Michael Luvanda
Dar Es Salaam
Summary
I’m a public health specialist with over 10 years of experience, and highly proficient in project planning, and management with strong expertise in organizational development and results-based management, with experience working with NGOs, CBOs, companies, and governments in gender mainstreaming and equality. I performed gender analyses and gender audits and manage gender strategies in different programs. I have a long practice in international donor regulations and systems including the PEPFAR/USAID, Global Funds, FCDO/UKAID, and the EU. I have experience in leading the integration of gender-transformative programming in HIV, TB, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, and Sexual Reproductive Health and rights (MNCH/SRHR) programs in the project life cycle. I have been working as a technical advisor in various programs, providing technical and implementation support to program staff and management and program monitoring and evaluation activities. I’m keen on developing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues and partners with a great passion for contributing to improving public health in Tanzania and globally.
I have been successfully involved in designing, implementing, and monitoring integrated gender and youth inclusion, and social behavior change communication (SBCC) interventions through the KP combination prevention project funded by USAID. I have participated in the development of gender and SBCC training packages for guiding the provision of services for KPs (containing curricular, IEC/demand creation tools, standard operating procedures, and supportive supervision tools). He has led to the development of a gender mix training tool kit for adolescent girls and boys. I have experience in providing technical guidance and support to diverse teams and creating effective teams during the implementation of different projects. I have carried out several consultancies with various organizations to develop programs addressing Gender issues, Sexuality, Message development for the promotion of gender equality and equity, social behavior change, strategic planning development, and generic training materials and curriculums, and designing and facilitating diverse capacity-building programs.
At different intervals, I supported the facilitation of GBV workshops with ministries, regions, and district focal persons in Tanzania. For 6 years of working in senior positions with different organizations and programs, I have engaged in strengthening the capacity of MOH (i.e. National AIDS Control Program, and Tanzania Commission for AIDS TACAIDS on post-exposure prophylaxis, and KVP, Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) on harm reduction, Police gender desk, The Tanzania Police Female Network on GBV (VAW & VAC), regional and districts GBV committees.
I have successfully participated in the development of various technical guidance documents and circulars (e.g., National guideline for a comprehensive package of HIV interventions for key populations 2017, Post Exposure Prophylaxis Guidelines, and SOPs, communication chapter in the national PrEP implementation framework), Advocacy communication and social mobilization (ACSM) strategy for TB, and the related learning resource packages for onsite-coaching of healthcare providers.
Among other things, between 2017 – 2023, I have been a member of different national technical working groups (TWGs) including National HIVST TWG, National PrEP TWG, National HTS TWG, National TB and ACSM TWG, National IVD TWG for COVID-19, and AHTWG.
I’m a fast and continuous learner, an excellent team player, with great negotiation skills, a diligent self-starter, and human rights advocate, and appreciate challenges. He has a firm belief in developing talents for high productivity and change.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Senior Technical Advisor, Community Engagement
FHI360
08.2022 - Current
- Coordinated community-based activities to reach key and vulnerable populations (KVP) and the general population with HIV prevention and other services to reduce their vulnerability to HIV, COVID-19, and other infections.
- Served as the lead technical expert responsible for all activities within communities to generate demand for services, creating safer environments for KVP, and addressing structural drivers and contextual factors that place vulnerable groups at risk of HIV, COVID, and gender-based violence (GBV).
- Ensured all activities reaching KVP are implemented in line with GoT, USAID/PEPFAR, and EpiC guidelines and standards.
- Conducted risk assessments to identify system weaknesses and recommend improvements.
- Provided hands-on assistance to deliver wide range of project elements.
- Provided support, education/ coaching and training to improve and increase quality of services to program clients and stakeholders.
- Prepared documentation, standard operating procedures SOPs, and training manuals for users and other consultants.
- Developed and adapted service delivery-related tools, guidelines, and job aides for the program.
Senior Technical Advisor SBC for HIV, Gender, and
FHI360
01.2020 - 07.2022
- I worked as a member of the senior project team and worked with regional and local and international NGOs, partners, Ministry of Health, Local government, community organizations, donors, and other stakeholders to achieve the implementation of an integrated health communication program encompassing HIV/AIDS, TB, gender, sexual reproductive health/ family planning, for sexually active youth and adults.
