Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Websites
Languages
Custom
Affiliations
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Kunda John Stephen

Dar es Salaam,Dar es Salaam Region

Summary

Accomplished professional with expertise in international health, data research, and program management. Proven ability in strategic development, risk assessment, and results-oriented approaches. Proficient in qualitative and quantitative research, clinical trial oversight, and collaborative research efforts. Committed to advancing global health initiatives through innovative solutions and effective project leadership.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience
2010
2010
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work history

Principal Research Scientist

National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)
01.1998 - 08.2025
  • Company Overview: Tanzania
  • Conducted and led multidisciplinary research on global health, zoonotic diseases, AMR, infectious diseases (e.g., TB/HIV), and mental health.
  • Served as Head of the Public Health Evaluation Unit, overseeing research, strategy, M&E, and project management.
  • Seconded to multiple national and international organizations for technical advisory and program leadership roles.
  • Played a central role in translating research into policy and practice, including contribution to national guidelines and strategic plans.
  • Tanzania

Consultant and Project Manager – EAC-GIZ Funded One Health Program

East African Community (EAC)
01.2020 - 01.2023
  • Company Overview: GIZ-Funded Program
  • Led the development of the EAC Regional One Health Strategic Plan and its Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework to guide multisectoral preparedness and response.
  • Conducted a comprehensive One Health workforce capacity needs assessment across EAC partner states.
  • Developed a regional One Health workforce capacity-building plan aimed at institutional and systems strengthening.
  • Oversaw the planning, budgeting, and management of program funds, ensuring timely implementation of activities, including strategic planning, workforce assessment, and systems strengthening across the region.
  • GIZ-Funded Program

National Multisectoral Health Security Advisor

USAID-Funded Program
01.2018 - 01.2020
  • Company Overview: Prime Minister’s Office, Tanzania
  • Provided strategic leadership in multisectoral coordination, communication, and collaboration for health emergency preparedness and response.
  • Led and facilitated simulation exercises, after-action reviews, and surveillance activities across sectors.
  • Coordinated the prioritization of zoonotic diseases at the national level.
  • Led the development of One Health preparedness and response guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for prioritized zoonoses.
  • Provided technical support in reviewing and updating the National One Health Strategic Plan.
  • Prime Minister’s Office, Tanzania

National One Health Technical Advisor

USAID-Funded Program
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Company Overview: Prime Minister’s Office, Tanzania
  • Championed advocacy and institutionalization of the One Health approach at national and regional levels.
  • Oversaw the development and operationalization of the first National One Health Strategic Plan and its coordination mechanism.
  • Supported the establishment of the National One Health Platform and formation of four multisectoral technical working groups (Surveillance, Response, Capacity Building, Research & Advocacy).
  • Coordinated Tanzania’s participation in the first Joint External Evaluation (JEE) and contributed to the development of the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS).
  • Led training efforts in One Health risk assessment and risk mitigation for multisectoral teams.
  • Prime Minister’s Office, Tanzania

Trainer/lecturer

Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo)
01.2011 - 01.2016
  • Trained PhD and Master’s students in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adaptation (MERLA).
  • Integrated One Health concepts into student field training, curriculum development, and research mentorship.

Program Manager – Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP)

PATH
01.2013 - 01.2015
  • Company Overview: DOD and DTRA-Funded
  • Conducted a situational and gap analysis of Tanzania’s disease surveillance systems.
  • Led the development of the Disease Surveillance System Plan (DSSP) with emphasis on intersectoral collaboration and inclusion of Especially Dangerous Pathogens (EDPs).
  • Managed a $50 million program budget, ensuring effective implementation and accountability.
  • DOD and DTRA-Funded

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Director – Health Facilities Waste Management Project

UNDP and UNOPS-Funded Project
01.2012 - 01.2013
  • Company Overview: Tanzania
  • Designed and implemented a robust M&E plan for a national health waste management initiative.
  • Oversaw program monitoring and performance tracking, including mid-term and end-of-project evaluations.
  • Prepared and disseminated joint internal and external evaluation reports, ensuring adaptive learning and improvement.
  • Tanzania

Principal Investigator – Public Health Evaluation Project

CDC-Funded
01.2008 - 01.2010
  • Company Overview: Ministry of Health/NIMR
  • Led a national SWOT analysis of program evaluation capacities among NIMR and Ministry of Health staff.
  • Developed a comprehensive capacity-building plan in Public Health Evaluation (PHE) and implementation science.
  • Ministry of Health/NIMR

Medical Officer – Refugee Camp

Kigoma, Tanzania
01.1997 - 01.1998
  • Provided clinical diagnosis and treatment to displaced populations.
  • Conducted public health surveillance, reporting, and control of communicable diseases.
  • Implemented public health interventions in constrained humanitarian settings.

Medical Officer – Temeke District Hospital

Dar es Salaam
01.1996 - 01.1997
  • Delivered clinical care and public health services.
  • Participated in district-level disease surveillance, outbreak detection, and response activities.

Education

Master of Science (MSc) - Project Management

Heriot-Watt University

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Epidemiology, prevention and control of infectious diseases - Focus on zoonoses

University of Edinburgh

Doctor of Medicine (MD) - undefined

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

Skills

  • International health knowledge
  • Data research
  • Program management
  • Strategic development
  • Flexibility and education
  • Risk assessment capability
  • Results orientation
  • Qualitative research mastery
  • Clinical trial oversight
  • Research collaboration
  • Strategic visioning
  • Good laboratory practice
  • Technical protocol development
  • Strategic research planning
  • Complex problem identification
  • Creative innovation
  • Disease model development
  • Ethics in research compliance
  • Project leadership
  • Quantitative research
  • Research design
  • Applied research
  • Data analysis techniques
  • Analytical research
  • Policy research
  • Research programme design

Languages

English
Kiswahili
French (beginner)

Custom

  • Dr. Sokoine Kivuyo, Senior Research Officer, National Institute for Medical Research, sokoine@yahoo.co.uk, +255 682 887 292
  • Dr. George Praygod, Centre manager, NIMR Muhimbili Research centre, +255 713 538 318, gpraygod@gmail.com, george.praygod@nimr.or.tz
  • Dr. Mariam Reda, Director One Health Program, USAID-HRH2030 program under Chemonics International, +13136991000, mreda@chemonics.com

Affiliations

  • Travelling and adventure

Certification

1. Medical Council of Tanganyika

2. Good Clinical and Laboratory Practice

3. DSMB member


Timeline

Consultant and Project Manager – EAC-GIZ Funded One Health Program

East African Community (EAC)
01.2020 - 01.2023

National Multisectoral Health Security Advisor

USAID-Funded Program
01.2018 - 01.2020

National One Health Technical Advisor

USAID-Funded Program
01.2016 - 01.2018

Program Manager – Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP)

PATH
01.2013 - 01.2015

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Director – Health Facilities Waste Management Project

UNDP and UNOPS-Funded Project
01.2012 - 01.2013

Trainer/lecturer

Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo)
01.2011 - 01.2016

Principal Investigator – Public Health Evaluation Project

CDC-Funded
01.2008 - 01.2010

Principal Research Scientist

National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)
01.1998 - 08.2025

Medical Officer – Refugee Camp

01.1997 - 01.1998

Medical Officer – Temeke District Hospital

01.1996 - 01.1997

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Epidemiology, prevention and control of infectious diseases - Focus on zoonoses

University of Edinburgh

Doctor of Medicine (MD) - undefined

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

Master of Science (MSc) - Project Management

Heriot-Watt University

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Kunda John Stephen