Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Associationsmembershipsvolunteering
Publications
Volunteer Experience
Regionalscope
Timeline
Generic

Dickson M. Otiangala

MEAL Adviser
Nairobi,Nairobi

Summary

Humanitarian and Health professional with over 13 years' experience in development research, health research and health system strengthening in Africa and Asia. Core competencies lie in designing and implementing innovative health solutions that build local to go global. Focus areas are in Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, Data management, policy, and governance in a human centric approach (HCD) across state and non-state institutions.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
2023
2023
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages

Work History

Senior MEAL Adviser

PATH
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
11.2021 - Current
  • Company Overview: 17 African countries, (Both Anglo and francophone countries) |South Asia & SE Asia | TA Global office
  • The role provides technical leadership (at both program & organizational level) to capture and communicate program results, as well as ensure high-quality, timely, valid, and verifiable data collection, reporting and analysis
  • Link M&E data to process of learning and iterative adaptation
  • Guide programs and build capacity across countries, through harmonizing learning and knowledge sharing
  • Promote environment of integration, innovation, empowerment, and responsible stewardship
  • Ensures that MEL system adheres to donor guidelines and meets needs of program for learning, analysis, and reporting
  • Develop and implements framework for project results measurement, accountability, learning and development effectiveness to measure and report project success, including articulation of Theories of Change (ToC)
  • Collaborating, Learning and Adaptive work: Integrate CLA strategy as part of MEL Activity Plan
  • Develop facilitation materials and learning and adaptation reporting templates for monthly pause-and-reflect sessions with partners
  • Facilitate and draft learning and adaptation reports for quarterly pause-and-reflect sessions with MOH and National Technical steering committee
  • Leads efforts to develop and implement effective knowledge management system to ensure lessons and best practices are incorporated into ongoing interventions and innovative approaches
  • Developing, refining, and implementing Standard operating Procedures at site, district, and National Level for target countries
  • Scientific guidance
  • Implementation Research, including support to develop abstracts and manuscripts
  • Building relationships
  • Liaison with Donors, Ministries of Health, communities, and other Partners
  • HIV landscape (CDC) & Data use partnership (BMGF)- Tanzania
  • Oversees and advises on information management processes by reviewing data collection efforts, overall data reliability, consistency, quality, and reporting
  • Zero dose learning agenda (ZDLA), (BMGF) Lead in application of measurement aspect using HCD principles, centric design through agile development methodologies to assess impact of co-created solutions., (Kenya, DRC, Zambia)
  • Immunization project (MRITE - USAID)
  • Supports prioritization and regular use of health information by project partners at national and sub-national levels, leveraging routine information systems to extent possible, and supports prioritization of indicators and strengthening of data for effective governance, coordination, and accountability of health services
  • Provide MEAL Leadership and coordination
  • External Data quality Assessments (Audits) to Access collaborative project (USAID funded), in 17 African countries, (Both Anglo and francophone countries)
  • Represent PATH at Climate Change & Global Digital Health Network Advisory Council (GDHAC)
  • Effectively manage and supervise Project MEAL team, provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complement performance management with direct reports
  • Provide continuous support and capacity development on MEAL of Project team and partners in proper functioning of monitoring and evaluation system and procedures at their level

Senior Research Monitoring & Evaluation Manager (Africa Region)

Center for Public Health Development (CPHD)
07.2017 - 10.2021
  • Company Overview: Hewatele
  • This is a leadership role that involve providing guidance to the program implementation team to engage key stakeholders in periodic program reviews to validate implementation strategies; capacity building; analyze performance trends along the program indicators and articulate necessary course corrections
  • Projects: Anesthesia training (ELMA Foundation), Oxygen usage and learnings (GCC, ELMA, GHL, UBS, UNITAID), Green energy theaters-Innovation (DFID), NEST360 (ELMA, BMGF), Teen Mental health (CitiesRICE)
  • Design a monitoring, evaluation, and learning system for the program, including scientific guidance to inform health research, publications, and generation of reliable data for results-based management of the program
  • Develop data analytics and visualization tools to present data in compelling ways to implementing partners, ministry of health, county leadership and the donor
  • Design, implement and disseminate qualitative and quantitative research studies, including routine exit interviews as well as rapid assessments of progress and quality of integrated service delivery in the hard-to-reach areas
  • Participate in the preparation of work plans, budgets, M&E plans, performance frameworks and program performance reports
  • Represent the organization in different donor and partners discussions
  • Work with partners and donors to organize and facilitate learning agenda workshop(s) with high-level stakeholders; draft a utilization-focused learning agenda report and strategy for the activity
  • Hewatele

