Benatus Sambili
Mwanza
Summary
With a robust career spanning over seventeen years, I have cultivated a wealth of experience in public health, leadership, and management within diverse sectors, including public services, academia, and international non-governmental organizations. Currently, I helm a medium-sized, Swiss-based international NGO, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to excellence and innovation. My expertise is underscored by a proven track record in program cycle management, encompassing public health, education, child protection, youth economic empowerment, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and humanitarian response initiatives. My multifaceted background has equipped me with the skills to drive impactful change and deliver results in complex, dynamic environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Country Director
SolidarMed
Ifakara
03.2020 - Current
- Leading country program management, ensuring integrated coordination and strategic growth.
- Ensured adherence to framework documents, including meticulous crafting of program and project descriptions, budget oversight, and partner/client agreements.
- Excelled in representation, adeptly managing and coordinating national initiatives, bolstering program execution, and maintaining robust administrative services.
- Demonstrated financial acumen through rigorous budget control and strengthened internal control systems.
- Facilitated operational and financial planning, guaranteeing program and project reporting precision.
- Championed the growth of the organization through innovative project initiation and development.
- Cultivated knowledge management practices and engaged in proactive political dialogue, reinforcing organizational influence and expertise.
- Established partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders, including government, civil societies, research and academic institutes, and other partners.
Program Director
Plan International
Dar Es Salaam
11.2016 - 12.2019
- Spearheaded project management, ensuring the successful execution of work plans and achieving targeted outcomes.
- Provided leadership in developing innovative approaches to meet program goals.
- Chaired the Project Management Team (PMT), orchestrated Project Steering Committee (PSC), and coordinated Project Coordination Committee (PCC) activities.
- Fostered collaborative efforts with project teams and partner leadership, culminating in project delivery that met and exceeded donor, partner, government, and beneficiary expectations.
- Conducted regular field visits to monitor project implementation and maintain hands-on leadership.
- Led strategic information exchanges with partners and stakeholders, facilitating bi-monthly and annual meetings to evaluate progress and address challenges.
- Proactively identified and mitigated bottlenecks and risks, ensuring timely resolution of issues in partnership with the project team.
- Oversaw stringent financial resource and asset management, aligning with organizational and donor policies, and collaborated with finance teams to navigate foreign exchange gains/losses and maintain donor compliance.
- Cultivated and maintained robust relationships with key health sector stakeholders, including government entities, NGOs, and donors, enhancing project visibility and impact.
- Actively sought and capitalized on opportunities to disseminate project results and best practices, enhancing the project's influence and reach.
- Achieved significant improvements in key RMNCAH indicators within the region, demonstrating tangible project success.
- Produced high-quality reports that were recognized by the donor as exemplary, setting a benchmark for partner organizations.
- Played a pivotal role in a consortium led by Plan International, alongside Jhpiego and Africare, driving collective success through effective leadership.
Acting Deputy Country Director - Programs
Plan International
Dar Es Salaam
04.2018 - 10.2019
- Spearheaded strategic leadership for 17 months as Acting Deputy Country Director of programs during a pivotal leadership transition within the Plan International Federation.
- Directed program strategy, technical support, program effectiveness, knowledge management, and learning across sponsorship, humanitarian, and developmental initiatives.
- Led a proficient team in designing, planning, implementing, and evaluating gender transformative program interventions, leveraging partnerships and direct execution.
- Accountable for the superior performance of the Program Portfolio, ensuring adherence to child rights principles and strategies within the Country Office and field operations.
- Achieved outstanding program results with 109% and 96% performance in sponsorship and grants projects during FY19, successfully planning and budgeting for FY20.
- Fostered exemplary coordination among departments, contributing to a seamless operational environment and strategic alignment with global objectives.
- Guided a country team in a strategic review to synchronize the country strategy with the overarching global strategy of Plan International.
- Represented the Organization at high-level meetings with government officials, donors, partners and other stakeholders.
- Maintained relationships with key contacts from donor agencies, partner organizations, and the government.
- Negotiated agreements with partner organizations for collaboration on projects in the country.
- Played a pivotal role as a core member of the Country Management Team (CMT), delivering high-level strategic leadership and contributing to the holistic success of Plan International Tanzania.
Program Manager-Reproductive Health & Nutrition
Amref Health Africa
Dar Es Salaam
06.2015 - 11.2016
- Spearheaded strategic direction and leadership for the RMNCAH&N portfolio at Amref Health Africa Tanzania, managing over eight projects with a combined budget of $5M.
- Developed project plans, identified risks, set objectives and monitored progress towards completion.
- Acted as the principal RMNCAH&N liaison, coordinating with relevant departments and agencies at the program level.
- An integral member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to strategic organizational decision-making and the evaluation and development of the country's strategy.
- Oversaw program compliance with requirements, schedule and budget.
