Delivering Our Mission Through Professional Management
The Operational Management team is responsible for implementing the strategic direction approved by the Board of Directors and managing the daily operations of TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association.
Led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the management team coordinates programmes, manages resources, supervises staff, builds partnerships, and ensures the efficient delivery of services to refugees with disabilities.
Working together, the management team promotes innovation, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement to achieve TESFA’s mission.
Main Responsibilities
- Implement Board decisions and strategic plans.
- Manage day-to-day organizational operations.
- Coordinate programmes and projects.
- Lead financial and administrative management.
- Build partnerships and mobilize resources.
- Strengthen institutional capacity.
- Supervise staff and volunteers.
- Monitor organizational performance.
- Promote transparency and accountability.
- Deliver quality services to beneficiaries.
Operational Departments
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the head of TESFA’s Operational Management and is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and day-to-day management of the Association. Working under the guidance of the Board of Directors, the CEO leads the implementation of TESFA’s strategic plans, programmes, partnerships, and organizational development while ensuring efficient, transparent, and accountable operations.
Main Responsibilities
- Provide overall executive leadership and strategic direction for TESFA.
- Implement the vision, mission, and strategic decisions of the Board of Directors.
- Lead and supervise all operational departments and organizational staff.
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee the implementation of programmes and projects.
- Manage the Association’s financial, human, technical, and material resources efficiently.
- Build and strengthen partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, donors, and other stakeholders.
- Lead fundraising, proposal development, and resource mobilization initiatives.
- Promote organizational growth, innovation, digital transformation, and institutional sustainability.
- Ensure transparency, accountability, legal compliance, and effective organizational governance.
- Represent TESFA at national, regional, and international meetings, conferences, and partnership forums.
- Foster teamwork, professional development, and a culture of inclusion and excellence.
- Report organizational performance, financial status, and programme outcomes to the Board of Directors.
- Ensure that all TESFA programmes uphold the rights, dignity, inclusion, and empowerment of refugees with disabilities while delivering measurable and sustainable impact.
- Ensure that all TESFA programmes and organizational activities uphold the rights, dignity, safety, inclusion, participation, and empowerment of refugees with disabilities, while promoting measurable, evidence-based, equitable, and sustainable impact.
Professional Profile
Mr. Ashenafi Teklay Woldemariam serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Mathematics with a Minor in Computer Science from the University of Asmara, an M.Sc. in Optimization from Addis Ababa University, and an M.A. in Project Planning & Management.
With over 18 years of professional experience in higher education, research, project management, information technology, and organizational leadership, he has served as a Graduate Assistant at the Eritrean Institute of Technology, Lecturer, Head of the Computer Science Department, Head of Research and Publications at New Generation University College, and General Manager of Beab ICT Solutions (BITS).
He is an internationally published academic researcher whose work on optimization algorithms has appeared in the Annals of Operations Research (Springer). His research interests include evolutionary algorithms, artificial intelligence, optimization, game theory, project planning, disability & refugee studies, research & innovation, and parallel computing.
Beyond his professional career, Mr. Ashenafi has actively served the refugee community as Coordinator of the Refugee Committee and Coordinator of the Ethio-Eritrea People-to-People Peace Initiative, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to community leadership and humanitarian service.
As CEO of TESFA, he provides executive leadership for the Association, leading organizational development, programme implementation, partnership building, resource mobilization, digital transformation, and institutional strengthening to improve the lives of refugees with disabilities.
Email: ceo@tesfa.com.et
Research Interest
- AI-Driven Multi-Objective Optimization for Humanitarian Resource Allocation
- Intelligent Decision Support Systems for Refugee-Led Organizations
- Evolutionary Algorithms for Humanitarian Logistics Optimization
- Machine Learning Models for Predicting Vulnerability among Refugees with Disabilities
- Smart Humanitarian Information Systems for Disability Inclusion
- Digital Transformation Framework for Refugee-Led Organizations
- Optimization Models for Inclusive Service Delivery to Refugees with Disabilities
Finance, Human Resource & Administration Department
Manages TESFA’s financial resources, administration, human resources, procurement, logistics, and office operations to ensure efficient, transparent, and accountable organizational management.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead TESFA’s financial planning, budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.
- Manage the Association’s human resources, including recruitment, staff development, and performance management.
