Senior Policy Advisor - Regional Consultant / January, 2026 — October

Co-developed a landmark regional humanitarian and development proposal valued at 500 Million (USD equivalent - 500B local scale) designed to strengthen multi-lateral frameworks, cross-border resource resilience and human rights infrastructure across East African cooperative states. Authored comprehensive policy papers and research diagnostics for international bodies mapping protection civic space and social integration parameters across Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan. Led program design evaluations and designed youth-targeted sustainable income-generation systems across Sudan, South Sudan and Kenya matching economic interventions with localized market demands. Conducted extensive field diagnostics and co-authored numerous Preventative Counter-Violent Extremism (PCVE) research modules focusing on community reconciliation, structural vulnerability mitigation and local stabilization strategies. Consulted on civil society cooperation, cross-border migration policies and joint humanitarian action protocols aligning initiatives with regional economic and stabilization frameworks. Provided contextual intelligence and strategic advisory briefings to international corporations, non-governmental organizations and development actors via the GLG Platform on East Africa's institutional architecture, funding climates and localized security dynamics.

Director of Programs and Donor Relations / September, 2020 — January, 2026

Successfully utilized personal influence networks and access within the Office of the President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament to align federal ministries on progressive human rights policies and secure legislative approvals. Spearheaded and finalized critical policy frameworks including the National Action Plan 1325 on Women Peace and Security and the National Action Plan to End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Authored the strategic policy briefing and coordinated the legislative establishment and subsequent operationalization of the National Child Rights Council ensuring inter-ministerial structural alignment. Conceptualized and developed the core Human Rights Transition Plans for Somalia anchoring protection mandates, civic guidelines and transitional protocols during state stabilization phases. Served as the prime focal point for international donors; chaired the Gender and Human Rights Pillar Working Group and joint Program Steering Committees orchestrating multi-million dollar funds. Provided technical guidance and QA for over 20 joint proposals submitted under the Gender & Human Rights Window of the Somalia Joint Funds guaranteeing rigorous standard alignments. Represented the Ministry in elite multilateral forums including delivering Somalia's core state interventions at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2021.

Senior Program Officer / January, 2017 — September, 2020

Managed the operational oversight, risk modeling and disbursement of 27 Civil Society Organization (CSO) seed grants across 5 Federal Member States (Banadir, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, Jubaland and Southwest). Designed and facilitated over 15 high-impact institutional capacity-building training modules for human rights activists and local civil society leaders strengthening their operational advocacy and compliance frameworks. Formulated and streamlined program monitoring, financial auditing and risk management systems in cooperation with third-party monitors to ensure absolute financial integrity and compliance with Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) standards. Key contributor to the definition of ForumCiv's regional and country strategy for Somalia presenting grounded localized insights to Swedish headquarters.

Protection Officer / January, 2008 — December, 2016

Led and conceptualized the operational establishment of strategic UNHCR field offices in Dollow and Dhobley to facilitate complex, highly visible cross-border repatriation and protection monitoring workflows. Coordinated the multi-agency Protection and Shelter Clusters (2010-2015) harmonizing operational delivery across UN agencies, international NGOs and government counterparts. Directed the strategic partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) from 2008 to 2015 overseeing the operations of the Protection, Return and Monitoring Network (PRMN) and Population Movement Tracking systems. Designed and supervised extensive programs in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) protection, cash-based assistance and livelihood initiatives to secure sustainable return and reintegration systems for hundreds of thousands of IDPs.

Executive Director - Civil Society Advocate / January, 2000 — December, 2008

Emerg[ed] as a preeminent civil society spokesperson coordinating nationwide campaigns focused on marginalized communities, structural inequality and justice framework reform. As Executive Director engineered multi-year operational structures, upgraded financial and governance compliance and successfully expanded funding partnerships with UN Agencies and European bilateral donors.