Curriculum vitae

Deo-Gracias S. O. HOUNDOLO
Evaluation Specialist
deohoun@gmail.com - Phone: +22997431545 - Skype ID: deohoun

PROFILE
Deo-Gracias HOUNDOLO is a Public Policy Evaluation Specialist. He holds a Master degree in
Resource economics and an Engineer Degree in Agronomy – Major in Natural Resource
Management and Planning, and is currently doing a PhD in Development Economics. He has
an extensive experience in designing and implementing evaluation, namely impact evaluation
of development and humanitarian assistance programs; and has covered considerable
ground in the field of evaluation of public policy.
For the last nine years he works with organizations such the International Initiative for
Impact Evaluation (3ie), the World Bank (PREM, AFTAR, Gender-Lab), The UNOCHA-Pooled
Funds, the African School of Economics, and number of African Governments and institutions
(South Africa Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation at the Presidency, West
Africa Development Bank, Benin Prime Ministry Office, CLEAR-Francophone, CLEAR-Latin
America, GIZ-Benin, Governments of Benin and Togo, etc.), the Government of Niger, the
Government of Benin, GIZ-Benin … to advance the cause of rigorous evaluation on the African
continent more specifically.
In addition to providing technical support in managing evaluations, he also has considerable
experiences in engaging with policy makers with respect to evidence based policy, building
professional capacities. He has presented several communications at conferences, training
workshops, capacity building clinics on policy-based research design, evidence for policy,
building national monitoring and evaluation systems, impact evaluation designs, sample size
and power calculation, cost-effectiveness analysis, developing valid theory of change,
conducting a theory informed evaluation, etc.
His current research focuses on the analyzes of poverty dynamics, understanding the impact
of land titling on women and intra-household dynamics, evaluation of the impact of
innovative agricultural extension services, and also supporting the production of evidence on
what works, why it works, how it takes place and at what costs.
Deo-Gracias is technically well equipped to lead any stage of an evaluation cycle, including
an ex-ante evaluation, an ex-post evaluation, a process evaluation, an outcome evaluation /
performance evaluation and an impact evaluation.

1. EDUCATION

Since April 2015: PhD Researcher, Economics of Development and Emerging

Market Research Group – ISS Erasmus University in The Hague (On-going).

October – November 2016: Advanced Research Design - Interpretative Methods

and Ethnography Certificate, Courses organized by the Partnership for African
Social and Governance research (PASGR) and the Institute of development
Studies (IDS) in Nairobi (Kenya).

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July 2015: Certificate in “Gender Economics and Society” following a Summer
School organized by the International labor Organization at the International
Training Center – (ITCILO) at the Turin Campus, Italy.

June 2014: Participation at Systematic Review Training Modules organized by

The Campbell Collaboration Colloquium 2014: Better Evidence for a better world,
Queen’s University Belfast. Focus on Systematic Reviews.

March 2013: Participation at the Regional Impact Evaluation and Survey

Methods Training Workshop organized by the World Bank in New Delhi (Delhi)

April 2011: World Bank Training Workshop on Development Impact Evaluation – Dakar
(Senegal)

September 2008 - July 2010: Master of Science in Agricultural Development

(Major in Resource Economics); Faculty of LIFE Sciences, University of
Copenhagen (Denmark)

September 2008 - June 2009 Impact Assessment Certificate for interdisciplinary land-
use and resource management; Delivered by the consortium comprised of the University of
Copenhagen (Denmark), the University of Aarhus (Denmark) and the University of Chang
Mai (Thailand).

February 2007 Good Performance Grade in the Internet Based Test of English as Foreign
Language (TOEFL)

May – November 2006: Proficiency in English at the University of Legon and Intensive
English training at the Center of Language and Professional Studies in Accra (Ghana)

October 2004 – December 2005: Diploma of Engineer in Agronomy, Field: Natural

Resources Management and Planning at the Faculty of Agronomy Sciences (University
of Abomey-Calavi i n Benin)

October 2000 – July 2004: Diploma of General Agronomy at the Faculty of Agronomy
Sciences (University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin)

2. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

Position: Principal Investigator of “Impact of innovative model of agricultural

extension on agricultural performance and food security of households in Benin: a
Randomized Control Trial approach”. A research funded by the Partnership for
Economic Policy under PIERI 13014.
Period: 2017 - 2019

Position: Evaluation Specialist _ The main tasks at this position consist of assuring
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technical quality of evaluation design that meet international standards, supporting
researchers to design policy relevant evaluation questions, build valid theory of
change to lead data analysis, undertake stakeholder engagement activities that allow
stakeholders to be aware of the existence of evidence produced, understand and use
those evidence. Finally one key activity is to build capacities of professionals in
evaluation.
Institution: The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)
Country: India (New-Delhi) and African countries
Period: September 2012 – December 2013 (Full time). Since January 2014 to date
(Consultant). Currently I am Leading preparatory works for the West African
Capacity Building and Impact evaluation Programme.

