Maureen Simwenda
Lusaka
Summary
Dynamic Chief Technical Director at John Snow Health with a proven track record in strategic leadership and program design, driving over $60 million in project success. Expert in data-driven decision-making and cross-sector collaboration, fostering partnerships with key donors and enhancing health outcomes through innovative solutions.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Technical Director
John Snow Health
Lusaka
10.2024 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership and management oversight across a portfolio of projects valued at over $60 million, ensuring high-quality implementation, compliance, and results delivery.
- Technical lead in HIV/AIDS, Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), Family Planning, Early Childhood Development, Nutrition, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), integrated mental health, and women’s health, including menstrual health.
- Offer governance and coordination support to over 10 local and international partners and sub-grantees, with the organization serving as the lead/prime partner.
- Maintain and strengthen collaborative relationships with a diverse array of donors including CDC, USAID, UNICEF, and private sector partners.
- Foster strategic partnerships and engagement with key United Nations agencies such as UNAIDS, WHO, UNDP, UNFPA, and UNICEF.
- Contribute to national and global health policy by actively participating in technical working groups and supporting the development of evidence-based policy guidelines.
- Provide direct leadership on all aspects of project management, including conceptualization, design, implementation, monitoring, and adaptive learning.
- Lead and oversee business development efforts, including identifying new opportunities, writing proposals, and expanding the organization's project portfolio.
- Serve as lead technical writer and contributor to winning proposals, providing subject matter expertise and leadership throughout the design, drafting, and review process.
- Coordinate the organization’s presence at high-level conferences and global forums by leading abstract generation, review, and submission; organizing and participating in satellite sessions; and collaborating on panel presentations with strategic partners.
- Spearhead operational research activities, from protocol development to dissemination, to enhance the organization’s technical visibility and inform programmatic improvements.
Senior Technical Advisor
John Snow Inc.
Boston
02.2024 - 09.2024
- Provided strategic leadership and management oversight across a portfolio of projects valued at over $100 million, ensuring high-impact delivery, technical quality, and compliance across diverse thematic areas and geographies.
- Oversaw JSI’s country programs and technical presence in over 40 countries, supporting country teams and contributing to cross-organizational learning, exchange of technical expertise, and the harmonization of high-impact practices across global operations.
- Led and managed relationships with local and international partners and sub-grantees, with the organization serving as the lead/prime partner on large, complex donor-funded programs.
- Drove and participated in organization wide new business development efforts including opportunity scouting, strategic positioning, partner engagement, and proposal design and submission to grow and diversify the organizational portfolio.
- Cultivate strategic partnerships with local and regional organizations including private sector actors, academic institutions, and NGOs—to strengthen program delivery and positioning in priority countries and regions.
- Engage and maintain productive relationships with key donors (e.g., CDC, USAID, UNICEF, private sector) and multilateral organizations (e.g., UNAIDS, WHO, UNDP, UNFPA), aligning programs with global health priorities and funding landscapes.
- Contribute to and co-lead the creation of global communities of practice, including in child health and infectious diseases (such as pediatric HIV), promoting innovation, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.
- Provide technical leadership in HIV/AIDS, AGYW, Family Planning, Early Childhood Development, Nutrition, SGBV, PSEA, integrated mental health, and broader women’s health, including menstrual health management.
- Participate in national and global technical working groups and task forces, supporting the development of policies, strategies, and evidence-based program guidelines.
- Lead and coordinate JSI’s technical visibility and engagement at major conferences and global events by generating abstracts, reviewing content, organizing satellite sessions, and contributing to high-level panel discussions.
- Oversee and participate in operational research initiatives—from protocol development to publication and dissemination—reinforcing JSI’s reputation as a technically strong, evidence-driven organization.
Chief of Party
John Snow Inc.
Lusaka
12.2023 - 01.2024
- Led the multi-million ($150M) USAID project supporting evidence based HIV interventions including integration of youth and adolescent programming, support to AGYW, integrated SGBV and PSEA, mental health, (Paediatric, adolescent, and Adults HIV), eMTCT, TB/HIV, Nutrition, Family Planning, VMMC, Cervical Cancer Services, and Quality Improvement.
- Point of contact for smooth closeout of the project.
- Makes sure the project is aligned with overall strategic goals and objectives of the organization.
- Regularly updates USAID and other key stakeholders with reports and project closeout progress.
