Sama'A Al-Hamdani Email & Phone Number

As a Country Director, I bring a wealth of experience in program management to orchestrate the successful implementation of multifaceted initiatives. My responsibilities encompass a spectrum of tasks, from fundraising and refining grant portfolios to developing comprehensive work plans and orchestrating client meetings. I am meticulous in ensuring that project plans evolve in alignment with grant objectives and regulatory standards, while also integrating cross-cutting themes such as gender… Show more As a Country Director, I bring a wealth of experience in program management to orchestrate the successful implementation of multifaceted initiatives. My responsibilities encompass a spectrum of tasks, from fundraising and refining grant portfolios to developing comprehensive work plans and orchestrating client meetings. I am meticulous in ensuring that project plans evolve in alignment with grant objectives and regulatory standards, while also integrating cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, safeguarding, and risk management seamlessly into program milestones and strategies.Collaborating closely with program coordinators and technical experts, including data scientists, product managers, and engineers, I ensure that these critical themes permeate every phase of the program lifecycle, thereby amplifying its overall impact and efficacy. I oversee field operations and partnership engagements, maintaining day-to-day operational efficiency and alignment with organizational goals. Through effective communication and collaboration across departments, I drive timely responses to challenges, nurturing a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.My role extends beyond operational oversight to encompass strategic leadership and business development. I actively engage with funders to ensure client satisfaction and identify opportunities for program growth and innovation. Additionally, I provide strategic guidance in aligning program strategies with organizational objectives and community needs, fostering a culture of learning and development within the team. As a collaborative leader, I prioritize excellent team management and mentorship, fostering an environment conducive to growth and success. Show less

I informed metrics for product development and functionality testing, focusing on identifying gaps for improvement within the context of the program. I guided and supported program scope definition with various stakeholders and teams, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. Additionally, I identified capacity-building opportunities within Hala and local partner teams, facilitating training sessions and developing training curricula. I provided context and analysis to inform product… Show more I informed metrics for product development and functionality testing, focusing on identifying gaps for improvement within the context of the program. I guided and supported program scope definition with various stakeholders and teams, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. Additionally, I identified capacity-building opportunities within Hala and local partner teams, facilitating training sessions and developing training curricula. I provided context and analysis to inform product development and recruitment efforts, collaborated closely with the Data Analytics Team, and served as a subject matter expert on Yemen-related matters both internally and externally. Furthermore, I contributed to business development processes, collaborated with leadership to scale impact on the ground, and provided recommendations for strategic direction in alignment with organizational goals. Show less

