Jalaa’ has a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from University of Michigan School of Public Health (Ann Arbor). Jalaa’ joined GAVI in February 2022 as the Director of Vaccine Programmes, Immediately prior to joining Gavi Jalaa’ worked at UNICEF Cambodia as Deputy Representative Programmes where he managed five programme sections and coordinated humanitarian and development programming including COVID19 response. He spent over 20 years with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WHO and UNICEF among others working on infectious disease control and eradication programmes primarily in Africa and Asia with a focus on equity and supporting fragile and conflict affected countries. He comes with a depth of experience in nurturing leadership, change management, and strategy and partnership development.

Jalaa’ is Palestinian and American. He has lived in Palestine, Egypt, Kenya, Australia, US and Cambodia. He speaks Arabic and English. Jalaa’ is passionate about swimming, yoga, reading, painting, social justice and spending quality time with loved ones.