Abebe Mengistu Legass Member since 13/01/2025

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY 

Dedicated Water Resources and Irrigation specialist  with over 15 years of experience in Natural Resource Management and Climate Resilience, sustainable land and water management, climate change adaptation, and ecosystem resilience in fragile and humanitarian contexts. Proven expertise in evaluating national policies, conducting environmental risk assessments, and implementing community-based solutions, with a focus on gender-responsive approaches. Skilled in designing and conducting evaluations, utilizing GIS, remote sensing, and participatory methodologies to inform evidence-based strategies. Demonstrated success in managing complex projects for international organizations like IFAD and the Water and Land Resources Center, with fluency in Amharic, Afaan Oromo, and English to foster stakeholder partnerships. Adept at authoring inception reports, conducting field validations, and delivering actionable recommendations for sustainable rural development.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS 

• Evaluation Expertise: Conducted evaluations for IFAD’s Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation in Zimbabwe (2025), assessing natural resource management and climate resilience, with a focus on sustainable irrigation and climate-smart agriculture (CSA) across 15,000 hectares.
• Natural Resource Management: Designed and evaluated interventions reducing soil erosion by 20% and improving water efficiency by 25% in drought-prone regions, as evidenced in Zimbabwe’s SIRP and SACP projects.
• Climate Resilience: Implemented CSA practices and Environmental and Natural Resource Management (ENRM) frameworks, enhancing ecosystem resilience for 18,000 farmers in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia’s Awash River Basin.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitated community consultations, focus group discussions, and transboundary risk assessments, ensuring inclusive, gender-responsive solutions aligned with national policies.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in GIS, remote sensing, AutoCAD, and data analysis for environmental monitoring, with certifications in Water Stewardship and Climate Adaptation in Africa. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

01 July 2025- present Rome, Italy with IFAD-IOE

Independent Consultant as Rural Development and Infra structure Expert for Zimbabwe evaluation

14 OCT 2022 – 31 DEC 2022 Rome, Italy

INDEPENDENT- CONSULTANT AS RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER IFAD INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF EVALUATION

• Conducted field trips to completed Irrigation and Water project sites to gather operating data and infrastructure information.
• Tracked project performance closely to further intervene in mistakes or delays.
• Maintained open communication by presenting regular updates on project evaluation to the supervisor. Analyzed project performance data to identify areas of improvement.
• Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed. Managed time efficiently to complete all tasks within deadlines.
• Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
• Prepared final report by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.

15 MAR 2021 – 29 JAN 2023 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT AS SENIOR IRRIGATION ENGINEER HABTAMU TIKUBET ELECTROMECHANICAL CONTRACTOR

• Analyzed problematic areas to provide recommendations and solutions.
• Delivered outstanding service to clients to maintain and extend relationships for future business opportunities.
• Managed multiple deadlines across several businesses to meet the dynamic needs of multiple clients. Created and developed detailed work plans to meet business priorities and deadlines.
• Implemented practices and procedures to reduce expenditures and increase savings.
• Integrated technology and business operations to identify targeted solutions to customer issues. Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
• Cultivated positive relationships with vendors to deliver timely and cost-effective supply of services and materials.
• Facilitated international equipment purchase

28 SEP 2021 – 12 FEB 2022 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT WATER AND LAND RESOURCES CENTER

• Developed risk assessment reports to identify threats and flood vulnerabilities.
• Conducted and participated in annual disaster recovery exercises.
• Assessed threats, risks, and vulnerabilities from emerging security issues to advise pertinent stakeholders on appropriate measures.
• Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment. Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
• Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
• Managed time efficiently to complete all tasks within deadlines. Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
• Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment. Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Identified issues, analyzed information, provided solutions to problems and produced a flood vulnerability map of the Awash River basin from several Global Flood models.
• Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.

5 JUL 2013 – 15 JUN 2016 Ambo, Ethiopia

DEAN, INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AMBO UNIVERSITY

• Established a new and separate campus accommodating 6,500 students responsible for administrative and academic affairs.
• Established e-library with the help of computer science department and library staffs
• Collected old machines and vehicle from the University and established automotive laboratory
• Collected road laboratory equipment from ERA to strengthen the civil department highway and soil laboratory
• Signed memorandum of understanding with India institute of Crop Processing Technology. Chennai, India
• Chaired the Institute's academic commission for more than four years
• Created international and national university and industry linkage and signed a memorandum of Understanding with different institutions and ministry offices
• Initiated and coordinated two international and one national workshops under the institute
• Launched a technology Incubation center in the Institute.
• Recruited both national and international academic staff from Ethiopia and India
• Offered technical leadership to junior personnel and other team leaders, providing expertise on teaching and learning.
• Fostered a strong relationship between the technology team and managers to align efforts.
• Investigated system issues and implemented resolutions to reduce downtime.

7 JAN 2012 – 5 JUL 2013 Ambo, Ethiopia

HEAD OF THE AGRICULTURAL AND BIOPROCESS ENGINEERINGAMBO UNIVERSITY, ETHIOPIA

• Conducted curriculum revision and participated in the institute's academic commission Chaired the department committee
• Collaborated with faculty, staff, and students to identify and address institutional challenges. Implemented strategies to increase student recruiting, engagement, and retention.
• Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions, and make decisions. Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
• Conducted regular field visits to assess project implementation, providing technical advice to local stakeholders and ensuring transparent reporting to donors.
• Established partnerships with local governments and community organizations, enhancing stakeholder buy-in and support for water management initiatives.