- Oversee administration, office management, procurement, logistics, and asset management.
- Ensure effective management of donor funds and organizational resources.
- Develop and implement financial, administrative, and HR policies and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with legal requirements, donor regulations, and organizational policies.
- Maintain accurate financial records and coordinate internal and external audits.
- Support programme implementation through efficient financial and administrative services.
- Promote transparency, accountability, and cost-effective use of resources.
- Strengthen institutional systems to ensure sustainable and efficient organizational operations.
Professional Profile
Mr. Salim Mohammed serves as the Head of Finance, Administration & Human Resources Department at TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Accounting and Finance from the University of Gondar.
With extensive professional experience in financial management, accounting, administration, and organizational leadership, he has built a distinguished career across the consulting, manufacturing, and export sectors.
Mr. Salim served as the General Manager of Salim Authorized Accounting Firm, where he led accounting consultancy, financial management, tax advisory, and business support services. He has also held several senior leadership and accounting positions, including Branch Manager at Modern Accounting & Consulting Service (MACS), Finance Head at Jamal Abdulkadir Sesam Seeds Exporter, and Senior Accountant at Endale PLC Flour Factories, Hagos Hailemichael Export Company, and Tesfay Hailewold Coffee Exporter.
At TESFA, he provides strategic leadership in financial management, administration, and human resource management, ensuring sound financial stewardship, transparent governance, regulatory compliance, and efficient organizational operations that support TESFA’s mission of empowering refugees with disabilities.
Email: finance@tesfa.com.et
Health, Protection & Inclusion Department
The Health, Protection & Inclusion Department promotes the health, safety, dignity, rights, and full inclusion of refugees with disabilities. It coordinates health and psychosocial support, protection services, referral mechanisms, awareness activities, and inclusive approaches to ensure refugees with disabilities can access essential services and participate meaningfully in their communities.
Main Responsibilities
- Develop and implement TESFA’s health, protection, and inclusion programmes and strategies.
- Coordinate access to appropriate health, mental health, psychosocial, and rehabilitation services.
- Strengthen protection, safeguarding, and referral mechanisms for refugees with disabilities.
- Promote the rights, dignity, safety, and inclusion of refugees with disabilities.
- Identify protection and health needs through assessments, community engagement, and data collection.
- Establish and strengthen partnerships with health facilities, government offices, humanitarian organizations, NGOs, and community-based structures.
- Coordinate awareness and capacity-building activities on disability inclusion, mental health, protection, and safeguarding.
- Ensure programmes are accessible, inclusive, gender-sensitive, and responsive to diverse needs.
- Monitor departmental activities, outcomes, and quality of services and prepare reports.
- Support resource mobilization, proposal development, and advocacy related to health, protection, and inclusion.
Professional Profile
Mr. Tsegazab Sedassa Gelan serves as the Head of Health, Protection & Inclusion Department of TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association. He is a mental health professional with a BSc in Psychiatry Nursing from Dilla University and an MBA in Project Planning and Management from Atlas Business and Technology College. His multidisciplinary academic background combines expertise in mental health and psychosocial care with project planning, strategic management, monitoring and evaluation, research, risk management, and organizational development.
Mr. Tsegazab has extensive professional experience in mental health care, psychosocial support, counselling, community-based interventions, protection, referral services, and awareness creation. He has worked in hospital and educational settings, providing mental health assessments, counselling, psychosocial interventions, and support to individuals and communities with diverse needs. He has also collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, community structures, referral organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen access to appropriate services.
His professional training includes community-based mental health and psychosocial support, mhGAP, trauma and basic counselling, and support for survivors of gender-based violence. He also possesses strong skills in communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, data analysis, and the use of digital and research tools.
In his role at TESFA, Mr. Tsegazab provides leadership in developing and implementing initiatives that promote the health, protection, dignity, rights, accessibility, participation, and inclusion of refugees with disabilities. He works to strengthen health and psychosocial support services, protection and referral mechanisms, community engagement, partnerships, and evidence-based programming.
With his combined background in clinical mental health, project management, protection, psychosocial support, and community-based services, Mr. Tsegazab contributes to TESFA’s broader mission of empowering refugees with disabilities and promoting their equal access to services, meaningful participation, independence, and sustainable inclusion in society.
