Meet the team

Ahmed Mohsen, UNHCR Representative to the State of Qatar

Mohsen has over 20 years of experience working in various operational contexts for UNHCR, serving in different Managerial, Legal Protection, and External Relations capacities in countries such as Egypt, Eritrea, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, and Syria. His most recent position was as Deputy Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries in Riyadh, KSA. He holds three master’s degrees, one in International Human Rights Law (MA) from the American University in Cairo (AUC), another in International Criminal Justice (LLM) from the University of London, and a third in Risk, Crisis, and Disaster Management (MSc) from the University of Leicester.

Dalia Atallah, External Relations Officer

Atallah has more than twelve years of experience working in the fields of media, communications, fundraising and donor relations with UNHCR and various audio-visual and online media outlets. She has also worked as a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences at Notre Dame University, Lebanon. Atallah has completed MA studies in Political Sciences and Human Rights, and she holds a BA in Translation.

Abdulla Al Khuzaei, Associate External Relations Officer

Al Khuzaei has over seven years of experience working at UNHCR and in the media industry, specializing in public relations and resource mobilization. He holds a BA in communications and history and a Post-graduate diploma in media and the Middle East.

Basma Zaki, External Relations Associate

Zaki has over six years of experience in the NGO and Education sectors specializing in communications, donor relations and project implementation. Prior to her current role, Zaki co-managed the Rethinking Higher Education Online Conference in Qatar focusing on Education for refugees in the post pandemic world. She holds a BA in mass communications and international affairs.

Maria Hatem, Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer

Hatem has more than fourteen years of experience working at UNHCR and Unilever specializing in business development, marketing and strategic partnerships.  Prior to her current role, Hatem worked with UNHCR in Lebanon and was responsible for content creation for digital fundraising campaigns and partnerships with the private sector. She holds an MA in industrial technology and a BA in biochemistry.

Shireen Hourani, Partnerships and Philanthropy Assistant

Hourani has over 3 years of experience volunteering with the Lebanese Red Cross Youth Department. Prior to her role with UNHCR, Hourani worked as a research assistant at Qatar University, specialising in pharmaceutical studies and cancer research. She holds a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Research from Qatar University and a BA in Pharmacy from Beirut Arab University in Lebanon.

Bapu Gururaj, Senior Finance Associate

Gururaj has more than thirteen years of experience working with UNHCR. Prior to his current role, he has worked with UNHCR office in Riyadh where he managed IT, HR, Admin, Finance, Logistics and Procurement. He holds a BSC in Computer Science from Kensington University.

Ahmed Ali, Driver

Ali has ten years of professional experience as a driver. Before joining UNHCR, Ahmed worked alongside executive teams in the Supreme Education Council and Qatar University’s Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI). Ali holds a Bachelor’s degree in Specific Education, namely English as a Second Language (ESL), as well as a certificate in working with special needs from the UK-based OTHM, accredited by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulation.