SAMUEL Alemu

I have twenty years of experience working in Ethiopia with donors and government on economic, political and social issues. I have helped numerous organizations, for profit and not for profit, define and deliver their strategic visions by using my credibility and links within academia and government to hone their competitive advantage and ‘offer’ to donors. I have built extensive networks within Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, including engagement with projects, activities and initiatives with World Bank, USAID, FCDO/UKAID, EU, GIZ, IOM, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), DAI Global, JICA, and Chambers of Commerce and Industries.

I have been an Associate Professor at Addis Ababa University and worked as the Resilience Lead for Partnership for Lowland Resilience Activity at DAI Policy LINK. I contributed to the latest approved DRM Policy, participated in the process of RFFP preparation and technical write-up of the new USAID DRM activity recently awarded to RTI and OPM. My technical expertise lies in the integration of evidence based participatory methods (mainly in climate change programmes) into governments’ budgeting, planning and policy development processes. This includes in the areas of sustainable pastoral development and lowland resilience programs, transnational and strategic geo-political initiatives, youth engagement and peace building.

I was a Policy Adviser to the Minister of Peace (FDRE) and Consultant for the Business for Peace Project at Initiative Africa. I have more than eight years of service teaching post-graduates, as Assistant Professor and Asian Desk Coordinator at the Center for African and Asian Studies, and Associate Dean for Research & Technology Transfer in Addis Ababa University.

Working within a University requires you to become an excellent team player, be able to juggle multiple competing interests, projects and activities, prepare and manage proposals and budgets, as well as ensuring cross-functional collaboration with partners in donor agencies and government. I am also a Social Sciences and Humanitarian Action Platform (SSHAP) fellow 2024). Overall, I have a profound understanding of the Africa Climate Mobility Initiative (ACMI) and climate change adaptation and resilience-building context in Africa. I was a Scholar in Residence (visiting professor) at the Center for African Studies in Duquesne University in the US. Currently, I work as Paraeducator, Special education with Montgomery County Public Schools.