Position: Lecturer (part time) at the African School of Economics. The

position consists of teaching the following subjects “Experimental Methods
in Impact Evaluation” and “Cost-Effectiveness Analysis” for professionals
that are awarded a Certificate in Impact Evaluation of Public Policies
Programme.
Country: Benin
Period: September 2015 to date.

Position: Lead Consultant to support the design and development of a database on

evaluations in Benin (Consultant)
Institution: GIZ in partnership with Benin Government
Country: Benin
Period: June 2017

Position: Master Trainer on Monitoring and Evaluation of Development

Programs (Consultant): The position consists of training M&E Officers of the
International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) who work for country
programmes.
Institution: CLEAR – Latin America
Country: Mexico and Italy
Period: March – April 2017 and October 2017 (Forecoming)

Position: Lead Consultant for training Evaluation Officers from 20 Ministries in

using the Physical Achievement Rate Analysis Method (Taux d’Exécution Physique)
of Government Projects and Programmes. I was in charge of training all the
Ministries and special institutions of Benin.
Institution: GIZ and Benin Government
Period: August 2016;

Position: Reviewer for the “Journal of Development Effectiveness”

Since 2014

Position: Research Associate to conduct qualitative research on land certification and

intra-household dynamics in Benin.

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Institution: The World Bank
Countries: Benin
Period: December 2014 to January 2015

Position: Consultant on Sampling Methodology and Sample Size Calculation

for the Concurrent Monitoring and Nested Community Based Approaches
Evaluation in Bihar (India).
Institution: Options Consultancy Services Ltd. - Bihar Technical Assistance
Support Team (BTAST),
Country: U.K. (London)
Period: September to November 2014.

Position: Development Impact Evaluation _ Field Coordinator

Institution: The World
Bank Countries: Benin,
Niger and Togo Period:
Period: January 2011 –
December 2012

Position: Lead Principal Investigator for Impact Evaluation of the

2011 Integrated
Rehabilitation program in Tahoua (Niger): Cash transfer and Food security.
Institution: Concern Wordwide and Tufts University (USA)
Countriy: Niger (Tahoua)
Period: December 2011 – January 2012 and March – May 2012

Position: National Coordinator Assistant for the project: “Joint Learning

about Innovation in African Agriculture –Jolisaa- Benin”
Institution: Faculty of Agronomy Science – University of Abomey-Calavi
Country: Benin
Period: September – December 2010

Position: Consultant for Agricultural Project Monitoring and evaluation.

Institution: Eden-Benin NGO (Cotonou – Benin)
Period: December 2009 – November 2010

Position: Researcher for Impact St udy of the Royal project on agricultural

development in MaeRim watershed (Chiang Mai district in Thailand)
Institution: University of Copenhagen and University of Chiang Mai
Period: March 2009

Position: Coordinator of a research-development project on Shea butter in

the district of Bassila (Benin)
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 Institution: Benin National Institute of Agricultural Research
Period: November 2009 – January 2010

Position: District coordinator of natural resources planning and

management
Institution: Ministry of Agriculture (Benin)
Period: June 2007 – July 2008.

Position: Research Assistant

Institution: Center for Integrated Development (CECODI)
Period: July to October 2003

3. TRAINING GIVEN, CONFERENCE ATTENDED AND PRESENTATIONS GIVEN.

a. Trainer for a Workshop and Panel Member at the What Work Global Summit in
London. I gave a training and presented on Impact Evaluation in Humanitarian Settings;
Ethics in Evaluation and Whose Minimum detectable Effect matters. September 2016:

b. Lecture on “Biases in Impact Evaluation” as Expert-Consultant for the African School

of Economics from 19 to 21 May 2016. Lecture delivered to Senior Staff of the West
African Economic and Monetary Region and fully funded by the West Africa Economic
and Monetary Commission.

c. Trainer at a Workshop on “Design – Managing – Implementing Impact Evaluation

of Development Programmes” as Expert of the International Impact Initiative for
Impact Evaluation. Training run from 30 March to 1 April 2016 at the Headquarter of
the African Development Bank for Staff of the Independent Development Evaluation
Group in Abidjan.