- Follows all regulations related to the project and ensure they’re in compliance with USG regulations.
Deputy Chief of Party – Technical Services
John Snow Inc.
Lusaka
02.2023 - 11.2023
- Coordinated programmatic and technical operations with data-driven approaches that utilize evidence-based interventions and project management oversight to the project valued at $150M.
- Managed strategic planning of project activities in support of the goals and objectives, including the determination of program priorities and technical assistance.
- Served as technical and program lead on the project technical areas including.
- Provided oversight to project partners and sub-grantees.
- Supervised and coordinated the technical team to ensure timely achievement of project goals and objectives.
- Managed strategic relationships with USAID, the ministry of health, and other stakeholders for smooth implementation of robust, cost-effective and sustainable HIV and related interventions.
- Created and fostered the USAID SAFE project reputation of quality and performance and promoted country ownership of strategies and programs that are consistent with health sector priorities and that are embedded in the health system.
- Active member of the senior management team (SMT).
Deputy Chief of Party – Clinical Services
John Snow Health Zambia
Lusaka
11.2021 - 01.2023
- Provided technical and strategic direction of the JSH ZAM-Health project on clinical services and supporting other project areas in providing technical direction on HIV, Family Planning and Maternal and Child Health support to the Private Sector on the Copperbelt, Central, Lusaka, and Southern provinces.
- Provided technical leadership in the development and implementation of the project with an integrated approach towards HIV (Paediatric, adolescent, and Adults HIV), eMTCT, TB/HIV, Nutrition, Family Planning, VMMC, Cervical Cancer services, mental health integration, and Quality Improvement and private sector engagement.
- Managed donor relationships and provided oversight to project progress updates.
- Coordinated and led project planning, budget execution, implementation, and monitoring project activities to improve the quality and availability of private sector services in those program areas.
- Represented the project and have high-level meetings with the Ministry of Health, NAC, ZAMMSA, ZAMRA, HPCZ, and other ministries and agencies.
- Participated in various Technical Working Group meetings and other fora related to health services to represent the project.
- Served as a member of the senior management team (SMT).
Director – Clinical Services
John Snow Inc.
Lusaka
10.2017 - 10.2021
- Provided technical and strategic direction of the JSI USAID SAFE project, overseeing the support of the Copperbelt, Central, and Northwestern provinces with 304 facilities under the project support.
- Provided technical leadership in the development and implementation of the project with an integrated approach towards HIV (Paediatric, adolescent and Adults HIV), eMTCT, TB/HIV, Nutrition, Family Planning, VMMC, Cervical Cancer Services, Quality Improvement, and early Childhood Development.
- Represented JSI and supported the Ministry of Health on various National, provincial, and district technical working groups and subcommittees.
- Directly worked with and collaborates with key partners to support the Ministry of Health on various programs including HIV, TB, TB/HIV, eMTCT, HTS, ART (Adult, adolescent and Paediatric), VMMC, Cervical Cancer Screening, and Early Childhood Development (ECD).
- Provided guidance and works closely in monitoring and evaluating project achievement towards targets/goals and actively participates and provides guidance in generating evidence and utilisation of data to provide technical direction of the project to meet goals and targets.
- Worked very closely with the MoH to develop policy and guidance documents.
- Actively involved in trainings at national level and cascades the trainings to the provincial, district, and facility levels including the training of Community Based Volunteers.
- At all times in the delivery of services, ensured the best of quality of services is provided and keeps compliance as a top priority with adherence to both organization, donor policies and MoH National and WHO guidelines.
- Saved as member of the Senior Management Team.
Clinical Advisor
Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation
Lusaka
05.2016 - 11.2017
- Provided leadership to the national Lab and HIV TWG and led the introduction of point of care EID testing in Zambia supported by UNITAID.
- Led program implementation focusing on a coordinated approach that fostered complimentary delivery of services by the different projects; UNITAID, ELMA, EJAF, Survive and Thrive and CDC funded Live Free (SmartCare) project.
- Provided technical support and guidance to EGPAF supported facilities on the HIV program including Adult and Paediatric HIV, PMTCT, and T/HIV.
- Imparted a unified strategic vision and ensured that program activities led to achievement of program goals and objectives in a timely fashion.
- Provided technical assistance by serving on relevant Technical Working Groups (TWGs) of partners, donors, and the Ministry of Health in Zambia.
