In this series, we introduce the next generation of positive and mindful leaders who are taking positive action to foster flourishing work environments.
We spoke with Mohannad Hajaj, Innovation Labs Coordinator at UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Work Agency, Lebanon.
Mohannad, tell us more about your background.
I’m Mohannad Hajaj. I’m a 37-year-old Palestine refugee who lives in Lebanon in the Middle East. I’m married with two sons and a newly born daughter.
I undertook my primary and secondary education in UNRWA schools. I studied Information Technology at Siblin Training Center UNRWA TVET (where I have also taught since 2005), and continued my university studies in Computer Science in Lebanon. I’m interested in human development, and my ultimate goal in life is to serve my community and to contribute to the welfare of my nation.
What are your current roles and tasks?
I’ve been working with UNRWA (The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) since 2005. UNRWA is the UN organisation mandated to provide essential services for the wellbeing, human development and protection of Palestine refugees, pending a just solution to their plight. I worked for 11 years as a technical instructor, where I loved my role as a trainer and my students loved me, but I always had aspirations to do more to serve my community better, until an opportunity came in 2017 when UNRWA partnered with UNICEF in Lebanon to launch the Innovation Labs Network (GIL project) and I was selected to be the Innovation Labs coordinator in UNRWA. I initially became familiar with this project as I volunteered for two months to help set up the programme and they recognised my expertise in this field and wanted me to lead the Labs. Frankly, I hadn’t expected to become the project coordinator when I first started.
I would say this job changed my whole life – not just my career. I’m now responsible for managing two innovation labs in UNRWA, leading a team of three.
Our work in the innovation labs revolves around giving support to youth and empowering them with essential 21st-century digital, entrepreneurial and life skills. Although my team is small, I found a great opportunity to express some of my leadership capabilities with the youth as well.
