Shannon Smith Email & Phone Number

Supported the maintenance of the humanitarian database for visualizations of context and partner data.- Write and update google apps scripts to pull in data via APIs on an automatic basis as well as R scripts for manual data updates.- Create and update calculation tools using google scripts and sheets- Develop documentation for data sources and code.

- Managed the communication team workflow and tasks, coordinated across all data services teams to promote activities and produce and copy edit content. - Supported change management for USAID data-related tools and policies, such as coordinating campaigns to communicate about the migration of the Development Data Library (DDL) platform and the introduction of the Digital Information Rule.- Contributed to outreach initiatives to promote Data Services team products, such as reports, dashboards, and websites. Strategized about appropriate platforms and timelines, draft and edit newsletter blurbs and other written content, and review and update internal websites.

- Managed a $1.6M buy-in to the USAID Data Services contract by the Prosper Africa team, including creating scopes of work, tracking expenditures against cost estimate, and coordinating team workflow for 6-8 staff.- Developed and delivered, along with 3 colleagues, a week-long data literacy training, for the USAID Zimbabwe team. Created interactive presentations and hands-on workshops, conducted one-on-one sessions for teams to respond to their specific data needs, and provided guidance on USAID systems.- Produced a macroeconomic analysis newsletter for the west Africa region, with a particular focus on the exchange rate, inflation, commodity prices, sovereign debt, and currency reserves.- Developed tabular reports in Tableau for the Development Information Solution (DIS), USAID’s activity monitoring and indicator reporting system, so that users could review indicator reporting and results, activity location data, and analyze the status of data collection and management for their operating unit.- Created a data visualization dashboard for DIS to incorporate activity information and timelines, indicator alignment, and activity location data into a centralized, interactive dashboard. Worked with team to structure data views so that they were best aligned to Tableau’s data structure.

Developed analytical products and provided services using foreign assistance data.- Created data visualization dashboards in Tableau analyzing data from a variety of sources, including: 10 years of donor data from the OECD/DAC Creditor Reporting System (CRS) database and internal USAID budget data for for food security/ agriculture team and economic growth programming.- Cleaned, processed, and aggregated data from a variety of sources, including internal financial and indicator data, as well as external economic databases.- Contributed to implementation of the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment (WEEE) Act, including developing and editing gender-disaggregated indicators, analyzing budget data, and designing and conducting an agency-wide data call to respond to the law's requirements.- Supported Gender Development unit in managing the Gender Equity and Equality Action (GEEA) Fund (formerly W-GDP Fund). Developed tools to pull activity details plus financial and indicator reporting information from internal agency systems and thus lessen reliance on ad-hoc data call, increasing accuracy and efficiency. - Wrote an introduction manual about USAID budget and financial processes and systems to orient Data Services team members to the various stages and record-keeping nuances of financial and budget data for the agency to support the data team's ability to process and analyze this data. - Developed a SAS-based tool to use budget data to identify budgeted activities related to niche or cross-cutting program areas, such as biodiversity and women’s economic empowerment.- Designed and implemented Google Sheets & Google Apps Script-based survey application for multiple, ad-hoc data calls. Reduced the reporting burden for respondents by processing and incorporating available data from other agency systems and sent personalized links via a mail merge.

Arlington, Va

Managed and coordinated the contractual, financial, and administrative aspects of USAID-funded projects within the Africa, Europe, and Eurasia region.Main activities supported:- Ukraine Support to Anti-Corruption Champion Institutions (SACCI) program- Mali Sub-National Governance Project (SNGP)- Kenya Development, Outreach and Communication (DOC) Support Services+ Backstopped for projects during staff transition periods, including in Senegal, South Sudan, Mali, and the DRC.Primary responsibilities and accomplishments:- Increased ease and accuracy of monitoring sub-award budgets by developing a subcontractor budget tracker and (dual-currency) grants tracker designed to project-specific needs.- Developed a budget progress chart to enhance the team's comprehension of spending trends and budget constraints.- Reviewed technical analytical reports, fact sheets, and other publications to ensure quality deliverables and compelling data visualizations. Revised report analyzing gender and vulnerable groups for anti-corruption project.- Conducted monitoring and controlling of costs, providing analyses of spending and projection pipelines, and producing financial reports.- Collaborated with the field office teams on project recruitment, hiring, logistical support, security, and procurement.- Efficient management of subcontractor and grant activities.- Worked with other departments, public agencies, subcontractors, and independent consultants on the implementation of project tasks, programming, and other activities.- Prepared client approval request documents.

