I am a social and human security economist with experience across many countries at different stages of development. I work as an independent consultant providing advisory services to national governments on reform of individual social security schemes as well as overall national systems. I have also provided coaching services and individualized learning to social security specialists across many countries. I earlier served in senior positions in the United Nations’ country offices in Iraq, Malaysia, Nepal, Zimbabwe, Egypt, and Argentina and Headquarter offices in New York and Geneva.

I am a visiting expert at the University of Malaya’s Social Wellbeing Center, Malaysia. I have taught both graduate and undergraduate courses at Balsillie School of International Affairs, Canada, and Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Canada, and Nottingham University, Malaysia campus. My academic background includes a Doctorate in International Relations (International Development), a Master’s degree in Public Policy (Social Policy Financing), a Master’s degree in Mathematics (Actuarial Science), and a Master’s degree in Economics.

  • Visiting Scholar, the Social Wellbeing Research Centre (SWRC), previously known as Social Security Research Centre (SSRC), University of Malaya, Malaysia. September 2019 – present.
  • Chief Technical Advisor Social Security, ILO Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, June 2021 – September 2023.
  • Independent short-term consultant, ILO (ILO Learning Center and ILO MENA regional office), June 2019- June 2021.
  • Social Security Advisor, Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 2018- January 2019 and September 2019- January 2020.
  • Deputy Representative and Senior Social Policy Specialist, UNICEF, Putrajaya, Malaysia, October 2016-September 2018.
  • Chief Social Policy and Economic Analysis, UNICEF, Kathmandu, Nepal, September 2013 – November 2015.
  • Social Policy Specialist, UNICEF, Harare, Zimbabwe, January 2012 – September 2013
  • Economic Advisor (extended mission), UNICEF, Cairo, Egypt, May 2011 – January 2012
  • Economic and Social Policy Officer, UNICEF, Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 2010 – May 2011
  • Economic and Social Policy Officer, UNICEF, New York, USA, May – August 2010
  • Founder and director, SPDM Consultancy, Waterloo, Canada, April 2008- May 2010
  • Technical Officer, Social Security Department, ILO, Geneva, Switzerland, January 2007 – September 2007
  • PR department head, Palestine Securities Exchange, Nablus, Palestine, June 2005– April 2006
  • PR director, Salfeet Chamber of Commerce, Salfeet, Palestine, November 1999 – August 2000.
  • Technical assistant to deputy minister of finance, Ramallah, Palestine, September 1998- November 1999.
  • Social Security trainer, ILO Learning Center, Turin, Italy. July 2020 – present.
  • Balsillie School of International Affairs, Waterloo, Canada, January -May 2023, January 2020- June 2021, January- May 2019, and May- September 2016.
  • University of Malaya, Faculty of Economics and Administration, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March -June 2021.
  • Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo and Brantford campuses, Canada, January – June 2021, January- May 2019, September 2015 – September 2016, and September 2008 – May 2010.
  • University of Nottingham-Malaysia campus, School of Politics, History and International Relations, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 2018- December 2018
  • Annajah University, Nablus, Palestine, June 2005– April 2006
  • University of Connecticut, CT, USA, August 2003 – May 2005
  • American University at Jenin (AAUJ), Jenin, Palestine, January 2003– August 2003
  • Doctorate of International Relations (International Development), Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Switzerland.
  • Master of Public Policy and Human Development with concentration on Social Policy Financing, University of Maastricht, the Netherlands.
  • Master of Science in Mathematics, University of Connecticut, CT, USA.
    Internship: Mercer Human Resource Consulting, retirement practice, Norwalk, CT, USA, summer 2004
  • Master of Arts in Economics, University of Connecticut, CT, USA.
    Internship: Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis, Storrs, CT, USA, summer 2001
  • Visiting Scholar, the Social Wellbeing Research Centre (SWRC), previously known as Social Security Research Centre (SSRC), University of Malaya, Malaysia.
  • Honorary Research Fellow of the Globecraft® Institute, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Associate, IMAN Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • International Board Member, Idea Studio, Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • Member, the International Actuarial Association (IAA)’s Pensions, Benefits and Social Security Section (PBSS).
  • Letter of Recognition, Deputy Prime Minister, Government of Iraq, 2023.
  • New and Emerging Talent Initiative (NETI) Program, UNICEF, 2010-2011.
  • Excellence in Teaching Recognition letters, School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University, winter 2019, winter 2016, fall 2015, fall 2008, winter 2009, spring 2009, fall 2009, winter 2010.
  • Recipient of the MUNDO scholarship, the Netherlands, 2007
  • Recipient of the University of Maastricht School of Governance Scholarship, the Netherlands, 2007.
  • Full tuition waiver, University of Connecticut, 2003-2005.
  • Recipient of the President Clinton Scholarship, USA 2000-2002
  • Honor student for 8 semesters, Annajah University, Palestine 1994-1998