Annual internship Program at Heritage Institute

The internships are unpaid but come with a monthly stipend to cover basic expenses. The interns are recent graduates with a variety of educational backgrounds, including political science, economics, information technology, and health science. 

They are given practical experience and training in research, project management, and communication, and also initiate and complete a research project and submit monthly progress reports.

The program lasts for four months and may include travel to conferences and related activities. Upon completion, the interns receive a certificate of completion and a reference letter from the Institute


Batch 2022 interns at Arta, Djibouti

Faisal Nor Ali holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Somali National University (SNU) where he also worked as a Teacher Assistant. During his internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, he provided support for various research projects in all stages of development. Currently, he is a graduate student at Van Hall Larnstein University in the Netherlands, pursuing a degree in Management of Development with a focus on Disaster Risk Management. In addition to his studies, Faisal is a researcher at the Heritage Institute where he contributes to the African Cities Research Project in Mogadishu, which is a collaboration between the University of Manchester and the Heritage Institute.

Abdikalik Mohamed Osman is a recent graduate from the City University of Mogadishu with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He has previous experience working as a research assistant and data collector for organizations such as Nordic International Support, Somali Gender Equity Movement, and TANA Copenhagen Consultancy. During his internship at the Heritage Institute, he conducted a research project on the “Role of Somali Youth in Building Peace.” He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Economic Policy & Planning at Mogadishu University in Somalia.

ABDIKANI NOUR JAMA holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Islamic Banking from Nugal University of Laas-anod. He is currently furthering his studies by pursuing a Master’s degree in Developmental Economics at Arba-Minch University in Ethiopia. During his internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, Abdikani conducted a research project that aimed to analyze the impact of dollarization on the business community in Las’anod.

Abdullahi Abdisalan Elmi is a recent graduate from Hiiraan University with a Bachelor of Information Technology. He has experience working for Hiiraan University. During his internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, Abdullahi conducted a research project on the “Role of Community Leaders, Business Owners, and Civil Society Groups in Preventing Floods in the Beledweyne District in 2021.” The research aimed to understand the strategies and efforts put in place by these stakeholders to prevent floods in the district and to identify any gaps in the current approach.

Abdullahi Abdulkadir Ahmed is an ambitious economist and researcher. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Somali National University. He also holds a certificate in Principles of Financial Accounting from IESE Business School, which he completed via Coursera. During his internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, Abdullahi conducted a research project that aimed to identify and analyze the challenges faced by subsistence farmers in Afgoye, Somalia. Abdullahi is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Economics in Italy.

Amina Mohamed Abdi is a recent graduate from the University of Southern Somalia with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. She has a wealth of experience working with esteemed institutions such as ADRA, Norwegian Refugee Council, and SOS. Currently, she serves as a GBV (Gender-Based Violence) and FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) Officer at the Ministry of Women and Human Rights of the Southwest State of Somalia. During her tenure as an intern at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, Amina conducted a research project that aimed to understand the causes and consequences of divorce within the first five years of marriage for youth under 35 years old in Somalia.

Bahja Ali Warsame is a recent graduate from SIMAD University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations. She is a multitalented individual with an English certificate from the Institute of Modern Languages, an IT certificate from Cisco Networking Academy (IT Essentials) and professional development training from a skill-building hub. During her tenure as an intern at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, Bahja conducted a research project titled “Eliminating the Culture of Impunity in Somalia” and was aimed to bring forward the importance of tackling this issue in the society.

Eman Jama Ibrahim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from East Africa University in Bosaso, Somalia. She has gained valuable experience working as a research assistant with various NGOs operating in Bosaso. During her internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, Eman conducted a research project that aimed to explore the level and nature of youth political participation in Bosaso, Puntland.

Fatuma Mohamed Mire holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Kismayo University. During her internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, she conducted a research project that aimed to explore the possibilities for developing Gobweyn as a tourist destination. The research aimed to understand the potential for tourism development in Gobweyn and to identify opportunities for promoting the area as a tourist destination.

