ISSA DAHIR
Public Health Epidemiologist
Nairobi
Summary
With proven expertise in healthcare leadership and emergency response, I spearheaded critical projects at The International Committee of the Red Cross, including establishing a field hospital in Gaza, managing disaster relief in Pakistan, and managing mass casualty incidents in Syria, Nigeria, and Iraq. My leadership in crisis situations and ability to coordinate diverse multidisciplinary teams underscore my robust program management and interpersonal skills.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
13
13
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Languages
Work History
Hospital Project Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
03.2024 - 06.2024
- Successfully assessed the context and helped set up a 62-bed capacity Field Hospital in Rafah Governorate that attends to over 250 patients a day, mainly weapons-wounded, with over 200 Palestinian staff and 30 international staff assigned
- Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project implementation.
Researcher
Horn Africa Consultants Firm
10.2023 - 12.2023
- Conducted thorough literature reviews to identify gaps in food security and found that 70% of targeted households are food secure.
Deputy Health Coordinator
The International Committee of the Red Cross
07.2022 - 03.2023
- Successfully managed the ravaging floods of 2022 through the provision of emergency medical response targeting 10 health facilities through the ministry of health
- Established a patient-centric approach to care coordination, resulting in increased satisfaction and improved health outcomes.
Health Programme Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
01.2021 - 06.2022
- Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and negotiated project access for the ICRC, which was missing for two years, leading to the four existing international staff accessing the programs.
- Lunched a project assessment review and handed over the Lady Reading Hospital project to the Ministry of Health.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees three health field officers and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
Hospital Team Leader
The International Committee of the Red Cross
01.2020 - 12.2020
- Successfully managed the hospital project during the COVID-19 lockdown that involved 17 international staff and 140 local staff, with no staff to change us for seven straight months with all the uncertainties of existing evacuation routes.
- Set performance expectations for the team, monitoring progress towards goals and providing constructive feedback as needed.
Hospital Project Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Prepared detailed a review report on the ICRC Aden Surgical Hospital project status for the organization and stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with objectives leading to approval of project closure.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled a chronogram on project closure phases leading to timely handover of the project to the Ministry of Health.
Hospital Project Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
08.2017 - 10.2018
- Mobilized two surgical teams in a short period to manage a mass casualty incident involving 140 critically injured patients after a bomb blast that lasts 24 hours averting potential mortality of patients.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams and resolved conflicts, maintaining a positive work environment throughout the project lifecycle.
Hospital Project Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
02.2017 - 06.2017
- Led a surgical team of about ten international staff in an ICRC stabilization point, by working closely with the police and military frontline and achieved efficiently approximately 20 daily patient referrals for further care after stabilization.
- Managed risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues during project execution.
Hospital Project Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
07.2016 - 12.2016
- Led a surgical team of around ten international staff with about 70 National staff in Maiwut, Upper Nile State, South Sudan, managing seven weekly surgical interventions in a 60-bed capacity hospital
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication updates, fostering trust and confidence in the team''s ability to deliver results.
Field Coordinator
Medicines Sans Frontiers| MSF OCBA
12.2015 - 04.2016
- Managed four health facilities with 400 outpatient consultations per day, with all its program components, including logistics, coordination, stakeholders, and security management
- Enhanced team productivity with effective delegation and clear task assignment.
Project Medical Referent
Medicines Sans Frontiers| MSF OCBA
10.2014 - 09.2015
- Successfully managed a 40-bed capacity health facility with outpatients, admissions, maternal and child health care, family planning, nutrition, and immunization programs, with 150 outpatient consultations per day, including new project assessment and implementation.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service delivery.
Clinician
Sayyidina Omar Medical Clinic
11.2013 - 09.2014
- Managed a clinic with three observation beds and provided 20 outpatient consultations per day, including minor surgeries, and delivered high-quality patient care by conducting thorough assessments, developing treatment plans, and providing ongoing therapeutic support.
Deputy Field Coordinator
Medicines Sans Frontiers| MSF OCP
01.2013 - 10.2013
- Supervised five health facilities with 600 outpatient consultations per day with a 60-bed capacity inpatient ward, including maternal and child health care, family planning, nutrition, immunization, staff management (300), logistics, administration, financing, and a security management component.
- Conducted daily, weekly and monthly staff meetings to communicate program needs and scheduled activities thus enhancing team productivity with effective delegation and clear task assignment.
