CD4D2 is a Once in a Lifetime Experience

Alongside her regular job as General Manager with British Telecom, Nimo Hussein did a lot of community work with the local diaspora in her home town of Cardiff, England. “That is how I learned about IOM’s project; by word-of-mouth. It so fits with my personal ideology of bringing knowledge back home. I am so privileged having been educated in Business Studies in England. CD4D2 enables me to realize my dream.”

Nimo chose to move to Hargeisa, Somaliland where she has a job. This also enabled her to participate in the first phase of CD4D. “At the moment I am hovering between my two countries. Politically Somaliland is becoming more stable. Maybe I will move back for good eventually.”
She works as HR Advisor for the Ministry of Water Resources Development in Hargeisa; a subject in which she specialized during her study in the UK. “For CD4D2 my assignment is learning the Ministry’s staff to develop HR management policies, in line with international standards. Because I am working in Somaliland I was able to give the training course‘ live’, while adhering to strict rules in view of the current pandemic.”

CD4D2 is a once in a lifetime experience

Training face-to-face makes transferring knowledge and skills more accessible, however, Nimo found the cultural differences challenging. “It is important to make the Ministry’s staff realize that the world is changing. If you want to compete with the rest of the world you have to raise your standards. I aimed to convince them that they are part of this change and that it is their own responsibility. For sure they are now beginning to show ownership. It was difficult at first because they saw me as a diaspora member and not as one of their own. Once you overcome this they find it is easier to trust you.”

Nimo highly values IOM’s pre-departure training given by Wim Nijssen: “Wim prepares you well for your assignment, by deliberately addressing cultural issues. I also learned a lot from my fellow CD4D2 participants who shared their experiences during the training. I am very positive about these exchanges. The pre-departure training prepares you well for your assignment. This also means you can address the core of your assignment pretty quickly. IOM’s CD4D2 Focal Point in Hargeisa Ayan Rabi was also very helpful, for instance in the communications with the Ministry. Both Wim and Ayan really paved the way and prepared me well.”
“For me, CD4D2 is a once in a lifetime experience. The project offers absolutely everything if you want to share your expertise and knowledge with your country of birth. CD4D2 has opened my eyes, with very rewarding results and is one of the reasons I am now working and living in Hargeisa.”