Evaluation & Database Manager

ACTED/REACH International
Nairobi
06.2015 - 06.2017
  • Company Overview: Kenya | Somalia | South Sudan
  • Provided overall MEAL leadership direction for projects, enhancing quality, accountability and learning and ensuring smooth coordination and MEAL coherence across programme
  • In coordination with country manager, designed & implemented 4 REACH assessment strategy & research cycles.
  • Implemented REACH/ACTED Assessments to provide technical support to Kenyan and Somalia IDP camps thereby enhancing operations
  • Led analysis of data and drafting into REACH products such as reports, briefs, and fact-sheets
  • Orchestrated better contingency planning for better response by UN agencies at high-level meetings
  • Participated in implementation of assessment projects, providing support to development of assessment, database, and GIS tools with the REACH team
  • Spearheaded REACH/ACTED training on quantitative/qualitative data collection using different innovative platforms for data collection
  • Represented organization in the review and management of draft narrative reports for development of financial reports through regular budgetary follow-up

Team Lead - Evaluation of a Literacy Project

World Vision Kenya
Nairobi
01.2015 - 05.2015
  • Enhanced general operations by providing technical assistance and support to end line evaluation of literacy projects in Mutomo and Kalawa
  • Oversaw the project assessment of designs to support the WVK M&E teams on the preparation and development of tools
  • Spearheaded induction of Tangerine version of literacy assessment tools coupled with application of tablets to ease data collection
  • Capacity building by training teams on basis of tools assessment & data collection on projects

Team Lead, -SMART Assessment

Action Against Hunger (AAH)
11.2014 - 01.2015
  • Developed the SMART survey system to help collect data and train the nutrition team on the best nutritional practices
  • Implemented the fieldwork schedule to help facilitate the AAH staff training
  • Analyzed and implemented a viable budget to ensure the proper implementation of the care practices approach in the nutrition-based integrated project
  • Developed and presented a report to the Nutritional Cluster to help integrate the care practices in implementation of community-based activities of nutrition

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

RTI International
09.2012 - 10.2014
  • This is a coordination role that involved providing technical support to EGRA/EGMA/Tusome field-based programming activities as well as act as linkage between the program and the ministry
  • Spearheaded development of research designs, coordination of surveys and database management
  • Led tools development and data analysis: Tangerine, STATA, SPSS, to smoothen general operations and delivery topnotch results
  • Oversaw the continuous and accurate tracking of the regional M&E activities using the PMP and log frames successfully
  • Implemented the M&E systems coupled with plans to ease general operations
  • Calculatedly monitored and evaluated the USAID and DFID funded projects based in Bungoma & Machakos successfully
  • Acted as a trainer to the technical support teams by providing direct line assistance to the client's and their project's capabilities in M&E
  • Represented the organization in regional meetings and presentations

Monitoring and Evaluation Graduate Intern

Ministry of Health (Division of Nutrition)
06.2012 - 09.2012
  • This was a hands-on, short-term internship program at the ministry of health that offer a unique experience in one of many public health fields
  • Provide technical assistance in development and revision of the project log frame matrix in various areas including, indicators and monitoring mechanisms
  • Designing of the Health/Nutrition Frameworks and setting of targets
  • Conduct Capacity Building through education and nutrition counselling
  • Actively participate in the process for identifying the key performance indicators and questions for tracking projects progress/performance and comparing it to the set targets
  • Assist in Planning and conducting the Health/Nutrition surveys (SMART, SQUEAC) through planning and coordination of trainings and data collection
  • Assist in development of the overall framework for projects and carry out timely project reviews, participatory impact assessments, process tracking, operations monitoring, and lessons learned and or challenges

District Nutrition Coordinator

Ministry of Health - AMREF Program
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
12.2010 - 06.2012
  • Liaising with partners & agencies involved in nutrition and health (IRK, UNICEF, WFP, APHIA Plus, RACIDA, Kenya Red Cross) to ensure coordinated regional response & providing technical support in several programs for treatment and prevention of acute malnutrition through implementation of HINI
  • Promote cooperation among DHMTs/CHMT and partner organizations in support of community and district to end malnutrition in all of its forms at district level
  • Coordinating supporting partners, CHWs and CHEWs in implementation of CMAM (SAM, ICYF, and MAM) and linking of community to health facilities
  • Planning and spearheading implementation of nutrition activities
  • Providing technical guidance on GO/HINI/IMAM/IYCF protocols and supervising leadership
  • Arranging and participating in project harmonization and coordination meetings/activities with local elders and stakeholders regarding nutrition
  • Monitoring and tracking all nutritional supplies and equipment movements, storage systems and utilization methods
  • Quality nutrition data management through Updating records of their current conditions and statuses
  • Reporting and evaluating nutritional programmes on weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis
  • Ensuring adaptations of recommendations are into project design and implementation

