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Denise Mubaiwa

@denisemubaiwa

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Research & programme manager driving sustainable development through data-led impact.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead sustainable development work where research and MEL drive real-world impact—especially around women’s economic empowerment, just energy transition, and fair tax—using evidence for strategy, grant-making, and learning.

I’m a seasoned Research & Programme Manager in sustainable development with 10+ years in the social and economic justice sector. My work centers on driving measurable social impact through research, advocacy, and campaigning, including a just energy transition, gender justice, a fair extractives industry, and a fair tax system.

I’ve built and strengthened Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems that help teams focus on high-impact priorities. I co-developed MEL frameworks and data tools (including for the Zambia Reserve Fund and Stop the Bleeding report), and I helped shape robust results-based MEL and grants tools for major convenings and partner initiatives.

I’ve led strategic grant selection and management—from developing open call grant selection criteria to overseeing grants for multi-partner portfolios. I also managed the work of external consultants to deliver comprehensive, sustainable impact measurement approaches, while optimizing fund management and improving how senior teams use evidence for decisions.

Across portfolios and projects, I translate data-driven insights into policy development and business strategies that create long-term value. I’ve led economic recovery and agricultural revitalization work under the Social and Economic Rights cluster, managed grants for 20+ partners, and supported organizational learning through framework development—bringing collaboration, clear communication, and accountability to every engagement.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Economic Research Consultant

Current

CRA Global Development

Jan 2024 - Present (2 years 6 months)

Conducts economic research on developmental issues including special economic zones, SME grading systems, and sustainability.

Economic Research Special Economic Zones SME Grading Systems Sustainability Research

Shared Learning Officer

Open Society Africa

Jan 2022 - Jan 2024 (2 years)

Co-developed monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks and data tools, and supported grant selection and results-based tool development.

Monitoring Monitoring Evaluation And Learning (MEL)Grant Selection Criteria Results Based MEL Tools Grant Management Research Grants Oversight

Portfolio Manager

Open Society Foundation South Africa

Jan 2021 - Jan 2024 (3 years)

Led an economic recovery and agricultural revitalization portfolio and managed grants across more than 20 partners, contributing to organizational learning frameworks.

Portfolio Management Grant Management Monitoring Stakeholder Engagement

Research Consultant

Independent

Jan 2020 - Jan 2021 (1 year)

Delivered high-quality short-term research outputs, including research reports, conference summaries, and academic writing, in partnership with multiple institutions.

Research Consulting Reports Conferences Academic Writing

Research and Advocacy Lead

Nal'ibali Trust

Jan 2019 - Jan 2020 (1 year)

Published research, represented the organization in a national reading coalition, and supported project scoping and advocacy strategy informed by M&E reporting.

Stakeholder Engagement Child Literacy Advocacy M&E Synthesis Data Informed Advocacy

Consultant (Africa and Middle East)

Open Government Partnership

Jan 2018 - Jan 2018 (0 months)

Provided strategic regional technical research on the social, economic, and environmental status of member countries to inform regional strategies and decision-making.

Policy Analysis Economic Analysis Environmental Analysis Strategic Research