Home
/
Experts
/
Lama Mahdi

Lama Mahdi

Advisor

Highest degree :

Masters

Field of study :

International & Global Studies

Location :

Jordan

Citizenships :

Jordanian

Experience :

18 Year(s)

Countries :

Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Uzbekistan

Gender :

Female

Sectors :

Micro-Finance

Banking

International Cooperation

Risk Management

Partnership

Senior strategic communications, political affairs, and partnerships professional with 20+ years of international experience across intergovernmental, humanitarian, and development institutions in the GCC, MENA, and Africa. Former Director of Communication, Outreach & Partnerships at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), leading global visibility, diplomatic engagement, and advocacy for 57 Member States. Proven expertise in high-level political coordination, human rights messaging, donor relations, multilateral negotiation, and crisis communication. Extensive experience coordinating with UN agencies, managing regional initiatives, empowering conflict-affected communities, and strengthening victim-centered dialogues. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French with working proficiency in Italian.

Experience

Advisor

United Kingdom

International Court for Dispute Resolution

November 2024

-

September 2025

Acted as advisor remotely for the INCODIR (international Court for Dispute Resolution) reviewing resolutions and Commercial disputes as directed by focal people.

Director of Partnerships

Saudi Arania-Jeddah

Organization of Islamic Cooperation

October 2020

-

November 2024

- Led the design and execution of the OIC’s global communications and partnership strategy, aligning messaging and outreach with member state priorities, international resolutions, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). - Directed institutional visibility and advocacy initiatives, enhancing the organisation’s influence and reputation across political, humanitarian, and development domains. - Strengthened the OIC’s brand identity and public narrative, positioning the organisation as a trusted multilateral partner through strategic media engagement, digital communications, and storytelling. - Provided high-level communication advisory and prepared talking points, speeches, and press releases for the Secretary-General, ensuring message consistency and strategic alignment. - Represented the OIC in international conferences, ministerial meetings, and diplomatic forums, effectively conveying institutional positions and strengthening stakeholder engagement. - Cultivated and expanded partnerships with organisations of shared interest, reactivated dormant Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and initiated new collaborative programmes to advance member state priorities. - Supervised a multi-regional communications team spanning MENA, Africa, and Asia, fostering diversity, innovation, and operational excellence. - Directed leading campaigns to counter hate speech, misinformation, and promote intercultural dialogue and tolerance. - Oversaw institutional content production and digital engagement strategies, achieving measurable growth in audience reach, visibility, and global awareness. - Reinforced the OIC’s role as a trusted international voice for its 57 member states through strategic communication and partnership initiatives.

Senior Program specialist

Jordan

USAID

July 2018

-

January 2020

Led strategic media and public relations campaigns on governance, gender equality, and youth participation, securing national and regional media coverage in sensitive political and social contexts. • Produced, edited, and pitched high-impact press releases, feature stories, and advocacy materials, ensuring alignment with program goals and resonance with diverse audiences. • Built and maintained relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets, developing a trusted network to amplify organizational messages and secure coverage in both stable and fragile contexts. • Organised and led journalist field visits and press briefings in hard-to-reach and politically sensitive areas, enabling direct coverage of program impact and community voices. • Provided on-the-ground media coordination during urgent political developments, ensuring timely, accurate, and strategic communication responses. • Trained program staff and partners in media engagement, crisis communication, and storytelling techniques to strengthen organizational visibility and advocacy capacity. • Collaborated with government stakeholders, parliamentarians, and civil society leaders to design and deliver targeted communication strategies that influenced policy dialogue on women’s rights, citizenship laws, and violence prevention.

Micro Finance Assistant Manager

Jordan

Arab Bank

May 2005

-

July 2017

Led organizational design and manpower planning across regional branches in Oman, Bahrain, Palestine, Lebanon, Algeria, and Tunisia. - Conducted workforce analysis, headcount forecasting, and strategic talent planning. - Supported crisis communications and business continuity efforts, ensuring operational resilience and staff safety. - Developed and implemented regional HR strategies that aligned with the bank’s overall business objectives, supporting growth, efficiency, and organizational resilience. - Led talent acquisition, onboarding, and succession planning to attract and retain high-performing staff while ensuring leadership continuity across branches. - Designed and managed career development and performance management frameworks, linking individual goals with corporate priorities and driving a highperformance culture. - Served as a strategic advisor to senior management on workforce planning, restructuring, and change management initiatives to enhance organizational effectiveness. - Oversaw compensation and benefits administration, ensuring competitiveness, internal equity, and compliance with regional labor regulations. - Utilized HR data and analytics to inform decision-making, track performance, and provide actionable insights to executive leadership. - Represented HR in business continuity and crisis management committees, contributing to operational stability during regional disruptions. - Ensured policy compliance and governance by developing, updating, and implementing HR policies . - Led employee engagement initiatives, including internal communications, microfinance programs, and wellness activities.

Education

Conflict Resolution

Amman

University of Jordan

May 2012

-

June 2015

French

Jordan

University of Jordan

August 1994

-

June 1998

Awards & Certificates

Financial Analyst

Amman

Talal Abu Ghazaleh

2009

Languages
Arabic
Speak
Native
Read
Native
Write
Native
English
Speak
Excellent
Read
Excellent
Write
Excellent
French
Speak
Excellent
Read
Excellent
Write
Excellent
Italian
Speak
Very Good
Read
Very Good
Write
Very Good
Skills

Problem solving

Time Management and Multitasking

Communication

Experience with financing agencies

12