Email: health@tesfa.com.et
Education, Research & Advocacy Department
The Education, Research & Advocacy Department promotes inclusive and accessible education for refugees with disabilities. It leads research, awareness-raising, and advocacy initiatives to advance their rights, inclusion, participation, and empowerment, while generating evidence and building partnerships to influence policies and improve TESFA’s programmes and services.
Main Responsibilities
- Developing and implementing TESFA’s education and advocacy strategies in line with its mission and strategic plan.
- Designing and coordinating inclusive education programmes that promote equal access to quality education for refugees with disabilities.
- Conducting and coordinating research, assessments, and studies on education, disability inclusion, refugee rights, and related issues.
- Generating evidence and documentation to inform TESFA programmes, policies, advocacy, and decision-making.
- Leading advocacy and awareness initiatives promoting the rights, dignity, inclusion, and empowerment of refugees with disabilities.
- Building partnerships with schools, universities, government institutions, NGOs, UN agencies, researchers, and other stakeholders.
- Developing training and capacity-building activities for teachers, staff, partners, and community members.
- Representing TESFA in relevant education, research, disability, refugee, and advocacy forums.
- Monitoring and reporting on departmental activities, outcomes, and impact and providing recommendations for improvement.
- Supporting resource mobilization through concept notes, proposals, research partnerships, and education-related funding opportunities.
Professional Profile
Ms. Saron G/Maryam Debisa serves as the Head of Education, Research & Advocacy Department of TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Wollo University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching English from Addis Ababa University.
With 20 years of professional teaching experience in both government and private elementary and secondary schools, she brings extensive expertise in education, communication, student development, curriculum planning, and classroom management.
Throughout her career, Ms. Saron has demonstrated a strong commitment to quality, inclusive, and learner-centered education. Her experience in teaching English language and literature, combined with her skills in communication, leadership, mentoring, and educational planning, provides a strong foundation for her role at TESFA.
As Head of the Education, Research & Advocacy Department, she leads initiatives that promote inclusive education, disability rights, awareness, research, evidence-based advocacy, and meaningful participation of refugees with disabilities. She works to strengthen collaboration with educational institutions, government bodies, humanitarian and development organizations, and other stakeholders to improve educational opportunities and advance the rights and inclusion of refugees with disabilities.
Ms. Saron is committed to using her extensive educational experience and communication skills to support TESFA’s mission, institutional development, advocacy efforts, and sustainable impact for refugees with disabilities.
Email: education@tesfa.com.et
Programs, Projects & Community Services Department
Plans, implements, and coordinates programmes and projects that improve the wellbeing, inclusion, and livelihoods of refugees with disabilities through quality community-based services.
Main Responsibilities
- Plan, develop, implement, and manage TESFA’s programmes and projects.
- Coordinate humanitarian assistance and community-based services for refugees with disabilities.
- Promote education, livelihoods, health, rehabilitation, sports, culture, and social inclusion programmes.
- Conduct community outreach, beneficiary identification, and needs assessments.
- Coordinate volunteers, community engagement, and beneficiary participation.
- Develop project proposals, work plans, implementation schedules, and progress reports.
- Collaborate with partners, government institutions, UN agencies, and other stakeholders in programme implementation.
- Ensure timely, effective, and quality delivery of programmes and services.
- Support emergency response and community resilience initiatives.
- Promote disability inclusion, community empowerment, and sustainable development through integrated programme interventions.
Professional Profile
Mr. Melekot Rahmeto Koshe serves as the Head of the Programs, Projects & Community Services Department at TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business and Economics from Jimma University. With extensive professional experience in programme coordination, administration, planning and budgeting, internal auditing, customer service, marketing, and data management, he has worked with the International Cargo and Aviation Services PLC, the Customs and Revenue Authority of West Shewa Zone, Paradise Valley University College, Aquasen Manufacturing Industry PLC, and as a part-time instructor at Admas University and Ayertena Health & Business College. His diverse experience in project coordination, administration, planning, reporting, and stakeholder engagement equips him to lead TESFA’s programmes and community services effectively, ensuring quality service delivery and positive impact for refugees with disabilities.
Email: programsprojects@tesfa.com.et
Information, Communication & Digital Services Department
Leads information technology, digital innovation, media, communications, public relations, and knowledge management to strengthen organizational visibility and digital inclusion.
Main Responsibilities
- Develop, manage, and maintain TESFA’s information and communication systems.
