The Impact Measurement and Knowledge Team

Saskia van Veen

Saskia is an impact measurement and knowledge specialist at Oxfam Novib. She has a background in academics, where she conducted research focussing on the inclusion of persons with disabilities and global health at the Athena Institute of the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam. In her work, she specialises in mixed-method approaches to impact measurement and facilitating a learning process around them. Her thematic focus areas include: citizen’s voices, social norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls, and youth employment. Saskia has a Master’s degree in International Public Health and a PhD related to learning- and knowledge co-creation and inclusive development for persons with disabilities. Outside of work, Saskia enjoys international cuisine and playing sports, such as running, bootcamp, ice hockey, and balancing all of this with quality family time. 

Francisco Bolaños

Francisco Bolaños is an impact measurement specialist focusing on quantitative research. His work entails the application of quasi-experimental methods of impact evaluation and econometric analysis in development related topics. He also has experience in quantitative research on social protection, youth unemployment, public finance of local governments and international trade in El Salvador. In El Salvador, he has lectured courses on microeconomics and social security at undergraduate level. He holds a Master's degree in Development Studies with specialisation in Econometric Analysis of Development Policies from the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam. During his free time, he enjoys playing football, going to the gym and connecting with the nature. He is passionate also about cooking and trying new recipes.

Jaynie Vonk

Jaynie Vonk is an impact measurement specialist. Her work focuses on sustainable water and sanitation, using mainly quasi-experimental methods and multi-dimensional indices. Additionally, she serves as a link between Oxfam Novib and Oxfam GB for collaboration on impact evaluation. Prior to joining Oxfam in 2018, Jaynie worked in various roles in the non-profit, public, and private sectors, including as a consultant for the International Growth Centre in Uganda, as an environmental engineer for the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States, as a senior research associate for Innovations for Poverty Action in Kenya, and as Boren Fellow in Cambodia. She holds Master’s degrees in Public Policy and Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University. Outside of work, Jaynie enjoys (attempting) to cook elaborate meals, traveling (including local weekend getaways), and visiting museums.

Marieke Meeske

Marieke Meeske joined Oxfam Novib in 2019 as an impact measurement specialist. Her work at Oxfam Novib centres on supporting teams in Oxfam to evaluate the impact of their interventions, and to inform their programmes and campaigns with evidence-based recommendations. She focuses primarily on quantitative research methods. Marieke holds a Master’s degree in Development Economics (cum laude) from Wageningen University. Prior to joining Oxfam Novib, she worked at PAX on a project that uses survey data as a conversation starter and means for voicing civilians in security related discussions (implemented in Iraq and South Sudan). Next to work, Marieke enjoys playing sports, cooking, reading and scrapbooking. 

Sunanda Poduwal

Sunanda Poduwal is an impact measurement specialist focusing on qualitative research. Her work involves supporting teams across Oxfam in measuring and understanding the impact of their programmes. She has special interest in exploring how research and evaluations can be made more inclusive and the findings and learnings more accessible. Prior to joining Oxfam Novib in 2020, Sunanda worked in various roles in not-for-profit and for-profit organisations and in various domains such as consulting, research, journalism, and taxation. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainability Science and Policy from Maastricht University and a Bachelor’s degree in commerce from University of Delhi. Outside of work, Sunanda enjoys reading (especially long form journalism), listening to podcasts (mostly true crime), exploring different genres of music, cooking, and traveling.

Concetta Scarfiello

Concetta is an impact measurement and knowledge specialist. She specialises in qualitative research and mixed-methods applied to intersectional analysis to inform transformative programming and learning. Her thematic focus areas include: financial feminism, gender norms, economic empowerment, agency, violence against women and inclusive employment. Concetta has a background in academics and Indigenous advocacy. Before joining Oxfam Novib in 2021, she conducted research on how rural Nepalese women creatively engage with formal lending, examining how they demonstrate different forms of agency in relation to microfinance. Concetta has also worked extensively as an applied anthropologist for Indigenous-led organizations in Central and South Australia on governance and participatory resource development. She has a PhD (theses awarded a Dean’s Commendation for Excellence) in Anthropology and Development Studies from the University of Adelaide and a Master’s degree (cum laude) in Applied Anthropology and Ethnographic Studies from La Sapienza University of Rome. Outside of work, she enjoys playing sports, meditating and taking photos.

Stephanie Milan

Stephanie is an impact measurement specialist with quantitative expertise. She is looking for measuring the impact of programmes. She holds a Master’s degree in Development Economics and Policy (cum laude) from The University of Manchester. Her experience lies in gender justice, youth employment, development and education. Before joining Oxfam Novib, Stephanie worked in a think tank in El Salvador (her homeland). She studied the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Latin America, in which she conducted an analysis towards the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals by the civil society, governments and the private sector. Moreover, she evaluated the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of CRS/USAID youth employment programs in Central America. Besides research, Stephanie enjoys kayaking, playing the ukulele and drinking tea.

Nguyen Quang Thai

Nguyen Quang Thai is a research and knowledge specialist, serving in both Oxfam Novib and Oxfam in Vietnam. In Oxfam Novib, his work centres on supporting teams in Oxfam to evaluate the impact of their programmes, and to inform their programmes and campaigns with evidence-based recommendations. He also works with Oxfam in Vietnam (OiV) in research for influencing in some OiV’s key areas like multidimensional inequality, digital inclusion, and human economy. He has experience in quantitative research and evaluation methods, statistical analysis and causal inference with panel data. He has special research interest in applied economics and econometrics in governance, civil society, and political resilience in authoritarian regimes. He holds a bachelor’s degree on finance and banking in National Economics University in Vietnam. In my spare time he likes playing games, including football, chess, and ping pong.

Sucharita Iyer

Sucharita is an impact measurement specialist, with a background in qualitative research and socio-cultural anthropology. Her work is focused on facilitating meaningful and participatory learning and knowledge-sharing with diverse stakeholders across the global development ecosystem. She is also a board member at the Amsterdam-based CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality. Previously, she worked as a research associate at Dasra, a social impact consultancy in Mumbai, India, where she conducted research on youth issues and wellbeing in India. There, she conducted and disseminated research and managed the 10to19 Community of Practice, a national network of 280+ youth-focused organizations across India, focused on collective advocacy and promoting peer-learning and collaborative action. She has also worked with the British Asian Trust, focusing on building a research-based case for support on child protection in India. She holds a Master’s in socio-cultural anthropology from the University of Amsterdam. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, listening to pop culture podcasts, and taking long walks.