Fatouma Ahmed Abdallah
Heron
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience at IOM, Djibouti, and IGAD, excelling in project management and policy writing. Proven track record in capacity building and stakeholder engagement, successfully drafting strategic documents and proposals. Adept at leading teams to achieve mission objectives while enhancing monitoring and evaluation processes for impactful migration initiatives.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Interim Head of the Programme Support Unit, PSU
IOM Djibouti /UN Migration
Djibouti, Djibouti
10.2024 - Current
- Supervised and guided team members to ensure timely task completion and capacity building.
- Served as primary contact in Djibouti for IOM Institutional questionnaires.
- Drafted facts & figures 2024 for IOM Djibouti, highlighting mission achievements.
- Developed project proposals to advance mission objectives.
- Supported reporting and monitoring & evaluation of projects executed by managers.
- Contributed to Global Appeal 2025 for the mission's initiatives.
- Drafted IOM Djibouti Country Strategy 2025-2028 to align future goals.
- Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
National Migration Policy and Liaison Officer
IGAD/ IOM Djibouti-UN Migration
11.2022 - Current
- Enhance coordination and collaboration between the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and IOM, including support for migration programmes managed by the IOM Regional Office in Nairobi.
- Provide technical guidance and assistance to IGAD on migration related issues.
- Support the development of new policy and project initiatives within IGAD and liaise with IGAD on regular basis.
- Provide capacity building trainings on GCM, IOM strategic objectives, IOM policies, and on identified outputs in close coordination with the project management sites in IOM.
- Draft project proposals and provide input on concept notes and activities.
- Main IOM focal point on drafting the Common Country Analysis 2024 and lead the governance group.
- Contributed to the formulation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, UNSDCF 2025-2030, outcomes, outputs and indicators.
- Serve as interim Project Manager for the Better migration management phase III project from October 2024 to April 2025 and drafted the activities for phase IV starting October 2025.
- Serve as a project manager for Djibouti under the EU funded project 'Support to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda towards implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM)', since October 2024.
National expert-Consultant
World Food Program, WFP - Raagsan Consulting
06.2022 - 11.2022
- Technical Support for the Evaluation of the National Social Protection Strategy of the Djibouti Ministry of social affairs and an assessment of its Institutional Capacity.
- Conducted data collection, key interviews and co-drafting the evaluation of the Djibouti national strategy (2018-2022) with the lead consultant.
- The evaluation was based on: - Primary data collection – (qualitative data) through Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with the main stakeholders of NSPS, including families that have benefited from the social protection programmes.
- - Secondary data collection – through a thorough review of all relevant documentation produced in the framework of the implementation of the NSPS.
Crisis, Conflict and Disaster Advisor
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
12.2021 - 09.2022
- Company Overview: Better Migration Management regional program (BMM)
- Worked for Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as their Crisis, Conflict and Disaster Advisor under the Regional program for Better Migration Management, BMM.
- In charge of component 3, protection of vulnerable migrants including assisting Djibouti civil society organisations in capacity building trainings.
- Additionally, worked under component 1, Migration governance and assisted the national coordinator in Cross-border activities (Djibouti-Ethiopia Border), particularly on cross-border cooperation in child (migrant) protection.
- Supported studies and research conducted by consultants.
- Supported the implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes under BMM activities.
- Undertook outreach activities; conducted training workshops and presentations on assigned topics/activities linked to BMM portfolio.
- Conducted capacity assessments and formulated capacity development responses based on the GIZ BMM activities.
- Better Migration Management regional program (BMM)
Start-up Director for Finance, Grant and Administration (Consultant)
The Kaizen Company
11.2021 - 02.2022
- Worked as the Start-up Director for Finance, Grant and Administration and the hiring manager for a US-based company, the Kaizen Company under USAID Djibouti funding.
- Provided technical advice on USAID Finance and grant procedures.
- Provided support to consultative and other meetings with Djibouti stakeholders including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
- Provided support in monitoring and analysing programmed/project development and implementation including in all start-up activities, namely company registration, law firm solicitation, car hiring.
- Provided support in drafting work plan activities, MEL plan, Budget for activities.
- Worked as the hiring manager and recruited a financial manager, Procurement and grant manager and an accountant.
- Drafted review reports and presented an exit report detailing achievements, challenges, and recommendations for next steps.