- Provided expert technical support to health-related decisions and partnerships.
- Collaborated with the Ministry of Health's Adolescence Reproductive Health Technical Working Group to enhance the quality of SRH services for youth.
- Played a key role in developing concept notes, proposal writing, evaluations, and dissemination efforts.
Program Manager – Maternal Health & Nutrition
Amref Health Africa
Mwanza
01.2014 - 05.2015
- Spearheaded strategic direction and leadership for Amref Health Africa's Maternal, Newborn and Child Health & Nutrition (MNCH&N) Program, aligning with international and national benchmarks.
- Engaged actively in key forums and initiatives to advance MNCH&N within Tanzania and internationally.
- Fostered collaborative partnerships with the Ministry of Health, other ministries, and stakeholders to enhance program strategies for MNCH&N
- Drove the development of evidence-based solutions to bridge gaps in community access to maternal and child health care.
- Managed program staff, ensuring compliance with operational standards and financial protocols as part of the Senior Management Team (SMT).
- Achieved recognition for exemplary program delivery, contributing to Amref Health Africa, securing awards for the CAIA-MNCM and Safe Deliveries II projects from Global Affairs Canada.
Project Manager-Maternal Health & Nutrition
Amref Health Africa
Bariadi
03.2012 - 12.2013
- Spearheaded technical teams towards outcome-oriented performance, ensuring alignment with the project's results-based framework.
- Assisted the Programme Manager in enforcing operational compliance and establishing benchmarks for project and financial management protocols.
- Directed technical staff in pinpointing and mitigating health system deficiencies affecting maternal and child health.
- Played a pivotal role in the leadership of the Uzazi Uzima project, a collaborative initiative by Amref Health Africa, Marie Stopes Tanzania, and White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood in Tanzania.
District Dental Surgeon
Government of Tanzania
Bariadi
11.2007 - 02.2012
- Delivered comprehensive dental care to a diverse patient population, addressing a wide range of medical issues.
- Championed the enhancement of district health services, including the establishment, oversight, and evaluation of local health facilities.
- Collaborated with district officials to develop and execute an integrated health plan, optimizing community health outcomes.
- Ensured adherence to professional standards through coordination of district-wide health research, with a strong focus on preventive care.
- Directed the District Primary Health Development Program and Community Health Fund, driving significant operational improvements.
- Successfully led community engagement initiatives, resulting in the construction of twenty-one new dispensaries and a substantial increase in Community Health Fund enrollment from 11% to 54% between 2008 and 2012.
Education
MBA - Health Leadership and Management
United States International University (USIU)
01.2015
Master's Degree - Public Health
St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT)
01.2011
Bachelor - Doctor of Dental Surgery
University of Dar Es Salaam (UDSM)
01.2006
Some College (No Degree) - Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive health
Geneva Foundation For Medical Education And Reseac
Geneva, SwitzerlandSome College (No Degree) - Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation
Galilee International Management Institute
Galilee, IsraelSome College (No Degree) - Global Health
Barcelona Institute of Global Health
Barcelona, SpainSkills
- Strategic Leadership
- Program cycle management
- Change management
- Partnership building, Representation and Networking
- Communication (both written and verbal)
- Business Development and Fundraising
- Presentation Skills
- Financial Oversight and Contract Management
- Organizational Development
- Program Coordination
- Capacity building (Supervisory, Coaching and Mentorship)
- Performance Reviews
- Program Development and Evaluation
- International Development
- Proposal Writing
- Risk Management
- Human Resources Management
Contacts
+255767981112, benatussambili@gmail.com, P O BOX Mwanza, Mwanza, 255, Tanzania
References
- Dr Rita Noronha, Jhpiego, +255754781123, ritanor@gmail.com
- Dr Noah Mwaipyana, Africare, +255757974110, nmwaipyana@gmail.com
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Country Director
SolidarMed
03.2020 - Current
Acting Deputy Country Director - Programs
Plan International
04.2018 - 10.2019
Program Director
Plan International
11.2016 - 12.2019
Program Manager-Reproductive Health & Nutrition
Amref Health Africa
06.2015 - 11.2016
Program Manager – Maternal Health & Nutrition
Amref Health Africa
01.2014 - 05.2015
Project Manager-Maternal Health & Nutrition
Amref Health Africa
03.2012 - 12.2013
District Dental Surgeon
Government of Tanzania
11.2007 - 02.2012
MBA - Health Leadership and Management
United States International University (USIU)
Master's Degree - Public Health
St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT)
Bachelor - Doctor of Dental Surgery
University of Dar Es Salaam (UDSM)
Some College (No Degree) - Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive health
Geneva Foundation For Medical Education And Reseac
Some College (No Degree) - Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation
Galilee International Management Institute
Some College (No Degree) - Global Health
Barcelona Institute of Global Health
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