AMADOU ISSAKA
Dakar,DK
Summary
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Expert with over 20 years of progressive experience designing, managing, and evaluating complex programmes in Africa with international organizations including WFP, FAO, USAID, AfDB, MCC, and AU-IBAR. Proven record in developing and operationalizing M&E systems for agriculture, livestock, climate change, and resilience programmes. Ski in performance management, Dashboard Automation, Data Quality Assurance, and evidence-based reporting. Strong capacity builder and team leader, with experience training government and partner institutions in results-based management and learning systems.
Results-driven professional with extensive experience in evaluation and program management. Known for improving program outcomes through rigorous assessment and strategic planning. Team-oriented with focus on collaborative success and adaptability to changing project requirements, leveraging skills in data interpretation and stakeholder communication.
Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Collaborative leader partners with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Multi-tasking Manager well-known for creating positive workplace culture and high-performing teams. Demonstrated M&E expertise, including competitive offerings, pricing, and market positioning. Multi-tasking Manager well-known for creating positive workplace culture and high-performing teams. Demonstrated M&E expertise, including competitive offerings, pricing, and market positioning. Innovative and goal-oriented Management professional committed to Resilience, Climate Smart Agriculture. Dedicated team player skilled at mediation and conflict resolution. Drives company growth through performance management.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Evaluation Manager
World Food Programme
05.2023 - 04.2025
- Managed a USD 325K independent evaluation ensuring compliance with WFP's Evaluation Quality Assurance System.
- Coordinated a multi-agency evaluation committee (WFP, FAO, UNICEF, Government, NGOs).
- Facilitated five stakeholder workshops to validate findings and generate actionable recommendations.
- Produced a comprehensive conclusions and recommendations matrix for management responses and follow-up.
- Contributed to defining indicators and monitoring methodologies for the next programme phase.
- Tools & Methods: WFP Evaluation Guidelines, Theory of Change, Stakeholder Mapping, Surveys, FGDs, KIIs.
- KfW/BMZ-funded Joint (WFP-FAO-UNICEF) Programme - Strengthening the Socio-Economic Resilience of Smallholder Farmers and Vulnerable Populations
- Developed and implemented monitoring frameworks to assess project performance and compliance.
- Led data analysis initiatives to inform decision-making and enhance project outcomes.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize resource allocation and improve efficiency.
- Conducted training sessions for staff on best practices in monitoring and evaluation methodologies.
- Established key performance indicators to track project success and facilitate reporting processes.
- Mentored junior team members, fostering skill development in evaluation techniques and data management.
- Engaged stakeholders to gather feedback, ensuring alignment with program objectives and community needs.
- Designed comprehensive evaluation plans that guided strategic planning and program design efforts.
- Leveraged geospatial technologies for enhanced accuracy in data visualization and spatial analysis of project impacts.
- Integrated gender-sensitive approaches into M&E plans, promoting inclusivity and equitable impact assessment.
- Developed user-friendly tools for tracking progress against targets, enabling real-time monitoring of key performance indicators.
- Supported organizational learning by disseminating best practices from evaluation findings among internal teams and external partners.
- Designed strategic monitoring frameworks, aligning objectives with measurable outcomes for successful project delivery.
- Conducted comprehensive evaluations to inform program adjustments and optimize resource allocation.
- Led cross-functional teams in conducting comprehensive evaluations of food security initiatives.
Director, M&E and Economic Analysis
Millennium Challenge Account
05.2022 - 04.2023
- Directed M&E and Economic Analysis functions for a USD 437M compact, ensuring quality reporting and compliance.
- Supervised MIS data validation, quarterly tracking, and performance reporting.
- Revised and aligned the M&E Plan and Post-Compact Framework with MCC guidelines.
- Strengthened team capacity through mentoring and technical supervision.
- Maintained consistent liaison with MCC HQ for data validation and performance reviews.
- Tools & Methods: MCC MIS Tracking Table, boards, DQA.
- MCC-funded Compact: Community Resilience and Climate Change Programme
Deputy Chief of Party TPM
TetraTech/MSI
11.2020 - 11.2021
- Led TPM operations across DRC for 50+ USAID-funded projects (WFP, UNICEF, CRS, Concern, Mercy Corps, etc.).
- Supervised data collection teams and subcontractors to ensure accuracy and integrity.
- Produced 50+ TPM reports informing USAID/BHA's strategic decisions.
- Enhanced compliance and reporting quality through tailored QA protocols.
- Training 20+ field teams and verified data collected from beneficiaries.
- Tools & Methods: SurveyCTO, Excel Dashboards, GIS, FGDs, KIIs, Quality Assurance Checklists.
- USAID/BHA Regional Third-Party Monitoring Project (Central Africa)
- Analyzed project outcomes to identify areas for continuous improvement and best practices implementation.
- Coordinated cross-functional meetings to ensure alignment on project goals and deliverables.
Head of Knowledge Management & M&E
CORAF/WECARD
05.2018 - 11.2020
- Led M&E and KM strategy for a USD 100M+ regional portfolio in 23 West and Central African countries.
- Designed and deployed an automated M&E-KM platform for 60+ regional projects.
- Conducted baseline and impact evaluations in Mali, Ghana, and Senegal.
- Trained national M&E staff in DQA and reporting tools.
- Supported resource mobilization that secured €50M+ in new projects.
- Tools & Methods: Web-based M&E platform, SPSS, Baseline & Impact Surveys, GIS, Logframes.
- Donors: USAID, EU, IFAD, World Bank, SDC
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Lead M&E Specialist
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Developed ToC-based results frameworks integrating gender and youth dimensions.