I played a central role in facilitating effective communication and coordination between Hala and the local partner's project management and field teams. My responsibilities included curating and preparing periodic check-in and reporting meetings, creating metrics for product development, and identifying areas for improvement. I guided scope definition with all program stakeholders and contributed to the development of capacity-building support areas within Hala and the local partner teams… Show more I played a central role in facilitating effective communication and coordination between Hala and the local partner's project management and field teams. My responsibilities included curating and preparing periodic check-in and reporting meetings, creating metrics for product development, and identifying areas for improvement. I guided scope definition with all program stakeholders and contributed to the development of capacity-building support areas within Hala and the local partner teams. Additionally, I liaised directly with the Data Analytics Team to ensure qualitative input to reporting and findings, and I served as the subject matter expert in conversations related to Yemen works both externally and internally. Through close collaboration and strategic oversight, I ensured the successful development and progress of projects while maintaining effective communication across all company departments. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I have been actively engaged in providing expert analysis and insights on Yemeni affairs. My diverse experiences include presenting a TedxSanaa Talk on Journalism and Democracy in Yemen, participating in international conferences such as Chatham House's Corruption and Challenges Facing Yemen's Transition and Carnegie's Second Youth Network Meeting, and serving as a panelist for the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). I have also created informative videos and hosted interviews with… Show more I have been actively engaged in providing expert analysis and insights on Yemeni affairs. My diverse experiences include presenting a TedxSanaa Talk on Journalism and Democracy in Yemen, participating in international conferences such as Chatham House's Corruption and Challenges Facing Yemen's Transition and Carnegie's Second Youth Network Meeting, and serving as a panelist for the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). I have also created informative videos and hosted interviews with Yemen Experts on a YouTube channel, conducted independent research and analysis for think tanks and governmental agencies, and maintained the blog Yemeniaty focusing on various topics including women's issues in Yemen. My work has been published in reputable outlets such as The Law Fare blog, The National Newspaper, MENAsource, Fikra Forum, The Atlantic Post, and other academic journals. MEDIA APPEARANCES Television: France 24, BBC World Service, BBC Arabic, BBC Persian, CNN America, CNN World, Canadian Television (CTV), Israel 24 (i24), Aljazeera English, Aljazeera Arabic, Aljazeera America (now closed), Telesur, RTTV world, RTTV America, RTTV Arabic, Turkish Television (TRT world), AL-Hurra TV, Al-Araby Television, CCTV Chinese television, and C-SPAN.Online Channels: Huffington Post Live, Islam Channel, The Real News Network, and AJ the Stream. Radio: NPR: A1, NPR: Morning Edition, NPR: To The Point, NPR Affiliated Radios: WGBH Boston, WNYC New York, and WAMU-DC. BBC World Service: The Inquiry and News Service, ABC Australia, Sputnik Radio, Sverige Radio/Swedish Radio News Department, Radio France International, Voice of America, Radio Johannesburg South Africa, Podcasts: Middle East Focus (MEI), Ground Truth Briefing (Wilson Center), Aljazeera's The Take, Jerry Robinson on Follow the Money, Middle East Week Podcast, Mafraj Radio of the Yemen Peace Project, Global Journalist, and the University of Missouri School of Journalism official podcast, Georgetown SFS. Show less

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

As a Nonresident Fellow at the Middle East Institute, I specialized in Yemeni affairs, and conducted in-depth research and analysis on political, economic, and security issues impacting the region and the world at large. I collaborated closely with various think tanks in Washington DC, as well as with congressional offices and other key stakeholders, to provide expert insights and policy recommendations on Yemen-related matters. I participated in conferences and public events to share expertise… Show more As a Nonresident Fellow at the Middle East Institute, I specialized in Yemeni affairs, and conducted in-depth research and analysis on political, economic, and security issues impacting the region and the world at large. I collaborated closely with various think tanks in Washington DC, as well as with congressional offices and other key stakeholders, to provide expert insights and policy recommendations on Yemen-related matters. I participated in conferences and public events to share expertise and engage with policymakers to influence decision-making processes. Through strategic collaboration and informed analysis, I contributed to shaping policy discussions and advancing understanding of Yemen's complex dynamics within the Washington DC policy community. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I served as a Research Consultant focusing on Islam & Human Rights from 2017 to 2018. In this role, I managed the administrative and operational aspects of a $300,000 Carnegie grant, overseeing tasks such as editing, compiling, and publishing the final report for the project. Additionally, I organized the maintenance of files, proposals, presentations, and confidential records related to the Carnegie project. I provided primary research support to Dr. H.A. Hellyer, a Nonresident Senior Fellow… Show more I served as a Research Consultant focusing on Islam & Human Rights from 2017 to 2018. In this role, I managed the administrative and operational aspects of a $300,000 Carnegie grant, overseeing tasks such as editing, compiling, and publishing the final report for the project. Additionally, I organized the maintenance of files, proposals, presentations, and confidential records related to the Carnegie project. I provided primary research support to Dr. H.A. Hellyer, a Nonresident Senior Fellow specializing in Islamic law and human rights, and collaborated on writing regular op-eds for "MENA source", issued briefs, reports, and internal memoranda. Furthermore, I produced original research, analysis, and writing for the Program on Islam and Human Rights. Show less