10 AUG 2010 – 15 JAN 2011 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

RESEARCHER META META RESEARCH

• Conducted two research-based documentations and one documentary video. Gathered and organized information for research purposes.
• Wrote research papers, reports, reviews, and summaries regarding. Interpreted data analysis results to draw inferences and conclusions.
• Developed research proposals, identified research objectives, and created research plans. Recorded accurate respondents' answers during interviews for future reference.
• Developed questionnaires and facilitated focus group discussions. Created and distributed surveys for data collection and analysis.
• Established and managed relationships with external data providers and research vendors. Tracked key metrics and developed spreadsheets and data models.
• Collected and analyzed data from a variety of sources to create detailed market research reports for top- level decision-makers.
• Analyzed data to uncover insights and identify key opportunities to inform strategic decisions. Conducted primary and secondary research to better understand customer needs and behaviors.

1 MAR 2008 – 15 OCT 2008 Meri Jeju, Ethiopia

MECHANIZATION SECTION HEAD UPPER AWASH AGRO INDUSTRY ENTERPRISE

• Managing and follow up of farm operation (from land preparation to harvesting)
• Coordinating and monitoring irrigation water application, inspection, and maintenance of the farm's Irrigation system.
• Farm structure construction (tractor operators' house building and existing houses maintenance) Conducted performance reviews to identify employee strengths and encourage professional development opportunities.
• Supervised, encouraged, and evaluated cross-functional teams by coaching and empowering team members to meet production goals.
• Raised property accuracy and accountability by creating a new automated tracking method. Reduced operational risks while organizing data to forecast performance trends.

15 OCT 2006 – 15 FEB 2008 Boke, Ethiopia

IRRIGATION ENGINEER I WEST HARARGE, BOKE DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

• Conducting training on soil and water conservation practices for the Development agents and selected farmers.
• Led the implementation of community-based water management projects in crisis-affected regions, improving water security.
• Facilitated focus group discussions (FGDs) and validation workshops to gather local insights and priorities related to water management.
• Developed training programs for community members on sustainable water practices, enhancing local capacities.
• Collaborated with government and NGOs to ensure coordinated interventions and adherence to best practices in water management.
• Introduced drip irrigation system in selected parts of the district Identified the irrigation potential of the district
• Prepared proposal on soil and water conservation project, training development agent and farmers Monitored execution of contract work for compliance with design plans and specifications.
• Collaborated with civil technicians to gather project equipment and update maps, drawings, and blueprints. Managed quality assurance and laboratory testing for concreting operations.
• Assisted emergency management agencies with disaster response and damage assessments to promote humanitarian aid.
• Served as subject matter expert (SME) on environmental regulations and policies. Formulated and implemented long-range plans for environmental programs.

PAPER REVIEW INTERNATIONAL WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION

Participated in Global Water Security Issues publication, Issue 4 as a Peer Reviewer available at https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000388100#

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• 10 OCT 2008 – 13 JAN 2011 Dire Dawa, Ethiopia IRRIGATION ENGINEERING (M.Sc.) from Haramaya University     Website https://www.haramaya.edu.et/
• 10 OCT 2000 – 6 JUN 2006 Hawassa, Ethiopia AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING AND MECHANIZATION Debub University (B.Sc) (Hawassa University) Website https://www.hu.edu.et/
• 10 DEC 2022 – 19 SEP 2023 online GOOGLE PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE COURSES Google &Coursera Website https://www.coursera.org/
• 10 AUG 2023 – 27 FEB 2024 online WATER STEWARDSHIP SPECILIZATION CERTIFICATE Pepsico &Coursera Website https://www.coursera.org/
• 8 JAN 2022 – 12 APR 2022 online GIS AND SPATIAL INTERPOLATION FROM ALISON (EARNED ON 12TH MAY 2022) Alison Website https://alison.com/
• IFAD Evaluation Manual E-learning Course in 2022 online
• 10 APR 2019 – 2 JUN 2019 online WATER AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN AFRICA BY Open Water Education IHE DELFT Website https://www.un-ihe.org/
• 18 AUG 2019 – 21 OCT 2019 online FUNDAMENTALS OF GIS The University of California, Davis & Coursera Website https://www.coursera.org/
• 11 FEB 2019 – 9 APR 2019 online CLIMATE ADAPTATION IN AFRICA University of Cape Town & Coursera Website https://www.coursera.org/
• 13 JAN 2016 – 16 MAR 2020 CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER IN MOUNTAINS: A GLOBAL CONCERN The University of Geneva & Coursera     Website https://www.coursera.org/
• TRAINING CERTIFICATE OF ETHIOPIAN WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND GREEN GROWTH Korean Environment Institute at Addis Ababa Institute of Technology
• SPATE IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT UNDER DROUGHT AND WATER SCARCITY UNESCO-IHE delft
• REGIONAL REFRESHER SEMINAR ON FLOOD BASED FARMING AS PART OF RIVER BASIN WATER MANAGEMENTUNESCO-IHE,Haramaya University and Meta Meta
• CERTIFICATEOF COMPLETION OF APPLICATION OF MODELING TOOLS FOR INTEGRATED RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT (IRBM) Addis Ababa Institute of Technology
• CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE India Institute of Crop ProcessingTechnology. Chennai,India

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Language:  AMHARIC, English & Afan Oromo