Noura Abdi Farah
Cambridge
Summary
Dynamic professional with over 10 years of expertise in environment, health, and sustainable development, holding significant leadership roles in government and international organizations. Proven track record in addressing fragility, vulnerability, urban resilience, and disaster risk management. Strong analytical skills and cross-cultural communication abilities, consistently exceeding performance targets and meeting partner needs. Highly self-motivated and effective in both independent and collaborative work environments.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant
Harvard Center for International Development CID
Cambridge
04.2025 - Current
- Amplified faculty research initiatives within CID to enhance visibility and impact.
- Identified collaboration opportunities to strengthen partnerships for CID projects.
- Supported organization of CID's annual Global Empowerment Meeting, ensuring seamless execution.
- Authored articles on relevant topics to promote knowledge sharing and engagement.
Research Fellow
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge
06.2024 - Current
- Participated in study and research program with 15 high-level Fellows from diverse backgrounds.
- Reflected on urban issues within broader context of development.
- Presented research on Djibouti's response to Covid-19 pandemic in fragile context.
- Engaged in critical thinking regarding development challenges and solutions.
Director of Planning and International Cooperation
Ministry of Health
01.2016 - 05.2024
- Defined national health strategy aligned with government priorities.
- Coordinated implementation of health development operational plan for 2020-2024.
- Ensured action plans addressed malnutrition, food insecurity, and health emergencies.
- Produced annual report of national health system to highlight progress.
- Secured technical support from international organizations reflecting national needs.
- Fostered collaboration with development partners and diplomatic missions in Djibouti.
Director of Priority Health Programs
Ministry of Health
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Filled this position temporarily, in addition to my responsibilities in Planning and International Cooperation
- Coordinated the priority health programs (HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Non-Communicable Disease, Immunization)
- Provided strategic support to each program to elaborate efficient strategies and define priority activities
- Ensured the implementation of strategies reducing the health issues related to these diseases
- Established a framework in collaboration with the program's coordinators to follow-up, supervise and evaluate all activities on the ground
Senior Associate
Perim Associates
01.2014 - 06.2016
- Advised the Djibouti Minister of Higher Education on objective, topics, panels and expected outcomes of the East Africa Environmental Risk and Opportunities (ERO Summit) held in Djibouti in partnership with Yale University Institute for Climate and Energy; the event was hosted by the President of Djibouti
- Served as local liaison for Djibouti participating partners and speakers in preparation and fundraising
- Identified collaboration opportunities between Djiboutian institutions and US firms in green development strategies
Urban Resilience Consultant
World Bank
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Led the Women Entrepreneurship Resilient Cities Competition, identifying partnering organizations and presenting the program to 100 potential organizations
- Managed the Technical Assistance to reduce housing vulnerability to floods and earthquakes
- Co-led the implementation of the Second Urban Poverty Reduction Project, integrating risk management considerations in the slum upgrading, and showcasing positive results of the project in close collaboration with the communities
Disaster Risk Management Consultant
Executive Secretariat for Disaster Risk Management
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Advised the Executive Secretary on disaster risk related questions providing best practices from outside countries and elaborating technical notes
- Provided expert input with the National Action Plan of Disaster Risk Management, including the prioritization of the activities for the operational 3 years plan
- Assessed the post disaster needs of the March 2013 floods in collaboration with UNDP
Assistant to the UNISDR Delegation
UN International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction
Rio de Janeiro
01.2012
- Provided expert input for the Conference on Sustainable Development Rio+20
- Coordinated the UNISDR information center and elaborated summaries of reports, side events, and speeches delivered in the conference; authored the daily UNISDR publication during the Conference, DiaRio
Researcher
Federal University of Fluminense UFF
Rio de Janeiro
01.2012
- Developed a research paper on water pollution risk prevention for the city of Rio de Janeiro
- Assessed pollution risk awareness and preparedness by interviewing the water management services in Rio
Researcher
Center of Geographical Studies
Metz
01.2011
- Developed a research paper on wetlands identification in the Rhin-Meuse Basin through remote sensing methods
Education
Master's - Sciences, Technologies and Health
University of Lorraine
Metz, France01.2012
Bachelor - Biology and Geology
University of Djibouti
Djibouti01.2010
Skills
- Leadership and management
- International development
- Resilience strategies
- Disaster risk management
- Urban risk assessment
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Project management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Collaboration strategies
- Strategic planning
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking
Professional Development
- Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA, 01/01/24, 01/01/25
- PKU Dongfang Scholarships, University of Pekin, Beijing, China, Certificate in Governance and International Relations
- One Young World Summit, Ottawa, Canada, Global platform to accelerate social impact, Delegate, 2016
- Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, YALI, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA, Certificate in Public Management, 2015
- Environmental Leadership Program, ELP, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA, Certificate in Sustainable Environmental Management, 2014
Language
English
Full Professional
French
Native/ Bilingual
Portuguese
Professional
arabic
Limited
somali
Native/ Bilingual
IT literacy
- MS Office (Excel, Powerpoint, Word, Outlook)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Consultant
Harvard Center for International Development CID
04.2025 - Current
Research Fellow
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
06.2024 - Current
Director of Priority Health Programs
Ministry of Health
01.2018 - 01.2019
Director of Planning and International Cooperation
Ministry of Health
01.2016 - 05.2024
Senior Associate
Perim Associates
01.2014 - 06.2016
Urban Resilience Consultant
World Bank
01.2013 - 01.2016
Disaster Risk Management Consultant
Executive Secretariat for Disaster Risk Management
01.2012 - 01.2013
Assistant to the UNISDR Delegation
UN International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction
01.2012
Researcher
Federal University of Fluminense UFF
01.2012
Researcher
Center of Geographical Studies
01.2011
Master's - Sciences, Technologies and Health
University of Lorraine
Bachelor - Biology and Geology
University of Djibouti
Similar Profiles
Michael BarrettMichael Barrett
Plant Technologist at Plant Technologist Harvard OEB and Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University, Weld Hill Research Center, Cambridge OEBPlant Technologist at Plant Technologist Harvard OEB and Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University, Weld Hill Research Center, Cambridge OEB
Karen RutzKaren Rutz
Director at Harvard University, Alumni Affairs And DevelopmentDirector at Harvard University, Alumni Affairs And Development
SEIBA SINGO ANGE FORTUNESEIBA SINGO ANGE FORTUNE
Spécialiste Du Genre et De L'inclusion Des Jeunes at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)Spécialiste Du Genre et De L'inclusion Des Jeunes at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)