Business Analysis • IT Project Management • Data Management, Governance & Viz

Panagiotis Koilakos

I walked into UNHCR not knowing what it was. Eight years later, I've helped deliver $1B+ in cash assistance to millions of refugees across 60+ countries.

About Me

Turning Systems and Data Into
Humanitarian Impact

I analyse requirements and translate them into functional specifications. I manage data systems serving 800+ users across 60+ countries. I lead rollouts, coordinate UAT, and train teams who will never meet me but whose work reaches millions.

Whether it's building dashboards ranked among UNHCR's top 10 globally, analysing 900+ bugs and requirements, or coordinating cross-divisional projects; I bring structure to complexity and deliver systems that work at scale.

My toolkit spans Python, SQL, Power BI, SSIS and SSRS for analytics; Azure DevOps and ServiceNow for project delivery; and MS Dynamics CRM and Oracle ERP for enterprise systems. But tools are just tools; what matters is what you build with them.

Data Management & Analytics

Managing global data systems, building automated dashboards, and ensuring data quality across 18M+ transactions. Python, SQL, Power BI, and MS Dynamics CRM.

Business Analysis

900+ requirements analysed. From gathering needs to writing specs, coordinating UAT, and ensuring systems solve real operational problems.

IT Project Management

Coordinating cross-divisional delivery across 60+ countries. Managing releases in Azure DevOps, aligning stakeholders from HQ to field offices, and driving system rollouts to 35 operations

At a Glance

8+

Years of Experience

1,100+

Users Supported

60+

Countries Covered

900+

Requirements Analysed

USD 1B+

Assistance Delivered

35

Operations Rolled Out

2.1M+

People Assisted

18M+

Transactions Routed

Experience

Professional Background

Associate Operational Data Management Officer

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Geneva, Switzerland

Jul 2022 — Present

Global data manager for UNHCR's MS Dynamics CRM-based cash assistance platform.Supporting 800+ users across 74 countries. Analysing requirements, performing UAT and coordinating Monthly Releases. Led data management for the Ukraine Cash Hub; $830M delivered to 2.1M+ beneficiaries. Coordinated system integrations with Oracle Cloud ERP and OIC during major business transformation. Analysed 900+ requirements and bugs, managed development prioritisation, and completed 800+ UAT tests. Delivered 300+ training sessions and built dashboards ranked among UNHCR's top 10 globally.

CashAssist Data Management Business Analysis ServiceNow Oracle ERP SQL

Senior Data Management Assistant

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Athens, Greece

Jan 2018 — Jul 2022

Managed data operations for one of Europe's largest humanitarian cash programmes; €332.5M delivered to 220,000 people. Built and maintained local data systems, and provided functional support for hundreds of users across Greece. Designed Power BI dashboards to automate reporting, performed UAT, and ensured compliance with donor and auditor requirements. Supported programme handover to Greek authorities with no significant audit findings. Oversaw 1.8M+ transactions.

Data Analysis Requirements Engineering User Training Rollouts Python

Operational Data Management Assistant

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Athens, Greece

Jun 2017 — Dec 2017

Supported Cash-Based Interventions by managing data operations, validating datasets, and aligning reporting with donor, auditor, and senior management requirements. Developed custom reporting tools to improve data quality and efficiency. Conducted QA for UNHCR's Registration System including bug identification, change requests, and backend queries. Delivered user training to improve system proficiency and compliance.

Data Management Refugee Registration Reporting Data Quality

For a detailed work history, please visit my LinkedIn profile

Skills

Core Competencies

Data & Analytics

  • Data Management & Governance
  • Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Data Visualization
  • Data Quality Assurance
  • MS Dynamics CRM

Project Management

  • IT Project Management
  • Stakeholder Management
  • ServiceNow
  • Azure DevOps
  • Systems Integration
  • Release Management

Business Analysis

  • Requirements Engineering
  • Oracle ERP Integration
  • Process Mapping
  • Functional Specifications
  • UAT Coordination
  • User Training
  • Bug Triage & Prioritisation

Technical Skills

  • Python
  • R Studio
  • Power Automate
  • SQL, SSRS, SSIS & Fetch XML
  • Power BI
  • SSIS & ETL Pipelines

Education

Academic Background

Master of Science — Data Science

University of Essex Online

2022 — 2025

Thesis: Queuing Management in Practice: Employing and Applying Queuing Management in Humanitarian Registration and Assistance Delivery Activities

Bachelor's Degree — Informatics (Computer Science)

Athens University of Economics and Business

2014 — 2022

Specialised in Information Systems, Information Security, Databases and Knowledge Management. Balanced studies alongside full-time work at UNHCR.

Learning

Certifications & Courses

Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

Coursera

The Data Scientist's Toolbox

Coursera

Apr 2018

Certificate in Social Sector Leadership

Philanthropy University

Professional Courses

Cash-Based Interventions Learning Programme Emergency Information Management Operational Data Management Learning Programme

Beyond Work

Volunteer Experience & Languages

Volunteer Experience

Forest Firefighter

Volunteer Team of Forest Protection & Fire Prevention of Vari

Jan 2014 — Present 12+ years
Disaster & Humanitarian Relief

Field Coordinator

Lifeguard Hellas

Nov 2015 — Sep 2016 11 months
Disaster & Humanitarian Relief

Honors & Awards

Honorary Award for Volunteer Service

Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni

Honorary Award for Volunteer Service

Forest Protection and Fire Security Volunteer Team of Vari

Languages

Greek Native
English Full Professional
German Limited Working
French Beginner

LinkedIn

Pinned Posts

Contact

Let's Connect

Whether you have a project in mind, a question, or just want to say hello — I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out through any of the channels below.

Based in France · Working in Switzerland