Staff

Mursal Saney is the  director of Heritage Institute, responsible for overall operations with a focus on finance and administration. Saney leads external relations and resource mobilization for HIPS. Mr. Saney is also the chief organizer of Heritage Institute’s flagship program, the Annual Forum for Ideas (AFI). Before joining the institute, Saney held senior positions in the Federal Government Somalia where he was the chief protocol officer at the presidency, and a senior liaison official at the office of the prime minister. Mr. Saney also led a number of nonprofit organizations and managed several private sector entities over the past 30 years. 

Saney earned a Certificate of Mathematics and Statistics at Birkbeck College in London and a BSc (Hons) of Mathematics, Statistics and Management degree from Brunel University of London, UK.E

Deka Abdullahi is the Finance and Human Resource Director. She has more than 12 years of experience in finance, operations and grants management in humanitarian aid, social development and research and monitoring and
evaluations projects. Deka has managed a portfolio of USD 20 million funded by several donors including ECHO, EC, UNICEF, SIDA, WFP, DEC, DFID, FAO, Bahrain Royal Charity and SSF. She served at Save the Children International (SCI), Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), and SACH Struggle for Change. She has a proven track record and expertise in financial management,
operational effectiveness and monitoring and evaluations.

She holds a master’s degree from Iqra University Islamabad Campus specialized in finance.

Dr Yusuf currently serves as the Director of the Talo Wadaag 2 Project at the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies. In this role, he leads important initiatives focused on promoting citizens’ participation in governance, peace and nation-building processes in Somalia. Prior to this, he was a Research Associate at the renowned School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London from 2017 to 2022. He also worked as a researcher at the University of Melbourne and St Vincent Hospital, and a teacher at Victoria University. He also worked as a consultant for International Development Law Organisation (IDLO) and IOM 2019-2020 where he developed and prepared civic education curriculum focused on citizenship, peace education, and critical thinking for young Somalis affected by the civil war. Thus, he practitioner in the field of peace building, and conflict resolution as well as African and Muslim diaspora and migrants’ social integration into their naturalized countries in the West. His diverse background has equipped him with a deep understanding of context-specific needs, emotional wellbeing, identity, belonging, and cultural adaptation among young Africans and Muslims in Western countries.

Academically, He holds a PhD in Social Science from the prestigious School of Social Science, as well as a Masters in Educational Leadership & Management from La Trobe University in Australia. He also holds a second in Human Sciences from International Islamic University, Malaysia and Bachelor in Education from International University of Africa, Sudan.

Abdirizak Aden Muhumed is a senior researcher at HIPS, a PhD student at the Department of Political Studies in University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), and a research fellow at Society, Work & Politics Institute (SWOP). Muhumed holds an MA in Political Studies, BA (Hons) in Creative Writing and African Literature, BA (Hons) in Political Studies from Wits University, and BA in Journalism and Media Studies from University of Johannesburg (UJ). His PhD investigates “Unfinished Imperialism and lived experiences of occupation in Ogaden,” while the MA by research explored, “Popular Islam and Limits of Secular State on the Somali Peninsula.”

Muhumed’s areas of research interest include indigenization of state re-construction in Somalia, comparative federalism, identity politics in the Horn of Africa, electoral models, postcolonial imperialism, African Literature, and debates on decolonization.

Prior to joining HIPS, Abdirizak worked as researcher for ConflictNet, tutored second- and third-year politics students at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), and was a research fellow at Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER). 

Dr. Uweis Ali is a senior researcher and economist at the Heritage Institute. He was the project coordinator of the human capital development strategy in Somalia. He has a Ph.D. in economics, and his primary research areas of include: macroeconomics, human capital development, institutional quality, poverty reduction, education and environment. Previously, he was HR practitioner with numerous organizations in Malaysia. He has written numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and policy papers and has delivered various presentations at national and international conferences.