- Manage the Association’s website, databases, digital platforms, and IT infrastructure.
- Ensure cybersecurity, data protection, and the security of digital assets.
- Plan and implement digital transformation and innovation initiatives.
- Lead organizational communication, public relations, and branding activities.
- Manage social media platforms and digital marketing campaigns.
- Produce and publish digital content, including newsletters, reports, photographs, videos, and promotional materials.
- Coordinate media relations, press releases, and public awareness campaigns.
- Provide technical support and ICT services to staff and programmes.
- Promote digital inclusion and access to information for refugees with disabilities.
- Support knowledge management, documentation, and information sharing across the Association.
- Strengthen TESFA’s visibility and engagement with members, partners, donors, and the public through effective communication and digital technologies.
Professional Profile
Hanamariam Sedessa Gelan serves as the Head of Information, Communication & Digital Services Department at TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association. She holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Computational Science from Addis Ababa University and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Computer Science & Information Technology from Haramaya University. With over 14 years of professional experience in information technology, cybersecurity, network administration, and information security, she has served as a Senior Security Assessment and Change Management, Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst and Associate IT Officer at the Bank of Abyssinia, Senior Network and Information Security Expert at the Ethiopian Sugar Corporation, and Network and Computer Technician at the Oromia Finance and Economic Bureau. She is also a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified SOC Analyst (CSA) through the EC-Council. At TESFA, she leads the development and management of digital systems, information technology, cybersecurity, communications, media, and digital innovation to strengthen the Association’s operational efficiency and public engagement.
Email: it@tesfa.com.et
Partnerships & Resource Mobilization Department
The Partnerships & Resource Mobilization Department is responsible for building and maintaining strategic partnerships that strengthen TESFA’s mission and expand opportunities for refugees with disabilities. The department identifies funding opportunities, develops project proposals, mobilizes financial and non-financial resources, and fosters collaboration with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, donors, academic institutions, private sector organizations, and community stakeholders. It works to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of TESFA through effective networking, fundraising, and partnership development.
Main Responsibilities
- Develop and implement TESFA’s partnership and resource mobilization strategy.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with donors, government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, private sector organizations, and development partners.
- Identify funding opportunities and coordinate grant, project, and fundraising proposals.
- Mobilize financial, technical, and in-kind resources to support TESFA’s programmes and operations.
- Promote strategic collaborations that enhance organizational capacity and service delivery.
- Coordinate sponsorship, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and partnership initiatives.
- Represent TESFA in networking events, meetings, and partnership forums.
- Support project planning, reporting, donor communication, and partnership accountability.
- Strengthen TESFA’s sustainability through innovative fundraising and resource mobilization initiatives.
Professional Profile
Mr. Samuel Lemma Yemiru serves as the Head of Partnerships & Resource Mobilization Department at TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Addis Ababa University and has over 10 years of progressive professional experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting, reporting, and organizational operations. He currently serves as a Senior Accountant at Ethiopia Trading Enterprise, where he provides leadership in financial reporting, budget management, internal controls, and strategic financial planning.
In addition to his finance background, Mr. Samuel has experience as a Research Assistant, contributing to data collection, analysis, report preparation, and stakeholder engagement. His strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills, combined with his experience in planning and organizational management, enable him to build strategic partnerships, mobilize resources, and strengthen institutional relationships that support TESFA’s mission of empowering refugees with disabilities.
Email: partnershipsresource@tesfa.com.et
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Department
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Department ensures that TESFA’s programmes and projects are effectively planned, monitored, evaluated, and continuously improved to achieve meaningful and sustainable results. The department promotes evidence-based decision-making, organizational learning, transparency, and accountability by tracking performance, measuring impact, collecting feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders, and strengthening the quality and effectiveness of the Association’s interventions.
Main Responsibilities
- Developing and implementing monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) frameworks, systems, and tools.
- Monitoring the progress, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of programmes, projects, and organizational activities.
- Designing performance indicators and tracking progress toward strategic objectives and expected results.
- Collecting, managing, analyzing, and reporting quantitative and qualitative programme data.
- Conducting baseline, mid-term, final, and impact evaluations of projects and programmes.
Establishing and managing beneficiary feedback, complaints, and response mechanisms to strengthen accountability. - Producing monitoring reports, evaluation reports, lessons learned, success stories, and organizational performance reports.
