Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 20 years of experience, the expert is a seasoned professional in the humanitarian and development sectors, with a strong focus on child protection. They have demonstrated extensive expertise in program development, management, and coordination of humanitarian emergencies. Career highlights include leading large-scale programs for organizations such as SOS Children’s Village International and Save the Children International, where they delivered strategic planning and results-based management. The expert has successfully directed initiatives across Somalia, South Sudan, Iraq, and Kurdistan, building capacity and fostering partnerships with stakeholders. Notable accomplishments include managing a $5 million portfolio and conducting humanitarian investigations in East Africa.

Project experience and donor exposure

With a background in collaborating with international donors, the expert has worked with organizations such as GAC, UNHCR, UNICEF, CERF, DANIDA, MFA Norway, and SIDA. Their involvement included project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building in child protection, education, and humanitarian response. They managed a $5 million portfolio for integrated humanitarian response programs in Iraq and Syria, engaging in donor communication and reporting. Geographic locations for these collaborations include Somalia, South Sudan, Iraq, and Kurdistan.

Sectors and geographic focus

Previously held roles such as Programme Director and Child Protection Sub-Cluster Coordinator, the expert has worked extensively in the sectors of gender and human rights, monitoring and evaluation, project management, and disaster reduction and humanitarian relief. Their interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating child protection into humanitarian response and development programs. The expert's work has spanned across Somalia, South Sudan, Iraq, and the Kurdistan region, focusing on regional and country-specific projects that address complex humanitarian and governance challenges. They have demonstrated deep familiarity with local governance and cultural dynamics, particularly through long-term assignments in these regions, managing and coordinating humanitarian and development programs, and building partnerships with local stakeholders and government entities.

Languages and education

The expert is fluent in English, Swahili, and Somali. These language skills have been utilized extensively in professional settings, including in-country work and collaboration with multilingual teams across various regions such as Somalia, South Sudan, Iraq, and Kurdistan. The ability to communicate effectively in English has facilitated their leadership and coordination roles in international development and humanitarian projects. They are pursuing a Masters in Peace, Governance and Development at the University of Peace (UN-Mandated University). They hold a Bachelor of Art in Community Development from the University of Bosasso, Somalia. Additionally, they have obtained a Diploma in Community Development and Social Worker from NEP Technical Training Institute, and a Diploma in Community-based Development and Project Management from Premese Africa Development Institute, Nairobi.