Megerssa Walo

Social Researcher and Evaluator

Melbourne, AU.

About

Highly experienced social researcher and evaluator with a specialization in child and family research, social cohesion, migration, and place-based development. Proven ability to design and lead high-quality, policy-informed research and evaluation projects for government and non-profit sectors. Drives evidence-based policy and practice through strategic stakeholder engagement and impactful knowledge translation, consistently delivering measurable results.

Work

National Disability Insurance Agency

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Assistant Director, Strategic Evaluation

Melbourn, Australia

Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)

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Research Fellow

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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Summary

Led complex social research and evaluation projects for Commonwealth government agencies, developing outcomes frameworks and translating evidence into impactful policy and practice recommendations.

Highlights

Managed diverse research projects, overseeing task allocation, monitoring progress, identifying risks, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, impactful results for government stakeholders.

Developed and implemented robust outcomes frameworks for key Commonwealth government agencies including DSS, DVA, and AGD, enhancing strategic program evaluation capabilities.

Cultivated and managed critical stakeholder relationships, providing expert information, evaluation, and research advice to funding bodies, policy makers, and practitioners to drive evidence-based decisions.

Led evidence synthesis projects focused on child and family wellbeing, utilizing an integrated knowledge translation approach to maximize policy and practice impact.

Designed and produced actionable knowledge translation products, such as practice papers and evidence-to-practice guides, effectively disseminating research findings to broader audiences.

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

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Measurement and Evaluation Officer

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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Summary

Orchestrated the planning, coordination, and delivery of critical evaluation and measurement projects, directly influencing strategic and operational outcomes for a major government organization.

Highlights

Planned and executed comprehensive evaluation and measurement projects, directly contributing to the achievement of strategic and operational outcomes for the organization.

Designed and conducted rigorous evaluations for complex operational projects and risk treatments, providing critical measurement solutions to intricate problems.

Authored detailed evaluation reports, synthesizing complex findings into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leadership and project teams.

Provided constructive feedback on other teams' evaluation work, enhancing overall quality and consistency of measurement practices across the organization.

Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand (GSANZ)

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Evaluation Consultant

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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Summary

Spearheaded the design and implementation of key evaluation projects, ensuring ethical compliance and efficient delivery of high-quality research outcomes for a leading social services organization.

Highlights

Led the end-to-end design and implementation of multiple evaluation projects, successfully guiding initiatives from conception to completion.

Authored comprehensive evaluation reports, translating complex findings into clear, actionable insights for organizational leadership and external stakeholders.

Ensured all research activities adhered strictly to ethical standards, maintaining integrity and credibility across all evaluation projects.

Delivered key projects effectively and efficiently, consistently meeting deadlines and achieving project objectives within scope.

Jesuit Social Services

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Project Officer - Policy, Research and Advocacy

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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Summary

Supported critical policy, research, and advocacy initiatives by drafting government submissions, analyzing data, and preparing comprehensive reports to inform evidence-based projects and secure funding.

Highlights

Supported multiple multifunctional projects within the Policy, Research and Advocacy team, contributing to successful initiative execution.

Drafted compelling submissions for Federal, State, and Territory government inquiries on various social issues, influencing policy discourse.

Analyzed diverse datasets to provide evidence-based insights, directly supporting the development of projects and evaluations.

Contributed to the preparation of reports and research documents, synthesizing findings for internal and external communication.

Provided essential administrative support for funding proposals and submissions, aiding in securing resources for key organizational initiatives.

Swinburne University of Technology

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Research Fellow

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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Summary

Designed and executed extensive social research projects focusing on critical areas such as regional development, social cohesion, and migration, producing academic articles and informing policy.

Highlights

Designed and conducted comprehensive social research projects exploring complex issues like enterprising women, rural development, and social cohesion in Australia and internationally.

Managed all stages of research projects, from developing ethics applications and drafting methodologies to identifying participants and overseeing data collection.

Performed rigorous qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including coding and transcription, to extract key insights from complex datasets.

Authored and co-authored multiple academic articles and reports, disseminating research findings to scholarly communities and informing public discourse.

