Political Intelligence Researcher and MENA Specialist

Posted on: 2020-09-17

Political Intelligence Researcher and MENA Specialist with expertise in project management, communications and report writing, and countering violent extremism research who brings transparency and intellectual curiosity. 7 years analyzing, synthesizing, and distilling complex information for USG, weighing relevance, context, and program solutions for nonprofit implementation organizations and think tanks.

Intelligence Analysis - Developed governance solutions and reports on Tunisia and Jordan extremism drivers.

Project Management - Led election observation mission travel logistics and Jordanian democracy strategies.

Middle East Research - Interviewed 11 Jordan political experts and wrote and presented strategy to division.

Program Solutions - Produced State Department, USAID, and NED project grant proposals, winning $3.25M.

Communication - Wrote democracy strategies, briefed on poll analyses, and co-hosted global podcast.

EXPERIENCE   

Program Manager, International Republican Institute                            Washington, DC            8/2017 - 9/2019

• Managed international democracy assistance project communications and oversaw scope compliance in Jordan.
• Monitored $5M project spending analysis, leading to USG regulations compliance and faster funding decisions.
• Conducted Jordan PVE needs assessment, analyzed/synthesized focus group data, and wrote report sections.
• Liaised with Department of State, USAID, and 125 stakeholders through speaking events and correspondence.
• Co-chaired CVE community of practice group to increase organizational awareness of CVE tools and practices.
• Interviewed 11 Jordan political context experts to better understand and identify priority needs and pitfalls.
• Led writing of Jordan and Mauritania democracy strategies and presentations, praised by division director.
• Selected to mentor election observation team and to develop USAID compliant branding strategy.

Podcast Co-Host - Global, International Republican Institute                  Washington, DC            1/2017 - 9/2019

• Engaged thousands of global listeners on country information and themes, such as violent extremism.
• Wrote and edited guest questions and interviewed political experts and journalists from around the world.

Program Officer, International Republican Institute                                Washington, DC            2/2016 - 7/2017

• Managed international democracy assistance projects and oversaw budget and scope compliance in Tunisia
• Supported Tunisia CVE research program implementation and identified latent support for violent extremism.
• Led communications strategy development using consultations, roundtables, and public engagement efforts.
• Created partnerships and produced 10 State Department, USAID, and NED grant proposals, winning $3.25M.
• Edited quarterly reports, newsletters, one-pagers, and revised section of IRI President's testimony to Congress.
• Researched history of West Africa CVE programs and directed cataloguing of IRI’s CVE programs and proposals.
• Regularly briefed USG on Tunisia poll analysis and interpretation, incorporating on-the-ground anecdotes.
• Analyzed Tunisia extremism drivers and developed solutions relevant to organization mission and capabilities.
• State Department identified proposal authored as knowledgeable of global and Tunisian extremism drivers.

Assistant Program Officer, International Republican Institute                 Washington, DC            5/2014 - 2/2016

• Supported program operations by analyzing spending reports and updating budget pipelines.
• Directed data collection and organization for programmatic reports.
• Crafted press release, audit responses, and funder reports, winning internal award for best quarterly report.
• Wrote tweets and blogs.
• Handled travel logistics of and helped develop 3 successful Tunisia international election observation missions.

Program Assistant, International Republican Institute                            Washington, DC            10/2012 - 5/2014

• Acquired facility with program budgets and processes and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Led monitoring and evaluation of Tunisia programs.
• Wrote quarterly funder reports.
• Interpreted and communicated complex political information to division leadership.

Middle East Policy Intern, The Heritage Foundation                               Washington, DC            6/2012 - 8/2012

• Co-authored blog on Turkish-Kurd clashes and wrote blog on failures of Syria Action Group meeting.
• Drafted introductory paragraphs for Middle Eastern countries for the Index of Economic Freedom.
• Researched and wrote memos on Iranian, Turkish, Syrian, and Egyptian political and security issues and terrorism in Libya and the Sahel.

Policy Intern, The Foreign Policy Initiative                                              Washington, DC            6/2011 - 8/2011

• Researched Turkish government and foreign relations and drafted op-ed on Turkey’s potential Syria role.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts - International Relations, Tufts University                     Medford, MA                2012

Graduated Magna cum Laude.