As an Analyst and linguist at Navanti Group LLC, I specialized in tracking and analyzing the dynamics of post-Saleh Yemen. My role involved monitoring the competition between civil society organizations and insurgent groups and providing actionable research insights to development-focused clients. I conducted an in-depth social media analysis to track the evolution and dissemination of militant groups' messaging and propaganda campaigns. As an independent contractor, I compiled daily and… Show more As an Analyst and linguist at Navanti Group LLC, I specialized in tracking and analyzing the dynamics of post-Saleh Yemen. My role involved monitoring the competition between civil society organizations and insurgent groups and providing actionable research insights to development-focused clients. I conducted an in-depth social media analysis to track the evolution and dissemination of militant groups' messaging and propaganda campaigns. As an independent contractor, I compiled daily and monthly open-source intelligence analyses, drawing from Arabic and English news sources and social media platforms to address pertinent security, political, and economic developments. My contributions included composing daily briefs and deep-dive summaries, significantly enhancing risk forecasting for private sector clients. Show less

Washington, United States

I engaged in research, analysis, and scholarly activities related to contemporary Arab studies. I conducted research on various topics related to the Arab world, focusing on Yemen, contributed to academic publications and policy papers, participated in conferences and seminars, and engaged with students and faculty members within the academic community. I also collaborated with other Georgetown scholars, policymakers, and organizations to advance understanding and promote informed discourse on… Show more I engaged in research, analysis, and scholarly activities related to contemporary Arab studies. I conducted research on various topics related to the Arab world, focusing on Yemen, contributed to academic publications and policy papers, participated in conferences and seminars, and engaged with students and faculty members within the academic community. I also collaborated with other Georgetown scholars, policymakers, and organizations to advance understanding and promote informed discourse on issues relevant to political affairs in the Arab world. Show less

Washington, D.C.

As a Producer for the US Chief Correspondent at The Middle East Broadcasting Centre (MBC) in Washington, D.C., I collaborated with the Senior News Correspondent and MBC center in Dubai, UAE, to develop compelling stories from the US capitol. This involved sourcing and interviewing relevant individuals for initial interviews and gathering responses to current events. Additionally, I played a key role in generating interview questions and conducting minor interviews. Working closely with the… Show more As a Producer for the US Chief Correspondent at The Middle East Broadcasting Centre (MBC) in Washington, D.C., I collaborated with the Senior News Correspondent and MBC center in Dubai, UAE, to develop compelling stories from the US capitol. This involved sourcing and interviewing relevant individuals for initial interviews and gathering responses to current events. Additionally, I played a key role in generating interview questions and conducting minor interviews. Working closely with the cameraman, I coordinated the filming of relevant B-roll footage and recorded sound bites and vox pops. I also conducted thorough research using various sources to gather facts, figures, and information. Furthermore, I organized travel arrangements for the correspondent and production crew and accompanied the senior correspondent to press conferences with various US government officials, and attended the Media Briefings at the Department of State. Show less

Washington D.C.

I played a pivotal role in facilitating communication and collaboration between the Embassy's Political Office and the Department of State, Department of Defense, and the White House to enhance relations and communication channels. I attended high-profile meetings, ensured seamless operations, and represented the office professionally. Additionally, I was responsible for composing detailed reports on political office meetings and private briefings and supporting coordination with the Ministry… Show more I played a pivotal role in facilitating communication and collaboration between the Embassy's Political Office and the Department of State, Department of Defense, and the White House to enhance relations and communication channels. I attended high-profile meetings, ensured seamless operations, and represented the office professionally. Additionally, I was responsible for composing detailed reports on political office meetings and private briefings and supporting coordination with the Ministry of Interior in Yemen. I supported the officer's work on the Guantanamo files. I also formulated daily reports on US media coverage of Yemen, focusing on counterterrorism, democracy, and political events, demonstrating my ability to analyze and synthesize complex information. Furthermore, I revamped website accessibility and regularly updated information, showcasing my commitment to improving communication platforms and maintaining accuracy. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I formulated the "Consular Identification Strategy" and developed an annual plan to modernize the process of issuing visas and passports, showcasing my strategic planning, coordination skills, and ability to drive process improvement initiatives. Additionally, I coordinated all correspondence between the Embassy and honorary Consulates in New York, Michigan, and California. Furthermore, I conceptualized a new working mechanism for the office to coordinate with other Arab Consulates in the… Show more I formulated the "Consular Identification Strategy" and developed an annual plan to modernize the process of issuing visas and passports, showcasing my strategic planning, coordination skills, and ability to drive process improvement initiatives. Additionally, I coordinated all correspondence between the Embassy and honorary Consulates in New York, Michigan, and California. Furthermore, I conceptualized a new working mechanism for the office to coordinate with other Arab Consulates in the United States, strengthening the consulate's strategy in hopes of fostering collaboration across multiple entities. Show less

