AHMED YUSUF HERSI
DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
ADDIS ABABA,Ethiopia
Summary
Accomplished Programme Management and Development Specialist with over twenty-five years of experience in leading complex donor-funded programmes across the Horn of Africa and Eastern Africa. Expertise includes rural development, climate resilience, Blue Economy, governance reform, and peacebuilding.
Experienced in coordinating with governments, UN agencies, and NGOs, leading multidisciplinary teams, and overseeing programme implementation and stakeholder engagement in fragile contexts.
Overview
1
1
Certification
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Representative and Senior Political Advisor to the Special Envoy for South Sudan
IGAD
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Provided strategic leadership and programme oversight supporting implementation of regional peacebuilding and governance initiatives.
- Advised senior leadership, coordinated engagement with governments and development partners, facilitated stakeholder dialogue and contributed to programme implementation, reporting and institutional coordination mechanisms.
Regional Coordinator, Maritime Security Programme (MASE)
IGAD / European Union
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Managed implementation of a major EU-funded multi-country programme covering Eastern and Southern Africa.
- Coordinated programme execution among IGAD, EAC, COMESA, IOC, FAO, UNODC and INTERPOL.
- Led programme planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder engagement and steering committee processes.
Programme Manager, Somalia Fisheries Programme
Oxfam Novib
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Managed fisheries governance, livelihoods and institutional strengthening initiatives.
- Conducted capacity assessments, coordinated technical assistance and ensured programme delivery, donor compliance and sustainable resource management.
Strategy and Policy Advisor
Djibouti Maritime Authority
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Led development of strategic plans, governance frameworks and policy reforms supporting maritime governance and economic development.
- Facilitated engagement between government institutions, private sector actors and development partners.
Projects Team Leader
UNDP Somalia
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Managed governance, rule of law and community security programmes to enhance community trust and participation.
- Supervised project implementation, coordinated stakeholders, and strengthened institutional and community mechanisms to improve resilience and security outcomes.
Education
LL.M. - Environment and Energy Law
University of Birmingham
United Kingdom06-2026
M.A. - Maritime Governance and Security
Coventry University
United KingdomM.A. - Peacebuilding, Conflict and Preventive Diplomacy
Coventry University
United KingdomPost-Graduate Diploma - Rural and Regional Development
Weitz Centre for Development Studies
IsraelSkills
- Programme Execution & Direction
- Programme Management
- Programme Design
- Programme Delivery
- Results management
- Monitoring evaluation
- Crisis Management
- Donor management
- Compliance
- Procurement
- Contract Administration
- Governance improvement
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Partnership development
- Policy creation
- Strategic development
- Team Leadership
- Community Resilience
Languages
English
Somali
Arabic
Swahili
Speciality
- Team Leadership and Programme Direction
- Rural Development and Community Resilience
- Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Livelihoods
- Blue Economy and Fisheries Development
- Programme Design, Management and Delivery
- Results-Based Management and Monitoring & Evaluation
- Donor Coordination and Compliance
- Procurement and Contract Administration
- Institutional Development and Governance Reform
- Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building
- Policy Development and Strategic Planning
- Horn of Africa Regional Programming
Certification
- Evidence-based Programming - UNIDIR
- International Maritime Laws & Convention - Alisson School
References
- Amb(Eng) Mahboub Maalim CBS,OGW
mahboubmaalim14@gmail.com
former Executive Secretary - IGAD
- Stephen Kinloch-Pichat
stephen kinloch-pichat@undp.org
UN Development Programme
- Dr Roba Sharamo Director Africa and West Asia
R.Sharamo@idea.int
IDEA International
POLICY BRIEFS/PUBLICATIONS
- SECURITY & STABILIZATION
IGAD Integrated Maritime Safety and Security Strategy (2015–2030) (https://igad.int/draft- igad-integrated-maritime-safety-and-security-strategy-2020/)
How an IGAD Regional Maritime Council can Boost Trade (ISS, 2020) (https://issafrica.org/research /policy-brief/how-an-igad-regional-maritime-council-can-boost-trade)
From Maritime Security to Blue Economy: Prospects for Future Development (IGAD, 2021) (https://igad.int/from-maritime-security-to-blue-economy/) - CONFLICT , & GEOPOLITICS
South Sudan's Endless Political Transitions (ISIR Think Tank, 2024) (https://isirthinktank.com /wp-content/uploads/2024/07/South-Sudan-Elections_Policy-Brief.pdf)
Trump's Second Term: Implications for the Horn of Africa (ISIR Institute, 2025) (https://isirinstitute.org /2025/04/trumps-second-term-implications-for-the-horn-of-africa/)
Understanding The New US Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa; Perspectives from the Horn of Africa (ISIR Think Tank, 2023) (https://isirthinktank.com/2023/03/understanding-the-new-us-strategy-for-sub- saharan-africa/)
Timeline
Representative and Senior Political Advisor to the Special Envoy for South Sudan
IGAD
01.2019 - 01.2023
Regional Coordinator, Maritime Security Programme (MASE)
IGAD / European Union
01.2015 - 01.2019
Programme Manager, Somalia Fisheries Programme
Oxfam Novib
01.2014 - 01.2015
Strategy and Policy Advisor
Djibouti Maritime Authority
01.2012 - 01.2014
Projects Team Leader
UNDP Somalia
01.2010 - 01.2012
LL.M. - Environment and Energy Law
University of Birmingham
M.A. - Maritime Governance and Security
Coventry University
M.A. - Peacebuilding, Conflict and Preventive Diplomacy
Coventry University
Post-Graduate Diploma - Rural and Regional Development
Weitz Centre for Development Studies