Open To Work
Hussen Chanda
Lusaka
Summary
Experienced migration policy and data specialist with 12 years in evidence-based governance. Successfully delivered nationally endorsed migration frameworks and data strategies through collaborative stakeholder engagement. Strong background in enhancing institutional capacity and implementing data-driven strategies for improved program outcomes.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Programmes Officer (Migration Policy Liaison and Data)
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Lusaka
04.2022 - Current
- Lead implementation of migration governance projects, aligning them with national development plans and donor requirements.
- Developed and nationally endorsed Zambia’s First Migration Data Strategy (2026–2030): Led a cross-sector technical team using stakeholder consultations and data analysis to create a strategy that strengthened migration data governance and inter-ministerial coordination (from concept to Cabinet approval).
- Operationalized the Integrated Migration Management Information System (IMMIS): Coordinated the system design and roll-out through technical expertise in data management and user training, resulting in improved migration data collection and sharing across institutions.
- Coordinated multi-agency engagement (government ministries, national statistics office, UN partners) to advance migration policy and data initiatives, fostering collaboration and alignment on key objectives.
- Advanced National Policy Frameworks: Provided technical inputs for the National Migration Policy (2022) and National Labour Migration Strategy (2024–2028), analyzing migration trends and coordinating workshops to ensure adoption of evidence-based policy measures.
- Deliver capacity building workshops on migration management, data systems, and ethical recruitment.
- Developed and produced analytical reports and policy briefs, informing evidence-based decision-making and shaping strategic policy directions.
- Developed comprehensive migration project reports (narrative and statistical), leveraging data insights to meet donor reporting standards and inform government actions.
- Coordinated humanitarian and development partners as national focal point for the Migrant Response Plan (MRP) and Migrant Protection lead.
- Represent IOM in UN coordination platforms including the UN Country Team (UNCT), UN Thematic Groups (Prosperity, Peace, and Planet Pillars, Data and M&E), Cluster Groups to ensure integrating migration into national priorities and joint programmes.
- Implemented Population Mobility Mapping (2025): Directed field mapping and data analysis in partnership with the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), identifying mobility patterns that informed targeted health surveillance and intervention planning.
- International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants alike. Website: https://www.iom.int
Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Reporting Assistant
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Lusaka
11.2019 - 03.2022
- Led research and evaluations for migration and refugee programmes, informing policy and enhancing project design.
- Conducted a Rapid Vulnerability Assessment: Designed and led a mixed-methods study in two refugee resettlement areas (Meheba, Mayukwayukwa), yielding evidence-based recommendations to enhance refugee protection and integration initiatives.
- Implement monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems in line with RBM frameworks, ensuring data-driven programme performance tracking.
- Streamlined M&E practices by establishing monitoring tools and indicators using RBM principles, enhancing data accuracy and strengthening donor compliance.
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative data, translating findings into actionable recommendations and technical reports.
- Developed targeted outreach plan using community feedback mechanisms, increasing engagement with refugees and internally displaced persons and influencing program adjustments based on socio-economic and cultural realities in two resettlement areas.
- Support development of communication strategies to improve outreach to displaced and migrant populations.
- International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants alike. Website: https://www.iom.int
Migration Data Consultant
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Lusaka
04.2018 - 10.2019
- Delivered technical assistance on migration data collection, analysis, and reporting for national projects, enhancing data accuracy and usability.
- Facilitated stakeholder meetings and workshops, fostering collaboration and improving migration data harmonization among government agencies.
- Support the integration of migration data into national development plans and policy discussions.
- International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants alike. Website: https://www.iom.int
- Coordinated 'Zambia Migration Profile 2019': Oversaw data gathering and statistical analysis in collaboration with the Zambia Statistics Agency and the Department of Immigration, producing a comprehensive national Migration Profile report which now guides policy and program development.
- Contributed to Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) Assessment, 2019: Worked with the Economist Intelligence Unit team to evaluate Zambia’s migration governance through quantitative and qualitative indicators, highlighting strengths and gaps later used for policy improvements.
- Strengthened data coordination through technical workshops and consultations, enhancing relationships and data sharing protocols among agencies for improved migration data management.
Demographer (Research, Monitoring & Evaluation)
Evidence-Based Development Institute of Southern Africa (EDISA)
Lusaka
09.2013 - 01.2018
- Designed and implemented research studies and evaluations in health, migration, and socio-economic projects, informing evidence-based policy decisions.
- Developed data collection instruments (surveys, interview guides) and supervised fieldwork, ensuring high-quality data for actionable insights.
- Performed advanced data analysis (SPSS, CSPro, Stata) and compiled findings into technical reports for clients and stakeholders.
- Coordinated with government and international partners to align research objectives with policy needs, enhancing collaborative impact on program development.