Sana'A, Yemen

During my internship in the Media Department of the International Labor Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Services in Sana'a, Yemen, I honed valuable skills in conducting field interviews, training rural women, raising awareness about labor rights, and collecting data from the field. I traveled across different governates to interview working women for a program project focusing on empowering females to understand their rights as laborers. In addition, I traveled… Show more During my internship in the Media Department of the International Labor Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Services in Sana'a, Yemen, I honed valuable skills in conducting field interviews, training rural women, raising awareness about labor rights, and collecting data from the field. I traveled across different governates to interview working women for a program project focusing on empowering females to understand their rights as laborers. In addition, I traveled to four governorates to assess the conditions of female laborers. Additionally, I supported the training of Yemeni women in coordinated workshops focusing on empowering women in the workforce, showcasing my ability to communicate effectively and contribute to impactful initiatives in the field of labor rights and empowerment. Show less

Sana'A Yemen

During my tenure as a Journalist for the Yemen Observer newspaper, I demonstrated strong leadership and writing skills at the age of 16 while co-managing the "Community Page," prominently featured on the third page. In this role, I composed press releases, company news, and diplomatic community news, and covered various events within the ex-pat and political community. Additionally, I authored a compelling series focusing on "Child Marriages in Yemen," exploring the root causes and possible… Show more During my tenure as a Journalist for the Yemen Observer newspaper, I demonstrated strong leadership and writing skills at the age of 16 while co-managing the "Community Page," prominently featured on the third page. In this role, I composed press releases, company news, and diplomatic community news, and covered various events within the ex-pat and political community. Additionally, I authored a compelling series focusing on "Child Marriages in Yemen," exploring the root causes and possible solutions for the phenomenon of child marriages in Yemen weekly over four publications. I conducted thorough research, interviews, and writing to develop a weekly column highlighting diverse news from different governorates within the Republic of Yemen. Moreover, I initiated and authored a column in English, which was later translated into Arabic for publication on the newspaper's website, showcasing my ability to reach a broader audience with impactful content. Show less

Sana'A, Yemen

During my tenure as an Administrative Assistant at the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), I played a pivotal role in facilitating meetings between IFES, the ruling political party, opposition parties, and other independent parties, where I meticulously documented the meetings. Additionally, I was responsible for preparing IFES project reports on Election Law Reform and Public Policy Dialogues, offering comprehensive analyses of Yemen's election law and supporting the… Show more During my tenure as an Administrative Assistant at the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), I played a pivotal role in facilitating meetings between IFES, the ruling political party, opposition parties, and other independent parties, where I meticulously documented the meetings. Additionally, I was responsible for preparing IFES project reports on Election Law Reform and Public Policy Dialogues, offering comprehensive analyses of Yemen's election law and supporting the recommendation of strategies for improvement. Furthermore, I managed IFES' technical tasks, initiated an archive system, and translated a weekly letter distributed to political parties and the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Moreover, I actively participated in the Yemeni Women's Conviction on Women's Day (March 8), further showcasing my dedication to women's empowerment while interning with IFES and collaborating with the Women' National Committee(WNC).s Show less