Wallaga University, Ethiopia

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Lecturer/Associate Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

Nekemte, Oromia, Ethiopia

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Summary

Developed and refined curriculum for the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies while delivering impactful courses to university students.

Highlights

Developed and updated comprehensive curriculum for the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, ensuring academic relevance and rigor.

Delivered engaging and informative courses to university students, fostering knowledge and critical thinking in environmental and geographical studies.

Wallaga University, Ethiopia

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Lecturer/Assistant Dean of Students

Nekemte, Oromia, Ethiopia

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Summary

Oversaw academic and administrative operations as Assistant Dean, teaching diverse courses and managing student services and resource procurement for the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.

Highlights

Taught a diverse range of courses in Geography and Environmental Studies, including Urban and Regional Planning, Research Methods, and GIS, impacting numerous students.

Supervised students on academic planning and course selection, guiding their educational pathways and improving retention.

Managed the recruitment and oversight of administrative staff within the student service sector, enhancing operational efficiency.

Directed the procurement and distribution of essential materials, including food, medicine, and study supplies, ensuring student welfare and academic support.

Research Development Strategy (RDS)

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Research Assistant

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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Summary

Provided crucial research support for the Fisheries Program Retrospective Evaluation project in the Asia-Pacific Region, contributing to academic papers and comprehensive reports.

Highlights

Supported the preparation of academic papers, submissions, and reports for the significant Fisheries Program Retrospective Evaluation project in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Conducted extensive literature reviews, synthesizing existing research to inform project methodologies and findings.

Performed detailed qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including data coding and transcription, ensuring data integrity and accuracy.

Red Cross Australia

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Consultative Group Facilitator

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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Summary

Facilitated consultative groups within Migrant Support Programs, assessing needs and providing actionable recommendations to enhance programming for migrants and asylum seekers.

Highlights

Supported Australian multiculturalism by actively participating in Migrant Support Programs (MSP), fostering community integration.

Assessed the specific needs of migrants and asylum seekers, gathering critical insights to inform program development.

Developed and presented detailed reports to the Red Cross, outlining recommendations to strengthen and optimize programming effectiveness.

Dandii Boru University College, Ethiopia

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Lecturer/ Assistant Academic Dean

Ethiopia, Not Provided, Ethiopia

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Summary

Coordinated the diploma program and managed academic affairs, teaching geography courses and supporting academic staff to enhance the teaching-learning process.

Highlights

Coordinated all academic affairs for the diploma program, ensuring smooth operation and student success.

Managed and supported the teaching-learning process, collaborating with academic staff to enhance educational delivery and outcomes.

Taught various courses within the Department of Geography, contributing to student knowledge and engagement.

Lemen High School, Ethiopia

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Teacher and Principal

Ethiopia, Not Provided, Ethiopia

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Summary

Served as Principal, managing the entire school system in collaboration with regional education authorities, while also teaching Geography.

Highlights

Coordinated and managed the overall school system, collaborating effectively with District and Regional Education Bureaus to ensure educational standards.

Taught general Geography, engaging students and fostering their understanding of the subject.

Education

The University of Tasmania

Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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PhD Regional Development (Society and Culture)

Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Not Provided, Ethiopia
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MA Geography and Environmental Studies (Urban and Regional Planning)

Dilla University, Ethiopia

Dilla, Not Provided, Ethiopia
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Bachelor Education in Geography

Awards

International, IDR Interdisciplinary Research Fund Award, Highly Commended Research

Emerald Publishing, IDR Awards

Awarded for highly commended interdisciplinary research.

Research Impact Award

Swinburne University of Technology

Recognized for significant research impact within the university.

Vice Chancellor's Award – Highly Commended Research Team

Swinburne University of Technology

Recognized as part of a highly commended research team by the Vice Chancellor.

Elite Research Scholarship

University of Tasmania

Awarded a prestigious scholarship for elite research during PhD studies.

Publications

Using a survey to collect data for evaluation: A guide for beginners.

Australian Institute of Family Studies

A guide for beginners on using surveys for evaluation data collection.

How to write a survey questionnaire for evaluation: A guide for beginners.

