Ayman Shuaibi joins the UPA family as Regional Director of Field Operations with decades of experience in development programs throughout Palestine. Get to know more about the man behind the resume in the interview below. 

Tell us a little about your background. 

I was born and raised in Palestine, and spent about five years in Irbid, Jordan studying veterinary medicine. After graduation, I Joined the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture where I established a new animal epidemiology department. I then pursued my master’s in community and public health from Birzeit University and started a new chapter in development programs. For more than 20 years, I’ve been designing and implementing health, livelihood, and agriculture projects in the West Bank and Gaza. 

Throughout this work, I’ve built close working relationships with different donors, government ministries, UN agencies, local and international NGOs, and civil society. Plus, I have ventured into economic justice focusing on women and youth, climate justice, gender equality, cash assistance, institutional development, and emergency response. 

What part of UPA’s work are you most excited about? 

I am really excited to continue working in health and community and economic development. But what is special about UPA is the organization’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable communities without any external agendas. This was the main drive for me to join the UPA family and help my people heal. 

What is your favorite way to connect with the communities we serve? 

It is part of our Palestinian culture to meet people and talk to them directly, listen to their needs, opinions, experiences, pain, and priorities. Face-to-face discussions have always been the best way to gain people’s trust. However, due to COVID and political restrictions on movement, it is important to reach out to communities in different ways – through regular virtual meetings, relationship-building with partners, and maintaining robust feedback and accountability mechanisms. 

What’s your favorite summertime dish? 

I love Watermelon with white home-made cheese! It’s great as both a light dish and a dessert.