Saeed (Mohamed) A.

Academic and Administrative Leader

Hargeisa, Somalia

Experience

May 2023 - Mar 2025
1 year 11 months
Hargeisa, Somalia

President

Gollis University

  • Lead the strategic direction and operational oversight of the university's academic and administrative affairs.
  • Strengthened industry linkages, student support systems, and research culture.
  • Spearheaded governance reforms and external partnerships with donors, private sector, and government.
  • Revitalized university’s existing partnerships and established new collaborations with Stavanger University (Norway), ASTON Colleges (Australia), UNODC, UNICEF, and key national stakeholders.
  • Successfully led the university’s 20th anniversary celebrations, mobilizing regional campuses and partners to reposition Gollis at the forefront of Somaliland’s higher education scene.
  • Restored ownership of a $5M+ university land asset and initiated financial, architectural, and operational development plans for a G+7 main campus & headquarters; completed the underground floor.
  • Constructed and launched a harmonized, contextualized ERP system to enhance academic governance, management systems, and institutional efficiency.
Aug 2020 - Jul 2021
1 year
Somalia

Media & Public Relations Advisor

Somaliland National Electoral Commission

  • Managed communication strategies and media relations during a critical election period.
  • Ensured transparent voter outreach and enhanced the commission’s public image.
  • Coordinated external communication with political parties, civil society, and international observers.
  • Revived and operationalized an informative, infographic-based NEC website to raise public awareness and ensure transparency.
  • Prepared and co-authored a comprehensive institutional report detailing NEC’s achievements and electoral history since 1999—approved by the commissioners as an official publication.
Jan 2018 - Jul 2020
2 years 7 months
Somalia

Senior Project Manager

Alight International (formerly ARC)

  • Oversaw multi-sectoral humanitarian and development projects across Somaliland.
  • Led field assessments, project planning, and donor reporting with measurable outcomes.
  • Facilitated partnerships with UN agencies, local governments, and NGOs.
  • Strengthened ARC’s relationship with donors, especially UNHCR, through quality reporting, strong representation, and active participation in protection cluster coordination mechanisms.
Jan 2017 - Dec 2017
1 year

Managing Director & Co-founder

Institute for Innovation & Strategic Studies (INSIST)

  • Developed research and policy advisory programs focusing on governance and strategic planning.
  • Monitored regional political trends and advised stakeholders on response mechanisms.
Feb 2011 - Dec 2016
5 years 11 months
Somalia

Chief Executive Director

Somaliland National Youth Organization (SONYO Umbrella)

  • Directed the national umbrella organization’s youth programs and institutional growth.
  • Managed over 50+ member organizations as youth CSOs, coordinated advocacy campaigns, and represented youth voices in national forums.
  • Secured and managed donor funding, ensuring compliance and sustainability.
  • Led the umbrella’s entire executive operations and represented it at national, regional (East Africa), and international levels.
  • Spearheaded the enactment of Somaliland’s first national youth development policy and empowerment roadmap, approved by the president and council of ministers.
  • Championed legal reforms to lower candidacy age for local councils (from 35 to 25) and party leadership (from 45 to 35), enabling meaningful youth political participation.
  • Secured land and oversaw the full construction of SONYO’s headquarters & youth center with 14 offices, youth hall, resource center, café, internet, and service facilities.

Summary

Visionary executive with over 15+ years of experience leading institutions, programs, and partnerships across higher education, civil society, public sector, and international development.

Demonstrated excellence in project management, institutional governance, youth policy advocacy, and strategic communications.

Proven leader in managing cross-sectoral teams, stakeholder coordination, and organizational transformation.

Passionate about public service, civic engagement, and empowering local communities through strategic planning and evidence-based solutions.

Languages

Somali
Native
English
Advanced
Arabic
Elementary

Education

Asian e-University

MBA · Project Management · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Open University Malaysia (OUM)

Postgraduate Diploma · Strategic Management · Malaysia

Centre for Public Policy

Diploma · NGO, Communication & Networking · Bengaluru, India

...and 1 more

Certifications & licenses

U.S. International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP)

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