AYA ABDULLAH
Chatelaine,Switzerlandd
Summary
My own experience has heavily influenced my work, studies and career aspirations. I'm a communicator and social media professional. Beyond work, I have become an advocate, activist and campaigner for refugees. I have delivered keynote speeches, interviews and panel discussions at numerous global events, including the World Economic Forum, the Global Refugee Forum, and the Geneva Peace Talks.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Administrative & Client Relations Manger
Ecohuile
Vaud, Switzerland
2024.06 - 2025.12
- Increased customer satisfaction with effective problem-solving techniques.
- Drove process improvements that enhanced operational efficiency.
- Coordinated closely with internal teams, resulting in cohesive operations.
- Streamlined administrative tasks with effective management strategies.
- Managed external agency relationships, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
- Delivered detailed reports on project status, challenges encountered, and proposed solutions to senior management regularly.
- Collaborated with local businesses for potential partnerships and sponsorship opportunities.
Social Media Intern
UNHCR
Geneva
2023.06 - 2024.02
- Featured in various UNHCR videos, including the lead product for World Refugee Day that received millions of views
- Supported refugee-led storytelling
- Led interviews with world leaders in the VIP Social Media Zone of the Global Refugee Forum
- Provided community management support
- Developed an efficient content calendar leading to a well-organised posting schedule.
- Monitored industry news and trends to keep team informed of relevant developments.
- Implemented a social media strategy increasing follower engagement.
Alumni Assistant
Webster University
Geneva, Switzerland
2019.09 - 2022.05
- Implemented new outreach strategies, resulting in increased level of interaction with distant alumni members.
- Facilitated networking opportunities through various professional and social gatherings.
- Organised reunion events which resulted in stronger bonds among former students.
- Updated website content regularly, maintaining relevance and interest amongst past students.
- Managed database updates, ensuring accurate records of all ex-students.
- Assisted in managing social media platforms, enhancing online presence and reach.
- Conducted surveys to gather feedback from past students about their post-graduation experiences.
- Promoted institutional developments to the alumni network through regular newsletters.
Registration and Field Officer
Association For Solidarity With Asylum-Seekers And Migrants (ASAM)
Hatay & Gaziantep
2012.06 - 2017.07
- Registration officer: Conducted interviews and psychosocial sessions
- Field worker: Assisted in management of non-food item distribution in urban areas, organized cultural activities at IPA Border Monitoring Center as part of peace-building programme
- Interpreter: Responsible for Arabic-English-Turkish translation and interpretation during interviews and at registration desk, helping Syrian and other refugees
- Coordination: Responsible for the coordination of 15 interpreters working across 2 sites
- Administrator and Team leader: World Bank, Qualitative Assessment livelihood challenges for Syrians in Turkey, pilot study
- Assisted during special events and large-scale operations ensuring smooth running of activities.
- Increased operational efficiency by streamlining administrative processes.
Education
BA (Double Major) - International Relations and Media Studies
Webster University
Geneva 2018.01 - 2022.07
High School Diploma - General
High School
Gaziantep, TürkiyeSkills
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Social Media, Photoshop, Video Editing, Canva
- Field research techniques
- Data analysis proficiency
- Decision-Making proficiency
- Multilingual proficiency
- Media relations expertise
- Communication skills
- Public speaking
- Leadership
LANGUAGES
Arabic
Native
English
Fluent
Turkish
Fluent
French
Intermediate
Certification
Leadership Certificate
Affiliations
- Traveling and exploring diverse cultures
- Photography & visual storytelling
- Content creation and digital media Branding and personal development
VOLUNTEER
- GEGED (Association Of Gaziantep Education And Youth Center), Volunteer, Gaziantep, Türkiye,
2012-01, 2012-06, Assisted refugees via a mass information programme, Conducted individual consultation on their rights.
- Danish Refugee Council, Volunteer, Damascus, Syria, 2010-01, 2011-12, Supported the youth integration programme for newly arrived teenage refugees.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Delegate UNHCR, Geneva May 2017 - Present Appointed by the High Commissioner as a delegate to the first Global Youth Advisory Council. I work to ensure youth perspectives and input from communities are incorporated into the work of UNHCR at all levels. Delegate UNHCR, Geneva May 2017 - Present Appointed by the High Commissioner as a delegate to the first Global Youth Advisory Council. I work to ensure youth perspectives and input from communities are incorporated into the work of UNHCR at all levels.
Timeline
Administrative & Client Relations Manger
Ecohuile
2024.06 - 2025.12
Social Media Intern
UNHCR
2023.06 - 2024.02
Alumni Assistant
Webster University
2019.09 - 2022.05
BA (Double Major) - International Relations and Media Studies
Webster University
2018.01 - 2022.07
Registration and Field Officer
Association For Solidarity With Asylum-Seekers And Migrants (ASAM)
2012.06 - 2017.07
High School Diploma - General
High School