Gersán Vásquez Gutiérrez

I am a Development Economist, a 2022-2023 Chevening alumni, and a seasoned practitioner in monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge management, boasting over 7 years of experience across academia, the public sector, and international cooperation and development in Latin America. My passion lies in leveraging data and rigorous methodologies to drive informed decision-making, enhance the impact of interventions, and empower individuals.

Throughout my career, I have spearheaded the monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks for large-scale projects in Nicaragua, Central America, and Mexico. These initiatives were funded by well-known donors such as Global Affairs Canada, the European Union, UNICEF, and the Spanish Cooperation, covering diverse areas such as education, child nutrition, irregular migration, women's empowerment, youth employability, community participation, child rights and protection, and disability. These experiences have allowed me to excel both independently and as a collaborative team player.
My skill set includes quickly mastering new skills, effective problem-solving, and an unwavering commitment to delivering results. I am proficient in both quantitative and qualitative techniques, including quasi-experimental designs, econometric models, participatory methodologies, data analysis, and data visualization using R and Stata. Additionally, I am well-versed in key performance indicators, logical frameworks, theory of change, result-based reporting, academic research, and report writing.

Education-wise, I hold a master's degree in Development Economics from the University of Sussex in the UK, which ranks first in the world in Development studies, as a Chevening scholar. My academic journey also includes an advanced master's degree in Governance and Development from the Institute of Development Policy (IOB) at the University of Antwerp in Belgium and a bachelor's degree in Applied Economics with a minor in Territorial Development.

I am deeply committed to fostering enduring relationships and sharing knowledge. In 2020, I co-founded Nicaragua's first-ever youth-led evaluation network, dedicated to promoting knowledge-sharing and creating evaluation spaces. Presently, I serve as the VP on the network's board for the term 2022-2023. I invite you to connect with me in Spanish, English, or French to discuss economics, evaluation, research, development, or data visualization. You can also explore my data visualization work on my GitHub profile at https://github.com/gervagu. Let's collaborate and make a positive impact together!