Australian Institute of Family Studies

A guide for beginners on writing survey questionnaires for evaluation.

Asylum seekers left 'desperate' and 'helpless' when they try to find work in Australia

The Conversation

Article on challenges faced by asylum seekers seeking employment in Australia.

Toward a typology of supports for enterprising women: A comparison of rural and urban Australian regions, Programs, Policies & Practices around High-Growth Women's Entrepreneurship

A. Bullough, D. Hechavarria, C. Brush and L. Edelman (eds.)

A book chapter exploring support typologies for enterprising women in Australia.

Towards an optimal employment strategy for people seeking asylum in Victoria

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)

Report on employment strategy for asylum seekers in Victoria.

Leading and Following in Australian Regional Development: Why governance matters.

Regional Science Policy & Practice

Journal article on governance in Australian regional development.

Impact Assessment: assessing the social dimensions of fisheries research projects in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal

Journal article on social impact assessment of fisheries research in Asia-Pacific.

Netchain Analysis of Maize and Niger Seed Value Chains and local economic development in Nekemte and its Hinterlands, Oromia, Ethiopia.

International Journal of Scientific Footprints

Journal article on netchain analysis and local economic development in Ethiopia.

Rural-urban linkages and local economic development in Nekemte and its surroundings, Oromia, Ethiopia

University of Tasmania

Doctoral dissertation on rural-urban linkages and local economic development in Ethiopia.

Unpacking local economic development: A case study from Nekemte town and its hinterlands, Oromia, Ethiopia.

International Journal of Public Administration

Journal article on unpacking local economic development in Ethiopia.

Bridging the rural-urban divide for local economic development in Nekemte and its hinterlands, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development

Journal article on bridging the rural-urban divide for local economic development in Ethiopia.

Netchain: An analytical approach to Local Economic Development”.

The Marketing Review

Journal article on netchain as an analytical approach to local economic development.

Local Institutions and Local Economic Development in Guto Gidda District, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

Journal of Poverty Alleviation and International Development

Journal article on local institutions and economic development in Ethiopia.

Contradictions between Rhetoric and Practice: The Case of Intra-Regional Resettlement Programme in Northern Ethiopia

Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Journal article on intra-regional resettlement program in Northern Ethiopia.

Municipal Finance and Management in Burayu Town, Oromia, Ethiopia

VDM publication Plc, Germany

Publication on municipal finance and management in Burayu Town, Ethiopia.

Rural-Urban linkages in Gimbi and its Hinterlands, West Wollega Region, Oromia, Ethiopia

VDM publication Plc, Germany

Publication on rural-urban linkages in Gimbi and its Hinterlands, Ethiopia.

Certificates

Asana for project management

Not Provided

Developing Project Management Expertise

Not Provided

Using program theory and program logic for improved evaluation practice

Not Provided

Fundamentals of Visualization with Tableau

Not Provided

Planning for Monitoring and Evaluation

Not Provided

Project Management Essentials

Not Provided

Microsoft Excel 2016 (Advanced)

Not Provided

Microsoft Excel 2016 (Intermediate)

Not Provided

Microsoft Excel 2016 (Introduction)

Not Provided

Group facilitation workshop with the Red Cross Australia

Red Cross Australia

Certificate of Membership to Golden Key International Honour Society

Golden Key International Honour Society

Skills

Research & Data Analysis

Quantitative Data Collection, Qualitative Data Collection, Analytical Skills, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, SPSS, Nvivo, MS Office Suites, Data Visualisation Tools, Literature Review, Data Analysis (Qualitative & Quantitative), Data Coding, Transcription.

Project & Program Management

Project Management, Asana, Program Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, Project Delivery, Risk Management.

Communication & Collaboration

Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Cross-Cultural Competency, Stakeholder Management, Team Leadership, Group Facilitation, Report Writing, Academic Writing.

Evaluation & Policy Development

Program Theory, Program Logic, Evaluation Practice, Outcomes Framework Development, Policy Analysis, Evidence Synthesis, Knowledge Translation, Ethics Standards.

Organizational & Administrative

Time Management, Attention to Detail, Curriculum Development, Student Supervision, Resource Procurement.