- Managed EGPAF Zambia sub-grantees to ensure the best HIV, PMTCT, Adolescent, Paediatric HIV and TB/HIV outcomes were realized from the supported sites and sub-grantees.
- Oversaw training, follow-up support, and supportive supervision, and mentorship using nationally accepted materials and program and mentorship standards for implementation.
- Stayed abreast of and made available to project managers new developments, guidelines (WHO, MoH, PEPFAR), and approaches to HIV – PMTCT, Paediatric HIV and TB, care, treatment and support.
Country Program Manager
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)
Lusaka
11.2016 - 10.2017
- Led and managed the multi-million dollars country program portfolio and team as well as the effective and efficient delivery and expansion of the foundation multi donor supported country projects and services in collaboration with Ministry of Health, donors, and other stakeholders in Zambia.
- Provided programmatic and technical guidance and strategic focus to project implementing teams on project goals and meeting deliverables of high quality on various projects which included HIV, eMTCT, Adolescent, Paediatric HIV, TB, Nutrition, and Early Childhood Development (ECD).
- Promoted the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation’s mission of eliminating HIV/AIDS, with particular emphasis on Family Centred approaches in the prevention and management of HIV patients.
- Understood programmatic, operational, and technical aspects of the program needs and with the country and global teams appropriately applied procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies ensuring technical goals and targets were attained and programmatic commitments to donors and partners were met.
- Managed multi projects and relationships across all projects – 2 CDC supported projects, The Global Fund, ELMA, Gates Foundation, Elton John Foundation, UNITAID and UNICEF assignment.
- Established and maintained relationships and regular contact with key stakeholders on the HIV program (Paediatric and PMTCT) including donors, beneficiary groups, and other key partners.
- Provided technical direction and supported the Ministry of Health in the introduction of EID Point of Care testing to improve EID testing services and early identification and management of HIV exposed and infected infants.
Research Coordinator
Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation
Lusaka
12.2015 - 04.2016
- Coordinated the first National Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Program Outcome Impact and Evaluation (NAPOIE) Project. A CDC funded research project whose main objective was to evaluate both the Paediatric and Adult HIV including PMTCT patient outcome of patients initiated on ART between 2004 and 2014 in all the 10 provinces of Zambia.
- Managed stakeholder donor expectations on the research project which included the MoH, Global Fund, CDC, USAID, WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UTH-HAP, TALC / NZP+, and PEPFAR and non PEPFAR supported partners.
- Represented EGPAF Zambia at the CDC Zambia Co-Ag and partners’ meetings and various MoH TWGs.
- Ensured that all research study protocols, all regulatory requirements and preestablished work scope were followed.
- Acted as the principle administrative liaison for research; calling for the weekly NAPOIE steering committee meetings, responsible for documentation and follow up of the resolutions of the steering committee.
- Provided onsite supervision to more than 100 research assistants across the country during the data collection process, including supervision of the randomization of patient files and documentation of the procedure according to the protocol, data analysis, report writing and result dissemination.
- Conducted data cleaning and analysis, report writing, evidence generation and utilization of evidence to provide guidance to the MoH on policy and guideline development.
Paediatric and Child Health Specialist/Registrar
University Teaching Hospital
Lusaka
09.2011 - 11.2015
- Supported and coordinated adolescent, pediatric and child health programs managed by the CDC Pediatric Center of Excellence.
- Participated in planning, budgeting, and monitoring the child health programs.
- Diagnosed and treated all types of childhood diseases including infectious diseasesHIV/AIDS, TB, measles, mumps.
- Followed up and managed HIV exposed and infected children.
- Examined children regularly in order to assess their growth and development.
- Tracked and administered immunizations on schedule which also included TB and other vaccination programs.
- Conducted research at UTH Paediatric Centre of Excellence which also involved PMTCT and Paediatric HIV.
- Coordinated activities of nurses, medical students, clinical assistants, specialists, therapists and other medical staff.
- Conducted clinical research with the aim of preventing or controlling disease or injury.
Senior Resident Medical Officer
University Teaching Hospital
Lusaka
06.2010 - 08.2011
- Performed 36 hours first on-call duties for the adolescent and paediatric Unit at the University Teaching Hospital.
- Diagnosed, treated, and followed up patients with TB, HIV and other infectious diseases.
- Conducted daily ward rounds with supervising Consultant and other senior doctors and presenting the daily status of patients.
