People

About me

Robin Al-Haddad is an independent consultant and the founder of DevRA International, a woman-owned development research and analytics firm. She holds a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) with a focus in international human rights law and a Master of Development Practice (MDP) both from the University of Arizona. With over 18 years of combined experience in sustainable development, capacity building, and community-based projects, Robin has worked across both U.S.-based and international contexts in the fields of refugee resettlement, addressing human rights concerns, food security, gender equality, and education.

Her experience spans working with NGOs, governmental organizations, bilateral and multi-lateral UN agencies, humanitarian organizations, research institutions, and universities. She has over nine years of expertise in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for USAID-funded programs, where she has provided technical assistance, oversaw compliance with federal requirements and regulatory frameworks, and helped strengthen the capacity of implementing partners on M&E requirements. Some of her previous experience also includes designing and facilitating workshops, webinars, and in-person trainings for various stakeholders and diverse audiences; developing learning products; and producing high-quality research outputs. Her writing portfolio includes peer-reviewed publications, evaluation reports, donor communications, learning briefs, and more. 

Robin has worked closely with marginalized and vulnerable groups and displaced populations and led culturally responsive participatory action research projects to center the voices of impacted communities. As a 2019 National Geographic Explorer, she served as project lead overseeing field research in Kutupalong and Balukhali refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (2020, 2022) for a National Geographic Society (NGS) sponsored research project. The project documented Rohingya refugees' migration experiences. Through this assignment, she authored a manuscript addressing exclusionary education policies toward the Rohingya, as well as is the lead-author of an article documenting the process of participatory geospatial mapping with Rohingya refugees.

From 2010 to 2012, Robin also dedicated two years of service as a US Peace Corps volunteer in South Africa, where she taught English literacy to under-resourced youth in rural schools. Thus, she has experience establishing trust, accountability, and transparency with local communities and the ability to work effectively with people from varied cultures and professional backgrounds. Earlier in her career, she worked with the International Rescue Committee and Catholic Charities, supporting newly arrived refugees, asylees, and immigrants through advocacy and resettlement services.