Raquel Santiago Barrio

· Evaluation Design & Management for Development Projects: Designed and implemented external evaluations for development programs, using a utilization-focused evaluations.

o Conducted outcome and impact evaluation (baseline, midterm and final) for a three-year program in Kenya, aimed at combating climate change and enhancing environmental protection.

o Conducted external evaluation (baseline, midterm and final) for a three-year project in Baringo County, Kenya, targeting Food and Nutritional security.

· Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Systems Design & Implementation: Developed and implemented a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system with a focus on MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) for a three-year environmental protection project.

· Needs assessments & Programing: Led need assessments in national conservancies with a participatory community approach. Assisted in developing Theory of change and Logical frameworks for grant proposals.

· Capacity Building & Training: Designed and facilitated capacity-building sessions in Results-based management and optimal M&E practices for headquarters, field office staff and public officers.

Key achievement: played a significant role in optimizing data collection methodologies by imparting best practices in indicator tracking performance systems, ensuring consistent data quality and meaningful programmatic insights.

· Strategic Leadership: Spearheaded the establishment and growth of the NGO. Mobilized resources, securing funding and partnerships to drive the organization's objectives forward.

· Program Design & Implementation: Designed and rolled out innovative programs championing sexual and reproductive health rights.

· Stakeholder Engagement: Forged strategic partnerships with local communities, governmental agencies, and international organizations to enhance program reach and impact.

· Training & Capacity Building: Designed training modules and trained facilitators to educate community members and child girls and boys on sexual health rights and women's equity.

Key achievement: ensured the growth of the organization, successfully designing and securing funding for programs in three years and forced strategic collaborations with governmental bodies and international entities.

· Conducted an in-depth systematic review of authentic Youth Participatory Evaluation, presenting research findings in a webinar during the global event "Youth in Evaluation Week".

· Led administration, financial oversight, procurement, and local staff training. Established the administrative office, introduced IT software, and standardized operating procedures

· Administrative Leadership & Team Management: Implemented administrative functions and instituted rigorous financial management protocols. Directed the recruitment process for local staff and supervised and mentored a diverse team of expatriates and local staff,

· Community Engagement & Program Development: Engaged deeply with local communities, pioneering the creation and roll-out of a community mortality prevention system.

· Grant Achievement & Project Expansion: Successfully increased the number of approved grants, leading to a notable multiplication of the NGO's projects in the country.

· Program Management & Strategy: Oversaw and optimized multiple programs implemented in the country.

4.0 GPA

Graduated with Distinction level.

Research in Sexual and reproductive health challenges in an indigenous minority ethnic group in Kenya.