Dickson Malunda

Dr. Dickson Malunda is a highly experienced policy researcher specializing in development, labor, poverty, and agricultural economics across Sub-Saharan Africa. He has played a pivotal role in shaping national and regional policies through extensive research, strategic policy engagement, and program implementation. Currently serving as a Senior Planner for Policy Research and Innovation at Uganda’s National Planning Authority (NPA), he was instrumental in drafting the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), where he mainstreamed employment creation across sectoral programs. Previously, he held senior research roles, including Acting Director of Research at the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR)-Rwanda and Deputy Country Director at Innovation for Poverty Action (IPA), Uganda. In these roles, he led multidisciplinary teams, managed large-scale policy research projects, and engaged policymakers in translating research findings into actionable policies. His expertise includes impact evaluations, labor market analysis, agricultural policy, poverty reduction strategies, and economic transformation research. Within the private sector, Dr. Malunda has evaluated the integration of MSMEs into labour markets in Rwanda, conducted a labour inspection surveys within Rwanda mining and construction sectors and also assessed the impact of Covid-19 on businesses in Rwanda. Malunda has worked with global institutions such as the World Bank, International Labour Organization (ILO), African Development Bank (AfDB), and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). He has conducted rigorous economic research using advanced econometrics, including randomized controlled trials, and has analyzed large datasets such as the Living Standards Measurement Survey (LSMS). His work has informed policy decisions on employment, social protection, agricultural development, and economic growth in Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond. He has also contributed significantly to employment policy development, including drafting Uganda’s National Employment Strategy. With a strong academic background, including a PhD in Economics and Management, he has authored multiple policy reports and research publications. His career demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based policymaking and sustainable economic development in Africa.Dr. Dickson Malunda is a highly experienced policy researcher specializing in development, labor, poverty, and agricultural economics across Sub-Saharan Africa. He has played a pivotal role in shaping national and regional policies through extensive research, strategic policy engagement, and program implementation. Currently serving as a Senior Planner for Policy Research and Innovation at Uganda’s National Planning Authority (NPA), he was instrumental in drafting the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), where he mainstreamed employment creation across sectoral programs. Previously, he held senior research roles, including Acting Director of Research at the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR)-Rwanda and Deputy Country Director at Innovation for Poverty Action (IPA), Uganda. In these roles, he led multidisciplinary teams, managed large-scale policy research projects, and engaged policymakers in translating research findings into actionable policies. His expertise includes impact evaluations, labor market analysis, agricultural policy, poverty reduction strategies, and economic transformation research. Within the private sector, Dr. Malunda has evaluated the integration of MSMEs into labour markets in Rwanda, conducted a labour inspection surveys within Rwanda mining and construction sectors and also assessed the impact of Covid-19 on businesses in Rwanda. Malunda has worked with global institutions such as the World Bank, International Labour Organization (ILO), African Development Bank (AfDB), and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). He has conducted rigorous economic research using advanced econometrics, including randomized controlled trials, and has analyzed large datasets such as the Living Standards Measurement Survey (LSMS). His work has informed policy decisions on employment, social protection, agricultural development, and economic growth in Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond. He has also contributed significantly to employment policy development, including drafting Uganda’s National Employment Strategy. With a strong academic background, including a PhD in Economics and Management, he has authored multiple policy reports and research publications. His career demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based policymaking and sustainable economic development in Africa.

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