Hisham Jabi, Chief of Party

Hisham Jabi has fifteen years of experience in business development, micro-enterprise, and information technology—and extensive experience in designing/implementing youth development programs across different regions and cultures. Prior to becoming Chief of Party for EDC Inc.'s “Ruwwad” Project, Jabi worked with its EQUIP3 / Youth Trust in Washington , DC as the Associate Project Director for Knowledge Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. Previously, he developed a successful multi-million dollar Palestinian IT company from the concept stage to implementation. He is a founding member of the Palestinian Information Technology Association in Ramallah, West Bank and served as a steering committee member for The World Bank's Special Internet Project. Jabi holds BA in Business Administration and Finance from Birzeit University and two Master's degrees-- an MBA and a Masters of Information Technology--both from the Claremont Graduate University in Claremont , California .

Husam Qaradeh, Programs Manager

Husam Qaradeh is a highly skilled project manager with 13 years of professional experience. In the past he has helped manage the USAID-funded Tamkeen project in the West Bank, and he has also worked as a project manager for the Civic Forum Institute in Jerusalem . Previously, Mr. Qaradeh served as a moderator, and then as West Bank Coordinator, for the National Democratic Institute, working to raise awareness of democracy and human rights among Palestinians. He holds a BA in English literature from Bethlehem University , and is currently at work on an MA in development and gender studies at Birzeit University .

Mohammed N. Fuqha, Finance & Contracts Manager

Prior to joining Ruwwad, Mr. Fuqha served as the Chief of Administration and Finance for the Central Elections Commission in Ramallah, where he designed, implemented and monitored all budgets, as well as recommending financial policies and managing staff. He has also served as the Financial and Administrative Manager for the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights, Palestine On Line Co., and the Modern Arabian Business Corp., all based in Ramallah. Mr. Said holds an MBA with expertise in human resource management, financial management, and purchasing and procurement.

Widad Jarallah Aref (Administration & Compliance Director)

Ms. Aref has extensive experience in project management, with expertise in the administration of both private and public sector initiatives. Prior to joining EDC's Ruwwad project, Ms. Aref worked at the USAID-funded Tamkeen project implemented by Chemonics International in the West Bank, where she oversaw administrative and personnel functions and ensured proper compliance with all USAID regulations. Previously, she worked as a Planner at the Palestinian Ministry of Planning and as a Project Coordinator for the Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction (PECDAR). Ms. Aref also single-handedly established and managed a Palestinian branch of a regional contracting firm. Fluent in spoken and written Arabic and English, Ms. Aref holds a B.S. in civil engineering from the US International University in London , and is a member of the Jordanian Association of Engineers. 

Lama Abdel Samad (Procurement Officer)

Ms. Abdel Samad has extensive experience in administrative management, including the implementation of administrative systems, personnel support, and clerical services to ensure the smooth functioning of NGO-sector projects. Previously, she worked as an Administrative Assistant at Tamkeen and PRIZIM, two USAID-funded projects. Ms. Abdel Samad holds a B.A. from Birzeit University, with a major in English literature and minors in translation and business administration.

Bashar Sahouri (IT Coordinator)

Mr. Sahouri joined EDC/Ruwwad as an IT Intern in October 2007. Mr. Sahouri graduated from Arab American University - Jenin with a B.A. in computer information technology in July 2007. In May 2008, he was recruited as a full-time employee, with the title of IT Coordinator.

Wafa' Zubeidi (Procurement Coordinator)

Ms. Zubeidi joined EDC/Ruwwad as an Admin Department Intern in October 2007. She graduated from Birzeit University with a B.A. in accounting in July 2007. In May 2008, she was recruited as a full time employee, with the title of Administrative Assistant. Her main duties are in compliance and procurement.

Ghadir Shamieh (HR Coordinator)

Ms. Shamieh joined EDC/Ruwwad as a Administrative Assistant in October 2008. Currently, Ms. Shamieh is working as HR Coordinator. Previously, she worked as an Administrative Assistant at Ministry of Planning, also as a Program Coordinator at the Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation. Her experience in administrative and HR management is both extensive and comprehensive. Ms. Shamieh holds a B.A. from Bethlehem University , with a major in business and minor in marketing.

Fadi Atta (Procurement Coordinator)

Mr. Atta joined EDC/Ruwwad in November 2008 as a Sub-grant Assistant in the Sub-grant Department but was later assigned to assist in the Admin and Compliance Department to assist in procurement. Previously, Mr. Atta worked as Project Manager at the Young Artists Forum (YAF) and as a Marketing and PR Agent with Collage Production Co. Mr. Atta holds a B.A. from Jordan University in business administration.

