Mikael Baker

Experience

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  WOELFEL RESEARCH, INC.

  Jul 2001 - Jun 2003

  • Analyzed quantitative and qualitative survey and focus group discussion (FGD) data for Fortune 500 clients. Performed statistical analysis on research data. Created, refined, and applied code lists to thousands of survey responses and FGD transcripts.

  • Marketing Research Analyst

    Jun 2002 - Jun 2003

  • Marketing Research Intern

    Jul 2001 - Jun 2002
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  Unisys

  Jun 2003 - Mar 2005

  • Performed project control for client’s $2B transportation program. Analyzed progress reported against work schedules. Managed and tracked financial data, legal data, labor categories, and charge codes. Created standardized structure and naming conventions for data elements.• Collaborated in development and testing of proprietary contract management and cost accounting software application. Contributed dozens of change requests implemented by in-house developers.

  • Senior Financial Systems Analyst

    Nov 2003 - Mar 2005

  • Financial Systems Analyst

    Jun 2003 - Nov 2003
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  BearingPoint

  Mar 2005 - Mar 2007

  Consultant

  • Developed data analytics and business intelligence (BI) products and tools including dashboards, visualizations, and reports for client’s $250M telecommunications program. Provided BI training to groups and individuals.• Wrote requirements for proprietary financial management workflow software application. Interviewed client staff to gather requirements. Performed QA. Designed and administered user acceptance surveys.

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  Business Performance Systems

  Oct 2007 - Mar 2013

  Senior IT Business Analyst Consultant

  • Wrote business cases assessing needs, alternative solutions, and costs/benefits of program investments. • Designed user experience (UX) for client’s website with over 200,000 users. Developed requirements, user stories, wireframes, prototypes, sitemaps, use cases, and test cases for over 200 website change requests.• Chaired client’s Change Control Board (CCB). Facilitated change management processes including prioritization and assignment of change requests to builds and releases.• Created website verbiage/copy, cross-functional flowcharts, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), user guides, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents.• Evaluated Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) software and justified acquisition of a COTS product. Configured ALM software and provided training to over 30 client and implementing partner staff.• Performed quality assurance (QA) testing of system builds in release management cycle. Wrote automated test scripts and manual test cases. Show less

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  UPSPRING, LLC

  Jan 2011 - Oct 2011

  Social Enterprise Intern

  • Performed industry and market analysis for start-up and early-stage social enterprises. Developed financial models to forecast growth and profitability. Analyzed value chains and identified optimization and cost reduction opportunities.

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  University Research Co., LLC-Center for Human Services

  Mar 2013 - Jul 2014

  Project Manager, USAID Translating Research Into Action (TRAction)

  • Evaluated ICT4D technologies as division representative to URC's Technology Advisory Group (TAG). Selected and recommended technologies for implementation at organization, department, program, and project levels.• Performed work-planning, financial management, subaward management, M&E, and capacity building for $48M USAID implementation science program. Managed $16M portfolio of WASH, MNCH, malaria, clean cook stoves, performance-based financing, and nutrition subawards. Reviewed and edited subrecipient reports.• Delivered capacity building workshops to implementing partners. Developed curricula on subaward management, financial management, reporting, and compliance. Trained staff of nine NGOs and research institutions.• Coordinated knowledge management and learning (KML) activities including dissemination of research findings in publications, conferences/seminars, program communications, and knowledge management platforms.PROJECT SUMMARYTRAction was a $48 million USAID-funded implementation science program that sought to develop, test, and compare approaches to more effectively deliver health interventions, increase utilization, achieve coverage, and scale-up evidence-based interventions. TRAction coordinated research on:• mHealth• Performance based financing (PBF)• Maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH)• Integrated community case management (iCCM)• Equitable healthcare access• Community-based healthcare approaches• Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)• Malaria prevention and control• Behavior change communications (BCC)• Clean cookstoves (household air pollution)• Nutrition and food security Show less

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  PYXERA Global

  Aug 2014 - Aug 2015

  MBAs Without Borders Volunteer

  Through the MBAs Without Borders program, I was a Fellow at Water For People (WFP) Uganda. I helped WFP Uganda spin-off their market-based sanitation program into Sanitation Solutions Group (SSG), a locally-led social enterprise.PROGRAM/ORGANIZATION SUMMARYMBAs Without Borders (MWB) is a post-graduate fellowship program that embeds MBA business acumen and professional skills in social enterprises, non-governmental organizations, and bi- and multilateral development programs in emerging and frontier markets. Through long-term technical assistance and market-based strategies, MWB Fellows enable enterprises, civil society organizations, and government agencies to acquire, utilize, and adapt the latest management tools and techniques needed to strengthen institutional capacity, improve service provision, and support systemic change.PYXERA Global leverages the unique strengths of corporations, governments, social sector organizations, educational institutions, and individuals to enhance the abilities of people and communities to solve complex problems and attain mutually beneficial goals. Show less

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  Sanitation Solutions Group

