Samar Hersh-Toubia
London,United Kingdom
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work history
Co-applicant Researcher
Imperial College London
London
2026.04 - 2026.07
- Provided expert advice and insights for Crohn's and Colitis research project on understanding symptom-inflammation discordance in ulcerative colitis, contributing to project direction.
- Supported data analysis by integrating insights from personal experience, adding depth to research findings.
- Reviewed grant application, offering insights and amendments on design and direction, enhancing clarity for lay audiences.
- To participate as an equal member of the clinical research team, including participating in regular monthly meetings and maintaining a high quality of work.
Mental Health Peer Support Worker
B'Sarahah
2024.12 - 2026.07
- Supported internally and externally displaced individuals in overcoming mental health struggles during a 6-week programme.
- Supporting internally and externally displaced individuals through mental health struggles through a 6-week programme.
- Contributed to development of a trauma-informed safeguarding manual for the organisation.
- Assisted in enhancing organisational management and compiling a research pack.
- Utilised lived experience of mental health challenges to provide empathetic support to individuals under care.
Project Manager
SafeLives
2024.07 - 2026.04
- Managed projects to implement domestic abuse coproduction survivor panel in councils, delivered specialised domestic abuse training to army, and initiated foundational internal anti-racism work and culture change.
- Maintaining trauma-informed standards throughout work, risk assessments, time and budget monitoring and management.
- Adapted strategies to manage internal and external challenges, ensuring they did not negatively impact project outcomes.
- Facilitated the inclusion of survivor insights to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of initiatives.
- Cultivated positive interactions with team members and external partners to support project goals, including providing basic counselling to maintain project workflows.
- Steered teams through complex project phases to successful completion.
- Promoted team collaboration for more innovative solutions in projects.
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve project goals on time.
- Expedited issue resolution to minimise delays in project timelines.
- Identified risks, implemented mitigation strategies for secure project outcomes.
- Strengthened stakeholder relationships through regular updates and clear communication.
- Implemented organisational policies for smooth service delivery.
- Fostered a positive work environment, enhanced team productivity substantially.
- Managed schedule conflicts efficiently ensuring smooth running of the project.
- Managed multiple project priorities simultaneously.
Researcher
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
2023.01 - 2024.12
- Challenged primary researcher to optimise study outcomes through critical analysis.
- Conducted double blinding in analysis to maintain unbiased results.
- Evaluated impact of services on client experiences and compliance to inform enhancements.
- Edited final report to ensure clarity and accuracy of findings.
- Successfully supported the paper through to publication.
Project and Policy Officer/Project Manager
AVA (Against Violence and Abuse)
London, United Kingdom
2020.04 - 2024.02
- Coordinated project lifecycle activities, managing timelines, expectations, KPIs, budget, and projections to ensure project success.
- Recommended evidence-based adjustments to policies and procedures for stakeholders, enhancing alignment with best practices.
- Designing questionnaires, topic guides, and forms for qualitative and quantitative research, monitoring, evaluation, goal setting, etc.
- Analysing data, independently or as part of a team - mostly qualitative data.
- Conducting empathetic interviews, 1-2-1 or focus groups, and guiding others in conducting similar interviews.
- Facilitated non-judgmental discussions in safe environments, promoting open dialogue on challenging topics and fostering participant engagement.
- Co-producing work with Experts by Experience (EBEs) that builds confidence and skills.
- Facilitating 1-2-1 and group support meetings with EBEs, along with wider project meetings with all stakeholders.
- Trauma-informed practice, its impact, and assessing its implementation in organisations.
- Created an environment conducive to open dialogue about controversial or sensitive topics related to company's regulations.
- Developed policies by researching, analysing and interpreting relevant information.
- Drafted comprehensive reports, providing clear interpretation of complex policy conditions.
- Formulated recommendations that were instrumental in the review process of existing rules.
- Provided advice to senior management regarding appropriate policy solutions.
