Dagim Fisseha Habteyesus

Dagim Habteyesus has recently taken on the role of International Research Fellow within the International Programs Division at the Population Council, stationed in the Ethiopia office. In this capacity, he contributes to the Council’s strategic, operational, and research efforts, both locally and internationally. His primary focus is on the Council-led Baobab Research Programme Consortium (RPC), where he oversees critical surveys such as the Humanitarian Violence Against Children and Young People Survey (HVACS) and the Abortion Incidence and Complication Method (AICM) Survey in Ethiopia’s humanitarian contexts. This innovative initiative marks the first time rigorous sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) surveys and intervention research are conducted in refugee settings. Habteyesus is tasked with managing data collection, analysis, report writing, and manuscript preparation. He is also dedicated to enhancing communications and research utilization, along with expanding his thought leadership by fostering partnerships with local government officials, civil society organizations, and other regional stakeholders.

Born and raised in Ethiopia, Habteyesus is fluent in Amharic, English, and Turkish. He has worked in various clinical and teaching roles in Ethiopia, starting his career as a General Practitioner in one of the country’s least developed regions before progressing on to a lecturing position at Jigjiga University, Sheik Hassen Yabare Referral Hospital. Most recently, Habteyesus was at the frontline of establishing the Millennium COVID-19 Care Center, Ethiopia’s then largest COVID-19 care facility, where he served as the Head of the High Dependency Unit.

Habteyesus holds a Medical Degree from Addis Ababa University. Before joining the Council, Habteyesus completed his Master of Science (MSc) in Global Health at the University of Southampton as a Wellcome Trust Fellow in the Humanities in 2023.