  Aug 2014 - Mar 2016

  Private Sector Development Advisor

  Sanitation Solutions Group (SSG) is a social enterprise in Kampala, Uganda, that I helped launch as an MBAs Without Borders Fellow. SSG utilizes market-based approaches to create entrepreneurship opportunities and increase uptake of improved sanitation technologies. SSG was a startup, so I wore many hats in my role. I developed business models for service provision and product distribution, developed financial models for scenario analysis, designed survey and focus group protocols, managed mobile data collection and analysis, used GIS tools to map customer installations, produced dashboards and reports, developed financial management SOPs, implemented QuickBooks, developed a website, developed microfinance loan products, trained enumerators, and advised on strategy, marketing, operations, and finance. SSG is focused on achieving the following:• Developing sustainable business models for provision of sanitation products and services• Generating demand for and increasing uptake of improved sanitation• Distributing products and services that are user-centered and inclusively designed• Causing crowding-in of entrepreneurs into the sanitation sector• Supporting sanitation entrepreneurs with capacity building in business management and marketing Show less

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  Water For People

  Aug 2014 - Aug 2015

  Private Sector Development Advisor

  • Launched social enterprise to develop market for improved-sanitation products and services in Uganda. Utilized lean-startup principles to design, test, iterate, and pivot business models. Developed turnkey latrine pit-emptying and modular latrine construction franchise models. Developed pricing strategies. Reduced latrine manufacturing costs by 26%.• Developed pitches, proposals, and financial models for impact investors, NGOs, and funders/donors. Utilized discounted cash flows, net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period to estimate valuation and future revenues. Collaborated in consortium to develop proposal for $30M USAID sanitation award.• Improved alignment of technology development with market demand. Trained entrepreneurs and engineers in lean startup, design thinking, business model canvas, business plan development, and marketing.• Performed market and competitor analyses. Developed survey and focus group discussion (FGD) protocols. Completed willingness to pay, consumer preference, and market size studies and assessments using ODK mobile data collection tools. Configured data collection system, loaded software onto phones, and trained enumerators.• Managed ICT4D projects including website, enterprise email, cloud storage, office network, financial systems, and GIS. Created GIS map of products/services sold to customers. Trained staff to report GPS coordinates via WhatsApp.• Developed sanitation loan products for customers and entrepreneurs in partnership with two Ugandan micro finance institutions (MFIs). Trained sales team to communicate loan terms to potential customers.• Designed marketing communications including website, billboards, posters, t-shirts, brochures, and flyers.ORGANIZATION SUMMARYWater For People exists to promote the development of high quality drinking water and sanitation services, accessible to all, and sustained by strong communities, businesses, and governments. Show less

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  FHI 360

  Mar 2016 - Apr 2019

  Senior Project Manager

  • Completed Program and Technical Quality Assessments (PTQAs) in Thailand, Bangladesh, and Papua New Guinea. Developed and presented PTQA finding recommendations to project staff. Delivered PTQA training to country-office staff.• Developed quality tools including Project Management (PM) Standards, PM Assessment Tool, Start-up Work Plan, and Closeout Work Plan. Developed mobile/digital data collection versions of tools and piloted them in the field. Wrote organization PM Capability Statement for proposal and marketing use. Provided PM quality training and support to staff.• Provided start-up surge support to projects and programs including $25M MNCH-FP project in Zimbabwe, $50M SBCC project in Tanzania, and $50M HIV/AIDS OVC project in Ethiopia. Coordinated project start-up planning and communications. Contributed to deliverables including annual work plans, MEL plans, and budgets. Delivered subrecipient orientation to implementing partners. Configured project SharePoint sites and provided training to project teams.• Developed gamified digital Project Leadership Onboarding program including comprehensive blended-learning curriculum and course materials. Delivered program to participants in Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Middle East, and North America. Captured lessons-learned for future iterations of program.• Developed and delivered Project Start-up Best Practices and Tools training sessions to over 60 staff in Eastern & Southern Africa, Asia Pacific, and US. Compiled best practices from experience and colleagues.• Coached staff toward PMD Pro certifications as PM Advisor. Delivered PMD Pro training to staff in Ethiopia.• Designed and implemented Awesome Grants (AG) program. Presented AG program to Executive Team and sponsors. Negotiated grant terms and conditions with organizational leaders.• Served as panelist at University of Maryland Smith School of Business’s Global Competencies for Success event. Show less

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  USAID

  May 2019 - now

  The USAID Innovation, Technology and Research Hub (ITR and formerly the U.S. Global Development Lab) in the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation takes smart risks, tests new ideas, and partners with diverse development stakeholders to harness the power of innovative tools and approaches that accelerate development impact. ITR advances USAID’s mission to end extreme poverty and support inclusive growth.I was on the Development Informatics Team in ITR. The Informatics team has two overarching objectives: 1) Advancing data-driven design of USAID programs; and 2) Enabling robust, inclusive digital societies and governments. In line with the USAID Digital Strategy, the Informatics team works to ensure that USAID and its partners fully seize the opportunities and appropriately mitigate the risks that digital technology presents. Informatics leads the following Digital Strategy Initiatives: Data Governance, Digital Government, Principles for Digital Development, and Digital Data Collection. Informatics provides input and support to the Digital Ecosystem Fund, Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA), Gender Digital Divide, and Cybersecurity workstreams of the Digital Strategy. Show less

  • Private Enterprise Foreign Service Officer

    Sept 2024 - now

  • Senior Digital Development and Cybersecurity Advisor

    May 2022 - Sept 2024

  • Senior Information and Communications Technology for Development (ICT4D) Advisor

    May 2019 - May 2022