Sana Abubakr, Youth Development Specialist

Sana Abubakr has extensive experience overseeing and managing youth development projects in the West Bank . From October 2005 until joining Ruwwad, she served as Project Manager for International Business Legal Associates, a firm providing legal and business development consulting to international and local clients. Previously, she worked as a project coordinator and fundraiser for an International Youth Foundation project in Jerusalem . Ms. Abubakr has also been a member of the Youth Advisory Committee for an Education Development Center project in Washington , D.C. and as a Youth and Community Activities Coordinator for an International Youth Foundation project. She holds a BA in English literature from Birzeit University .

Huda Tahboub, Public - Private Partnership Specialist

Huda Tahboub has worked extensively in the area of public-private partnership building within the Palestinian civil society sector. As Project Manager of the “Palestinian Council for Development Dialogue and Democracy” (PCD3), Tahboub oversaw a large-scale organizational capacity-building campaign, implemented through USAID support. She has also served as a project manager for several ground-level youth projects at PCD3, including educational summer camps for over 1,000 youth. Ms. Tahboub's, management experience includes planning, budgeting, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation and reporting. Ms. Tahboub has completed her undergraduate studies at Ohio State University with a dual degree in International Studies ( Middle East regional specialization) and Business Administration. She is currently completing her Master's degree in International Cooperation and Development.

Marwan Bashiti, Public - Private Partnership Coordinator

Marwan Bashiti has more than five years' experience providing support to the NGO/international development sector in the West Bank . He has conducted data collection for the Jerusalem Task Force on infrastructure and economic development, and has served as Project Manager for the Palestinian Center for Micro Development (PCMD), supervising a wide range of tasks--from preparing and implementing the work-plan, to communications and outreach, to preparation of narrative and financial reports. Prior to joining the Ruwwad team, Bashiti served with the Old City Youth Association in Jerusalem as General Coordinator; Mr. Bashiti holds a BA in Business Administration from Bir Zeit University .

Mughera M. Al Ahmad, Senior Accountant

Mughera M. Al Ahmad has previously served as the accountant for the Joint Services Council for Solid Waste and Environmental Management Project in Jenin, where he prepared monthly closing reports, maintained and coordinated the implementation of accounting control procedures, reviewed expenses, payroll entries, invoices, and other accounting documents. In addition, Mr. Al Ahmad maintained financial data bases and manual filing systems, and interacted with internal and external auditors in completing audits. Mr. Al Ahmad holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Al-Najah National University in Nablus .

Hazem Salameh, M&E Coordinator

Hazem Salameh is an IT professional with extensive expertise in software engineering and analysis, computer languages and web design. Prior to joining Ruwwad, Mr. Salameh worked with the Moon Satellite Company in Amman , Jordan , where he specialized in software development and network support. During his studies at the Arab American University in Jenin, where he earned a B.Sc. in Computer Information Technology, Mr. Salameh also held the post of University Computer Lab Administrator—overseeing the campus' IT student center. Mr. Salameh is deeply committed to youth empowerment: he has been an active volunteer with the Sharek Youth Forum since 2003.

Ziad Nazzal, Arabic Language Writer

Ziad Nazzal joins Ruwwad after a successful term as the Head of Media at the Palestinian Ministry of Women's Affairs in Ramallah. While at the Ministry, he directed all major public relations campaigns, including production of television and radio spots. Previously, Mr. Nazzal has worked as a field reporter for Palestinian news services, and as a translator for a major US-based translation firm. At Ruwwad, Mr. Nazzal produces key Arabic-language outreach materials for the project. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from Birzeit University , and is an active member of the Journalists' Forum for Combating Violence Against Women.

Basem Banishamseh , Youth Coordinator – Nablus Region

Originally from the village of Beita , in the Nablus district of the West Bank , Basem Banishamseh is a student in his second year at al-Quds Open University where he studies social work. He has worked extensively with fellow youth as a trainer, coach, and peer mentor through various organizations, including the Namaa' Foundation and the Palestinian Vision Institute, where he served as a trainer for the Popular Achievement Project.

Wafaa Kmeil , Youth Coordinator – Jenin, Tulkarem, and Qalqilyah Regions

Wafaa Kmeil , from the town of Qabatiya in the Jenin district, joins Ruwwad after working as a mentor to a wide range of young men and women in the Northern West Bank . Ms. Kmeil is well- known as a local youth work coordinator in the Jenin area, and has also served as the coordinator of the Popular Achievement Project, a project of the Palestinian Vision Institute. She holds a BA in social and family development from al-Quds Open University of Jenin.

Bilal Hasouneh, Youth Coordinator – Southern West Bank

A native of Hebron , in the Southern West Bank , Bilal Hasouneh oversees all Ruwwad Youth Corps activities in this key region. Before joining Ruwwad as a staff member, Mr. Hasouneh served as one its main volunteer organizers and regional leaders—helping shape the project from its start in 2005. Previously, Mr. Hasouneh has also worked as a counselor at the Torture Rehabilitation Center , and as a Human Resources Administrator at a major Palestinian accounting firm. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and Education from Birzeit University .