Hafsa Ali Abikar is a recent graduate from Mogadishu University with a Bachelor of Science in International Relations. She has prior experience working with different institutions, including universities in Mogadishu. During her internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, she conducted a research project that aimed to investigate the strategies employed by university graduates from Mogadishu Universities in dealing with unemployment.

Hoda Kadar Hassan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Amoud University. She has gained experience working as a community care assistant for Nagad Network. During her internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, she conducted a research project that aimed to understand the factors that contribute to high rates of youth unemployment in Borama and to provide recommendations for addressing the issue.

Hassan Ali Hassan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Galkacyo University, Somalia. He is an active peace advocate and a member of the Madasha Isdhexgalka Nabada (Peace and Integration Forum) in Galkayo.Hassan Is persuing his masters in Lincoln University in Malaysia.  During his internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, he conducted a research project that aimed to investigate the role of youth in building sustainable peace in Galkacyo, Somalia.

Kaltun Osman Ahmed holds a degree in Business Administration, with a specialization in Management, and a degree in Social Work from Burao University. She has experience working as a social worker and poverty reduction assistant at Solidarity Youth Voluntary Organization (SOYVO) in Somaliland. During her internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, she conducted a research project that aimed to explore the challenges faced by women in participating in parliamentary and local elections in Somaliland.

Mohamed Dhaqane Ali is a recent graduate from the University of Southern Somalia (USS) in Baidoa with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. He also holds a Diploma in Math and English courses from Ramadan Private School in Dagahalay, Kenya. He has experience working as an English teacher at Al-Azhar Modern Academic in Baidoa, Somalia. During his internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, he conducted a research project that aimed to explore ways to improve the quality of education in Baidoa, Somalia.

Mohamed Osman holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi, Kenya and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. He also has a Diploma in Carpentry (Part-time Apprenticeship) from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada and a diploma in Business Management from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. During his internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, he conducted a research project that aimed to investigate the role of TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) in the stability and reconstruction of Somalia.

Nasra Abdulkadir Abdirahman holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from Puntland State University (PSU) in Garowe, Somalia. She is a trained lawyer and advocate for women’s and children’s rights, known for her public speaking and defense of human rights. With extensive experience in the field, she has worked at PUWLA (Puntland Woman Lawyers Association), Nugal Prosecution Office, PSU Legal Aid, Puntland Attorney General Office, and IDLO (International Development Law Organization). During her internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies in 2021, she conducted a research project that aimed to examine the experiences of women who won local elections in Puntland in 2021. The research aimed to understand the barriers and challenges faced by women in participating in political processes and to provide recommendations for addressing these issues.

Raqia Abdulkadir Osman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the City University of Mogadishu, Somalia. She also has a certificate in accounting software from Client Care, and a computer certificate from the Somali Computer Institute. Raqia has prior work experience as an administrative assistant at the Horn Institute for Peace and Development. During her internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, Raqia conducted a research project aimed to understand the underlying factors that lead to school dropout among teenagers in Mogadishu and to provide recommendations for addressing these issues.

Ridwan Jama Aye holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Amoud University. He has a strong background in volunteer work, having served with various organizations in Borama, such as the Somali Red Crescent Society as a Communication Officer and the Somaliland National Electoral Commission as a Supervisor. During his internship at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, Ridwan conducted a research project that aimed to explore the perceptions and challenges that university students in Borama faced during the shift to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sagal Ahmed has a Bachelor of Law from the University of Hargeisa, an Academic Writing certificate from North Star College, and a Human Resource Management certificate from the University of Hargeisa. She worked In UOH as lecturer assistant and  human right center In Hargaisa as human right violations monitor,She also has experience conducting research, having completed a project on the “Perceptions of Legal Professionals on the Right to Fair Trial” during an internship at the Heritage Institute.

Translate »