Fitsum Dagmawi Desta

I am a development research and data collection expert with over 14 years of hands-on experience leading large-scale socio-economic and impact evaluation projects across Ethiopia and East Africa. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with renowned organizations such as Laterite, IDinsight, and PSI, as well as multilateral agencies and NGOs, managing complex field operations and high-stakes data collection efforts that influence policy decisions, program design, and donor strategies.

My expertise lies in end-to-end research operations—from designing tools and coordinating logistics to hiring, training, and supervising teams of up to 200+ field staff. I’ve successfully led projects in agriculture, health, education, youth employment, and climate resilience, often working in hard-to-reach areas and humanitarian contexts. My work has contributed to improving the lives of over 100,000 households by ensuring that evidence drives action.

I bring a rare combination of technical knowledge, operational leadership, and team mentorship. I’m highly skilled in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), impact assessments, survey design, resource mobilization, and field team management, with a deep commitment to data quality, ethical standards, and community respect. I also prioritize knowledge management, internal learning, and inclusive collaboration, regularly sharing insights to strengthen systems and capacity within my teams.

Beyond the technical, I’m driven by a personal mission to create dignified job opportunities, support local talent, and promote evidence-based decision-making for sustainable development. I’ve built and managed country-wide operations from scratch, mentored dozens of emerging professionals, and contributed to the strategic growth of regional programs. My leadership style emphasizes trust, clear delegation, and continuous feedback, always focused on results and long-term impact.

I’m excited to partner with mission-aligned organizations and projects where I can bring rigor, integrity, and field-tested experience to make development efforts more effective, inclusive, and responsive to real-world challenges.