- I ensured program implementation adheres to appropriate technical standards and guidelines and that programs are technically sound.
- Provided expert technical guidance and inputs behind the project’s strategies, work plan, and activities, to ensure that the project’s interventions and messages are locally relevant, culturally appropriate, and address the country/ ‘s prioritized HIV/AIDS, SRH, gender, and TB SBCC needs.
- Supported the development and implementation of an integrated strategy focused on high HIV prevalence areas, where targeted efforts are required to shift the gender-related barriers to the health and well-being of vulnerable girls, boys, women, and men
- Worked with Ministry of health to develop a communication chapter for the national PrEP implementation framework.
- Supported the MoH through NTLP in the development and finalization of the Advocacy, Communication, and Social Mobilization (ACSM) strategy 2020-2025 and the accompanying operational framework.
- Supported the MoH through NTLP in the Development, and finalization of a media training guide on TB, and the orientation of the media house.
- Worked with TACAIDS to develop an Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) Minimum Essential Package and AGYW vulnerability index.
- I supported MoH through NACP to develop a national SBC strategy, training manual and facilitators slides for AGYWs
- I successfully led the adaptation of faith and community initiative (FCI) “New messages of hope for Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar through TACAIDS and ZAC.
- Optimised, upgraded and monitored program implementation to improve performance.
- Developed and reviewed technical resource materials (e.g., training materials, SBCC plans, strategy documents, and job aids) and programming tools to support meeting Project objectives.
- Provided hands-on assistance to deliver wide range of project elements.
Senior Technical Advisor SBCC & Gender – STA SBCC
EngenderHealth
09.2019 - 01.2020
- Provided expert technical assistance on implementation of the comprehensive community-based HIV prevention and FP/RH programming for key and vulnerable populations including adolescents in Tanzania.
- Supported the development and implementation of gender-differentiated approaches, tools, and activities to address factors contributing to high HIV incidence and GBV among key and vulnerable populations, especially young women.
- Designed, managed, and coordinated interventions to promote positive gender norms and behaviors amongst the target populations, surrounding communities, partners, and other stakeholders and ensuring the technical quality of those interventions.
- Supported building the understanding and capacity of the project’s staff, and partners to engage effectively in tackling harmful gender norms, empowering women, and girls, and promoting meaningful male engagement in addressing gender norms across family planning and HIV prevention.
- Developed, conducted, and analyzed formative assessment activities to collaboratively determine the need for capacity building and/or program planning services, and develop responsive, realistic, and high-quality plans to build the capacity of project staff.
- Supported the development and implementation of gender-differentiated approaches, tools, and activities to address factors contributing to high HIV incidence and GBV among women and young girls, and other KVPs.
- Collaborated, and provided technical support to national ministries and decentralized government authorities, and civil society organizations in gender-related matters and issues.
- Trained health care providers, project staffs, and community volunteers, implementing Partners and government line offices on relevant GBV topics.
Senior Program Officer for SBCC & Gender
EngenderHealth
01.2019 - 09.2019
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Developed plans and strategies to promote continuous improvement.
- Provided overall programmatic technical support to roll out and implement SBCC and gender activities across 14 regions of Tanzania
- Provided expert technical assistance to develop and implement HIV prevention and support programming targeting at-risk groups in the project’s priority regions.
- Worked with at-risk adult women, men, Adolescent girls, and young women in addressing behavioral and structural barriers to accessing health services.
- Facilitated gender transformative workshops with project staff, partners, LGAs, and the police gender desk.
- Developed and managed the project’s behavioral interventions and support coordination and collaboration with the project’s biomedical and structural interventions.
- Directly supervised 9 regional program officers and 23 other field supporting staff;
- Lead the coordination of KVP Regional/District Advisory Groups, and provided TA to the Regional Authorities/Local Government in KVP programming.
- Led the development of KP strategy and interventions to promote KP-friendly SBCC packages and services and transform harmful social norms, in collaboration with project staff, MoH, TACAIDS, and USAID’s other partners.
- Developed, implemented, and monitored gender transformative programming, best practices, etc., and incorporated these approaches into HIV
- Participated in the preparation of the annual work plan, budgets, performance reports, and quarterly reports as needed.prevention programs and services for key and vulnerable populations.
