Hussein A. Zainulabdeen
Community Engagement & Liaison Officer
Summary
Humanitarian and human rights professional with extensive experience supporting international investigations and community-based initiatives. Proven track record of collaborating with United Nations mechanisms, engaging affected communities, and coordinating large-scale interviews and evidence collection related to international crimes. Demonstrated leadership in humanitarian response, psychosocial support programs, and human rights documentation in complex and post-conflict environments. Strong expertise in digital community engagement, NGO modernization, and strategic communication to enhance outreach and impact. Multilingual professional with UN-certified training in ethics, gender equality, information security, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
5
5
Certification
4
4
Languages
Work History
Digital Project Support & Community Engagement Assistant
Stichting Defenders for Human Rights
The Hague
11.2025 - Current
- Provided multifaceted support for Stichting DHR, a Netherlands-based non-profit focused on digital human rights research, community participation, and awareness initiatives. Responsibilities included coordination of digital content, community outreach assistance, and support for project development across multiple platforms.
- Assisted in digital content creation and campaign visuals.
- Managed online forms and technical coordination for participant engagement.
- Supported outreach communications and stakeholder interaction.
- Contributed to branding and community support initiatives.
- Areas of Expertise: Arts and design, Communication, Human resources, Information technology, Social work, Volunteer management
- Type of organization: NGO
- Type of employment/Engagement: Volunteering (less than 50%)
Digital Projects Coordinator
Stichting NetImpact
The Hague
06.2025 - Current
- Supported digital project development, website content, and registration systems.
- Contributed to crowdfunding campaigns and visual media production.
- Facilitated communication with participants and managed community engagement.
- Designed branding materials and improved the organization's digital presence.
- Provided technical support for forms, platforms, and online tools.
- Areas of Expertise: Community development, Arts and design, Human resources, Information technology, Volunteer management, Social work
- Type of organization: NGO
- Type of employment/Engagement: Volunteering (less than 50%)
Community Outreach and Liaison Officer
UNITAD
Erbil
07.2021 - 04.2024
- Guided and advised the investigative team on inter and intra-community dynamics, cultural, religious, and political traditions.
- Recommended approaches for engaging with the Iraqi Turkmen community regarding investigations into ISIL/Daesh crimes.
- Organized and facilitated community outreach meetings, including preparing presentations, identifying and inviting participants, and interpreting, in coordination with the investigative team.
- Collected more than 250 evidence from open-source materials relevant to the investigations.
- Facilitated more than 300 investigation meetings and interview with witnesses and survivors.
- Strengthened relationships and coordinated more than 200 with Turkmen leadership groups and community members, including civil society, religious leaders, political representatives, and victims/family groups of Da'esh crimes.
- Developed more than 500 a broad network of interlocutors from Turkmen communities in Ninewa, Salah el-Din, and Kirkuk Governorates to assist investigations into ISIL/Daesh crimes against the community.
- Areas of Expertise: Communication, Community development, Health, Social work
- Type of organization: United Nations
- Type of employment/Engagement: Employment (full-time)
Coordinator and Community Engagement Officer
Turkmen Rescue Foundation
Baghdad
07.2014 - 07.2021
- Developed and implemented successful communication strategies that enhanced community engagement and raised public awareness.
- Supported displaced individuals affected by terrorism by providing psychosocial support and facilitating access to necessary resources through referrals.
- Documented human rights violations, managed and maintained electronic data archives, and oversaw and moderated social media platforms.
- Coordinated and delivered Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities, including providing psychological support to individuals affected by COVID-19, for nearly 5000+ people over three months.
- Conducted investigations in partnership with the Center for Justice & Accountability, uncovering in more than two cases and access to key evidence, and handed over all evidence to sharing with the relevant authorities.
- Areas of Expertise: Crisis and emergency response, Community development, Communication, Social work, Health, Arts and design, Legal affairs
- Type of organization: NGO
- Type of employment/Engagement: Employment (full-time)
Education
Bachelor's degree - Health (optical tech)
Dijlah university
07.2012
Skills
Adobe Photoshop and Canva Microsoft Office Suite Software proficiency WordPress and video editing
Communication coordination Facilitation skills Healthcare investigation Remote psychology support Social outreach strategies Telehealth services
Certification
Computer software course - Advocacy campaigns and reporting (IWPR) - International investigations (CJA) - Microsoft office courses - TOT remote Psychological First Aid- RPFA (IOM) - Volunteering for the Sustainable Development Goals - HIV in the workplace (UN Cares) - I Know Gender - I Know Gender. An Introduction to Gender Equality for UN Staff. - Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) - Prevention of Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority - Preventing Fraud and Corruption at the United Nations - Ethics and Integrity at the United Nations - United Nations Human Rights Responsibilities for staff in DEVNET, INFONET, LEGALNET and POLNET - Preventing Sexual Harassment and Other Prohibited Conduct - SSAFE training - On 21-22 Feb 2022 - Information Security Awareness - Foundational - Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN Personnel [Version 2.0] - United to Respect: Preventing Sexual Harassment and Other Prohibited Conduct (Arabic)
DRIVING LICENSE
No
Timeline
Digital Project Support & Community Engagement Assistant
Stichting Defenders for Human Rights
11.2025 - Current
Digital Projects Coordinator
Stichting NetImpact
06.2025 - Current
Community Outreach and Liaison Officer
UNITAD
07.2021 - 04.2024
Coordinator and Community Engagement Officer
Turkmen Rescue Foundation
07.2014 - 07.2021
Bachelor's degree - Health (optical tech)
Dijlah university