- Promoting evidence-based planning, decision-making, and programme improvement.
- Facilitating organizational learning, knowledge management, and the sharing of best practices.
- Supporting departments in developing logical frameworks, indicators, work plans, and performance measurement systems.
- Ensuring compliance with donor reporting requirements and organizational standards.
- Building staff capacity in monitoring, evaluation, data collection, accountability, and learning methodologies.
- Identifying programme risks, implementation challenges, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Supporting strategic planning through data-driven analysis and organizational performance assessment.
Professional Profile
Mr. Natnael W/Gabriel serves as the Head of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Department at TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association. He is an accomplished aviation operations and organizational management professional with over
nine years of progressive experience in passenger services, baggage operations, cargo and logistics, airport operational management, and customer service. Throughout his career, he has built a strong reputation for delivering safe, efficient, customer-focused, and results-driven operations while maintaining high standards of quality, compliance, and operational excellence.
Mr. Natnael holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Arts in Management, complemented by internationally recognized professional training programmes. His academic background, combined with extensive operational experience, has equipped him with strong expertise in monitoring organizational performance, operational planning, logistics coordination, inventory management, process improvement, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision-making.
At TESFA, Mr. Natnael leads the development and implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) systems that strengthen programme quality, organizational performance, transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making. He is committed to promoting continuous learning, measuring impact, optimizing resources, and ensuring that TESFA’s programmes effectively improve the lives of refugees with disabilities through high-quality, data-driven, and accountable interventions.
Email: meal@tesfa.com.et
Sports, Culture, Arts & Recreation Department
The Sports, Culture, Arts & Recreation Department promotes the physical, social, and emotional well-being of refugees with disabilities through inclusive sports, cultural activities, arts, and recreational programmes. The department encourages active participation, talent development, social inclusion, and community cohesion while creating opportunities for members to express their abilities, preserve cultural identity, and build confidence in an accessible and supportive environment.
Main Responsibilities
- Planning and implementing inclusive sports, cultural, artistic, and recreational programmes.
- Promoting physical and mental well-being through sports and healthy lifestyle activities.
- Identifying, nurturing, and showcasing members’ artistic, cultural, and sporting talents.
- Organizing sports competitions, cultural festivals, art exhibitions, performances, and recreational events.
- Preserving and promoting the diverse cultural heritage and traditions of refugee communities.
- Encouraging creativity, innovation, and self-expression through visual arts, music, theatre, literature, crafts, and other creative activities.
- Strengthening community cohesion, inclusion, teamwork, and mutual understanding through cultural and recreational initiatives.
Promoting equal participation of women, children, youth, older persons, and persons with different types of disabilities in all activities. - Building partnerships with sports federations, cultural institutions, artists, disability organizations, and development partners.
- Mobilizing resources and support to expand inclusive sports, arts, and cultural programmes.
- Raising public awareness of the abilities, achievements, and contributions of refugees with disabilities through sports, arts, and culture.
- Monitoring, evaluating, and continuously improving departmental programmes to maximize their social impact and sustainability.
Professional Profile
Mr. Mahir Mahmood Al Shurki serves as the Head of the
Sports, Culture, Arts & Recreation Department at TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association. He is an accomplished visual artist, painter, sculptor, potter, decorator, mural artist, woodworker, drummer, and flute player, with an extensive career in fine arts, artistic education, cultural development, and creative leadership.
He holds a Diploma in Drawing from the Sorbonne–Beaux-Arts Institute, France, and both a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Drawing from the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Baghdad. Throughout his career, he has served as Director of Al-Rawaq Arts Hall, a Drawing Instructor at the Institute of Fine Arts, Baghdad, and worked for eight years as an artist and painter for the Office of the President of Iraq. He also produced large-scale artistic works for King Hussein of Jordan and served for three years as a painter and decorator for the Office of the President of Yemen.
Mr. Mahir has participated in more than 90 national and international art exhibitions, biennales, festivals, and competitions, reflecting his lifelong commitment to artistic excellence and cultural exchange.
At TESFA, he leads inclusive sports, culture, arts, and recreation programmes that empower refugees with disabilities by promoting creativity, talent development, cultural preservation, social inclusion, physical and mental well-being, and meaningful community participation.community.
Email: art@tesfa.com.et
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