National Consultant
The United Religion Initiative
08.2021 - 10.2021
- Company Overview: URI Horn of Africa
- Worked for URI Horn of Africa and provided technical assistance in the implementation of work-plan activities.
- Provided support in drafting concept note, agenda and facilitating stakeholder consultations.
- Ensured effective management of programme including leading agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
- Provided a review report of the key discussions points, findings and issues resulting from stakeholder consultations.
- Organised and facilitated workshops co-funded by KAICIID and the African Union.
- Drafted reports detailing achievements, challenges, and recommendations for next steps.
- URI Horn of Africa
Program Officer
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
07.2017 - 12.2020
- Worked at the Center of Excellence for Preventing and Countering violent extremism (ICEPCVE) under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as their Program Officer.
- Supported program’s activities of the different units and helped in program implementation with the International Partners and Donors (USAID Kenya, US State Department, UNDP Addis, IPPSHAR, Strong City network).
- Prepared various written outputs, namely draft background papers, research analysis in thematic area related to peace and security sections and studies, inputs to planned activities.
- Provided support to consultative and other meetings, conferences including proposing agenda topics, project proposals, preparation of reports and presentations.
- Supported research and mapping of the civil society organizations of the IGAD members States with Global Center.
- Helped design program activities and budget narrative under US Department of State and US Embassy Djibouti projects.
- Facilitated communication outreach between the Center̕ s staff, Strong City Network (SNC) and the Djibouti City Council.
- Other duties performed were namely: Assured program implementations and logistics of all trainings held by ICEPCVE.
- Maintained oversight of management for all internal and external workshops and meetings.
- Drafted reports, M&E plans and budgets for ICEPCVE projects.
Education
MSc - Development Economics and International development
University of Bath
UK01.2021
Certificate - Leadership and Entrepreneurship
University of Nevada
US01.2018
MA - Strategic Management and Finance
FEDE European School
Switzerland01.2017
BA (Hon) - Business management and Finance
Northumbria University
UK01.2010
Skills
- Project management
- Policy writing
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Technical support
- Report drafting
- Training development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Problem solving
- Strategic planning
- Communication skills
- Team leadership
- Capacity building
Certification
- Women, Peace and Security Agenda, UNDP Africa and IGAD Mediation Unit, Mombasa, Kenya, 2022
- Global Peace builders program, Hiroshima Peacebuilding Center, Hiroshima, Japan, 2022
- International Refugee Law, International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL), Sanremo, Italy, 2020
- Development Policies and International Aid, ENA, Paris, France, 2019
- Conflict Resolution and Peace-making in Africa, UNITAR, Addis, Ethiopia, 2018
- Management of Development Projects, EU Delegation/Diplomatic Institute, Djibouti, 2015
- Port Management, Train for Trade, UNCTAD, Djibouti, 2015
Awards And Scholarships
- International Program Associate, Hiroshima peacebuilding Center, 2022
- Chevening Scholar, UK Foreign Commonwealth and development office, 2021
- Peace Ambassador, One Young World, UK, 2021
- Mandela Washington fellow, US Department of State and IREX, 2018
Bio
With over a decade of experience in Management, Peace and Security, Migration, and Development projects, holding a Master's Degree in International Development with a focus on economics and another Master's Degree in Strategic Management and Finance, as well as several other professional certificates.
Languages
French
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Arabic
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Timeline
Interim Head of the Programme Support Unit, PSU
IOM Djibouti /UN Migration
10.2024 - Current
National Migration Policy and Liaison Officer
IGAD/ IOM Djibouti-UN Migration
11.2022 - Current
National expert-Consultant
World Food Program, WFP - Raagsan Consulting
06.2022 - 11.2022
Crisis, Conflict and Disaster Advisor
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
12.2021 - 09.2022
Start-up Director for Finance, Grant and Administration (Consultant)
The Kaizen Company
11.2021 - 02.2022
National Consultant
The United Religion Initiative
08.2021 - 10.2021
Program Officer
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
07.2017 - 12.2020
MSc - Development Economics and International development
University of Bath
Certificate - Leadership and Entrepreneurship
University of Nevada
MA - Strategic Management and Finance
FEDE European School
BA (Hon) - Business management and Finance
Northumbria University
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