Regional Electoral Assistance

Regional Electoral Assistance Project


The regional electoral support project aims to enhance the credibility, transparency, effectiveness and sustainability of democratic institutions and processes in the region. The project is focused on strengthening regional cooperation and knowledge among electoral stakeholders, establishing and enhancing capacities of key actors, and reinforcing inclusive political participation, particularly through engagement of women and youth.

The first phase of this project started in (2014-2016) with the support from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), and the second phase of this project has started (2017-2020)

Regional Electoral Assistance Team

Luis Martinez-Betanzos

Regional Electoral Advisor
Over 20 years of working experience as an electoral expert and with UNDP in several countries including Bosnia, Georgia, Libya and Nepal. Prior to UNDP, Mr. Martinez-Betanzos worked as an electoral expert for the European Union (EU), Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and other international organizations. He has worked in diverse settings in over 20 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America
Area of expertise: programme management, democratization, institution building, electoral reform, and election administration

Najia Hashemee

Regional Electoral Policy Specialist
Over 15 years of experience in designing, developing, implementing and evaluating political governance programming. Najia has extensive experience within UNDP, having worked at the project, country office and regional levels. Prior to UNDP, Najia worked as program manager with the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and in the private sector.
Area of expertise: elections, civic engagement, parliamentary development, youth and women’s political participation, institutional capacity building, and human rights

Mais Alatiyat

Regional Electoral Analyst

12 years of experience working with the UN and UNDP on management and planning of various governance and electoral programs in the Arab Region in addition to severing as Political Affairs Officer in the UN Secretariat in New York.
Areas of expertise: programme management, operations and financial management, monitoring and evaluation, partnership and donor coordination, political participation, providing technical support to counterparts, governance/electoral trainer.

Osama Aljaber

Advocacy and Youth Coordinator

More than 6 years of experience in human rights, ICT for development, civic and political participation, and advocacy. He established and led many regional and international networks, and worked in several international organizations and the private sector before joining the UN.
Area of expertise: ICT for development, advocacy, youth empowerment, data mangment, digital platforms, communication, political participation and democratization.

Sana Sharbati

Administrative Associate

20 years of experience in governance and development cooperation, 17th of which with UN and INGOs, 12 years with UNDP in project management and operation in the MENA Region and HQ with experience in crises and post conflict countries.
Areas of expertise: project management, operation, administration, budget management, financial analyses and reporting and event management.

Ban Kasto

Administrative Associate

19 years of experience working with UNDP Iraq, UNAMI, UNDP Yemen and with Regional Electoral Support Project at UNDP Regional Hub Office.
Areas of expertise: Logistics, Human Resource, Procurement and Administration

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