Regional Program Officer SBC & Gender
EngenderHealth
11.2017 - 12.2018
- Implemented a comprehensive community-based HIV service delivery program targeting at-risk groups in the region.
- Worked with Vulnerable Adolescent Girls and Young women, Women and men at high risk of getting HIV
- Monitored the implementation of the SBCC and gender activities in compliance with the overall regional work plan.
- Played a key role in ensuring that the SBCC and gender activities are conducted according to the project standard operating procedures and that beneficiaries receive quality services;
- Played a crucial role in supervising and building the capacity of sub-granted CSO, by participating in the monthly peer educators meetings, facilitating progress review meetings, visiting service delivery points, such as drop-in centers and safe spaces, GBV screening sites, BCC group education, and demand creation sites, among others
- Managed on-site evaluations, internal audits and customer surveys.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Improved efficiency and productivity by acquiring new skills.
- Engaged with stakeholders to build relationships and brand awareness.
- Promoted continuous improvement by problem-solving and sharing suggestions to optimise team operations.
- Resolved conflicts and negotiated mutually beneficial agreements between parties.
Program Manager
Medecins Du Monde (MdM)/
07.2016 - 11.2017
- Provided oversight and managed the service delivery to People who use drugs PWUD and organized the activities’ implementation together with the field staff.
- Guided team members/staff in formalizing peer educators’ work in the implementation of micro planning for outreach
- Guide field & health services managers in leading/supporting/monitoring their teams in their developments
- Focused on programme's consistency and coherence with corporate, technical and specialist standards.
- Moderated disputes and grievances between parties with goal of speedy and fair conflict resolution.
- Aided senior leadership by collecting and analysing data, generating reports for continuous improvement or corrective action planning.
- Cultivated relationships with community groups, project stakeholders and funding sources, maximising programme outreach.
- Managed project budgets and monitored programme expenses against delivered and realised programme benefits.
- Resolved programme issues and initiated appropriate corrective action, maintaining programme integrity and quality.
- Eliminated learning gaps and provided instruction on conflict resolution.
- Renegotiated contracts with existing vendors for improved costs and timely results.
- Liaised between clients, stakeholders and community to improve communication and relations.
- Allocated common resources and skills within programme's individual projects, reporting progress at regular intervals to outreach workers.
- Identified gaps in programme, initiating extra activities and management interventions.
- Acted on feedback and business reviews, assessing project progress against KPIs and introducing strategies for continued improvement.
- Collaborated with other managers and senior programme stakeholders, providing leadership and clear direction.
- Facilitated programme-level discussions and workshops to achieve clear direction on key issues and priorities.
- Identified, assessed and planned programmes, managing dependencies and interfaces between projects.
- Set team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance for optimum results.
Technical Officer, Gender, and Youth
JHPIEGO
08.2014 - 07.2016
- Coordinated, implementation, and oversight of all project activities in the region(s).
- Coordinated, implemented, managed, monitored, and evaluated program activities at the regional level; as well as participated in the management of finances, procurement, sub-grantees, and human resources.
- Coordinated and supported local community-based implementing partners providing services to reach KVP, adolescent girls, and young women AGYW and OVC with a comprehensive package of HIV prevention services, including community-based HIV testing and counseling (CBHTC), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV self-testing (HIVST), gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and treatment and linkage to care.
- Built and maintained partnerships with the regional and district authorities and other key KVP stakeholders and implementers in the region.
- Coordinated the development of regional program strategies across the program components including work plans for overall implementation and attainment of program goals and objectives.
- Provided strategic leadership and set priorities for the regional program team to ensure effective field program implementation.
Community Outreach Program Officer - COPO
The Henry Jackson Foundation Medical Research International (HJFMRI),
09.2013 - 08.2014
- Worked closely with Regional Community Health Promoter and Program Technical Leads/Advisors to serve as the primary technical expert and contact for organization outreach program activities at the organizational and community level.
- Facilitated the development, modification, and/or adaptation of appropriate community services strategies, with the goal of improving both clinical and community access to and use of services.
- Collaborated across technical areas to strengthen linkages for the continuum response from sexual prevention, Gender-Based Violence, HIV Testing, and Counseling (HTC) to Care.
