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19 Dec 24

USAID Learning Agenda Challenges in the Middle East Amid Conflicts

While reviewing the recently updated USAID ADS 201, Program Cycle Operational Policy (Partial Revision Date: 10/23/2024), I was struck by its emphasis on “learning”—a term mentioned 155 times. This focus resonates deeply with my personal experiences over two decades of working with USAID projects and local partners across the Middle…

09 Dec 24

The Arab Spring: A Catalyst for Positive Change and Youth-Led Modernization

The Middle East today is not the region we once knew. While the Arab Spring may seem like a distant memory to some, its spirit of transformation remains relevant, particularly in the potential of the region’s youth. This potential, however, requires time, effort, and the cultivation of organizational skills by…

05 Dec 24

Driving Impact: USAID Project Cycle and Localization in the Middle East

For over two decades, I have worked extensively on projects with the World Bank, USAID, and the State Department across the Middle East, serving as a project director and regional advisor. My journey within the international development sector has provided me with firsthand insights into the challenges and opportunities of…

25 Nov 24

What Does Trump’s Election Mean for Palestinians?

As the dust settles on Donald Trump’s election, Palestinians and others in the Middle East are grappling with the implications. While some fear an escalation of U.S. policies that heavily favor Israel, others cautiously hope for a fresh approach. During a recent visit to Palestine, Israel, and Jordan, I engaged…

12 Nov 24

Reflections from My Visit to Israel, Jordan, and Palestine Amid the U.S. Election

This past Tuesday, November 5th, I landed at Dulles Airport at 3:30 PM, returning from an intense and eye-opening three-week journey through Israel, Jordan, and Palestine. The entire region felt weighed down by a dark, pervasive sense of despair, as the enduring impact of war and political uncertainty pressed heavily…

16 Oct 24

Is Governance Failure Driving Youth Unemployment in the Middle East?

Youth unemployment in the Middle East is not only a socio-economic challenge but also a governance problem, with deep-rooted political, institutional, and systemic issues that have compounded over time. Let’s delve deeper into the contributing factors: 1. Distrust in Institutions The Arab Spring, sparked by Mohamed Bouazizi’s tragic protest in Tunisia,…

08 Oct 24

Breaking Down the Walls: LLMs and USAID’s Evaluation Challenge

The Challenge of Siloed Development Evaluations In many USAID missions, development objective evaluations and analyses are often conducted independently, limiting their ability to provide a comprehensive understanding of overall USAID program impacts on the country local system. This isolated approach can hinder the identification of broader trends and patterns that…

12 Sep 24

Reflections on Peace and Conflict in Israel and Palestine

I am attending the Peace Conference in Washington, DC organized by Alliance for Peacebuilding. This year, however, the atmosphere is particularly bleak, with the conflict expanding from Gaza to Lebanon, Yemen, the West Bank to Ukraine. I was born and raised in Nablus, a bustling city in the north of…

29 Aug 24

What Works in Localization for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) in the Middle East: Jordan – The Shining City on A Hill

Over the past 18 months, I have traveled throughout the Middle East, conducting assessments, research, and evaluations for several donors, including the State Department, USAID, ILO, and the World Bank. This extensive journey allowed me to reflect on key learnings, best practices, and the challenges surrounding the localization of monitoring,…

01 Aug 24

Welcoming Noha Huwit

We are excited to announce that Noha has joined Jabi Consulting as a Junior Associate! Noha is passionate about enhancing health and education outcomes and empowering women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and beyond. She has supported projects at the World Bank, focusing on the MENA region…