Key skills and expertise

With 13 years of experience, the expert is adept in social security risk assessment, political analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Responsibilities have included managing projects for USAID and the European Institute of Peace, concentrating on governance and conflict resolution within Ethiopia. As Project Director at Sanyii Gadaa Consultancy, the expert developed and led initiatives, successfully securing and managing a range of projects. Career highlights include guiding teams in stakeholder management and research, achieving significant accomplishments in securing peace agreements and enhancing both local and international collaborations.

Project experience and donor exposure

Bringing extensive experience with international donors, the expert has collaborated with organizations such as USAID and the European Institute of Peace. Engagements have involved project implementation and technical assistance in governance and peace-building initiatives. The expert has served as Project Director and Lead Researcher for USAID-OTI-Ethiopian Support Program projects, focusing on conflict resolution and stakeholder engagement in Western Oromia. Additionally, the expert contributed as a Researcher for the European Institute of Peace, working on peace agreement projects. These efforts have primarily been regional, centered in Ethiopia.

Sectors and geographic focus

The expert has worked across sectors including education, humanitarian aid, youth engagement, democratization, law, research, and risk management. Previously held roles such as technical advisor, project director, and lead researcher have underscored the expert's interdisciplinary expertise in social security risk assessment, political analysis, and stakeholder engagement. The work is primarily focused on Ethiopia, addressing regional issues in governance and development through various local and international initiatives. The expert has extensive experience in Ethiopia, with a deep understanding of local governance, cultural dynamics, and regional development issues. Work has primarily focused on areas such as Oromia, where the expert has engaged in conflict resolution, stakeholder management, and political analysis. Expertise in Ethiopian federalism and governance is evidenced by long-term assignments and leadership roles in various projects across the region.

Languages and education

With a background in multilingual environments, the expert is fluent in English, an official UN language, and also speaks Amharic and Oromo. These language skills have been applied in professional contexts within Ethiopia, including work with international donors and multilingual teams. Currently, the expert is a PhD candidate in Federal and Governance Studies at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. The educational background includes a Master's degree in Law and Governance, specializing in Federalism Studies, from Addis Ababa University, and a postgraduate diploma in Federalism, Decentralization, and Conflict Resolution from Fribourg University, Switzerland. The expert also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Addis Ababa University.