Open to opportunities

Akena Patrick

@akenapatrick

Message

I am a MEAL specialist with 10+ years building MEAL systems and driving data-informed program improvements.

Uganda

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek senior MEAL roles where I can design and scale MEAL and IM systems, strengthen accountability, lead capacity building, and use data-driven learning to improve humanitarian program outcomes.

I am a MEAL specialist with 10+ years' experience designing and institutionalizing MEAL frameworks across Yemen, Iraq, Mozambique, Uganda and South Sudan, enabling routine performance tracking and evidence-based decision-making. I have built and managed CFMs with clear SOPs and closed-loop responses across multi-country programs.

I introduced digital data pipelines (KoBo/ODK/CommCare/SurveyCTO → Power BI) and developed IM dashboards and information products for timely internal and donor reporting, contributing to successful funding from donors such as ECHO and UN OCHA.

I lead mixed-methods assessments, baseline/endline evaluations and capacity strengthening for program and partner teams, driving improved program outcomes (average +30%) and measurable increases in data accuracy and reporting (up to +75%). I prioritize accountability, learning and adaptive management to turn quality data into programmatic decisions.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

MEAL Specialist

Current

Danish Refugee Council

Jul 2022 - Present (3 years 5 months)

Led MEAL framework design and rollout aligned to donor and organizational standards, introducing digital data pipelines (KoBo/ODK/CommCare/SurveyCTO → Power BI) to enable timely analysis and reporting. Set up CHS/Sphere-compliant feedback and complaints mechanisms and provided capacity building, contributing to successful donor funding from ECHO and UN OCHA.

MEAL Frameworks CommCare SurveyCTO Power BI Data Quality Assurance

Quality & Accountability Coordinator

Terre des hommes

Jan 2021 - Jun 2022 (1 year 5 months)

Oversaw PMER across seven projects, implemented IM and CRM-based accountability systems and Power BI dashboards for feedback tracking, and delivered MEAL training to 10+ program and partner teams. Documented lessons and real-time reviews to inform program design and advocacy.

Power BI CRM Accountability Training IM Systems Report Writing Participatory MEAL

MEAL Manager

CARE

Aug 2019 - Dec 2021 (2 years 4 months)

Established comprehensive MEAL systems improving accountability and project delivery efficiency by 30%, led mixed-methods assessments and set up a CFM resolving 95% of complaints. Ensured 100% donor reporting compliance and produced evidence-based IM products for advocacy and funding.

MEAL Systems Baseline Endline MSNA Power BI SPSS Stata Donor Reporting

Regional MEAL Coordinator

Malteser International

Jun 2018 - Jul 2019 (1 year 1 month)

Designed a regional MEAL system across Uganda and South Sudan for 10+ projects, achieving 95% alignment with donor requirements and improving project outcomes by 30% through strengthened monitoring and IM systems. Established online IM and project CFMs to enhance accountability and data use.

Regional MEAL IM Systems Monitoring & Evaluation Power BI Dashboarding Capacity Building

MEAL Coordinator

Norwegian Refugee Council

Sep 2015 - Jun 2018 (2 years 9 months)

Coordinated country MEAL systems across 10 NGO partners and implemented a beneficiary CFM with SOPs and referral pathways, increasing beneficiary satisfaction by 50% and strengthening routine monitoring and reporting. Supervised and built capacity of 20+ MEAL teams and partner staff.

MEAL Systems Monitoring Data Management SPSS Stata Capacity Building Reporting

Research Coordinator

ACODE

Jun 2014 - Jul 2015 (1 year 1 month)

Led end-to-end research cycles including instrument design, mixed-methods data collection and analysis (SPSS/STATA), and produced audit-ready reports and dissemination events for stakeholders. Managed data quality assurance and coordinated research workstreams.

Research Design SPSS Stata Data Quality Reporting Field Protocols

District M&E Officer

ESPP

Feb 2012 - Jun 2014 (2 years 4 months)

Developed MEAL frameworks, standardized tools and routine monitoring schedules for district projects, consolidated and analyzed district data for quarterly and annual PMER reporting. Provided on-the-job support to field staff to improve data quality and use.

MEAL Frameworks Indicator Tracking Data Analysis Excel Reporting Baseline Endline

M&E Officer

Alight

Feb 2011 - Feb 2012 (1 year)

Conducted project monitoring and assessments, analyzed datasets and produced reports to support logframe tracking and performance reporting. Maintained M&E documentation and contributed to lessons-learned follow-up actions.

Monitoring Assessments Data Analysis Excel Reporting Logframe Tracking Data Entry

Field Monitor

World Vision

Jun 2006 - Feb 2011 (4 years 8 months)

Performed routine field monitoring, household visits and basic surveys, compiled reports and escalated community feedback to inform implementation and distribution planning. Supported activity tracking and data entry for program decision-making.

Household Surveys Data Entry Reporting Feedback Monitoring Data Collection