- Built the capacity of local partner organizations and field staff to deliver high-quality community-based services in the assigned districts in the targeted areas.
- Provided technical support in the development of approaches and strategies for mobilizing partner organizations and communities for the establishment or strengthening of community-based strategies and activities.
- Engaged with stakeholders to build relationships and brand awareness.
- Supported team by demonstrating respect and willingness to help.
- Generated Key Performance Indicator reporting to drive better performance.
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Oversaw logistics and operations to deliver process optimizations and efficiencies.
Community Outreach Coordinator
Iringa University
06.2012 - 08.2013
- Coordinated the conceptualization and preparation for outreach activities undertaken by different project partners.
- Coordinated the day-to-day activities of a program by providing community outreach services designed to build awareness, interest, and community participation in project initiatives.
- coordinated community preparation for activities undertaken by different partners, including
Conducting Community sensitization meetings. - Developed and Coordinated Community training programs and prepared training tools for the project.
- Coordinated all activities related to the promotion of the project through radio sessions and online
promotion. - Conducted participatory research on collecting community perceptions on the project activities.
- Networked with local organizations, leaders and consumers, resulting in establishment of new and lasting partnerships and relationships.
- Conducted community workshops to promote different programs and educate public on available services.
- Wrote content for newsletters, social media pages and informational packets.
- Acted as main point of contact between management, clinical staffs and external community.
- Documented and analyzed performance of different programs in order to make proactive decisions about services.
- Created and implemented community-based programs to improve education or fill specific needs.
- Facilitated community involvement and education of non-profit theatre events by maintaining and developing community partnerships.
- Developed presentations for public events, community groups and school assemblies.
- Developed long-lasting partnerships with local leaders, management team and peers with active engagement, exemplary communication and consistent issue resolution.
- Oversaw staff development through in-depth trainings, workshops, seminars and other learning opportunities.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired staff members offering exceptional talent and brought great skills to team.
- Developed and implemented variety of innovative policies and strategies to promote client self-sufficiency.
- Coordinated individual referrals to obtain community services, advocated for client needs and resolved roadblocks.
- Developed monthly schedules and assignments for volunteer staff.
Education
Master of Arts - Gender Studies
Open University of Tanzania
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 01.2023 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Planning and management
The University of Dodoma
Dodoma, Tanzania 09.2009 - 04.2012
Skills
- Over 6 years experience in managing complex programs with budgets over $75 m
- Strong leadership and team management skills
- Experience in project management with excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- Experience in budget management and cost control
- Experience in formulating, executing, monitoring, and evaluating health and development projects and/or programs
- Experience in leading the implementation of program activities in various settings, including health / public health, Agriculture and livelihood, education, and environment
- Solid experience in capacity building and technical assistance for social and behavior change communication, gender, community mobilization, and project management
- Experience in working with multiple local and international stakeholders, and the government of Tanzanian officials at the national (ministry) to LGAs
Languages
English
Fluent
Swahili
Native
Accomplishments
- Successfully managed multiple projects with budgets over $7.5 million, delivering projects on time and within budget
- Led a team of 10 project management professionals and consultants, providing guidance and mentorship for professional development
- Led quarterly meetings among program staff and external stakeholders to share achievements and jointly plan for future improvements.
Timeline
Master of Arts - Gender Studies
Open University of Tanzania
01.2023 - Current
Senior Technical Advisor, Community Engagement
FHI360
08.2022 - Current
Senior Technical Advisor SBC for HIV, Gender, and
FHI360
01.2020 - 07.2022
Senior Technical Advisor SBCC & Gender – STA SBCC
EngenderHealth
09.2019 - 01.2020
Senior Program Officer for SBCC & Gender
EngenderHealth
01.2019 - 09.2019
Regional Program Officer SBC & Gender
EngenderHealth
11.2017 - 12.2018
Program Manager
Medecins Du Monde (MdM)/
07.2016 - 11.2017
Technical Officer, Gender, and Youth
JHPIEGO
08.2014 - 07.2016
Community Outreach Program Officer - COPO
The Henry Jackson Foundation Medical Research International (HJFMRI),
09.2013 - 08.2014
Community Outreach Coordinator
Iringa University
06.2012 - 08.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Planning and management
The University of Dodoma
09.2009 - 04.2012
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