Mohammed Zaarour

Expert in ecosystem restoration reforestation, and rangeland rehabilitation, with extensive experience in engaging local communities, developing ecotourism and livelihood programs, and integrating climate resilience into conservation planning. Skilled in capacity building, having trained over 200 environmental professionals, and in applying GIS and data-driven systems to strengthen adaptive management and policy development.

A trusted advisor to governments, royal commissions, and international NGOs, with deep expertise in institutional transformation, funding mobilization, and cross-sectoral sustainability planning. Well-versed in aligning environmental missions with national development agendas such as Saudi Vision 2030 and global frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dedicated to advancing the integration of biodiversity conservation, climate action, and community empowerment to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for people and nature.

WORK EXPERIENCE

10/2025 – Present Member of TAC for the 14th Dubai International Award, Dubai Municipality, Dubai

Evaluated each submission based on the four key elements:

1. Eligibility: Ensured the project met all eligibility criteria,
2. Credibility: Verifiedthe trustworthiness and validation of the applicant (organization, team, individual) ,
3. Reliability: Assessed the content of the submission for meaningfulness and clarity,
4. Relevance: Confirmed that the submitted project aimed to achieve the award's mission.

04/2023 – 11/2024 Director of Nature Reserves, Royal Commission for AlUla, Alula, Saudi Arabia (RCU), Saudi Arabia

• Oversaw the establishment of a world-class networkof six interconnected protected and conserved areas, ensuring equitable and effective
• management to conservenative biodiversity and restore vital ecosystems and habitats in line with international standards.

11/2021 – 04/2023 Program Manager - Wildlife and Natural HeritageSector, the Royal Commissionfor AlUla, Alula, Saudi Arabia

Facilitated the executionof RCU's strategic initiatives by meticulously

• Planning and overseeing more than 15 projects and programs within thenature and wildlife sectors throughout the project management
• lifecycle, employingtailored methodologies, tools, human resources, and robust reporting frameworks.
• Projects includedthe management and operations of protected areas, development of the AlUla Ecosystem Strategy, and Arabian Leopard Fund Conservation, Reintroduction Projects and environmental education.

01/2014 一 08/2018 Conservation StrategicDevelopment Director,The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Jordan The Conservation of Nature (RSCN), Jordan

• Coordinated and conceptualized all activities and strategies pertaining to RSCNIs strategic programs and projects, ensuring effective implementation across all functional units within the organization.
• Developed a comprehensive Operational Manual for the daily operations of Nature Reserves,
• Supervised and contributed to the formulation of a national patroIIing plan and associated operational manual,
• Championed the development of RSCN’s fundraising and sponsorship strategy, securing 300 ,000 JD in grants through successful proposals targeting climate change and renewable energy.
• Directed the formation of over six conservation management plans for key protected areas and forests with educational programs
• Collaborated with Montana University and the US Forest Service to develop a detailed curriculum for Protected Areas management.
• Instituted and managed a project aimed at supporting Community-based Tourism around Ajloun Forest Reserve I as a mechanism for community empowerment and economic growth.
• Crafted a stakeholder and community engagement plan for the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone.

10/2012 一 12/2013 Program Leader – Mediterranean Basin Hotspot,CEPF – MiddIe East, BirdlifeInternational (RegionalRole)

• Oversaw the management of the CEPF-RIT Program Officers for North Africa, the MiddIe East, and the BaIkans,
• Supervised the implementation of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund Investment strategy and portfolio within the Mediterranean Basin Hotspot,
• Collaborated with various donors to secure additional funding for the CEPF Portfolio in the Mediterranean Basin, successfully preparing a proposal for the MAVA foundation that was accepted, resulting in a total budget of USD 1.2M.
• Leveraged funding thematic areas, including Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) , and ecosystem restoration management priorities across North Africa, the MiddIe East, and Southwest BaIkan.

06/2005 – 12/2011 Conservation Director, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Jordan

• Coordinated and developed on-site conservation programs and projects for the Society, focusing on protected area management, law enforcement, research, and surveys while supervising the direct implementation of biodiversity conservation and environmental education related projects.
• Led and managed extensive ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation programs exceeding USD 15 million, funded by the World Bank, and other international donors, integrating conservation strategies with sustainable livelihoods.
• Directed the development and establishment of four new protected areas and coordinated the review of Jordan's national protected-area network to align with IUCN management categories and national environmental objectives.
• Pioneered environmental education by developing a comprehensive interactive and learning material for various target groups.
• Pioneered ecosystem and rangeland restoration initiatives that promoted habitat rehabilitation, forest recovery, and sustainable land management through community-based conservation and climate adaptation strategies.
• Enhanced sustainable financing mechanisms for protected areas, introducing ecotourism, business planning, and women-led enterprise models to secure long-term conservation funding and socio-economic benefits.
• Strengthened institutional capacity within the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) through strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, GIS-based biodiversity data systems, and integrated knowledge management frameworks.
• Delivered extensive capacity-building programs across the MENA region, covering project management, protected-area governance, ecological monitoring, and climate resilience training for non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and community groups.
• Contributed regional expertise as a technical reviewer for World Heritage and Man and Biosphere (MAB) nominations, focusing on ecosystem restoration, landscape management, and biodiversity governance.

08/2016 – 08/2018 Nature-Based Business Development Director, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), Jordan

• Developed a $6 million USAID-funded ecotourism initiative aimed at generating income and enhancing the sustainability of protected areas.

06/1997 – 05/2005 Head – Biodiversity Research Program, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), Jordan

• Identified, designed, and implemented research and survey priorities to support RSCN's Wildlife and Habitats Conservation Management initiatives.
• Led ecological assessments, biodiversity baseline surveys, and monitoring systems to guide protected area expansion and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) policies.

EDUCATION

09/2004 – 01/2008 Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, M.Sc., Horticulture, Thesis: Technical Efficiency of Medicinal Plant Farming in Jordan

09/1990 – 06/1994 Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

B.Sc., Applied Biology (Microbiology