Theopista Jacob Masenge
Dar es Salaam
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience at the Paediatric Association of Tanzania, excelling in health policy advocacy and resource mobilization. Proven track record in strategic leadership, driving national campaigns, and enhancing child health services. Skilled in budget management and fostering stakeholder relationships to achieve impactful outcomes in pediatric health initiatives.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
President
Paediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT)
Dar Es Salaam
10.2024 - Current
- Lead national child health advocacy and technical policy coordination.
- Spearheaded resource mobilization and built partnerships with World Bank, AAP, and American Heart Association.
- Championed national campaigns in ECD, immunization, and pediatric HIV.
- Promoted digital advocacy and regional collaboration for pediatric health equity.
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders such as donors, volunteers, partners, and sponsors.
- Represented the organization at community events and public forums to promote its mission.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws related to nonprofit organizations.
- Provided leadership and guidance on budgeting decisions to maximize resources available.
- Acted as an ambassador of goodwill for the organization by engaging positively with external parties.
- Developed policies, procedures, and short-term and long-term goals for the organization.
Chairperson
National Pediatric Technical Working Group
Dar Es Salaam
01.2019 - Current
- Led development and national rollout of pediatric HIV Quality of Care standards.
- Led development and roll out of transition plan for better Anti-Retroviral Therapy regimens in children living with HIV.
- Guided policy reviews and M&E systems for pediatric care across Tanzania.
- Represented Tanzania in regional forums; advanced child health policy.
- Gathered information from various sources, including staff members, stakeholders, and other organizations, to inform board decision-making processes.
- Provided leadership guidance to ensure that strategic objectives were met in a timely fashion.
- Encouraged open dialogue among members while maintaining order during meetings.
- Thoughtfully contributed to committee plans and strategic decision making.
- Cultivated favorable stakeholder relationships for strategic progress and mutually beneficial business agreements.
Chief of Party
USAID Tuwajali Watoto Project, CSSC
Dar Es Salaam
04.2023 - 05.2025
- Directed a $13M USAID project integrating child health, HIV, TB, malaria, and nutrition.
- Coordinated with MoH to integrate NCD care into pediatric services.
- Advocated for policy reforms and built institutional capacity for sustainability.
- Enhanced institutional visibility through digital strategy and stakeholder engagement.
- Prepared detailed reports summarizing project activities and results for upper management.
- Maintained relationships with key stakeholders throughout the duration of projects.
- Provided oversight of technical staff assigned to projects and monitored progress against established milestones.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify areas of improvement in the development process.
- Conducted regular meetings to review progress, address any potential risks or issues, and assess team performance.
Vice President
Paediatric Association of Tanzania
Dar Es Salaam
10.2019 - 10.2024
- Co-founded ECSAPACH and led regional pediatric learning platforms.
- Organized the 1st Tanzania Child Health & Welfare Congress with 400+ delegates.
- Supported MoH in guideline development and policy review.
- Direct resource mobilization and implement a project to establish and sustain essential health services for children during and post-COVID-19 pandemic.
- Cultivated a culture of collaboration among department heads to facilitate cross-functional project execution.
- Reviewed reports from functional areas to assess progress towards organizational goals.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local laws related to employment practices.
- Maintained relationships with key stakeholders by attending meetings and responding promptly to inquiries or requests for information.
- Collaborated with executive team members on major decisions regarding association-wide initiatives.
Senior Technical Advisor for Pediatric Health Serv
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation
Dar Es Salaam
10.2019 - 04.2023
- Generated reports outlining project progress and status updates on a regular basis.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify areas of improvement in the organization's implementation infrastructure.
- Conducted research and developed solutions to technical challenges encountered by the organization.
- Provided training on various aspects of child health and well-being, including early childhood development, HIV, TB, maternal, newborn, and child health, and nutrition.
- Provided guidance and mentorship to junior staff members on complex technical issues.
- Provided technical assistance to the MoH in the development and review of national guidelines for the management of different diseases specific to children and adolescents.
- Influenced policy development for children living with HIV, creating equity in services and access to ARVs.
- Build relationship with stakeholders creating enabling environment for provision of child health and well-being services for children especially in vulnerable ones
Technical Director
Baylor College of Medicine
Mbeya
06.2012 - 09.2018
- Designed strategic plans and SOPs for the national pediatric HIV program.
- Built partnerships to expand pediatric HIV services in underserved regions.
- Led professional development programs across ECSA.
- Led work plan development and managed more than 120 staff for the implementation of activities that made the organization one of the best in child health services.
- Organized team-building activities for staff.
- Through resource mobilization, we won a $16 million project, implemented over 4 years.
- Prepared and managed budgets according to financial principal of the organization
- Created training materials for staff on the use of various implementations in relation to child health and well-being.
Education
MBA - Corporate Management
Mzumbe University
Mbeya, Tanzania 12-2015
Postgraduate Diploma - Paediatric Gastroenterology
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch, South Africa 12-2012
MMED - Paediatric and Child Health
MUHAS
Dar es salaam, Tanzania12-2011
MD - Medicine
Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences
Dar es salaam, Tanzania 12-2004
Skills
- Strategic Leadership & Governance
- Health Policy Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement
- Program Design, Oversight & Quality Improvement
- Resource Mobilization & Donor Relations
- Cross-country Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing
- Gender Equity & Child Welfare
- Public speaking
- Team leadership
- Budget management
Affiliations
- Executive Council, Paediatric Association of Tanzania
- Member of the Medical Council of Tanganyika
- Member of the Medical Women Association of Tanzania
- Member of the International AIDS Society
- Member, ESPGHAN
References
- Dr Haika Mariki, Neonatologist at Lugalo Military hospital, Secretary General for Paediatric Association of Tanzania, +255713553881, haikamariki@gmail.com
- Dr Catherine Kandi Muze, Consultant Paediatrician at Muhimbili National Hospital, +255754466407, kandimuze@gmail.com
- Prof Francis Furia, Professor of Pediatrics at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), +255743623381, fredrick.francis78@gmail.com
Languages
- English, Proficient (C2)
- Swahili, Proficient (C2)
Key Leadership Achievements
- Recognized by the Ministry of Health as national leader in child health policy.
- Secured over $30M in donor funding for pediatric health programs.
- Led training for 1,500+ HCPs and 600+ facilities in pediatric and adolescent care.
- Presented accepted abstracts at IAS, ICASA, and AAP conferences.
Languages
Swahili
First Language
English
Advanced (C1)
C1
Certification
Certified and licensed to practice as a child health specialist by the Medical Council of Tanganyika (MCTOL32683)
Timeline
President
Paediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT)
10.2024 - Current
Chief of Party
USAID Tuwajali Watoto Project, CSSC
04.2023 - 05.2025
Vice President
Paediatric Association of Tanzania
10.2019 - 10.2024
Senior Technical Advisor for Pediatric Health Serv
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation
10.2019 - 04.2023
Chairperson
National Pediatric Technical Working Group
01.2019 - Current
Technical Director
Baylor College of Medicine
06.2012 - 09.2018
MBA - Corporate Management
Mzumbe University
Postgraduate Diploma - Paediatric Gastroenterology
Stellenbosch University
MMED - Paediatric and Child Health
MUHAS
MD - Medicine
Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences
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