Linda Raftree Email & Phone Number

The MERL Tech Initiative sits at the intersection of digital technology and the social sector. We support thoughtful tech-enabled program design, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL). We convene communities to share good practice and improve humanitarian, development, human rights and peace building outcomes. We advocate for responsible, ethical, realistic approaches that center people, communities and societies. We work as a collaborative group of consultants with deep experience in holistic MERL and digital programming. Our expertise includes digital strategy, digital transformation, data governance, data privacy policy and practice, design research, trust and safety, safeguarding, digital risk assessment, gender, youth, digital inclusion, and social and behavior change (SBC).We lead the MERL Tech Generative AI / Natural Language Processing Community of Practice (NLP-CoP), which explores opportunities and challenges with emerging AI applications for MERL. We convene the New York City Technology Salon, which brings together technologists and social sector practitioners for intimate, in-person, off-the-record conversations on emerging opportunities and challenges. We collaborate with other communities of practice, networks, and professional associations to organize events, develop content, and create space for learning, professional development, and influence.

As an independent consultant, I support the development, humanitarian, human rights and social sectors with digital approaches, including programming research, design, and strategy; trust and safety; child safeguarding; data privacy policy; and related areas. (In 2024 I will be moving my independent consulting to The MERL Tech Initiative).Clients have included:-The Mastercard Foundation (investment strategies for tech-enabled approaches for MERL)-Funder Safeguarding Collaborative (training on digital safeguarding / online safety for regional consultants) -Save the Children (moderation guidelines, policy review, safe programming for migrating and displaced children)-UNHCR (research on safe digital mental health/psycho-social support for adolescents)-Amnesty (children/youth digital rights research and strategy)-CLEAR Anglophone Africa (responsible data management in M&E)-UNICEF (manifesto on data governance for children, policy paper, data governance)-Child Wise (child safeguarding advisory for a large social media platform)-ALNAP and IDLO (background papers and workshop on remote M&E)-CaLP (responsible data toolkit, COVID/remote targeting case studies)-CARE (responsible data policy, practice, implementation)-WHO (chatbot assessment, data sharing in non-emergency contexts)-Humanity United (responsible data policy and practice)-Civic Hall (responsible data assessment and training)-Girl Effect (digital/emerging AI guide, data privacy, safeguarding, research, strategy, implementation)-The Rockefeller Foundation (MERL Tech conference & related efforts)-Swedish International Development Cooperation (MERL Tech workshop)-Girls Who Code (child safeguarding & digital privacy)-mSTAR/Sonjara (Responsible Data Guidelines for USAID)-Catholic Relief Services (Responsible Data Policy)-American Red Cross (consultations on innovation & community-based disaster response)-Oxfam (ICT4D strategy, evaluation of Technology Innovation Fund)

The Technology Salon is an intimate, informal, and in person, discussion among information and communication technology experts and international development professionals. Technology Salons happen in various cities around the world. I convene in NYC and support Brooklyn and other new cities. I also sit on the Board of Technology Salon where we focus on strategy, quality and direction. Technology Salon is the 501c3 (non-profit) partner for The MERL Tech Initiative, allowing us to receive and implement grant funding,

Regarding Humanity (Re:Hum) fostered comment and debate on image, film, narrative and program design in social impact. Re:Hum offered a space for social impact professionals, designers, filmmakers, journalists, and students to explore respectful, relevant and resonant storytelling that did not remove agency from those they portrayed. We also provided guidance and support for organizations, individuals and filmmakers who aimed to ethically represent those with whom and about whom they were creating media and narrative.

London, England, Gb

Developing and supporting implementation of the girls' digital/mobile safeguarding, privacy and security policy and guidelines for Girl Effect's various digital products and efforts. Supporting the organization to prepare for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Providing strategy and guidance on girls and mobile/tech based on good practice in the areas of gender, youth development and technology. Supporting co-design, research and consultation with vulnerable urban girls and partner organizations in 6 countries. Helping to document and apply learning across projects/programs. Serving as a point person on technology and development ethics.

New York, Ny, Us

Assisting the Foundation to identify and apply good practice in the use of ICTs in M&E work. Co-authored "Emerging Opportunities: Monitoring and Evaluation in a Tech-Enabled World," a discussion paper for the Foundation. Supporting dissemination and further discussion in the area of technology and how it's supporting and changing the field of M&E. Organizing and running events to launch/highlight the paper and explore ways strengthen knowledge and good practice in the field of ICTs for M&E.

