Yakubu Mohammed Saani

Country Director , International NGO

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Development programming specialist with 25 years of local and international development experience in stable and fragile states. Has experience in resource mobilisation and fundraising, transformative feminist programming, cash based intervention, human rights based approach and people management

Contact Yakubu Mohammed Saani
Area of Expertise:
  • Social, Education, Gender, Youth, Child
Professional Experience:

I am the Country Director for ActionAid in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My experiences of having worked from a Programme Officer through to Country Director in ActionAid and working at local, national, and international levels in different capacities gives me a broad understanding of resourcing and managing a portfolio of responsive and effective development and humanitarian programs implemented both directly and with partner organizations. My work in Somaliland and the Democratic Republic of Congo exposed me to working in a difficult, complex, and constantly changing environment for internally displaced and vulnerable host populations with effective humanitarian programs.

My several years of experience in leadership positions in development and humanitarian work provide me with the impetus to provide strategic leadership and direction to pursue strategic action plan to deliver high-quality, cost-effective programming results.

Combination of these factors has helped me to gain the following competencies which best fit for an executive position:
• The ability to explore innovative and compelling responses to difficult developmental and humanitarian issues.
• Skills to build and manage effective relationships with key stakeholders including persons of concern.
• Understanding of the political, social, religious, ethnic, and economic complexities
• Ability to work, live and thrive in a complex and difficult context.
• Ability to engage donors and other stakeholders for resources, responses, and recognition of complex humanitarian issues.
• Skills to effectively manage and mentor people within an empowering environment.
• Skills to develop high-potential staff to achieve career growth and maximum contribution.

Education:

I hold a first Degree in Economics, a second Degree in Democracy, Governance, and Law, and a Ph.D. in Project Management. I am a member of the International Association of Humanitarian and Protection Assistance. I also undertook several job competency enhancement trainings in the areas of Human Rights Based Approach, Child and Women Protection, Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation, Women’s Rights and Patriarchy, Humanitarian Assistance and Protection, Core Humanitarian Standards, and Fundraising among other courses.

Affiliations and Achievements:

Coach - Badminton
Philanthropist

Available for:

  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

More than 20 years

Highest Qualification:

Doctorate

Languages:

English, Hausa, French (basic)

Nationality:

Ghana