In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the ICRC engages with all parties to a conflict to promote respect for international humanitarian law and to strengthen global support for our work. By maintaining a dialogue with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, military personnel and diplomats, we promote humanitarian principles and help people affected by armed conflict. We also work on the ground to spread knowledge of humanitarian law, find out what has happened to missing people, reunite families that have been separated by conflict or migration, and carry out detention-related humanitarian work. Our teams work closely with the National Societies of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, mobilizing resources and building partnerships to meet growing humanitarian needs worldwide. Who are the people behind this work? Our staff in the GCC countries come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds. Some joined with years of previous experience in the humanitarian sector. Others, like Dr Hiyam Alfassam, made the leap from the private sector into humanitarian work. With a career that includes diplomacy, development and grassroots humanitarian work, Hiyam’s path is a compelling example of how diverse experiences, a strong sense of purpose and a willingness to adapt can lead to a meaningful career at the ICRC. We interviewed her to find out more about her story.

Looking back at the start of your career, what did your early roles in the private sector teach you about leadership, coordination and communication?

My roles in the private sector taught me how to maximize profits and how to align with various stakeholders whose interests differed. During that time, I learnt diplomatic leadership and strategic communication skills that I used to achieve business goals. I found that I had a natural ability for overseeing complex mediation and negotiation processes that involved articulating business strategies with confidence and success. One of my key takeaways from that period was learning how to achieve goals without compromising integrity and ethics.

During that time, did you ever imagine that one day you would work in the humanitarian sector and why?

During that time, I never imagined that I would end up working in the humanitarian sector. My family have their own business, so I grew up around that, and my early career followed that path. However, my motivation changed when I went to university in the US in 2005, and I learnt from a different perspective. While studying at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston, I discovered a strong appetite for humanitarian work, and I started to choose courses like conflict resolution, crisis management, international law and anthropology, rather than business-related courses. I then decided to do a PhD in human rights and conflicts.

What inspired your transition from business to humanitarian work? Was there a turning point or a moment of clarity?

The turning point for me was when the Arab Spring began in 2011. I wanted to use everything I had learnt at university to help as much as I could. There was a huge need for humanitarian aid, and the conflict was getting worse and spreading to my region.

You’ve worked in the private sector, in non-governmental organizations and in diplomacy. How does your unique background shape how you approach your current role at the ICRC?

I am very grateful to have worked across all of these sectors because it has given me broad and varied experience that has undoubtedly shaped who I am today and how I approach my current role at the ICRC. Each sector taught me something different. The private sector polished my outcome-oriented mindset and strategic thinking. Working for non-governmental organizations made me realize the importance of community engagements, and my diplomacy career at the United Nations in New York refined my negotiation skills and taught me how to navigate complex humanitarian and political situations at the same time. That combination of experiences has given me the diplomatic skills I need to be able to do high-pressure humanitarian work. In my role as a humanitarian affairs advisor at the ICRC, I have developed adaptability and communication skills, working with a range of external stakeholders, and I build trust with these people in order to fulfil our humanitarian mission.

What were the main challenges you faced when transitioning from the private sector to humanitarian work?

One of the main challenges I faced was going from making decisions based on profits to making decisions that affect real people and that have a long-lasting impact. You take on a huge responsibility when you work in the humanitarian sector, and so every decision made in this field must be looked at from different angles. In addition, many people tell me that my humanitarian work is meaningless given the current political landscape. I always respond to these people in the same way: “even if my work is a drop in the ocean, to me it is satisfying because I started the change and I made an impact, even though it is just a tiny fraction of what is needed around the world”.

What advice would you give to someone that is currently working in the private sector who feels drawn to humanitarian work but isn’t sure where to begin?

My advice would be to explore humanitarian work and to learn about its purpose. Look for opportunities to volunteer and to experience the sector in a lower-level role – this will help you to discover what you’re good at and what you’re passionate about. You could challenge yourself and work in both sectors at the same time. I would say this is the best option at first because we are living in a time where people can combine both types of work, and it can be incredibly powerful if it is done with the right intentions.

If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice at the start of your career transition, what would it be?

If I could go back, I would advise myself to accept the fact that while there are people out there waging wars, there are also compassionate people out there that are promoting peace and development. I would certainly tell my younger self to accept that fact because I myself chose to protect, give hope, and uplift people in need, just like many other people around the world.

Hiyam’s story is a reminder that there’s no single career path that leads to humanitarian work, and that sometimes, the most unexpected experiences best prepare us for the roles in which we can make the most impact.