- Acute resuscitation including endotracheal intubation of paediatric patients.
- Conducted ward rounds in the neonatology unit with Consultant.
- Communicating important information about patients to the Senior House Officers and Consultant while performing on-call duties.
- Working closely with the other personnel in the ward, being a part of the healthcare team.
Senior Resident Medical Officer
Mumbwa District Hospital
Mumbwa
09.2009 - 05.2010
- Coordinated HIV, PMTCT, Paediatric HIV, and TB/HIV related programs in rural Mumbwa District, Zambia.
- Clinical follow up of HIV infected children and adults.
- Coordinated Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programs in Mumbwa District Zambia.
- Provided skilled health assessment, diagnosis and treatment services (including Contraception) to patients.
- Consulted and collaborated with colleagues to provide optimal care.
- Documented all care provided and education/information given to patients within their health record, as per hospital procedure.
Senior House Officer
University Teaching Hospital
Lusaka
01.2009 - 08.2009
- Assessed patient problems and initiated or reviewed investigations and management plans in consultation with the Registrar/Specialist.
- Attended to acute and elective admissions to the department, constructed a problem list and requested basic investigations and discussed management plans with the registrar/specialist.
- Attended outpatient Antenatal and Gynaecology Clinics promptly.
- Attended to gynaecological surgery patients in the pre-admission clinic, and notified the theatre of the operating lists.
- Assisted in theatre when requested by the registrar or specialist.
- Conducted ward rounds on inpatients on a daily basis during week days and was available for ward rounds by consultants or registrar unless detained by a clinical emergency.
- Performed deliveries in the delivery suite when rostered and also performed caesarean sections under the supervision of the registrar.
- Attended departmental continuous medical education and clinical meetings twice a week.
Junior Resident Medical Officer
University Teaching Hospital
Lusaka
05.2007 - 12.2008
- Performed 36 hours first on-call duties in the paediatric, internal medicine, surgery and obstetrics and gynaecology.
- Diagnosed, treated, and followed up adult and paediatric patients with TB. HIV and other infectious diseases.
- Conducted daily ward rounds with the Consultant and other senior doctors and presenting the daily status of patients.
- Participated as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in the provision of medical care to patients.
- Diagnosed and treated patients under appropriate supervision.
- Ensured that duties and functions were undertaken in a manner that prioritised the safety and well-being of patients.
- Assessed patients on admission and/or discharge as required and wrote detailed reports in the case notes under supervision and as required ordered and interpret diagnostic tests, initiated and monitored treatment.
- Communicated effectively with patients and clients.
- Maintained professional standards in relation to confidentiality and ethics abide by the Zambian Medical Council ‘Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners’ and the domains of good professional practice.
HIV Peace Corps Program/Medical Intern
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
Lusaka
02.2005 - 02.2006
- Research designing, planning, budgeting and budget tracking on use of Nevirapine in the PMTCT program in Zambia.
- Conducted literature reviews, collected data and helped in data analysis.
- Prepared materials and documents for IRB / Human Subjects committee review.
- Prepared interview questions, recruited and interviewed participants.
- Maintained accurate records of interviews, safeguarded the confidentiality of participants as necessary.
- Managed and responded to project related emails.
- Supervision of nurses working on the research project.
- Attended meetings and projects related seminars as necessary.
- Prepared progress reports and presentations for the principle investigator.
- Participated in report writing and all requirements for submission to a well renowned journal – JAIDS.
