high level delegation visits to both Tehran and Riyadh as well as meetings with both Foreign Ministers Zarif and Al-Jubeir in addition to high level government officials.• Shaped advocacy and communication functions as well as donor relations and fundraising strategies, including drafting budgets and proposals. • Coordinated the formulation of the programme’s work plan and ensuring its effective implementation.• Overlooked workshops and events, publications, study trips to the region as well as the relationship with ECFR’s council members and interaction with EU governments, foreign ministries and officials. • Successfully improved and expanded the online and social media presence of the programme.

• Consultant and advisor to the Field Training Officer, provided guidance on overseeing training seminars for local UN staff members throughout Lebanon and in numerous Palestinian refugee camps. • Managed all arrangements with third party contractors, workshop facilitators and conference booking advisors.

Responsible for the sale of merchandise and donations across several locations in the Greater Toronto Area during the UNICEF 2008 Kiosk Sales Program.

Collected, translated, and analysed numerous sources relating to the Qur’an, Hadith, and other Islamic texts, for Prof. Sebastian Guenther, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto, for the purpose of publishing several peer-reviewed academic articles.