Mohamed Mohamud Abdi
Mogadishu
Summary
Dedicated Agricultural Engineer with 10+ years of expertise in agricultural water management, specialising in irrigation. Possess extensive knowledge of challenges facing Somalia's irrigation sector. Conducted research on "Root Cause Analysis of Recurrent Irrigation System Destruction in Jowhar District, Middle Shabelle Region, Somalia." aimed at identifying and addressing key issues in the country's irrigation practices. Reviewed 50+ irrigation projects, including those developed during the Italian colony and Siyadbare central government and post war irrigation projects. Former Director of the Irrigation Department at the Federal Ministry. Currently leading developmental irrigation projects at UNFAO Somalia. Merging academic and professional experience to enhance irrigation sector development for improved food security in Somalia.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Programme Specialist
FAO
07.2025 - Current
- Programme Management Support
- Assist the Chief Technical Advisor in overseeing project implementation, providing both administrative and technical support.
- Monitor and coordinate activities to ensure alignment with work plans, timelines, and budgets.
- Contributes to the preparation of technical reports, project proposals, and policy briefs.
- Support development of strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement to enhance program effectiveness.
- Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Coordination
- Plan, organize, and facilitate regular TAG meetings to promote collaboration among stakeholders.
- Prepare agendas, minutes, and action plans, ensuring follow-up on key decisions.
- Maintain timely communication with government stakeholders, implementing partners, and donors.
- Track progress on action points and provide periodic updates to senior management.
- Project Implementation Support
- Assist Project Managers in planning, executing, and monitoring activities.
- Identify and address operational challenges to ensure smooth implementation.
- Facilitate coordination among all programme stakeholders.
- Contribute to project reports, progress updates, and stakeholder presentations.
- Government Coordination
- Act as the focal point for communication and collaboration with federal and state ministries.
- Facilitate government engagement in planning, implementation, and monitoring of JOSP activities.
- Support capacity-building initiatives through knowledge sharing and technical assistance.
- Ensure government partners are informed and actively involved in decision-making processes.
- State-Level Engagement (Hirshabelle)
- Strengthen coordination with Hirshabelle State authorities to support smooth project delivery.
- Provide technical and operational support to the state-level project team.
- Support identification and resolution of operational challenges with local authorities and project teams.
- Conduct other relevant project tasks as required by FAO
- 2 years 3 months
- July 2025 - Present (2 months)
National Irrigation Coordinator
FAO
06.2023 - 06.2025
- 1. Provide effective leadership, coordination and facilitation of technical inputs, management support and technical oversight for the project.
- 2. Liaise with the PIU, Federal and Member State authorities on all aspects of project coordination and implementation.
- 3. Maintain regular and effective communication with Federal and State Governments (relevant ministries of agriculture) on all aspects of project implementation.
- 4. Provide effective team leadership for the implementing agencies and partners.
- 5. Support the project in adhering to all environmental and social safeguarding requirements and documentation by advising the Federal Ministry of agriculture and irrigation and ensuring adherence by relevant Federal Member State ministries.
- 6. Develop annual work plans related to the different project outputs and outcomes in collaboration with relevant sectors and partners.
- 7. Supervise quality control of Letters of Agreement and Letters of Understanding with programme/project implementing partners.
- 8. Make periodic visits to the sites where the project is operating to provide backup support.
- Coordinate engineering team with technical support regarding the irrigation development in Somalia.
- 9. Coordinate the Implementing of irrigation action plans with another technical team.
- 10. Coordination and leadership of an engineering team that plans and develops irrigation infrastructures and installs infrastructure according to requirements and standards.
- 2 years 1 month
- June 2023 - June 2025 (2 years 1 month)
Director of Irrigation and Agrometrology Department
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
06.2021 - 06.2023
- Managed a team of 20 staff members in the department of Irrigation and Agro-Metrology of the ministry to meet monthly ministry objectives.
- Coordinated state irrigation team with the irrigation canal rehabilitation projects throughout the implementation cycle, including design, procurement, management, quality assurance/quality control, monitoring and evaluation, close-out, and client relations.
- Coordinated with Donors and UN organization for the development of irrigation and agro-metrology project throughout the implementation cycle, including design, procurement, management, quality assurance/quality control, monitoring and evaluation, close-out, and client relations.
- Directly oversaw the PRIMS, PROACT, SCRP Irrigation component, as well as the HRRAP irrigation canal rehabilitation project in the states of Jubaland, Southwest, and Hirshabelle.
- Managed contracts making sure the contractors follow all applicable Government, Donors, UN laws and policies and procedures in coordination with the Grants and Compliance Manager.
- Developed concept notes and project proposal for irrigation and flood control projects in Hirshabelle and southwest states.
- 8 years 9 months
- June 2021 - June 2023 (2 years 1 month)
Head of projects
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
12.2019 - 06.2021
- Led the development of irrigation canal rehabilitation projects funded by the European Union such as PRIMS and PROACT. A total of 400 KM of irrigation canals were rehabilitated in the middle and lower Shabelle regions as a result of these projects.