- Supervised data collection in 7 countries (Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, DRC, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia).
- Coordinated baseline, mid-term, and final evaluations and one nutrition impact study.
- Consolidated quarterly and annual reports aligned with AfDB requirements.
- Designed 15+ new agricultural value chain frameworks under AfDB's TAAT initiative.
- Tools & Methods: AfDB IPR, SurveyCTO, SPSS, Logframes, FGDs, Impact Assessments.
- AfDB SARD-SC Multinational Programme ($63M): Cassava & Maize Value Chains
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to streamline project workflows and improve collaboration.
- Analyzed data trends to inform project strategies and enhance decision-making processes.
- Developed and implemented monitoring frameworks for agricultural projects to assess effectiveness and impact.
- Led capacity-building workshops for staff, enhancing skills in data collection and analysis methodologies.
- Established partnerships with local stakeholders to promote sustainable agricultural practices and knowledge sharing.
- Optimized reporting systems, ensuring timely delivery of project updates and compliance with donor requirements.
- Conducted field assessments to identify areas for improvement, driving strategic enhancements in program design.
- Facilitated stakeholder workshops to review findings and identify areas for improvement in program implementation.
- Synthesized complex data sets into actionable insights for informed decision-making by stakeholders.
- Conducted comprehensive evaluations to inform program adjustments and optimize resource allocation.
- Supported organizational learning by disseminating best practices from evaluation findings among internal teams and external partners.
- Integrated gender-sensitive approaches into M&E plans, promoting inclusivity and equitable impact assessment.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop robust performance indicators for project success.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders through regular communication and collaborative problem-solving efforts.
- Managed timely submission of high-quality reports, ensuring adherence to donor requirements.
- Contributed to proposal development by providing input on M&E strategies and budget considerations.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of interventions using rigorous qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Provided technical support to field staff, enhancing data quality and consistency across projects.
M&E Officer
African Union-IBAR
05.2010 - 12.2011
- Developed M&E strategy and frameworks for €80M+ projects on animal health and food security.
- Oversaw monitoring and reporting for key programmes (L4LP, VACNADA, SPINAP-AHI, PAN-SPSO).
- Conducted field monitoring missions across RECs (ECCAS, IGAD).
- Built M&E capacity for country and regional staff.
- Livestock & Animal Health Programmes (EU & AfDB Funded)
Regional M&E & Environmental Impact Assessment Expert
Niger Basin Authority
02.2005 - 05.2010
- Designed and implemented regional M&E systems for transboundary environmental programs.
- Coordinated baseline, mid-term, and final evaluations in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
- Contributed in mobilization of 2 billion FCFA with WAEMU for programme sustainability.
- AfDB and UNDP/World Bank Funded Projects
Education
PhD - Agronomy (Soil Sciences & Plant Production)
Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon
Paris, France01.2000
DEA - Environmental Geology
University of Tunis II
Tunis, Tunisia01.1994
BSc - Agronomy
Abdou Moumouni University
Niger01.1991
Skills
- Results-Based Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)
- Agricultural, Livestock & Climate Resilience Programmes
- Evaluation Design
- Theory of Change
- Logical Frameworks
- Quantitative Data Analysis
- Qualitative Data Analysis
- SPSS
- XLSTAT
- SurveyCTO
- Dashboard Automation
- Data Quality Assurance (DQA)
- Donor Reporting
- Project Cycle Management
- Capacity Building
- Knowledge Management
- Organizational Learning
- Multi-Country Programme Coordination
- Power BI
- Excel Dashboards
- GIS
- ToC/Logframe Builders
- DQA Protocols
- Evaluation design
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Policy analysis
- Data analysis
- Qualitative analysis
- Quantitative analysis
- Ethics compliance
- Evaluation process
- Survey design
- Logic models
- Teamwork and collaboration
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 100+ staff members.
Selected Consultancies
- USAID/Athena Infonomics, 2024-2025, Digital Agriculture Ecosystem Assessment - Niger
- Government of Senegal, 2023, Trained 100+ staffs on SIGGI performance monitoring platform
- ICRAF-ANAFE, 2012, Undertook review of the SASACID Program logframe and monitoring protocols
Technical Tools
- SurveyCTO
- SPSS
- XLSTAT
- Power BI
- Excel Dashboards
- GIS
- ToC/Logframe Builders
- DQA Protocols
Selected Achievements
- Designed and implemented M&E systems for 10+ multi-country programs across Africa.
- Supervised evaluations worth over USD 5 million and managed multi-agency teams of up to 25 professionals.
- Developed 20+ Theories of Change and M&E Plans for resilience and food security projects.
- Strenghened the M&E capacity of over 150 professionals across 30 countries.
- Contributed to securing €50M+ in new project funding through evidence-based M&E frameworks.
Languages
English
Professional Working
French
Professional Working
Timeline
Evaluation Manager
World Food Programme
05.2023 - 04.2025
Director, M&E and Economic Analysis
Millennium Challenge Account
05.2022 - 04.2023
Deputy Chief of Party TPM
TetraTech/MSI
11.2020 - 11.2021
Head of Knowledge Management & M&E
CORAF/WECARD
05.2018 - 11.2020
Lead M&E Specialist
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
01.2013 - 01.2018
M&E Officer
African Union-IBAR
05.2010 - 12.2011
Regional M&E & Environmental Impact Assessment Expert
Niger Basin Authority
02.2005 - 05.2010
DEA - Environmental Geology
University of Tunis II
BSc - Agronomy
Abdou Moumouni University
PhD - Agronomy (Soil Sciences & Plant Production)
Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon