Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Languages
LEADERSHIP AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
VOLUNTEER & EXTRACURRICULAR
Timeline
Generic

Olivia H. Jones

London,UK

Summary

Accomplished professional with PhD in Middle East Politics and expertise in data analysis and research, market and policy analysis, and stakeholder and client management. Demonstrated proficiency in project management and strategy development, risk and impact assessment, as well as presentation and report writing. Multilingual communicator with advanced Arabic skills, committed to leveraging analytical capabilities to drive informed decision-making and strategic initiatives.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work History

Editor

Green Room Communications
Muscat, Oman
04.2018 - 05.2018
  • Contracted to edit Oman Post’s English language website
  • Balanced workload efficiently to meet tight deadlines
  • Ensured error-free publication with meticulous proofreading efforts

Research Assistant

Qatar National Priority Research Program
Doha, Qatar
01.2015 - 01.2016
  • Conducted qualitative and quantitative research on regional maritime navigation and cultural history, generating data for academic and policy use
  • Assisted in grant applications, secured funding for critical projects

Intern

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
Washington DC, USA
05.2014 - 08.2014
  • Authored 20+ research briefs on Middle East policy issues
  • Attended policy briefings, think-tank discussions, and engaged with stakeholders across government, academia, and business

Intern

Georgetown University, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
Washington DC
09.2013 - 05.2014
  • Worked on the K-14 Education Outreach Program
  • Co-organised a conference for educators entitled “Re-Imagining the Mediterranean”
  • Responsible for event planning, media relations and donor outreach

Staff Writer

Pat Ryan & Associates
Nashville, TN, USA
01.2011 - 01.2014
  • Authored Policy Briefs and News articles for SUSRIS, the Saudi-U.S
  • Relations Information Service

Community Assistant

Bridge Refugee Services
Knoxville, TN, USA
01.2011 - 01.2014
  • Guided refugee adults through the naturalization process, administered sample USCIS interviews
  • Assisted with the Step-Up Program for refugee school children, tutoring and mentoring youth
  • Assisted with training and support for Knox County teachers and staff
  • Liaised between families and local service providers

Research Assistant

Center for the Study of Youth and Political Conflict
Knoxville, TN, USA
09.2011 - 03.2012
  • Worked on the PAL Project, a study of the long-term well-being of Palestinian youth
  • Helped design culturally grounded quality of life surveys and event history calendars used in the field with correspondents in the West Bank and Gaza
  • Worked with SPSS statistics software
  • Presented key findings at regional conference to promote knowledge sharing

Education

Doctor of Philosophy - Middle East Politics

University of Exeter
Exeter
/2017 - /2024

Master of Arts - Middle East and Islamic Studies

University of Exeter
Exeter
/2014 - /2015

Bachelor of Arts - Middle East Studies

University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN, USA
/2010 - /2014

Study Abroad -

American University of Sharjah
Sharjah, UAE
/2012 - /2013

Skills

  • Data Analysis and Research (SPSS, Excel, PPT)
  • Market and Policy Analysis
  • Stakeholder and Client Management
  • Project Management and Strategy Development
  • Risk and Impact Assessment
  • Presentation & Report Writing
  • Multilingual Communication (Advanced Arabic)

Accomplishments

    HRH Prince Al-Waleed Al Saud Scholarship (PhD and MA Research, Oman)

    Qatar University Fellowship (Fully funded Arabic study, Doha)

    BP UAE Undergraduate Research Award (Project: "Space, Time, Dignity, Rights: Improving Palestinian Refugee Camps”, Jordan)

    University of Tennessee College Scholar

    Howard H. Baker Center for Public Policy Student Ambassador

Languages

Arabic
Advanced

LEADERSHIP AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Conference Organiser, Exeter University Gulf Studies Conference, Exeter, UK

Presenter, Southeastern Symposium on Child and Family Development, Knoxville, TN

  • Project: “Imprisonment and Palestinian Youth Development During the First Intifada”

Presenter, Undergraduate Research Symposium, Knoxville, TN

  • Project: “The AWACS Sale: A Study of the Impact of Domestic Politics on International Relations”

Research Team Lead, UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency) Exhibition, Sharjah, UAE

  • Curated photographs I took documenting life and housing structures in two refugee camps in Jordan

VOLUNTEER & EXTRACURRICULAR

Mentor and Tutor, ESL Programs for Arabic-speaking native Arabic speakers

  • Achievement Academy Bridge Program (American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE)
  • English Language Institute (University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN)
  • Bridge Refugee Services (Knoxville, TN)

Volunteer, UNRWA, (Jerash and Talbieh Jordan)

  • Worked with a team of architects and UN employees to improve camp infrastructure in refugee camps, mapping, documenting, and studying shelters and lived experiences of camp residents

Timeline

Editor

Green Room Communications
04.2018 - 05.2018

Research Assistant

Qatar National Priority Research Program
01.2015 - 01.2016

Intern

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
05.2014 - 08.2014

Intern

Georgetown University, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
09.2013 - 05.2014

Research Assistant

Center for the Study of Youth and Political Conflict
09.2011 - 03.2012

Staff Writer

Pat Ryan & Associates
01.2011 - 01.2014

Community Assistant

Bridge Refugee Services
01.2011 - 01.2014

Doctor of Philosophy - Middle East Politics

University of Exeter
/2017 - /2024

Master of Arts - Middle East and Islamic Studies

University of Exeter
/2014 - /2015

Bachelor of Arts - Middle East Studies

University of Tennessee
/2010 - /2014

Study Abroad -

American University of Sharjah
/2012 - /2013
Olivia H. Jones