Public policy and advocacy expert. Refai has managed and provided technical support to government, civil society organizations, the United Nations and other international organizations in the Arab world and eastern Europe, in areas of gender and human rights, and results-based policy and advocacy. In addition she has extensive experience of developing and monitoring development programs, third party monitoring, and working in humanitarian settings and emergencies.

Refaei is a researcher and author in areas of social policy. She is a founding member of the Arab Network for Civic Education. She is also a member of the Yemen Pact for Peace and Security.

Refai holds a master’s degree in health policy, planning and financing, from the London School of Economics, and a diploma in population and gender studies from the University of Costa Rica. She is an accredited trainer in international human rights mechanisms, gender mainstreaming and gender-based violence.