Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 28 years of experience in public health communication, the expert specializes in strategic communications management, media relations, and advocacy. With a background in leading projects with USAID, they have developed communication strategies for national health programs in Malawi. Responsibilities have included providing technical assistance, capacity building, and project implementation. Career highlights include developing gender-based violence (GBV) screening modules and authoring advocacy guides. Previously held roles such as Behaviour Change & Communication Advisor and Communications & Advocacy Consultant, the expert has contributed to significant health policy initiatives and partnerships in both public and international NGO sectors.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has extensive experience collaborating with USAID, working in senior positions on three USAID-funded projects. Their involvement encompassed project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building in the health sector, focusing on HIV care and advocacy. These projects were of national scope and took place in Malawi, addressing health promotion, behavior change communication, and gender-based violence response. The expert has also provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Economic Planning & Development and the Ministry of Health in Malawi, contributing to the development and implementation of national health and population policies.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across diverse sectors, including health, civil society and NGOs, media and communications, and institutional development. The expert has held roles such as Behaviour Change & Communication Advisor and Capacity Building Specialist, focusing on strategic communication, advocacy, and capacity building. Their interdisciplinary expertise spans health promotion, gender-based violence response, and stakeholder engagement. This work is primarily country-specific to Malawi, where they have contributed to both public and international NGO initiatives, leveraging skills to address complex health and development challenges. Extensive experience in Malawi has provided a deep familiarity with local governance and cultural dynamics, enhancing their effectiveness in advancing health promotion and advocacy initiatives within the country.

Languages and education

The expert is fluent in English, one of the UN official languages, and Chichewa. These language skills have been utilized in professional contexts, including in-country work in Malawi and collaborative efforts with international organizations. Proficiency in English has supported their ability to engage in advocacy, communication strategy development, and capacity building within multilingual teams and international projects. The expert holds an MSc in Public Health – Health Promotion from Leeds Metropolitan University, UK, completed in 2004. They also earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Promotion from the same institution in 2003. Additionally, the expert has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Malawi, completed in 1996. Their academic studies focused on health education, health promotion, educational administration, psychology, and demography.