Sanaz Jahanshahi

Senior Project Manager

Believing that ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’, and understanding that access to justice is the key to the protection and empowerment of people, Sanaz is proud to be a member of HiiL and work to ensure that people, particularly disadvantaged persons and groups, around the world have easy access and understanding of justice in an effective manner in order to improve their lives. And, this is the source of energy Sanaz feels and the future she envisions every morning she goes to work.

Sanaz Jahanshahi joined the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) in June 2022. She joined the HiiL to contribute to the cause of justice and peace that she cares about. As a Project Manager, Sanaz leads and implements projects in various regions — working closely with programme directors, practice groups, country and cross-functional teams to plan requirements, manage project schedules, and risks, to make sure programs run smoothly according to budget, plans and donor requirements.

Prior to joining the HiiL, Sanaz worked with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for over thirteen years engaged in refugee affairs and development work and overseeing and implementing various projects in the regions of the Middle East, the Asia Pacific, and Africa. In addition to program management, Sanaz has wide expertise and experience in poverty alleviation, and the protection of displaced populations including refugees, and stateless people.

Sanaz holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science in India and a Master’s degree in International Development from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom which rendered her a wider understanding and insight into international development including international justice.

Sanaz has implemented many successful projects during her professional life but the highlight of her projects was a revolving loan program that she designed and implemented for the refugees in Iran in order to improve their livelihood situation, to create jobs for vulnerable populations especially women at risk, which resulted in legalizing jobs and further expanding the protection space for the refugees.

When not at work, Sanaz enjoys being with her family and friends either picnicking in nature or in the seaside, baking some delicious cakes and she is fond of playing Squash, and swimming. In her spare time, Sanaz enjoys reading, listening to music, learning new languages and doing yoga/meditation.

Contact info

sanaz.jahanshahi@hiil.org
+31 70 762 0700