Researcher
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
2021.11 - 2022.06
- Developed research methodology on toxic masculinity in western Sudan, focusing on conflict areas and strategies for addressing the issue.
- Identified research inefficiencies and recommended improvements to strengthen research integrity.
- Designed questionnaires and topic guides in line with a mixed-methods study.
- Collaborated in management meetings to strategise delivery of research projects under limited infrastructure and resource constraints.
- Note - due to Sudan's instability this research was paused then discontinued.
Child Play/Care Worker
KIDS
London, United Kingdom
2017.12 - 2020.03
- Provided a supportive environment that focused on exploring social interactions in a fun, safe, creative, and age/ability appropriate manner for children and young people (CYP), aged 6-26 years, with disabilities for optimal CYP's development.
- Encouraged interactions, integration, and inclusion among CYP, fostering confidence and imagination through flexible 1-2-1 and group activities.
- Implementing care strategies in conjunction with attendees' schools, parents, guardians, and on occasion social services.
- Established boundaries and facilitated open discussions on beliefs and challenging behaviours, ensuring a safe environment for self-expression and growth.
- Handled risky incidents with composure, safeguarding CYP while discussing situations empathetically to promote understanding and healthy relationships.
- Built positive, professional relationships with CYP and family members.
Psychosocial Intern
Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development
Amman, Jordan
2018.03 - 2018.07
- Collaborated with gender unit and in-house lawyers to provide holistic support to refugees, addressing rights, mental health, gender-specific issues (sexual and gender-based violence - SGBV), and improving socioeconomic situations.
- Identified and implemented new counselling techniques tailored to the needs of refugees in both individual and group settings.
- Provided a supportive environment during group sessions for refugees to share and connect.
- Incorporated cultural sensitivity and personal/economic empowerment techniques into work to enhance the effectiveness of support provided.
- Developed systems to identify and address second-hand trauma or burnout in co-workers, promoting a healthier workplace environment.
- To independently re-evaluate modules and training sessions in place and update them.
Teaching Assistant
Khartoum International Community School
Khartoum, Sudan
2018.01 - 2018.03
- Tutoring students individually and in small groups to reinforce learning concepts from core subjects and boost morale whilst guiding them for improvement.
- Developed and nurtured healthy relationships with students and staff, creating positive learning environments.
- Fostered mutual respect and collaboration between students, enhancing classroom learning experiences.
- Facilitated effective communication and problem-solving strategies among children of diverse ages, especially those for whom English is a second language.
- Maintaining sensitivity towards students with additional needs, whilst encouraging other student to be kinder and considerate with said children.
- Provided compassionate support to students in Student Support Services, contributing to improved academic performance.
- Supervising students to maintain adherence with health and safety requirements, inside and outside classroom environments.
Education
MSc - Health Psychology
University College London
LondonBA - Psychology and Liberal Arts
Regents University and Webster University
LondonSkills
- Research methodology
- Data analysis
- User experience research
- Evidence-based decisions
- Policy research
- Policy analysis
- Conducting interviews
- Focus group facilitation
- Academic publishing
- Teaching capabilities
- Innovation development
- Creativity in problem-solving
- Ethical considerations
Timeline
Co-applicant Researcher
Imperial College London
2026.04 - 2026.07
Mental Health Peer Support Worker
B'Sarahah
2024.12 - 2026.07
Project Manager
SafeLives
2024.07 - 2026.04
Researcher
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
2023.01 - 2024.12
Researcher
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
2021.11 - 2022.06
Project and Policy Officer/Project Manager
AVA (Against Violence and Abuse)
2020.04 - 2024.02
Psychosocial Intern
Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development
2018.03 - 2018.07
Teaching Assistant
Khartoum International Community School
2018.01 - 2018.03
Child Play/Care Worker
KIDS
2017.12 - 2020.03
MSc - Health Psychology
University College London
BA - Psychology and Liberal Arts
Regents University and Webster University