d. Summer Institute for Economic Research organized by the African School of

Economics from 7 to 18 December 2015: Instructor for a 2 days lecture on impact
evaluation methods and panelist at a policy forum on how to improve evidence uptake
by Government and implementing agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

e. Nigerian Evaluation Association Conference – UNICEF Nigeria: Lecturer for

Technical workshop on Impact Evaluation Design and Theory of change, 15
November 2015 in Abuja – Nigeria.

f. Technical expert coaching during the evaluation design clinic organized by the
Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of the South African
Presidency, 21-22 September in Pretoria.

g. Methods and Approaches to Evaluate Government Programs: Learning session

presentation at the African Evidence Network Colloquium, University of
Johannesburg on 24 – 28 November 2014.
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h. Sample Size determination and Cost Effectiveness Analysis. Trainer at the training
session at the International conference on Making Impact Evaluation Matter Better
Evidence for Effective Policies and Programs organized by Asian Development Bank,
3ie and Pibs from 1 – 3 September 2014.

i. One-day course on Systematic reviews – a source of evidence for policy and practice.
Trainer. Ouagadougou, 12 July 2014.

j. Impact evaluations: Methods and Challenges. Trainer at the Benin Evaluation Days
training workshops. 30 June to 2 July 2014.

k. Impact evaluation clinic: Evaluating the impact of humanitarian programs

UNOCHA – 3ie. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo June, 17 – 21, 2013.
Trainers: Jyotsna PURI, Deo-Gracias HOUNDOLO and Peter GIESEN.

l. Introduction to Impact Evaluation: Lecturer for students enrolled at Indian Institute

of Applied Manpower Research (IAMR) for Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation.
Narela, New-Delhi (india), 11-12 December 2013.

m. Lecture on Impact Evaluation Methods at the Regional Deliberation on Evaluation

Policies, Practices, and Utilization. 18th January 2013; Lecture Hall 1, India
International Centre, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi.

4. PUBLICATIONS

1. Djimeu, E. W., & Houndolo, D.-G. (2016). Power calculation for causal inference in social
science: sample size and minimum detectable effect determination. Journal of
Development Effectiveness, 8(4), 508-527.

2. Eric W Djimeu and Deo-Gracias Houndolo 2016: Power Calculation for causal inference
in Social Science: Sample Size and Minimum Detectable Effect Determination. 3ie
manual. Working Paper 26, 44 pages.

3. Déo-Gracias Houndolo 2010: Shea (Vitellaria Paradoxa c. f. gaertn) production

chain in the district of Bassila (Benin): Population status, Modeling production
dynamics and access to market. Master thesis, University of Copenhagen,
Faculty of Life Sciences, Denmark; 94 pages.

4. Justice Akpene Tambo, Lensa Sefera Tajebe, Deo-Gracias s. O. Houndolo,

Destaalem G. Gebremariam, Sebastien Grenda, Julie Sarrazin, 2010:
Agricultural Intensification: Determinants and Impacts in the Mae Ram
Watershed of Northern Thailand University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Life
Sciences, Denmark.

5. Déo-gracias S. O. Houndolo, Destaalem G. Gebremariam, Julie Sarrazin, Justice

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 Akpene Tambo Lensa Sefera Tajebe, Sebastien Grenda, 2009: De-
agrarianization and Agricultural Intensification in Mae Ram Watershed (North-
Western Thailand), University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Life Sciences, Denmark;
94 pages.

6. Déo-Gracias Houndolo, 2005 : Contribution à l’aménagement des écosystèmes

côtiers : Etude de valorisation du complexe mangrove-zone pélagique de la lagune
côtière du Bénin. Thèse d’Ingénieur Agronome ; Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques
– Université d’Abomey- Calavi, 127pages

7. Déo-Gracias Houndolo, 2004 : Etude du fonctionnement et de la gestion d’une

enterprise agricole: Cas du Centre International d’EcoDeveloppement Intégré
(CECODI). Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques – Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 30
pages.

8. Déo-Gracias Houndolo, Rodrigue K. Elègbè & Yacoubou H. Rahamatou,

2003 : Monographie villageoise et Développement local : Production et
Commercialisation des agrumes dans la région de Za-Kpota au Sud-Bénin. Faculté
des Sciences Agronomiques – Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 82 pages.

