Programs Director
SEED Foundation

Iraq Hub | ASIA

Malek Alraddad has over 10 years of experience in the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector. From 2013-18, he worked at Blumont (formerly International Relief & Development (IRD)), where he managed cross-border response to southern Syria, health projects throughout Jordan, and protection programming in Zaatari, the largest refugee camp in the MENA region. In 2019, he launched the Transforming Refugee Education towards Excellence (TREE) program at Save the Children Jordan, and is currently based in Iraq as the Programs Director for the SEED Foundation.

Malek was deeply motivated to participate in the Certification Program for Compassionate Systems Master Practitioners to gain the practical tools and theoretical foundation necessary to support the implementation of SEED Foundation programs in Iraq. The programs include protecting, empowering, and supporting the recovery and reintegration of survivors of violence and others at risk. Guided by a survivor-centered, trauma-informed approach, the programs deliver holistic services to beneficiaries, including case management, mental health, psychosocial support, legal services, cash assistance, and shelter; educates and trains government officials; and undertakes policy and advocacy initiatives to strengthen laws, policies, and practices and to promote social norms and behaviors affirming human rights and dignity in Iraq.

Previously, Malek launched the Transforming Refugee Education towards Excellence (TREE) program supported by Community Jameel and in partnership with the Abdul Latif Jameel World Education Lab (J-WEL). On average, schoolchildren in the public education sector are underperforming and find the classroom to be a stressful environment. The life chances afforded by a quality basic education are slipping out of reach for a generation of children. Falling educational standards have been exacerbated with the influx of over 1 million Syrian refugees from 2011 onwards. Of these, 78.7% live in host communities and the remaining 21.3% live in camps. This has placed considerable strain on social, economic, and natural resource systems throughout Jordan, with a significant burden placed on the education and health sectors. As a result, the TREE program was designed by J-WEL and Save the Children Jordan to adopt the Compassionate Systems Framework to improve the well-being of teachers and students in Jordanian public schools.

His education background, combined with his work experience, has provided him with a strong foundation in research and critical thinking to be successful in managing such programs. He completed his undergraduate studies at Hashemite University in Jordan and obtained his master’s from Athens Information Technology in Greece.