Education

Policy Development and Advocacy for Global Health -

University of Washington

Adaptive Learning Facilitation & Data use capacity strengthening - undefined

USAID MOMENTUM

Doctor of Philosophy - Public Health

Kenyatta University

Leadership Management & Governance Health System - undefined

AMREF Health

Master of Public Health - Monitoring and Evaluation

Kenyatta University

GIS Fundamentals - Mapping and Spatial Analysis

E-Enhancement Centre Ltd

Bachelor of Science - Food Nutrition and Dietetic

Kenyatta University

Skills

Organizational Leadership

Program Strategic Leadership

Data Quality Assessment

Knowledge Management

M&E Plans/frameworks

Scientific Writing/Report Writing

Research/Evaluation

Surveillance Practice

Building Relationships

MS Office/DHIS2/Power BI/Tableau/SPSS/STATA/KOBO/REDCap

Associationsmembershipsvolunteering

  • Registered Member Kenya Nutritionist and Dieticians Institute (KNDI)
  • Member of the Project Management Institute (PMP)

Publications

  • Oxygen insecurity and mortality in resource-constrained healthcare facilities in rural Kenya., Otiangala, D., Agai, N. O., Olayo, B., Adudans, S., Ng, C. H., Calderon, R., Forgie, E., Bachman, C., Lieberman, D., Bell, D., Hawkes, M., & Somoskovi, A., Pediatric Pulmonology, 55, 4, 1043-1049, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.24679
  • A feasibility study evaluating a reservoir storage system for continuous oxygen delivery for children with hypoxemia in Kenya., Otiangala, D., Agai, N.O., Olayo, B. et al., BMC Pulm Med, 21, 78, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-021-01433-6
  • Feasibility, performance, and acceptability of an innovative vital signs monitor for sick newborns in Western Kenya: A mixed-methods study., Nantume, A., Oketch, B. A., Otiangala, D., Shah, S., Cauvel, T., Nyumbile, B., & Olayo, B., DIGITAL HEALTH, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231182799
  • How to Ensure Medical Devices Help Communities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries., Marym, M., Erin R., Olayo B., Otiangala, D., Stanford social review, 2020, https://shrturl.app/LXpXgz
  • Caregiver Home Based Practices for Managing Children Aged (0-59 Months) With Diarrheal Disease in Busia County, Kenya., Mwaro, Dickson Otiangala, 2020, http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/21214
  • Health facility assessment of small and sick newborn care in low- and middle-income countries: systematic tool development and operationalization with NEST360 and UNICEF., Penzias, R.E., Bohne, C., Ngwala, S.K. et al., BMC Pediatr, 23, Suppl 2, 655, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-023-04495-z
  • The use of Immunization Appointment Diaries to improve defaulter tracing and reduce drop-out rates in Kenya., Still under Peer Review

Volunteer Experience

  • Peer Educator who champions the drive towards active participation and involvement of people living with Non-Communicable Diseases in the health agenda., 09/01/16, present
  • Climate change and digital enthusiast with a keen interest in sustainable organic farming practices., 01/01/14, present

Regionalscope

Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, DRC, Senegal, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Mauritania, Mali, Ghana, Guinea, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Madagascar, India, Nepal, Philippines

Timeline

Senior MEAL Adviser

PATH
11.2021 - Current

Senior Research Monitoring & Evaluation Manager (Africa Region)

Center for Public Health Development (CPHD)
07.2017 - 10.2021

Evaluation & Database Manager

ACTED/REACH International
06.2015 - 06.2017

Team Lead - Evaluation of a Literacy Project

World Vision Kenya
01.2015 - 05.2015

Team Lead, -SMART Assessment

Action Against Hunger (AAH)
11.2014 - 01.2015

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

RTI International
09.2012 - 10.2014

Monitoring and Evaluation Graduate Intern

Ministry of Health (Division of Nutrition)
06.2012 - 09.2012

District Nutrition Coordinator

Ministry of Health - AMREF Program
12.2010 - 06.2012

Adaptive Learning Facilitation & Data use capacity strengthening - undefined

USAID MOMENTUM

Doctor of Philosophy - Public Health

Kenyatta University

Leadership Management & Governance Health System - undefined

AMREF Health

Master of Public Health - Monitoring and Evaluation

Kenyatta University

GIS Fundamentals - Mapping and Spatial Analysis

E-Enhancement Centre Ltd

Bachelor of Science - Food Nutrition and Dietetic

Kenyatta University

Policy Development and Advocacy for Global Health -

University of Washington

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Dickson M. OtiangalaMEAL Adviser