New York, Ny, Us

The International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination (ICAAD) is a nonprofit organization founded for the charitable purpose of eradicating structural discrimination globally, and to promote human rights norms consistent with public international law. Using high impact strategic litigation, coalition building, leveraged partnerships, and international law, ICAAD strives to combat both structural discrimination and the State’s failure to protect vulnerable communities. ICAAD's project-based approach utilizes small teams of experts to identify specific structural discrimination policies, marshal resources and key partnerships, and provide strategic support with the aim of systematically tearing down these policies globally.

The Social Impact Lab (SIMLab) Foundation houses developers and free support for FrontlineSMS, an open-source SMS-messaging software that enables users to send, receive and manage SMS over a mobile network. The SIMLab Foundation works closely with the SIMLab Community Interest Company (CIC), which meets the needs of clients who need additional support through a commercial consulting model. In my 3 years on the Board, we supported and guided the organization through fundamental structural and strategic changes.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

Serving as a thought leader and providing strategic input to Plan USA’s CEO on trends in development and ways the external context and industry are changing. Leading Plan USA’s International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) commitment and publication process. Leading and/or supporting research, strategy, program design and implementation in areas related to ICTs and child migration, youth participation, youth employment, gender, transparency, accountability, and open/participatory governance.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

Served as a thought leader in the area of new ICTs and development. Provided support for programs using ICTs to improve child protection, youth participation and employment, education, openness, transparency, accountability and governance. Created space for debate and learning around global development and ICTs via social media, workshops, events, networking, technology salons, and online courses.

North Bethesda, Md, Us

Wrote a landscape review for the mEducation Alliance on mobile technology and youth workforce development (mYWD); supported 4 learning events on the topic; kick-started the mYWD working group. Presented results at various events.

New York, New York, Us

Co-wrote paper for XII UN Round Table on Communication for Development (C4D) outlining developments, trends, challenges and recommendations for integrating new technologies into C4D work for and with marginalized adolescent girls; presented at 56th Commission on the Status of Women.

Woking, Surrey, Gb

Developed and coordinated successful programs combining traditional communication forms and new ICTs for youth-led advocacy and violence prevention, 2 of which won internal awards for innovation in technology application to development goals. Supported research and development of Plan's work around girls and technology, including 2011 Because I am a Girl Report: Urban and Digital Frontiers. Spoke on ICTs and development at UN Digital Week, Technology Salons, World Summit on Media for Children, 55th Commission on the Status of Women, Africa Gathering.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

Initiated and developed global youth engagement strategy at Plan; now a global priority. Initiated and developed Plan USA’s Youth Engagement program, involving US youth in global issues and decision making; led to Plan USA establishing youth advisory board. Developed program that uses arts and media to better engage marginalized youth in community development processes and youth-led advocacy; scaled to several countries. Broke ground around the use of new media and technology in Plan's work. Contributed to global child-centered disaster response guidelines following 2004 Tsunami.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

Raised over $8 million in planned gifts, major gifts and deferred gifts.Created marketing strategies to identify and develop prospective donors.Developed systems and procedures for managing donor relations.Brought stronger rights-based focus to Plan USA’s marketing and communications. Piloted youth engagement programs using arts- and culture-based learning.

Woking, Surrey, Gb

Led Plan El Salvador’s move towards a child rights-based approach. Developed and managed Plan El Salvador’s first child rights, child participation, youth media, and non-violence programs; these became signature programs for Plan globally. Wrote strategic plan and all related budgets based on consultations in 400 communities and input from 4 district offices.Led emergency response, relief, recovery and reconstruction after 2 major earthquakes and Hurricane Mitch, secured $6m in grants for reconstruction.Managed sponsorship, grants, public relations, delegations, journalists and VIPs visits.

Oxford, Oxfordshire, Gb

Managed relationships with national NGOs for 7 projects that Oxfam was transitioning out: rural production systems; health; investigation and advocacy on national issues; municipal strengthening; agriculture; immigration. Monitored the projects, reviewed narrative and financial reports, and conducted internal audits.

Geneva, Ch

Wrote strategic plan for El Salvador and Guatemala Programs. Liaised with national NGOs, international cooperation agencies and UN organizations. Managed portfolio of grants to local NGOs on gender, environment, reinsertion of ex-combatants, psychosocial health, advocacy, civil society strengthening, integrated rural development, human rights. Organized and coordinated an electoral observation mission for country’s first democratic elections in 1994; participated as an observer. Organized delegation visits with government and local non-profit organizations and provided translation.