(evaluation + learning) × research
"How do we know we're actually making a difference?"
– the question behind all of this work
Who I am
I work in monitoring, evaluation, research and learning because I'm interested in one thing: understanding whether programmes are actually making a difference.
I enjoy asking questions, looking for patterns, and turning evidence into something people can use. Good evaluation isn't about proving success. It's about understanding what happened, why it happened, and what to do next.
More recently, I've been exploring how AI fits into that process. I don't think it replaces evaluators. I think it helps us spend less time cleaning data, writing the same reports, and repeating routine tasks, leaving more time to think, learn, and make better decisions.
- MEASUREMENT When Measurement Becomes Surveillance
- STRATEGY Why Adaptive Management Is Not Optional
- MERL MANAGER African Management InstituteMulti-country portfolio for Mastercard Foundation, Argidius Foundation and other donors.
- WRITING @_everythingdataData literacy, evaluation and tech policy.
- MEL OFFICER African Management Institute
- DATA COORD. UNDP
- RESEARCH OFFICER Kenya Forest Service
- BSC Environmental Planning & ManagementKenyatta University
The timeline
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2024– African Management Institute , MERL Manager
Leadership
- Lead the organisation's MERL function across a multi-country portfolio funded by the Mastercard Foundation, Argidius Foundation, and other development partners.
- Support programmes reaching 40,000+ entrepreneurs across 10+ African countries.
Research & Evaluation
- Design MERL frameworks, theories of change, indicators, and evaluation plans.
- Lead research, data analysis, and synthesis to understand programme outcomes and impact.
Data & Systems
- Build live dashboards and automated reporting systems using Power BI, Metabase, Google Sheets, and Apps Script.
- Oversee data collection across KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyMonkey, and Google Forms while ensuring data quality and data protection compliance.
Learning & Impact
- Lead donor impact reporting and evidence synthesis.
- Produce learning briefs and evaluation reports that inform programme decisions and organisational strategy.
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2023–24 African Management Institute , MEL Officer
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2021–23 UNDP , Data Coordinator Consultant
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Before Kenya Forest Service , Research Officer
Education
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BSc Environmental Planning & Management , Kenyatta University
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2022 Tech4Dev , Data Science and AI
Writing
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When Measurement Becomes Surveillance
On how tracking systems reshape the behaviour they were meant to observe, and what happens when external measures start to replace internal judgment.
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Why Adaptive Management Is Not Optional
Strategy is a hypothesis, not a contract with the future. Every strategy rests on assumptions, and assumptions have a shelf life.
More at @_everythingdata on Medium.
How I Can Help
I help organisations build evidence they can trust and use. Whether you're designing a new programme, evaluating an existing one, or exploring how AI fits into your MERL practice, my focus is the same: build systems that produce better evidence and make it easier for people to act on it.
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Build MERL Systems
From theories of change and logframes to indicator frameworks and learning agendas, I design MERL systems that support accountability without becoming paperwork exercises.
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Design Evaluations
I design evaluations that answer meaningful questions. My work includes evaluation planning, outcome harvesting, mixed-methods research, evidence synthesis, and impact analysis that helps organisations understand what is changing and why.
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Turn Data Into Decisions
I build dashboards and reporting systems that make evidence easier to understand. Instead of static reports, teams get live insights they can use to monitor progress, identify challenges, and support better decisions.
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Apply AI to Evaluation
AI should reduce repetitive work, not replace professional judgement. I help organisations integrate AI into their evaluation workflows to improve evidence synthesis, automate routine tasks, strengthen reporting, and give teams more time for learning and analysis.
Typical Engagements
- Designing MERL systems for new programmes
- Independent evaluations and evidence synthesis
- Dashboard and reporting system development
- AI strategy for monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning
- Strengthening existing MERL systems
If something here is a fit, send a note with a line or two about what you're working on.
saniamomercy@gmail.com →