Career

Academia,
Research,
Consultancies

  • Duhok University, Iraq (September 2011-present)
    • Department of Spatial Planning: lecturer in governance, gender and development, strategic planning, strategic management, urban planning, cultural planning, housing, and investment policies; supervisor of student advanced urban projects and graduating class thesis. With faculties of the Dortmund University (Germany), advising on management of programs in the Department of Planning and Applied Sciences as a faculty board member.
    • Research focus: governance, public management, gender, post-conflict stabilization, sustainability, and resiliency.
  • GIZ Germany, Consultant/Project and Program Manager and Research leader/Author (March 2018 – July 2022)
    • Supported basic public services for vulnerable persons in Iraq through technical and capacity building on policymaking and advocacy, strategic planning, financial management, digitization and data management, gender-sensitive planning, communication, and e-governance. Producing recommendations for future actions and programs. Designed and implemented the project for civil servants of service delivery departments in areas liberated from ISIS and areas hosting ISIS-displaced peoples.
    • Worked on stabilization of water supply and sanitation services for refugees, IDPs, and residents of Iraq. Designed. Led the project and authored provincial strategic policy on water and sanitation sector considering the displacement crises.
    • Leading appraisal mission for Iraq country program on women participation in reconstruction and peace building. Researched and authored a baseline study for the Global Project on Culture and Creative Economy.
  • DCAF-Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (February 2020- December 2021)
    • Consultant and country expert advising on training program, building capacity, sustainably in the security sector governance in Iraq. Advised on ‘Improving Service Delivery Through Security Sector Governance and Partnering for Development and Peace’ at the World Bank’s Fragility Forum.
  • Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego, USA, Women PeaceMakers Fellowship (2020-2021).
    • Sharing knowledge and experience in research into partnerships between women peacebuilders and international organisations. Documenting the expertise of women peace leaders and peacemakers on how to best end cycles of violence using a unique methodology founded in building relationships of mutual trust, respect, and co-learning. Contributing to a paper on how international peacebuilding organisations can better partner with local women peacebuilders to address risks and lack of security that women face in working to prevent and end cycles of violence. To be published within this year by Kroc Institute.
  • Cardiff University, UK, Research Associate (March 2018 – July 2021)
    • Iraq case study on the informal economy in fragile cities project. Led field work, authored, and disseminated findings in international venues such as the UN- Habitat Urban Forum 2020 held in Abu Dhabi.
  • London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) Middle East Centre and the American University of Dubai (AUD), Research Consultant (September 2016-March 2018)
    • Collaborated on ‘The Complexity of Humanitarian Response in Iraq’ project.
  • United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Research Consultant (2016-2019)
    • Authored a toolkit and trained governing council and government staff members on participatory budgeting.
  • George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs, Lecturer (January-June 2010)
    • Taught courses on democracy, democratization, and participatory planning.
  • Fellow at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Institute of Politics. (2006)
    • Mentored a cohort of undergraduate students on topics of interest relevant to public service experience in Iraq. Taught “Reinventing Iraq: Deconstructing and Constructing a Nation” with a view toward sustainable development to reform and rehabilitate the country. Led discussions, panels, and workshops on topics pertaining to Iraq including the Kurdistan Region.

Iraq – Senior
Government 

  • Government of Iraq, Minister of Municipalities & Public Works, Baghdad (2003-2006)
    Following the 2003 regime change in Iraq, headed a major ministry with 45,000 staff members serving 15 of Iraq’s 18 provinces to meet infrastructure requirements in urban areas including improving water and sanitation systems to provide a clean environment. The dramatic change in governance offered opportunity that enabled institutional reform through decentralization with community participation at the provincial and local government levels. Actively promoted women in government by introducing and promoting a minimum quota of 25% women members in all representative bodies. Instituted programs to build leadership among youth and women.
    Attracted and secured major investment in public works. Improved employment through public works projects. Represented Iraq as a member or head of delegations meeting with foreign governments at ministerial levels. Officially represented the Government of Iraq by participation in numerous delegations and conferences.
  • Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Minister of Reconstruction and Development, Erbil, Iraq (1999-2003)
    In charge of a regional ministry that aimed to establish peace in a post-conflict situation in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Promoted community-based practices and methods through reconstruction and resettlement of destroyed communities with support and cooperation of the international community and regional, provincial, and local government authorities. In addition to local sources, secured substantial funding to invest in dozens of projects to improve health and education, water and sanitation, housing for displaced people, demining, and income-generation activities including food security and nutrition activities though agricultural development.

United Nations

  • United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Iraq. (1997-1998)
    In cooperation with local government, headed and managed administrative, program, and financial aspects related to the reconstruction and resettlement of destroyed communities. Responsible for a community construction budget exceeding US$10 million that contributed toward helping thousands of families to rebuild their communities and reestablish their lives with resilience and sustainability following decades of war and forced displacement.
  • United Nations Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq (UNOHCI), Executive Administrative and Program Assistant (1996-1997)
    In cooperation and coordination with UN agencies, provided administrative, logistics, and coordination support to international organizations involved in providing humanitarian assistance to the residents of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq suffering from the adverse impact of UN-authorized sanctions.
  • United Nations Iraq Relief Coordination Unit (UNIRCU), Iraq. Executive Administrative and Program Assistant (1992-1996)
    Provided administrative, logistics, and coordination support to more than 50 international humanitarian organizations involved in rehabilitation, reconstruction, resettlement, and relief operations for displaced families and residents in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
  • International Organization for Migration (IOM), Iraq. Executive Administrative Assistant (1991-1992)
    Provided administrative and logistics support to major repatriation program assisting refugees in Turkey & Iran to return to Iraq following the 1991 Gulf War.

Nonprofit/
Voluntary

  • Board of Trustee, University of Nawroz-Duhok, Member (2022-present).
  • Expert Group Meetings of UN-Habitat, Member (2014-present).
    Continuing participant and contributor to UN-Habitat discussions and decision- making pertaining to the themes of gender-responsive cities, right to the city, decade of change, and gender and green/sustainable housing. Some highlights:

    • World Urban Forum (WUF7) Medellín, Colombia (2014), speaker.
    • World Urban Forum (WUF10) Abu Dhabi, UAE (2020), moderator and speaker at opening session, repertoire of the Women’s Assembly report
    • UN-Habitat State of Arab Cities Report 2020, Reviewer (2020)
  • Friends of Waldorf Education (NGO), Country Representative, Iraq (2014- 2022)
    Provides psychosocial support/trauma pedagogy to improve the well-being of Iraq’s children and over one million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) who faced armed conflict, persecution, violation of human rights, and violence in their homeland who fled to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. To address their educational needs. Teaching staff, school social workers, and other teachers and trainers through capacity building exercises that aim to provide child protection and develop education quality. Running Sport for Development training with youth and children to promote peace and social cohesion through sport.
    Initiated and conducted a “Road to Excellence” program supporting the public school system in integrating a quality assurance program into teacher training at the Teacher Development Institute and Supervisors Department.
  • Institute for Inclusive Security, Network Member, Washington DC (2003- present)
    Contributing to strengthening women leaders through targeted training and mentoring, assisting to build coalitions, and connecting to policymakers working with partners in the US and elsewhere to build just and sustainable peace. Recognizing that women not only have a right to be at the table, but that their involvement is critical to ending war and realizing sustainable peace. It aims to provide expert advice grounded in research that demonstrates women’s contributions to peace building.
  • Higher Planning Steering Committee, Member, Duhok Province, Iraq (2014-2018)
    Advising on regional planning and participatory approaches to governance. Providing guidance to Governors and local government departments on strategic planning with the promotion of participatory planning to allow for broad participation in visioning development and budget development planning.
  • US-Iraq Joint Trade Committee, Member, Baghdad, Iraq (2011-2014)
    Promoted trade and economic relationships between the United States and Iraq through exploring the challenges that hinder such development. Drafting proposed changes to existing laws and regulations.
  • Ministry of Education Higher Consultative Board, Member, Erbil, Iraq (2010-2014)
    Advised the ministry on educational and institutional policies and structure, reform agenda to promote active learning and improve quality of education. Contributed to drafting legislation on ministry structure and policy regulations for private education, decentralization of educational governance, supervised the introduction of peace and coexistence materials with art and storytelling. Assisted in establishing teacher training programs and institution.
  • US State Department Future of Iraq Project, Member of the Economy and Infrastructure Working Group, Washington DC (2002-2003)
    Participated in workshops to plan for the “day after” regime change in Iraq. Advised and drafted policy papers on post-war Iraq reconstruction.