Falls Church, Va

Provided technical, contractual, financial monitoring, administrative, and logistical support to USAID-funded projects and corporate new business development.Technical Assistance:- Conducted a mapping of youth-appropriate financial services in Rwanda for the USAID/Rwanda Huguka Dukore project. Met with a variety of financial institutions to assess their current project offerings, portfolio strength, and potential for partnership with the project. Collected financials and wrote MOUs for selected institutions.- Drafted a training to be given to financial service providers regarding product development for youth-appropriate products.Project Management:Managed Connexus' role in agricultural finance projects in Ghana (USAID FinGAP) and Rwanda (USAID Private Sector Driven Agricultural Growth with RTI), a youth employment project in Rwanda (USAID Huguka Dukore), and a financial management project in Afghanistan (USAID Afghanistan Public Financial Management with Chemonics).- Developed scopes of work- Arranged project management communication- Recruited and managed short term consultants, including coordinating logistics for travel, reviewing final deliverables, and reviewing invoices- Reviewed reports and activities for project deliverables- Monitored projects for contract compliance, tracked budget and expenditures, and created invoicesNew Business Development- Tailored corporate capabilities, past performance reports, and personnel summaries to align with proposal scope of work.- Created and reviewed draft concept notes, expressions of interest, and technical proposals for submission to donors.- Led recruiting efforts in English, French, and Spanish to identify proposed personnel, including seeking applications, conducting interviews, and verifying employment history and references.

Falls Church, Va

Assisted in the technical, contractual, financial monitoring, administrative, and logistical support to USAID-funded projects and corporate new business development.Technical Assistance:- Co-prepared “Gender and Financial Inclusion” training for USAID Financing Ghanaian Agriculture Project (FinGAP) and delivered to 65 financial institution managers and business advisory service providers. I provided further technical assistance to 4 financial institutions, reviewing gender-responsive practices and gaps.- Conducted a literary review and background research on horticulture value chains with growth potential and opportunities for vulnerable youth for the USAID/Rwanda Huguka Dukore project. Traveled to Rwanda to conduct interviews with stakeholders, including youth, cooperatives, value chain actors, and financial institutions to identify constraints and opportunities.- Added climate-smart concerns and new examples of value chain finance to Connexus’ “Agricultural Value Chain Finance” training and presented to 20 professionals in BangkokProject Management:- Provided logistical support to deploy consultants for missions- Prepared travel arrangements for field staff and consultants and coordinated post allowances and travel reimbursements- Tracked expenses against budgetsNew Business Development- Researched and tracked new business opportunities- Recruited technical consultants, formatting CVs for submission- Drafted past performance reports and summarized corporate qualificationsEvent Coordination- Supported the organization and coordination of annual conference on international agricultural finance, including making conference and venue arrangements, conducting marketing campaigns and managing conference website, reviewing speaker proposals and presentations for content quality and clarity, drafting “lessons learned” summaries of conference themes.

Dominican Republic

Worked as a microfinance consultant, supporting 3 Savings and Loans Associations in the batays (sugarcane company towns) outside of El Seibo, Dominican Republic. - Conducted audits for each of the 3 groups, and worked with 2 local coordinators and various members to establish better record-keeping habits. - Revised an accounting system and developed training and instruction manuals for the development and monitoring of future groups.

Benin

Worked in a rural community, responsible for designing my own projects, usually within the Economic Development sector. Supported 7 artisan professional organizations, 3 women's gardening groups, as well as individual entrepreneurs in the community, teaching basic accounting and business management. - Established a Village Savings and Loans Group, with 23 motivated artisans, designed a detailed accounting system for this and a previously established group, and instructed members on its use.- Developed a project proposal for an .5 hectare irrigation system for a women’s gardening group, ensured compliance with Feed the Future guidelines, managed the $1,700 grant budget, oversaw its installation, and trained 25 women on its use.- Designed a project proposal for improving a 2-classroom school, managed the $1,800 grant budget and supported the director in implementing a sustainable gardening and school lunches program.- Co-organized two sports tournaments for over 20 students, and established an entrepreneurship club at the local high school, with about 10 students, and entered 2 students into a business plan competition.

Stillwater, Ok

Created metadata for a new special library collection, consisting of over 700 editorials. I read over articles, summarized them, and then chose key terms to describe the content.

Middletown, Md

- Proofread correspondence, prepared tax mailings, supported the processing of tax returns and helped develop better organizational practices. - Input data for financial statements and tax returns. I used tracking tools to monitor incoming and outgoing information and the status of tax returns in order to aid staff in completing the returns and relay this information to clients

I took care of two boys, ages 8 and 10. I entertained them as well as ensured their safety.

For three summers in a row, supervised approximately 10 children for 6 weeks of the summer, addressing any health and safety concerns, and ensuring that they each had a positive experience. Directed activities for the children, including hikes, small and large group games, and group building activities. Acted as a certified lifeguard at the camp pool. Certain weeks, completed various tasks as a member of staff to improve the cleanliness and efficiency of the camp.

Master Of Science - Ms, Applied Economics

This program provides a rigorous training in economic reasoning, formulating and estimating economic models, and utilizing quantitative.

Master Of Science - Ms, International/Global Studies

Activities and Societies: Student Association of Global Affairs (SAGA)The international studies degree is an interdisciplinary program.

Bachelor Of The Arts, History, African Studies, French, Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Phi Sigma Pi (Co-ed Honors Fraternity); Possibilities Without Borders (formerly Technology for Africa); Study.