9. Assouma Abdul-Qayumi, Déo-Gracias Houndolo & Chimelle David, 2002 :

Etude du Fonctionnement, de la Gestion et de la Dynamique des
Organisations Professionnelles Paysannes : Cas du groupement Gbénonkpo,
village de Tokpo, Commune d’Avrankou, Département de l’Ouémé au Bénin.
Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques – Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 48 pages.

10. Déo-Gracias Houndolo, Yacoubou H. Rahamatou, Mykérinos Adisso &

Clarisse A. Agontiglo, Libérat Hounsou, 2001 : Caractérisation socioéconomique
et culturelle du milieu rural: Cas de Guéssou-Sud (Commune de Bembéréké,
Département de l’Atacora au Bénin). Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques –
Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 64 pages.

5. Public Policy E v a l u a t i o n Related Studies

Years evaluation studies Position held Institution References

2015 Evaluation of the PhD Research Erasmus Prof. Arjun Bedi (Economist)
to effect of the University - abedi@iss.nl
date Millennium Village Rotterdam
Programme on
poverty in
Northern Ghana

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2017 Evaluation of the Co-Investigator Erasmus Marco Fabbri
effect of land titling University - fabbri@law.eur.nl
in Benin using Rotterdam
Game Theories

2016 Analysis of the Research The World Felicien Donat Accrombessy

relationship Analyst Bank faccrombessy@worldbank.org
between Poverty Economist, The
microcredit and World Bank
poverty in Benin:
Preliminary
Exploration.
2015 Qualitative Principal World Bank Rachel Pierrotti,
evaluation of the Investigator (Gender rpierrotti@worldbank.org
impact of land Innovation The World Bank.
titling in Benin Lab.)

2011 Impact Evaluation of Research World Bank El Hadj Adama Toure,

- the Associate - (AFTAR, Sr. Agricultural Economist,
2012 Agro-Pastoral Field Africa Region Agriculture & Rural
Export and Market Coordinator Gender Team Development Unit, Africa
Development and DIME) Region, The World Bank,
Project (PRODEX) etoure@ worldbank.org
in Niger.

2011 Impact Evaluation of Lead Principal Concern Jenny Aker: Impact

- the Investigator Worldwide Evaluation specialist, Tufts
2012 2011 Integrated (NIGER) University (USA)
Rehabilitation Jenny.Aker@tufts.edu
program: Cash
transfer and Food
security in Tahoua
(Niger)
2011 Household Welfare Supervisor World Bank Tougma Yemdaogo:
Evaluation (QUIBB (DECAR, Economist
2011) Africa World Bank, Togo Country
in Togo Region Office;
Gender ytougma@worldbank.org
Team,
DECPI)

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2011 Impact evaluation of Research World Bank Harris Selod: Senior
the Associate - (DECAR, Economist – Development
Rural Land title Field Africa Economics Research Group
implemented by Coordinator Region – World Bank,
the “Millennium Gender hselod@worldbank.org
Challenge Team,
Account” in DECPI and
Benin. DIME)
2010 Impact evaluation of Research Eden – Benin Irene Mitchodigni:
the Coordinator NGO Engineer in Agronomy;
“Rural women (BENIN) Eden-Benin Project
empowerment Director;
through parboiled irenemedeme@gmail.com
rice production and
access to market ”
in the district of
Glazoué in Benin.
2009 Impact Study of the Co- Principal University of Andreas DeNegaard:
Royal Investigator Copenhagen Assoc. Professor Study
project on (Denmark) director for the
agricultural and Agricultural Development
development in University of master programme
MaeRim watershed Chiang Mai Agris Mundus programme
(Chiang Mai in (Thailand) coordinator;
Thailand) and@life.ku.dk

6. Other skills
Use of the following software: Stata, SPSS, R, ArcView, CSPro, Word, Excel, Power Point
Language skills: Fluent in English and French

7. References

Ian Goldman (PhD): Head of Research and Evaluation – Department of Planning,

Monitoring and Evaluation at the Presidency of South Africa. Email contact:
ian@dpme.gov.za

Jyotsna Puri (PhD.): Former Deputy Executive Director and Head of Evaluation at the
International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), Delhi. Adjunct Associate Professor,
Columbia University, New York. jpuri@3ieimpact.org

Arjun Singh Bedi (PhD): Professor of Development Economics, ISS-Erasmus University.

abedi@iss.nl

Michael O’Sullivan: Economist, Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Africa Region-
World Bank, mosullivan@worldbank.org.
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Déo-Gracias S. O. HOUNDOLO.

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