- Evidence-Based Development Institute of Southern Africa (EDISA) is an organization focused on research, monitoring, and evaluation in the Southern African region. Website: N/A
- Enhanced Data Quality and Use: Introduced improved data management protocols and statistical analysis techniques, significantly increasing data reliability and enabling clear evidence-based policy recommendations.
- Supported National Strategy Development: Contributed to critical initiatives including the Assessment on Migration-Related Data for the Development of Zambia’s Migration Profile (2017) and a Migration Health Strategy (2016–2020) by providing demographic analysis and strategic documents, ensuring alignment with national priorities.
- Delivered timely Evaluations and project reports: Delivered on-time, donor-compliant evaluation reports (on population policy and HIV/AIDS project impact), with demonstrable attention to methodological rigor and stakeholder communication.
Education
Master of Arts - Population Studies
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia07-2020
Bachelor of Arts - Demography
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia12-2013
Skills
- Policy development and implementation
- Research methodologies
- Data analysis (SPSS, CSPro, Stata, Excel)
- Project management
- Data visualization
- Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher)
- Facilitation and presentation skills
- Data visualization
Personal Information
- Title: Demographer | Policy, Research and M&E Specialist
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Zambian
References
- Mr. Knowledge Mareyanadzo, Programme Officer (IBM LHD Policy), IOM Zambia, KMAREYANADZO@iom.int, kmareyanadzo1@gmail.com, Supervisor
- Ms. Nomagugu Ncube, Chief of Mission, Currently in IOM Nairobi, Kenya, NomaNcube@iom.int, Previous Supervisor
- Dr. Buleti Nsemukila, Principal Consultant/Chairperson, Evidence-Based Development Institute of Southern Africa (EDISA), Zambia, +260 977 791126, buleti@yahoo.co.uk, Previous Supervisor
Expert Contributions
- National Labour Migration Strategy, 2023, Zambia, https://www.mlss.gov.zm/?wpdmpro=national-labour-migration-strategy-2024-2028, Technical Contributor
- National Migration Policy, Zambia, 2022, https://www.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl486/files/documents/2023-05/national_migration_policy.pdf, Technical Contributor
- Good Practices on developing the Migration Policy in Zambia, UN Migration Network, 2022, https://migrationnetwork.un.org/practice/good-practices-developing-migration-policy-zambia, Co-Author
- Rapid Assessment on Socioeconomic and Cultural Vulnerabilities in Resettlement Areas: Meheba and Mayukwayukwa, 2020, https://publications.iom.int/books/rapid-assessment-report-socioeconomic-and-cultural-vulnerabilities-resettlement-areas-meheba, Lead Researcher
- Feeding practices and stunting in children aged 0-23 months in Zambia: analysis of the Zambia demographic and health survey 2013-14 data, 2020, http://dspace.unza.zm/handle/123456789/6666, Author
- Zambia Migration Profile, 2019, https://publications.iom.int/books/migration-zambia-country-profile-2019, Lead Contributor
- Zambia Migration Governance Indicators (MGI), 2019, https://publications.iom.int/books/migration-governance-indicators-profile-2019-zambia, Contributor
Relevant Trainings
- Introduction to the Geographic Information System (GIS), 04/26, Alison
- Climate and Carbon Data Intelligence Training, 03/26, Verst Carbon, Nairobi, Kenya
- Negotiation Skill Training, 04/24, Center for Experiential Negotiation and Applied Diplomacy (CENAD)
- Monitoring and Evaluation Training, 07/22, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- Introduction to the International Recruitment Integrity System, 08/22, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- Capacity Building on Migration Policy and Institutional Frameworks, 08/22, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Pretoria, South Africa
- Gender Mainstreaming and Analysis, 10/13, Training on Gender Analysis and Gender Mainstreaming using the 2010 Census Analytical Report leading to a Gender Analysis Report of the 2010 Census Report; Lusaka, Zambia
- Monitoring and Evaluation Fundamentals, 10/31/14, An Online course offered by MEASURE Evaluation and USAID
- Data Demand and Use, 11/14, An e-learning course offered by MEASURE Evaluation and USAID
- Introduction to Development Evaluation, 02/15, An e-learning course offered by the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF); the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation (IOCE) under the EvalPartners Initiative
- Joint Statistical Training Programme (Stata, CS-Pro, Epi-Info, MortPak and Epi-Data), 03/13, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Timeline
Programmes Officer (Migration Policy Liaison and Data)
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
04.2022 - Current
Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Reporting Assistant
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
11.2019 - 03.2022
Migration Data Consultant
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
04.2018 - 10.2019
Demographer (Research, Monitoring & Evaluation)
Evidence-Based Development Institute of Southern Africa (EDISA)
09.2013 - 01.2018
Master of Arts - Population Studies
University of Zambia
Bachelor of Arts - Demography
University of Zambia