Hospital Manager
Medicines Sans Frontiers| MSF OCP
05.2009 - 12.2012
- Managed a surgical hospital project with a 62-bed capacity, including follow-up of medical activities, hospital administration, pharmacy, security management, disease surveillance and response, community liaison, budgeting, and planning
- Facilitated cross-departmental collaboration to address complex medical cases, leading to more accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans.
Senior Outreach Manager
GIZ/UNHCR Partnership Program
05.2007 - 04.2009
- Led an outreach program that focused on disease surveillance and response, coordination, and representation, expanded program for immunization (EPI), nutrition program, data management, human resource management, and MCH services implementation, and successfully managed two cholera outbreaks and one measles outbreak with 98% cure rate
Emergency Health Officer
WHO/GIZ/UNHCR Partnership Program
01.2007 - 03.2007
- Conducted case identification, and case management in a 60-bed capacity isolation field hospital and improved community health by implementing effective disease prevention and control programs.
Health Centre In Charge
NACOP/MOH
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Successfully managed one health facility with two clinicians doing 50 outpatient consultations per day per clinician. The facility had 10 inpatient beds with immunization, maternal and child health, and family planning components. As the facility leader, I was also responsible for coordination and representation, human resource management, networking and communication with stakeholders, disease surveillance and response, budgeting, and planning.
Clinician
Central Medical Clinic
08.2005 - 12.2005
- Provided 20 outpatient consultations daily, including overall leadership of the clinic and developed tailored treatment plans to address the unique needs of each patient promoting optimal recovery.
Education
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) - Leading High Performing Multidisciplinary Teams
University of Luzern, Switzerland
Lucerne 06.2022 - 01.2023
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) - Leading by Example
University of Luzern, Switzerland
Lucerne 06.2021 - 01.2022
Master of Public Health - Epidemiology and Disease Control
Kenyatta University
Nairobi, 30 09.2013 - 12.2017
Certificate - Security Management
MSF OCBA
Barcelona 05.2013 - 06.2013
Bachelor of Science - Health Systems Management
Kenya Methodist University
Nairobi 07.2009 - 07.2012
Diploma - Registered Community Health Nursing
Kenya Medical Training College
Mombasa, 28 09.2001 - 12.2005
Skills
Healthcare leadership
References
Ferdinand Dembele - ICRC
Email: fdembele@icrc.org.
David Nash- MSF
Email: davidedwinnash@gmail.com
Timeline
Hospital Project Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
03.2024 - 06.2024
Researcher
Horn Africa Consultants Firm
10.2023 - 12.2023
Deputy Health Coordinator
The International Committee of the Red Cross
07.2022 - 03.2023
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) - Leading High Performing Multidisciplinary Teams
University of Luzern, Switzerland
06.2022 - 01.2023
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) - Leading by Example
University of Luzern, Switzerland
06.2021 - 01.2022
Health Programme Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
01.2021 - 06.2022
Hospital Team Leader
The International Committee of the Red Cross
01.2020 - 12.2020
Hospital Project Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
01.2019 - 12.2019
Hospital Project Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
08.2017 - 10.2018
Hospital Project Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
02.2017 - 06.2017
Hospital Project Manager
The International Committee of the Red Cross
07.2016 - 12.2016
Field Coordinator
Medicines Sans Frontiers| MSF OCBA
12.2015 - 04.2016
Project Medical Referent
Medicines Sans Frontiers| MSF OCBA
10.2014 - 09.2015
Clinician
Sayyidina Omar Medical Clinic
11.2013 - 09.2014
Master of Public Health - Epidemiology and Disease Control
Kenyatta University
09.2013 - 12.2017
Certificate - Security Management
MSF OCBA
05.2013 - 06.2013
Deputy Field Coordinator
Medicines Sans Frontiers| MSF OCP
01.2013 - 10.2013
Bachelor of Science - Health Systems Management
Kenya Methodist University
07.2009 - 07.2012
Hospital Manager
Medicines Sans Frontiers| MSF OCP
05.2009 - 12.2012
Senior Outreach Manager
GIZ/UNHCR Partnership Program
05.2007 - 04.2009
Emergency Health Officer
WHO/GIZ/UNHCR Partnership Program
01.2007 - 03.2007
Health Centre In Charge
NACOP/MOH
01.2006 - 12.2006
Clinician
Central Medical Clinic
08.2005 - 12.2005
Diploma - Registered Community Health Nursing
Kenya Medical Training College
09.2001 - 12.2005