Hussein Mohamed is a communications specialist at Heritage Institute, responsible for the institute’s media and communications output. Hussein is a journalist with more than ten years of experience in journalism and communications. He specialises in content creation, digital marketing, social media, and storytelling. He has a proven track record of leading successful communication campaigns, including the dissemination of the Human Capital Development Strategy for Somalia and its multimedia presentation. Prior to joining Heritage, Hussein worked for the BBC World Service as a multimedia broadcast journalist.

Hussein is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations with a specialization in Security and Development at Plymouth University (UK) He also holds a BA in International Relations from Makerere University (Uganda) and a Diploma in Mass Communication and Media Studies from Nairobi Aviation College (Kenya).

 

Abdullahi Said is a researcher at HIPS with over six years of experience. His main areas of expertise include methodological design, quantitative and qualitative research, and scripting/programming survey questionnaires in high-tech devices, transcription and translation. Said also specializes in data management, analysis and monitoring and evaluation. Prior to joining HIPS, he worked at different institutions including universities and local research centers and traveled acorss Somalia in search of empirical data.

Said holds an MA in Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding and Governance from City University and a BA in Public Administration from Mogadishu University.

 

Hawa Salad Mohamed is Finance Officer and banking and finance professional with one year experience, prior to HIPS Hawa worked as Accountant with Women and Child Support Organization (WOCSO) through partnership with DRC in Mogadishu. Possess over one year of assisting in budget preparation, assisting in staff fully understanding and complying with the standard financial procedures, assisting in filing, audit preparation and document tracing. Hawa has a Bachelor degree of BA department of Banking and Finance at CITY UNIVERSITY in Mogadishu

Anisa Hashi is a communications and Graphic Designer at HIPS. Blending art and technology, Anisa specializes in branding and visual communications to create inspiring designs that make HIPS’ publications accessible and aesthetically pleasing. She holds a BA in Communication and Creative Design from Australia’s Premier Creative Media University SAE, Dubai campus.

Kayse Hussein is a researcher at HIPS and specializes in translation. With a Master’s degree in Public Health, he has more than 5 years of experience in teaching and lecturing at different universities. As a poet who has composed various poems on social and political issues and public sentiments towards Somali unity and nationhood, Kayse is also a literary and cultural historian.

Abdirizak Ibrahim is a researcher and assistant to the executive director. Prior to joining HIPS, Abdirizak worked as an intern at the institution, gained work experience and insights into the field of research. Abdirizak has supported the institute’s annual report on the “State of Somalia” and keeps a keen eye on current events. He has also contributed to the production of research projects and policy briefs by assisting HIPS’ senior researchers. Abdirizak holds a BA in Political Science from City University of Mogadishu.

Ahmed Barre is a researcher at HIPS. He specializes in qualitative and quantitative data collection and transcription. Barre Holds a Bachelor degree in Sharia and Law from City University of Mogadishu. He also holds a post-graduate diploma of law from Somali national University. Prior to joining HIPS, Barre interned at the Supreme Court of Somalia and Banadir Regional Court. He also worked with local organization, funded by USAID with the aim of helping vulnerable groups to access justice. As a legal researcher, Barre is a licensed lawyer from Somali Bar Association.

Muhudin Gutale is a Logistics & Administration Officer at HIPS. Closely working with researchers and the institute’s human resources and finance team, Muhudin, has more than six years of experience in logistics, procurement and administration. He holds a BA in Public Administration from Africa Graduate University, a Diploma in Accounting and Economics from Cambridge International College and advance Diploma in English from City University. 

Saida Hassan, a motivated and dedicated graduate, has recently joined Heritage Institute for Policy Studies as a Research Assistant to Talo Wadaag 2 program. With a strong academic background in Social Work and Community Development and a graduate from City University of Mogadishu, Saida brings a passion for research and a commitment to contributing to HIPS’ intellectual discourse. She has excellent communication skills and a solid foundation in research methodologies. She is responsible for collecting and analyzing data and identifying Participatory Action Research and focus-group participants, conducting PRA Related Surveys and desk reviews related to PAR

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