Rivka Azoulay

Political scientist and humanitarian strategist with 15 years of international experience in conflict analysis, peacebuilding, humanitarian diplomacy, resource mobilization, and applied research across Europe, the MENA region and Africa. Alongside my peacebuilding and field advisory work, I have strong academic credentials, including a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Sciences Po Paris (2019–2020) on welfare-state reform in Kuwait, which combined in-depth research with extensive fieldwork. I also bring a proven track record in acquisition and fundraising, having secured multimillion-euro funding for leading international organizations (including Cordaid and the ICRC) from institutional donors, foundations, and diplomatic circles in the EU, GCC, and UN systems. I now propose to offer consultancy services to Clingendael’s Academy and Research teams, combining: Curriculum design and tailored negotiation/mediation training for diplomats, mediators, and civil-society actors; Policy-relevant research and conflict analysis, particularly on the MENA region (specifically Israel/Palestine and the GCC); and Strategic acquisition and donor engagement to strengthen Clingendael’s outreach to governments, foundations, and international institutions. Fluent in Dutch, English, French, proficient in Arabic and conversational in Hebrew, I bring cross-cultural insight, analytical rigor, and practical facilitation skills to advance dialogue, peacebuilding, and sustainable resource mobilization.

• Kuwait and Al-Sabah: Tribal Politics and Power in an Oil State. Bloomsbury / I.B. Tauris, 2020.
• Kuwait’s Welfare System Reform Report.” Sciences Po Paris, 2021 — outcome of postdoctoral fieldwork in Kuwait.
• Criminalizing Dissent: How Saudi Arabia’s Counter-terrorism Law is Used to Suppress Peaceful Opposition Movements.” POMED Policy Brief, Oct 2014.
• Contesting Welfare State Politics in Kuwait.” Middle East Report 272, Fall 2014, pp. 43-47.
• Rivka-Azoulay_Islamic_State_expansion_CRU_April2015.pdf.” Clingendael Institute, 2015.
• Limits of Political Clientelism: Elites’ Struggles in Kuwait.” ResearchGate, 2020. (Full publication list available upon request — includes policy briefs, academic articles, and reports.)