Pakinam's work spans from market and economic analysis with the World Food Programme in Italy and Syria to research in human development, food security, and social protection with the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, a think tank that focuses on African governance. During her time with UNDP Innovation Hub, she worked with Iraq and Yemen teams on their crowdfunding academies and led a product impact assessment with UNDP Egypt. She also has research experience with 3ie (International Initiative for Impact Evaluation) which focuses on evidence-based decision-making. She holds a Master's degree in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies.