Rabia Abeid Khaji
Kahama Municipal Council
Summary
I, Rabia A. Khaji, I bring over 10 years of specialized expertise in public health, gender-responsive programming, and community-led TB, HIV, Malaria, SRHR, and OVC interventions. With a bachelor’s degree in development studies from Makerere University, Uganda, and a master’s degree in social work from Assam Don Bosco University, India, I combine my academic rigor with hands-on leadership in global health. I hold multiple certifications in TB, HIV, malaria, family planning, gender, M&E, SRHR, nutrition, operational research, and key and vulnerable populations, earned from renowned institutions such as the University of Washington, Johns Hopkins University, and Philanthropy University. I have been a driving force behind numerous gender-sensitive, community-centered health initiatives. I have supported the development of Tanzania’s TB Gender Operational Plan and have led a recent comprehensive TB gender assessment with Stop TB partnership support, in collaboration with NTLP and the Tanzania TB Community Network (TTCN), providing actionable recommendations to address gender barriers in health service access. As a National TB Facilitator at NTLP, I have actively integrated gender equality into health systems, and contribute to community rights and gender-focused programming. Additionally, my recent consultancy in developing a Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) for TB services in Tanzania will enable communities to systematically monitor TB services, identify and report service gaps, and engage with decision-makers to enhance the quality, accessibility, availability, and affordability of TB services. My extensive experience includes serving as a technical lead on the Global Fund TB/HIV program under the Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) grant, and the USAID TB LON project, branded as Afya Shirikishi, in Mwanza and Geita regions. The TB REACH project in Shinyanga and Geita regions, as well as overseeing the Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) Round 12 project, where I focused on reducing stigma, empowering communities, and advancing gender-transformative TB interventions. I am also recognized for designing and implementing evaluations, including participatory approaches that elevate the voices of women, feminist organizations, and gender-diverse communities. Beyond my programmatic contributions, I am a prominent advocate in global health forums. I currently serve as a board member of the Tanzania STOP TB Partnership, serving on the Business Development Technical Working Group, and as the treasurer of the Tanzania TB Community Network (TTCN). Additionally, as a member of the Afro Community Advisory Board (CAB) for Supporting, Mobilizing, and Accelerating Research for Tuberculosis Elimination (SMART4TB), I support policy advocacy and research to strengthen TB responses. Also, I serve as a core team member for HIFA under Open Access publications. My portfolio demonstrates a deep commitment to advancing health equity, evidenced by my leadership in integrating gender-responsive approaches into program design, evaluations, and advocacy. I have overseen donor-funded portfolios worth over USD 12.9 million, and I have mobilized USD 8 million in external funding. My expertise spans project planning and management, stakeholder collaboration, monitoring and evaluation, proposal development, and capacity-building, making me a key contributor to transformative health outcomes in Tanzania and beyond.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of MEL, TB and Bussiness Unit
SHDEPHA+
Kahama
02.2019 - 10.2025
- Played a vital role as a member of the resource mobilization team in engaging with donor and technical agencies, resulting in the successful mobilization of resources from key partners, such as the Global Fund, USAID, Stop TB Partnership, CDC, Private CSR, and others.
- Ensured the establishment and implementation of an appropriate Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system at SHDEPHA+, Kahama.
- Provided relevant and timely M&E information to key stakeholders, including beneficiary communities, SHDEPHA+ Kahama senior management, and donors.
- Successfully provided training and mentoring for SHDEPHA+ staff on M&E principles.
- Acted as a focal point for organizing and managing monitoring reviews, evaluations, and After Action Reviews (AARs).
- Led the development and updating of SHDEPHA+ strategic organizational results frameworks, and real-time DHIS2 reporting system.
- Cumulative Project Portfolio Supervised: Over USD 12.9 million (2020–2025).
- Funds mobilized through proposal leadership: approximately USD 8 million, with key donors and partners: USAID, Stop TB Partnership, Global Fund, UNOPS, AMREF, PEPFAR, FHI360, Deloitte, ELCT, Geita Gold Mine, and Foundation for Civil Society.
- Oversaw USD 4 million under the USAID ACHIEVE Project for OVC and HIV care in Shinyanga, Dodoma, Singida, and Geita.
- Secured USD 2.8 million for HIV and TB care through multi-partner proposals (DOD/HJFMRI).
- Supported Global Fund TB/HIV implementation valued at USD 2 million between 2021 and 2023.
Project Lead
Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS):Funder-Stop TB Partnership/UNOPS
Geita
11.2023 - 05.2025
- Contributed to the improvement of TB control in Geita, Tanzania, through the reduction of stigma, enhanced social accountability, and community empowerment for active participation in TB prevention.
- Strengthened engagement and ownership of Local Government Authorities (LGAs) and communities to support integrated TB and CRG activities among women, and other Key Vulnerable Populations (KVPs).
- Promoted involvement and participation of key and vulnerable populations, including mining populations, in TB prevention, case finding, care, and treatment.
- Strengthened the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of TB services in the implementation area through the OneImpact CLM initiative.
- Reduced TB-related gender barriers and harmful gender norms against people affected by TB in accessing TB services in communities and healthcare settings.
- Founded TB Women Network of Tanzania to strengthen women’s participation in TB response.
- Coordinated social accountability mechanisms and gender audits for 6 local health councils.
- Mobilized and empowered over 5750 Key and Vulnerable Populations to engage and influence the TB response.
- Established and strengthened a TB Women network in Tanzania (TTWN) to improve the well-being and outcomes of women affected by tuberculosis.
- Managed USD 150,000 grant focused on stigma reduction and gender inclusion in TB services.
Technical Manager for Community Tuberculosis (TB) Services
USAID AFYA SHIRIKISHI Project: Funder-USAID Tz/Amref TZ
Mwanza and Geita
01.2021 - 01.2025
- Leading, coordinating, and implementing the TB LON project, ensuring high-quality TB services, effective project management, and impactful community interventions.
- Successfully reviewed the project proposal, budget, targets, and key performance indicators, ensuring realistic planning aligned with project objectives.
- Led and contributed to regular programmatic and donor reporting, ensuring timely feedback and progress updates to the TB LON project coordination and management team.
- Provided leadership and support for regional community intervention officers and data officers, ensuring they perform at maximum capacity to achieve expected deliverables and set targets.
- Supervised USD 4 million under the USAID Afya Shirikishi (TB LON) Project across Mwanza and Geita.
- Established, modified, and monitored key program-level performance indicators, ensuring effective tracking of project progress and evaluation.
- Developed and maintained effective partnerships with government authorities, non-government organizations, private sectors, and other stakeholders.
- Supervised, coached, and mentored the project staff, promoting effective communications, joint working, and continuous improvement.
- Identified potential funding opportunities, and participated in developing funding proposals to support the sustainability and growth of the project.
- Expanded PPM (Public-Private Mix) TB coverage to 60 or more private providers and mining companies.
- Implemented quality assurance, supervision, and training for CHWs, and facility staff.
- Contributed to reducing TB case detection gaps and improving DR-TB treatment linkage from 9% to 42% in the project regions.
Project Lead
Get Up Speak Up project: Funded through the US Embassy Fund for HIV/AIDS Relief (AFHR), PEPFAR TZ
Arusha
11.2021 - 11.2022
- Successfully executed a community-led monitoring initiative, collected valuable data, engaged with stakeholders, and contributed to improving HIV service quality and delivery in the Arusha Region.
- Led the implementation of the project, ensuring it was effectively planned, coordinated, and executed to achieve its objectives.
- Spearheaded a community-led monitoring project that gathered information to assess the quality of services received by key and vulnerable populations (KVP), adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in the Arusha Region.
- Developed and implemented data collection methods, including Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and interviews, to collect quarterly data from people receiving care and treatment services in eight health facilities.
- Actively engaged with stakeholders throughout the project, including beneficiaries, community members, health facility staff, and local authorities.
- Collected and analyzed data to assess service quality and identify areas for improvement in HIV service delivery.
- Directed USD 40,000 community-led HIV advocacy project engaging 325 PLHIV.
- Established data-driven advocacy framework for RHMT and council health decision-makers in Meru DC.
Technical Lead Officer and M&E Coordinator
SHDEPHA+: TB REACH WAVE 5 AND WAVE 5 SCALE UP PROJECT/UNOPS/STOP TB Partnership
Shinyanga and Geita
03.2017 - 11.2020
- Successfully managed the implementation of the TB REACH project, ensuring general management and support throughout the implementation process.
- Developed and implemented a robust Monitoring and Evaluation, Research, and Learning (M&ERL) system, including data collection tools for process indicators.
- Built the capacity of 15 field officers, 480 Community Health Workers (CHWs), and 240 Peer Educators (PEs) on basic M&E principles.
- Conducted regular follow-ups and data quality audits, leading to increased accuracy and reliability of project data.
- Produced and submitted project technical reports (quarterly, semi-annual, and annual) to donors and stakeholders on a regular basis.
- Oversaw USD 1.46 million budget across two regions, improving TB case detection by 35% from 9% of the regional performance
- Developed real-time reporting tools for CHWs and health facilities.
- Presented several abstracts with impact results at Union World Conferences and peer-reviewed platforms
Social Economic and Empowerment Officer
SHDEPHA+: SAUTI Project funded through USAID/JHPIEGO
Kahama
10.2016 - 02.2017
- Identified and trained 186 eligible empowerment workers, in partnership with the LGAs, for the DREAMS intervention.
- Mobilized and formed 350 WORTH groups in collaboration with EWs, VEOs, and PEs.
- Coordinated start-up training on the WORTH model for hired empowerment workers and other project officers at CSOs' offices.
- Conducted monthly data collection and reported program progress using Sauti-developed tools.
Teacher
Nyihogo Secondary School
10.2010 - 04.2013
- Instructed students in Mathematics and Geography through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Prepared, administered, and graded tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Adapted teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Assam Don Bosco University
Guwahati, India09-2023
Bachelor’s Degree - Development Studies
Makerere University
Kampala, Uganda01-2018
Skills
- Gender-responsive programming and leadership
- Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL)
- Integration of gender equality into health systems
- Community engagement and advocacy
- Global Fund, USAID, State Department, UNOPS, DOD project management and implementation
- Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
- Stakeholder collaboration and facilitation
- Public health policy development and advocacy
- Community TB, HIV, and malaria project management and implementation
- Networking and partnership
- Resource mobilization and Proposal development
- Monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptation
- HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis program design, development, and management
- Applied health research
- Health management information systems
- Abstract and Operational research
- Community engagement and community-led monitoring
- Community sensitization, referrals, and linkages services
- Data quality assessment
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
- Epi data and Kobo Toolbox
- Quirkos for qualitative research methods
- District Health Information Software (DHIS2) and ETL system
- SBCC for family planning
- TB public private mix
- Gender programming for TB and HIV
- Advisory board
Certification
- 06/2025, TB Research Methods, McGill Summer Institutes in Global Health
- 05/2025, Gender in TB: TB Women Academy, Self-paced course
- 11/2024 - 09/2025, TB Women Academy: Leadership Experience Cohort, Virtual and Physical
- 08/2024, WHO/USAID TB DIAH: Finding TB Cases among People Living with HIV, Virtual Training
- 08/2024, WHO End TB Channel: Social Protection for People Affected by Tuberculosis: An Introduction, Virtual Training
- 06/2024, Amref Health Africa Safeguarding Course Covering: Safeguarding in the Workplace, Anti-Trafficking & Modern-Day Slavery, and Psychological Safety, Virtual
- 06/2024, Amref Ethics and Anti-Fraud Course Version 2, Virtual
- 06/2024, Training WHO Guidance on Conducting Reviews of Tuberculosis Programmes: Webinar, Virtual
- 05/2024, USAID Financial Management and Compliance with a Non-US New Partner Focus, Virtual Training
- 12/2023, Emerging Youth Leadership Training Program (EYOLE): Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School, Pwani, Tanzania
- 08/2023, Resource Mobilization and Proposal Writing Training: Organized by FHI360, SHDEPHA+, Kahama, Tanzania
- 05/2023, Engaging All Health Providers to End TB: Public-Private Mix (PPM) Course, McGill Summer Institutes in Global Health
- 03/2023, Documentation Training: Organized by Amref, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- 09/2022, Advanced TB Research Training Course: The Seattle TB Research Advancement Center (SEATRAC) at the University of Washington, Washington, DC
- 08/2022, Business and Proposal Development: Pact Tanzania, Dodoma, Tanzania
- 07/2022, Leadership, Management, and Governance (LMG) Workshop: Pact Tanzania, Dodoma, Tanzania
- 01/2020, Fundraising and Resource Mobilization: Conducted by Foundation for Civil Society, Kahama, Shinyanga
- 01/2020, Kobo Toolbox Training for M&E Data Entry and Analysis Conducted by: McGill University, Canada - Webinar
- 08/2019, Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Design, Tabora, Tanzania
- 01/2019, Qualitative Research Analysis Training Conducted by: McGill University, Canada
- 12/2018, Epi-Database Training on Entry and Analysis Conducted by: McGill University, Kahama, Shinyanga
- 10/2018, Proposal Writing Conducted by: Pact Tanzania, Kahama, Shinyanga
- 08/2018, TB REACH M&E Grantee Workshop Conducted by: Stop TB Partnership/TB REACH, Bangkok, Thailand
- 07/2018, OneImpact Digital Solutions for Community-Based Monitoring of the TB Response in Tanzania Conducted by: EANNASO, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
- 08/2016, Gender and Gender-Based Violence Workshop Conducted by: Jhpiego Tanzania, Kahama, Shinyanga
- 12/2016, Economic Strengthening Training Among Young Girls and Women Conducted by: Pact Tanzania, Kahama, Shinyanga
Languages
- Swahili
- English
Personal Information
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: Tanzanian
- Marital Status: Married to Mr. Nurdin Jafary with 2 children
- Religion: Muslim
Current Residence
P. O. Box 564, Kahama, Shinyanga, Tanzania, 37305
Research and Publications
1. Khaji, R. A., Kabwebwe, V. M., Mringo, A. G., Nkwabi, T. F., Bigio, J., Mergenthaler, C., Vasquez, N. A., Pande, T., Rahman, M. T., & Haraka, F. (2021). Factors affecting motivation to engage with tuberculosis screening and testing services among key populations in northwest Tanzania: a mixedmethods analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(18), 9654. Abstract | PDF Version
2. Abeid, R., Mergenthaler, C., Muzuka, V., Goodluck, A., Nkwabi, T., Bigio, J., Vasquez, N. A., Pande, T., Haraka, F., Creswell, J., Rahman, T., & Straetemans, M. (2022). Increasing TB/HIV case notification through an active case-finding approach among rural and mining communities in northwest Tanzania. Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2022, Article ID 4716151. Link
3. Khaji, R. A. (2020). To examine the role of Community Health Care Workers (CHCWs) in TB health information system in Nyang'hwale and Geita District Council, Geita Region, Tanzania (Project Report Thesis, Don Bosco University). Link
4. Khaji, R. A., & Muzuka, V. (2021). Tackling TB and HIV in mining areas of Tanzania. SHDEPHA, Tanzania. Link
5. TANZANIA: TB interventions, published on the Strategic initiative to find the Missing people with TB Link 1 and Link 2
6. How to get to the Next: The Gendered Realities of the Tuberculosis Epidemic: Link
7. The Global Citizen: Gender Inequality Is Seriously Harming the Global Fight Against Tuberculosis: Link
Affiliations
Consultant and Contributor to gender equality programming under the Global Fund, Stop TB partnership, and USAID.
1. Lead consultant to update Tanzania CRG Costed Action Plan template to update the existing National CRG Action Plan to address the findings and recommendations of the Legal Environmental Assessment, Gender Assessment, and KVP Size estimation. This was facilitated in collaboration with TTCN and NTLP.
2. Lead gender-responsive approaches across multiple health programs, including USAID TB LON and Global Fund-supported projects.
3. Lead assistant for the development of Tanzania’s TB Gender Operational Plan and contributed to the NTLP National Strategic Plan (NSP VI) midterm and end-term review.
4. Lead consultant for conducting a comprehensive gender assessment in collaboration with NTLP and TTCN, identifying key barriers and actionable recommendations.
5. Established and strengthened the TB Women Network in Tanzania, amplifying the voices of women affected by TB.
6. Directed evaluations and community-led monitoring initiatives through one impact approach under the Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) round 12.
7. Provided technical expertise for Global Fund’s TB/HIV Cycle 7 Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) grant.
8. Designed and implemented gender-sensitive approaches to address structural barriers in health service access.
9. Collaborated with stakeholders to integrate community rights and gender initiatives into national health strategies. 10. Facilitated participatory discussions with feminist organizations and key populations to inform program adaptation.
11. Managed M&E frameworks for community TB outreach initiatives, improving data collection and reporting accuracy.
12. Presented research findings at national and international conferences, including Union World Conferences on Lung Health.
13. Strengthened collaboration with NTLP, local government authorities, and donor partners.
1. Lead consultant to update Tanzania CRG Costed Action Plan template to update the existing National CRG Action Plan to address the findings and recommendations of the Legal Environmental Assessment, Gender Assessment, and KVP Size estimation. This was facilitated in collaboration with TTCN and NTLP.
2. Lead gender-responsive approaches across multiple health programs, including USAID TB LON and Global Fund-supported projects.
3. Lead assistant for the development of Tanzania’s TB Gender Operational Plan and contributed to the NTLP National Strategic Plan (NSP VI) midterm and end-term review.
4. Lead consultant for conducting a comprehensive gender assessment in collaboration with NTLP and TTCN, identifying key barriers and actionable recommendations.
5. Established and strengthened the TB Women Network in Tanzania, amplifying the voices of women affected by TB.
6. Directed evaluations and community-led monitoring initiatives through one impact approach under the Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) round 12.
7. Provided technical expertise for Global Fund’s TB/HIV Cycle 7 Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) grant.
8. Designed and implemented gender-sensitive approaches to address structural barriers in health service access.
9. Collaborated with stakeholders to integrate community rights and gender initiatives into national health strategies. 10. Facilitated participatory discussions with feminist organizations and key populations to inform program adaptation.
11. Managed M&E frameworks for community TB outreach initiatives, improving data collection and reporting accuracy.
12. Presented research findings at national and international conferences, including Union World Conferences on Lung Health.
13. Strengthened collaboration with NTLP, local government authorities, and donor partners.
Accomplishments
1. Winners of the TBPPM Community Contest: Active Member Challenge 2023
2. Selected Sponsored Registration, Union World Conference on Lung Health, Paris, France from 15th to 18th November 2023 and from 12-16 November 2024 in Bali, Indonesia, Copenhagen, Denmark at Bella center from 18-21November2025
3. Selected Sponsored Union World Conference registration by the Stop TB Partnership Working Group on New Drugs (WGND)
Contribution to Science and Workshops: International and National Conferences and workshops Attended and Presented
1. Presenter of accepted abstract titled “From Evidence to Policy: Prioritizing Tuberculosis (TB) Key and Vulnerable Populations (KVP) in Tanzania for Strategic Investment (Oral Presentation) and Community-Led Monitoring for TB Services in Geita, Tanzania: Lessons from the OneImpact TB Kiganjani Approach (E-Poster Presentation) at the Union conference on Lung health held in Copenhagen, Denmark at Bella center from 18-21November2025.
2. Co-author of the IAS 2025 held in Kigali Rwanda from 13-17 July 2025 of an accepted abstract titled as “Enhancing HIV Case Finding Using Social Network Strategies (SNS) Among Key Populations (KPs) and Priority Populations (PPs) in Shinyanga, Tanzania Under the EpiC Project”
3. Participated in the Anglophone and Lusophone TB meeting held from 18th –20th November 2024, focused on Strengthening Advocacy for Enhanced Investment and Accountability: A Pathway to Ending TB in Africa. The meeting included a call to GFATM to increase TB funding from 18% to 33%. This also included visits to Kamuzu Palace to meet Her Excellency, Madame Monica Chakwera, First Lady of the Republic of Malawi to Amplify Voices to End TB Stigma.
4. Speaker at the Union World Conference on Lung Health from 12th -16th November 2024, held in Bali, Indonesia: Engagement and non-engagement factors in tuberculosis active case finding (ACF) among artisanal small-scale miners (ASM) and female sex workers (FSW) in Tanzania: a mixed-methods study.
5. Presented at 11th Tanzania Health summit conference held from 1st to 3rd October 2024, Zanzibar: Enhancing Tuberculosis Case Finding through a Facilitated ADDO and
Traditional Healers (TH) Model in Mwanza and Geita Regions: SHDEPHA+ Experience
4. Speaker at the United National High Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) side event organized by React September 2024: From People to Leaders SIDE-EVENT & exhibition- https://www.reactgroup.org/act-on-amr-now/from-people-to-leaders-side-event-exhibition/
5. Presented at union conference on lung health (Paris, France 2023): Empowering communities in TB service delivery at the primary care level: Mining community in Tanzania.
6. Presented at Tanzania Health summit (THS 2023): Impact of Public Meeting Hotspots on Tuberculosis Case Notification in Tanzania: Experience from USAID Afya Shirikishi-SHDEPHA+, Dar es salaam Tanzania. https://ths.or.tz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/abstract-2023.pdf
7. Presented an abstract "Bringing services where people are a case of finding missing people with TB using a mobile clinic Community-based approach" at the NTLP Annual conference, held 18th -20th November 2022, Mwanza, Tanzania.
8. Presented in a Symposium Title "Private sector engagement to End TB in Africa" with a focus on Providing TB and HIV services to mining populations in northern Tanzania: The 53 Union World conference on lung health, November 8-11, 2022.
9. TB PPM Webinar Panelist on TB and Mining: Engaging companies to End TB, held on 17th August 2022.
10. Presented operation research at the Annual TB Conference_6th to 9th November 2021 in Tanzania on “Factors Affecting Motivation among Key Populations to Engage with Tuberculosis Screening and Testing Services in Northwest Tanzania: A Mixed-Methods Analysis”
11. Attended virtually and presented "Tackling TB and HIV in mining areas of Tanzania" at the 52nd Union World Conference under Community Connect 19-21 October 2021 as a speaker.
12. Community TB in Tanzania experience sharing workshop-TB REACH initiatives of the Stop TB partnership in Bangkok, Thailand, August 2018.
13. Community Rising to address TB: Working in peri-mining communities in Tanzania - 49th Union World Conference on Lung Health, The Hague, the Netherlands, October 2018.
14. TB case finding in communities: Strengthening sputum transportation networks and diagnostic services- SHDEPHA experience: Experience Sharing Workshop for Finding Missing People with Tuberculosis for African Countries coordinated by the Ministry of Health/NTLP and STOP TB
Partnership, World Health Organization, and The Global Fund, Dar Es salaam Tanzania, May 2019.
15. TB Lessons from the field: Coordinating Meeting of the Tanzania TB Community Forum in support of National TB Response coordinated by EANNASO: Arusha, Tanzania, August 2019.
16. Attended NTLP annual consultative meeting: The purpose of this meeting was to bring together all stakeholders affiliated with TB and Leprosy services to discuss progress, best practices, and lessons learned on TB and leprosy care and prevention services delivery. On the same platform, the stakeholders received technical consultation from KNCV on the guidance towards the development of the new NTLP -NSP 2021 – 2025.
17. Attended a National CRG Costed Action Plan Development Workshop for the Community Rights and Gender Assessment Recommendations in Dodoma Tanzania, 10th February – 12th February 2020. This workshop aimed to build consensus on priority CRG key issues and recommendations that should guide efforts at strengthening the national TB response in Tanzania and to develop a National CRG Costed Action Plan for the Community Rights and Gender Assessment Recommendations in Tanzania.
18. Community Rights and Gender in response to TB Workshop (1st to 4th September 2020Dodoma, Tanzania). The objectives of this workshop were to provide updates on community engagement in country processes including NSP and GFATM development and community priorities Launching of the Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) Round 9 grant; to take stock of achievements, challenges, and lessons learned in the implementation of TB interventions and agree on a Community-based monitoring system as an accountability tool; build the capacity of participants on key CRG issues, discuss, and agree on a community TB advocacy agenda based on identified issues.
19. Attended a workshop for the development finalization of the Sixth National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (NTLP -2021-2025) and its Operational Plan-Organized by the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children through NTLP in September 2020.
20. Attended and presented to USAID Tanzania during TB and FP integrated community solution Co-creation workshop, November 2019, Dar-es salaam.
2. Selected Sponsored Registration, Union World Conference on Lung Health, Paris, France from 15th to 18th November 2023 and from 12-16 November 2024 in Bali, Indonesia, Copenhagen, Denmark at Bella center from 18-21November2025
3. Selected Sponsored Union World Conference registration by the Stop TB Partnership Working Group on New Drugs (WGND)
Contribution to Science and Workshops: International and National Conferences and workshops Attended and Presented
1. Presenter of accepted abstract titled “From Evidence to Policy: Prioritizing Tuberculosis (TB) Key and Vulnerable Populations (KVP) in Tanzania for Strategic Investment (Oral Presentation) and Community-Led Monitoring for TB Services in Geita, Tanzania: Lessons from the OneImpact TB Kiganjani Approach (E-Poster Presentation) at the Union conference on Lung health held in Copenhagen, Denmark at Bella center from 18-21November2025.
2. Co-author of the IAS 2025 held in Kigali Rwanda from 13-17 July 2025 of an accepted abstract titled as “Enhancing HIV Case Finding Using Social Network Strategies (SNS) Among Key Populations (KPs) and Priority Populations (PPs) in Shinyanga, Tanzania Under the EpiC Project”
3. Participated in the Anglophone and Lusophone TB meeting held from 18th –20th November 2024, focused on Strengthening Advocacy for Enhanced Investment and Accountability: A Pathway to Ending TB in Africa. The meeting included a call to GFATM to increase TB funding from 18% to 33%. This also included visits to Kamuzu Palace to meet Her Excellency, Madame Monica Chakwera, First Lady of the Republic of Malawi to Amplify Voices to End TB Stigma.
4. Speaker at the Union World Conference on Lung Health from 12th -16th November 2024, held in Bali, Indonesia: Engagement and non-engagement factors in tuberculosis active case finding (ACF) among artisanal small-scale miners (ASM) and female sex workers (FSW) in Tanzania: a mixed-methods study.
5. Presented at 11th Tanzania Health summit conference held from 1st to 3rd October 2024, Zanzibar: Enhancing Tuberculosis Case Finding through a Facilitated ADDO and
Traditional Healers (TH) Model in Mwanza and Geita Regions: SHDEPHA+ Experience
4. Speaker at the United National High Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) side event organized by React September 2024: From People to Leaders SIDE-EVENT & exhibition- https://www.reactgroup.org/act-on-amr-now/from-people-to-leaders-side-event-exhibition/
5. Presented at union conference on lung health (Paris, France 2023): Empowering communities in TB service delivery at the primary care level: Mining community in Tanzania.
6. Presented at Tanzania Health summit (THS 2023): Impact of Public Meeting Hotspots on Tuberculosis Case Notification in Tanzania: Experience from USAID Afya Shirikishi-SHDEPHA+, Dar es salaam Tanzania. https://ths.or.tz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/abstract-2023.pdf
7. Presented an abstract "Bringing services where people are a case of finding missing people with TB using a mobile clinic Community-based approach" at the NTLP Annual conference, held 18th -20th November 2022, Mwanza, Tanzania.
8. Presented in a Symposium Title "Private sector engagement to End TB in Africa" with a focus on Providing TB and HIV services to mining populations in northern Tanzania: The 53 Union World conference on lung health, November 8-11, 2022.
9. TB PPM Webinar Panelist on TB and Mining: Engaging companies to End TB, held on 17th August 2022.
10. Presented operation research at the Annual TB Conference_6th to 9th November 2021 in Tanzania on “Factors Affecting Motivation among Key Populations to Engage with Tuberculosis Screening and Testing Services in Northwest Tanzania: A Mixed-Methods Analysis”
11. Attended virtually and presented "Tackling TB and HIV in mining areas of Tanzania" at the 52nd Union World Conference under Community Connect 19-21 October 2021 as a speaker.
12. Community TB in Tanzania experience sharing workshop-TB REACH initiatives of the Stop TB partnership in Bangkok, Thailand, August 2018.
13. Community Rising to address TB: Working in peri-mining communities in Tanzania - 49th Union World Conference on Lung Health, The Hague, the Netherlands, October 2018.
14. TB case finding in communities: Strengthening sputum transportation networks and diagnostic services- SHDEPHA experience: Experience Sharing Workshop for Finding Missing People with Tuberculosis for African Countries coordinated by the Ministry of Health/NTLP and STOP TB
Partnership, World Health Organization, and The Global Fund, Dar Es salaam Tanzania, May 2019.
15. TB Lessons from the field: Coordinating Meeting of the Tanzania TB Community Forum in support of National TB Response coordinated by EANNASO: Arusha, Tanzania, August 2019.
16. Attended NTLP annual consultative meeting: The purpose of this meeting was to bring together all stakeholders affiliated with TB and Leprosy services to discuss progress, best practices, and lessons learned on TB and leprosy care and prevention services delivery. On the same platform, the stakeholders received technical consultation from KNCV on the guidance towards the development of the new NTLP -NSP 2021 – 2025.
17. Attended a National CRG Costed Action Plan Development Workshop for the Community Rights and Gender Assessment Recommendations in Dodoma Tanzania, 10th February – 12th February 2020. This workshop aimed to build consensus on priority CRG key issues and recommendations that should guide efforts at strengthening the national TB response in Tanzania and to develop a National CRG Costed Action Plan for the Community Rights and Gender Assessment Recommendations in Tanzania.
18. Community Rights and Gender in response to TB Workshop (1st to 4th September 2020Dodoma, Tanzania). The objectives of this workshop were to provide updates on community engagement in country processes including NSP and GFATM development and community priorities Launching of the Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) Round 9 grant; to take stock of achievements, challenges, and lessons learned in the implementation of TB interventions and agree on a Community-based monitoring system as an accountability tool; build the capacity of participants on key CRG issues, discuss, and agree on a community TB advocacy agenda based on identified issues.
19. Attended a workshop for the development finalization of the Sixth National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (NTLP -2021-2025) and its Operational Plan-Organized by the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children through NTLP in September 2020.
20. Attended and presented to USAID Tanzania during TB and FP integrated community solution Co-creation workshop, November 2019, Dar-es salaam.
References
- Mr. Venance Muzuka – Executive Director, SHDEPHA+ (info@shdepha.org, +255 764 019 858)
- Mr. Thomas Kipingili, National Director, SOS Children's Villages Tanzania, tkipingili@gmail.com, +255 767 105 036
- Dr. Christina Mergenthaler – epidemiologist, KIT Netherlands (C. Mergenthaler@kit.nl)
Timeline
Project Lead
Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS):Funder-Stop TB Partnership/UNOPS
11.2023 - 05.2025
Project Lead
Get Up Speak Up project: Funded through the US Embassy Fund for HIV/AIDS Relief (AFHR), PEPFAR TZ
11.2021 - 11.2022
Technical Manager for Community Tuberculosis (TB) Services
USAID AFYA SHIRIKISHI Project: Funder-USAID Tz/Amref TZ
01.2021 - 01.2025
Head of MEL, TB and Bussiness Unit
SHDEPHA+
02.2019 - 10.2025
Technical Lead Officer and M&E Coordinator
SHDEPHA+: TB REACH WAVE 5 AND WAVE 5 SCALE UP PROJECT/UNOPS/STOP TB Partnership
03.2017 - 11.2020
Social Economic and Empowerment Officer
SHDEPHA+: SAUTI Project funded through USAID/JHPIEGO
10.2016 - 02.2017
Teacher
Nyihogo Secondary School
10.2010 - 04.2013
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Assam Don Bosco University
Bachelor’s Degree - Development Studies
Makerere University