- Supervised the river embankment projects in Hirshabell states as flood control intervention.
- Developed irrigation and flood control project documents in riverine area on Shabelle and juba area of Southern Somali.
- Coordinated state irrigation team with the irrigation canal rehabilitation projects from planning to implementation stages.
- Coordinated with UN organization for the development of irrigation and agro-metrology project concept notes till project implementation.
- 1 year 7 months
- December 2019 - June 2021 (1 year 7 months)
Head of Irrigation Section
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
01.2016 - 12.2019
- Supervised the management of irrigation canal rehabilitation in Hirshabele and Southwest state of Somalia.
- Coordinated the development of national irrigation policy with technical expertices and stakeholders
- Provided necessary support for the canal assessment process
- Worked closely with the Director of Irrigation and Agr-Meteorology for the development of irrigation and water resources projects
- Preparation of the capacity building programs for the department staffs (for both federal and state level)
- Supported and worked with Irrigation Committee and provide necessary technical support regarding the sector development
- Helped in improving the water and soil conservation methods in the farmers.
- Monitored the current status of the irrigation infrastructure in the country
- Trained farmers about the various types of irrigation and suggesting the best techniques.
- Prepared of irrigation and flood control projects
- 4 years
- January 2016 - December 2019 (4 years)
Senior Irrigation Engineer consultant
DAI
08.2017 - 07.2018
- As required, the surveying, assessing, estimating quantities and costs and helping to prioritize CfW sub-projects. These will include (but not limited to):
- Completion of sub-project technical/feasibility studies including assessing the expected environmental implications of the sub-project.
- Preparing and reviewing drawings, maps and reports from field notes and making recommendations.
- Analyzing data using plans, maps and computer applications such as CAD and GIS.
- Design of works, preparation of bills of quantities and work plans, etc.
- Designed proper Irrigation canal and flood control systems and Supervision the implementation of the canal rehabilitation works.
- Capacity building/training of community infrastructure management structures/committees and works supervisors on post-project operations and maintenance.
- Supervision of works and ensure the timely completion of sub-projects in accordance with the Technical Specifications of the sub-project (as provided in the “TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS” Section of the SME Contractor’s Contract – to be provided);
- Observe and enforce all working procedures and methods (as provided in the “CONSTRUCTION STAGE WORK METHODS” section in the SME Contractor’s contract – to be provided;
- Track CfW labor and verify that tasks are completed to the required standard on a day to day basis – as required
- Sub-project results measurement and reporting as provided in the DAI guidance (Annex 2 and work methods) – to be provided;
- Perform all other activities related to the satisfactory completion of the work and reporting
- 1 year
- August 2017 - July 2018 (1 year)
Head Unit of irrigation
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
10.2014 - 12.2015
- As junior staff in the irrigation department of the ministry, I was responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of irrigation schemes in Jowhar.
- Participated in the joint irrigation canal rehabilitation project in Jowhar District
- Participated in the construction of an irrigation canal in Jowhar district of the middle Shabelle region.
- Lead irrigation project report in Jowhar district
- Participated flood control projects in Jowhar district of middle shabelle region
- 1 year 3 months
- October 2014 - December 2015 (1 year 3 months)
Education
Master of Arts - Development Policy and Practice (DPP)
Geneva Graduate Institute
Geneva 05.2022
Some College (No Degree) - Land and Water Resource Managements
Tottori University
Tottori Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Engineering
University of Engineering & Technology Peshawar
Peshawar01.2012
Skills
- Programme Management and Coordination: Over 9 years managing project cycles—design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation—with FAO, MoAI, and donors
- UN/FAO Procedures: Strong knowledge of FAO/UN operational guidelines, safeguards, and results-based management
- Policy Analysis: Contributed to Somalia’s National Irrigation Policy and conducted research on food security, irrigation, and climate resilience
- Data & Analysis: Coordinated collection of agriculture and natural resource data for programme planning
- Project Formulation & Review: Developed proposals (EU, FAO-funded), monitored implementation, and produced technical and policy reports
Publications
Root Cause Analysis of Recurrent Irrigation System Destruction in Jowhar District, Middle Shabelle Region, Somalia
Timeline
Programme Specialist
FAO
07.2025 - Current
National Irrigation Coordinator
FAO
06.2023 - 06.2025
Director of Irrigation and Agrometrology Department
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
06.2021 - 06.2023
Head of projects
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
12.2019 - 06.2021
Senior Irrigation Engineer consultant
DAI
08.2017 - 07.2018
Head of Irrigation Section
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
01.2016 - 12.2019
Head Unit of irrigation
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
10.2014 - 12.2015
Master of Arts - Development Policy and Practice (DPP)
Geneva Graduate Institute
Some College (No Degree) - Land and Water Resource Managements
Tottori University
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Engineering
University of Engineering & Technology Peshawar
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