Dr Zakaria Dahir

I am an accomplished public health specialist, policy advisor, and healthcare leader with over two decades of experience spanning the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Somaliland. Currently serving as Personal Advisor to the Vice-President and Somaliland Focal Point for the global Scaling Up Nutrition movement, I specialize in multi-sectoral governance, crisis response coordination, and maternal and child health. I am seeking strategic leadership roles in international development and global health where I can leverage my expertise in policy alignment and health systems strengthening.

1. SP

   Personal Advisor to the Vice-President & National SUN Focal Point

   Present

   Somaliland Presidency, Office of the Vice-President

   June 2014 — Present · 12 yrs

   • Coordinate strategic operations for the Vice-President Office, including decentralization efforts under the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance.
   • Serve as Somaliland Focal Point and Coordinator for the Global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, harmonizing policy across 10 government ministries, donors, UN agencies, and civil society.
   • Facilitate high-level Inter-Ministerial Committee and Technical Working Group sessions, formulating strategic agendas and tracking execution of action items.
   • Act as Focal Point and Coordinator for the National Drought Committee and National Humanitarian Committee to lead emergency response operations.
   • Prioritize and oversee the distribution of vital food assistance and emergency water trucking to vulnerable populations impacted by climate shocks.
   • Lead national fundraising campaigns across broadcast appeals and civic initiatives to finance humanitarian drought interventions.
   • Conduct comprehensive leadership and local governance capacity-building workshops for municipal councilors across 12 regional districts.
2. BC

   Pediatric Community Public Health Specialist & Family Health Nurse

   Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust

   2004 — 2014 · 10 yrs

   • Managed clinical teams comprising community nurses and family support workers to deliver high-standard pediatric and family health interventions.
   • Spearheaded public health education programs for schools, parents, and youth focusing on chronic disease prevention, asthma, and diabetes care.
   • Oversaw school-based immunization programs, including the administration of BCG and Mantoux tests in accordance with NHS safety standards.
   • Supervised, mentored, and formally assessed university nursing students during their community public health clinical placements.
   • Delivered structured health promotion clinics addressing substance misuse, smoking cessation, weight management, and sexual health education.
   • Ensured rigorous clinical safeguarding of vulnerable children and adults in collaboration with local multidisciplinary authorities.
   • Designed and implemented localized care delivery standards to optimize public health service provision across diverse urban demographics.
3. ST

   Teacher Assistant & ESOL Tutor

   Samcare Tuition

   2008 — 2013 · 5 yrs

   • Taught English, mathematics, and science curricula to primary and secondary school students during weekend and after-school programs.
   • Delivered English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction to adult learners to accelerate community integration.
   • Adapted pedagogical strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles and individual educational needs.
   • Tracked and evaluated student academic development, providing constructive feedback to learners and parents.
   • Maintained an engaging, supportive, and inclusive classroom environment conducive to academic achievement.