Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Certification
Publications Projects
Personal Information
Timeline
ResearchAssistant

Paule Olivia Akotto

Québec,QC

Summary

Knowledgeable economist with solid background in conducting detailed research and data analysis. Supported multiple projects by gathering, organizing, and interpreting complex information, contributing to impactful academic and development projects. Demonstrated proficiency in using statistical software and strong written communication skills.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Research Assistant

World Bank & Republic of Togo’s Ministry of Water Project
05.2025 - Current
  • Contribute to the development of the impact evaluation strategy for the Projet d'Amélioration de la Sécurité Hydrique en Milieu Urbain au Togo (PASH-MUT).
  • Develop survey questionnaires.
  • Conduct literature reviews to support hypothesis development and identify gaps in existing knowledge.
  • Conduct data analysis.
  • Write an ethical committee proposal.

Fellow, Impact Investing Research

United Nations Development Programme International Center for Private Sector Development
05.2024 - 04.2025
  • Synthesized data to inform Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Investor Map development for Mauritania and Mali, and identified 28 investment opportunities in agribusiness, banking and finance, renewable energy, infrastructure, education, and health and life sciences.
  • Conducted literature reviews and industry analysis.
  • Conducted stakeholder consultations with 72 public and private-sector agencies.
  • Collaborated with team to optimize workflow and achieve objectives.

Intern, Impact Investing Research

United Nations Development Programme International Center for Private Sector Development
03.2023 - 11.2023
  • Conducted a literature review on Mauritania’s national priorities, sustainable development needs, and sectors relevant for private sector intervention.
  • Conducted industry analysis of the Republic of Congo’s education and health and life sciences sectors and identified 13 potential investment opportunities relevant to the private sector.

Research Assistant

International Development Research Centre
01.2020 - 03.2023
  • Developed an evaluation framework integrating both qualitative and quantitative data.
  • Conducted econometric analysis of the impact of biofertilizer adoption on rural income in Algeria.
  • Participated actively in regular meetings with fellow researchers to discuss project updates, challenges faced, and lessons learned during ongoing activities.
  • Organized research materials, maintaining a well-ordered workspace conducive to productivity.

Research Assistant

Global Affairs Canada Project
09.2019 - 12.2019
  • Conducted and wrote a literature review on impact evaluation methods applied to urban and peri-urban agriculture in developing countries.

Lecturer & Teaching Assistant

Université de Sherbrooke
09.2019 - 04.2024
  • Taught microeconomics and econometrics to an average of 22 students per term, leading classroom discussions and providing academic support.
  • Cultivated critical thinking skills through challenging assignments that required analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information from various sources.
  • Developed strong relationships with colleagues, collaborating on curriculum development and sharing best practices in teaching strategies.

Statistical Assistant

Statistics Canada
07.2019 - 04.2024
  • Managed national household surveys and census programs databases.
  • Provided technical assistance for the use of statistical software.
  • Ensured regulatory compliance by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of industry-specific guidelines related to statistical reporting requirements.

Intern

MDE Business School
07.2016 - 11.2016
  • Conducted firm-level research on competitiveness and productivity.
  • Analyzed policy implications of survey data across SMEs.

Education

Ph.D. - Development Economics

Université De Sherbrooke
04-2026

Master of Science - Statistics and Economics

École Nationale De Statistique Et D’Économie Appliquée
06-2017

Bachelor of Science - Economics And Accounting

Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny
06-2014

Skills

  • Economic and market research
  • Economic modelling and econometrics
  • Impact analysis
  • Data analysis
  • Literature reviews
  • Quantitative research
  • Stata proficiency
  • Power BI
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Problem-solving
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Time management

Languages

English
Full Professional
French
Native or Bilingual

Certification

  • Power BI: Build data models and create reports, Microsoft - Ongoing
  • Introduction to data science with Python, HarvardX - Ongoing

Publications Projects

  • When the Bits Bite: Internet Access and Domestic Violence – Evidence from a Geographic Regression Discontinuity in Africa (Working Paper)
  • Can the Internet Drive Child Labor? Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa (Working Paper)
  • Agriculture urbaine et péri-urbaine, pauvreté, sécurité alimentaire et environnement dans les pays en développement : une revue exploratoire des méthodologies et des impacts. (With Dorothée Boccanfuso and Marie-Eve Yergeau)
  • Evaluation frameworks for 3 international development projects

Personal Information

Title: Economist | Policy Analyst | Impact Evaluator

Timeline

Research Assistant

World Bank & Republic of Togo’s Ministry of Water Project
05.2025 - Current

Fellow, Impact Investing Research

United Nations Development Programme International Center for Private Sector Development
05.2024 - 04.2025

Intern, Impact Investing Research

United Nations Development Programme International Center for Private Sector Development
03.2023 - 11.2023

Research Assistant

International Development Research Centre
01.2020 - 03.2023

Research Assistant

Global Affairs Canada Project
09.2019 - 12.2019

Lecturer & Teaching Assistant

Université de Sherbrooke
09.2019 - 04.2024

Statistical Assistant

Statistics Canada
07.2019 - 04.2024

Intern

MDE Business School
07.2016 - 11.2016

Ph.D. - Development Economics

Université De Sherbrooke

Master of Science - Statistics and Economics

École Nationale De Statistique Et D’Économie Appliquée

Bachelor of Science - Economics And Accounting

Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Paule Olivia Akotto