Education
PHD Candidate - Health Policy and Systems Strengthening
Western Cape University
South Africa05.2025
Master of Public Health - MPH
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia01.2023
Master of Business Administration - MBA
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia01.2020
Master of Medicine - Paediatrics and Child Health
University of Zambia, School of Medicine
Lusaka, Zambia01.2015
Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery - MBChB
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia01.2007
Skills
- Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Program Design & Scale-Up
- Cross-Sector Collaboration
- Digital Health & Innovation
- Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Flexibility & Responsiveness
- Resilient & Adaptive Execution
- Operational, Financial Management & Business Development
- Communication & Influencing
- Human-Centered Team Leadership
- Hands-On & Strategic Balance
- Decisive & Action-Oriented
Personal Information
Title: Chief Technical Director
References
- Dr Michael Chanda, Executive Director, John Snow Health Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia, +260968418422, michael_chanda@jsh-.com
- Dr Chipepo Kankasa, Executive Director, Paediatric Centre of Excellence, UTH HIV AIDS Program, Lusaka, Zambia, +260977393762, ckankasa@zamnet.zm
- Dr Isaac Zulu, Medical Epidemiologist, CDC Division of Global HIV & TB, Atlanta, GA, USA, +1 404 952 5166, wxo8@cdc.gov
Memberships Affiliations
- International AIDS Society (IAS)
- Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ)
- Zambia Paediatrics Association (ZPA)
- Zambia Medical Association (ZMA)
- Zambia Medical Association Cooperative (ZMAC)
- Zambia Medical Women Association of Zambia (MWAZ)
- Epilepsy Association of Zambia (EAZ)
- Zambia Sri Lankan Friendship Association (ZSLFA)
- Ubuntu Cooperative
Research
- Co-Investigator, Continuous Acquired Drug Resistance in Zambia – CADRE, 2023
- Abstract Reviewer and Mentor, IAS AIDS 2022 Conference, 2022
- Co-Author, PLOS Global Public Health Journal, 2021, Integrating Isoniazid Prevention Therapy into the Fast-Track HIV Treatment Model in Urban Zambia: A proof of Concept Pilot Project.
- Co-Author, Elsevier Journal of Cancer Policy, 2021, Resource Mapping for the Zambia Cancer Control Program – Leveraging Support to Achieve the 90-70-90 Elimination Target.
- Author, IAS 2020, 2020, Increased suppression and retention rates among clients enrolled on a 6 months multi-Month Scripting and Dispensation of ART: Experiences from two facilities in Central province.
- Author, IAS 2020, 2020, Transitioning women of childbearing age to Dolutegravir based regimen coupled with the integration of family planning services in the HIV program: lessons learned from Zambia-Copperbelt, Central, and Northwestern Provinces.
- Author, 13th Annual HIV Technical Conference, 2019, Early Infant Diagnosis: Accounting for Every Infant Through Cohort Monitoring and Analysis.
- Author, 12th Annual HIV Technical and 8th Health Research Conference, 2018, Implementation of the Mentor Mothers Model in HIV and TB programming in Central and Copperbelt Provinces.
- Co-Author, IAS 2017, 2017, Evaluation of the Implementation and Effects of the Unitaid/EGPAF Point- of Care Early Infant Diagnosis in Zambia – POC EID Project.
- Co-Author, National Dissemination of Results Meeting, 2017, Evaluation of the National Paediatric and Adult ART program in Zambia – NAPOIE Study.
- Author, UNZA Thesis and Dissertations, 2015, The status of protective maternal measles antibodies in HIV-1 positive and negative infants aged 6 and 9 months in urban Lusaka, Zambia.
- Vanderbilt University Research Grant Recipient, 2014
- Co-author, JAIDS, 2008, Predictors of rapid HIV testing acceptance and successful Nevirapine administration in Zambia Presented by Principle investigator at 2008 International AIDS conference, Mexico Published in Journal of Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (JAIDS) 2009.
- Author, IAS 2006, 2006, The use of antiretroviral drugs for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis after child sexual abuse, what do people in the community know about it? Accepted for Presentation at 2006 International AIDS conference, Toronto Canada.
- Author, ICASA 2005, 2005, HIV Post-Exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after child sexual abuse, how effective is it? Presented at 2005 International Conference on STIs and AIDS in Africa (ICASA), Abuja, Nigeria.
Timeline
Chief Technical Director
John Snow Health
10.2024 - Current
Senior Technical Advisor
John Snow Inc.
02.2024 - 09.2024
Chief of Party
John Snow Inc.
12.2023 - 01.2024
Deputy Chief of Party – Technical Services
John Snow Inc.
02.2023 - 11.2023
Deputy Chief of Party – Clinical Services
John Snow Health Zambia
11.2021 - 01.2023
Director – Clinical Services
John Snow Inc.
10.2017 - 10.2021
Country Program Manager
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)
11.2016 - 10.2017
Clinical Advisor
Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation
05.2016 - 11.2017
Research Coordinator
Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation
12.2015 - 04.2016
Paediatric and Child Health Specialist/Registrar
University Teaching Hospital
09.2011 - 11.2015
Senior Resident Medical Officer
University Teaching Hospital
06.2010 - 08.2011
Senior Resident Medical Officer
Mumbwa District Hospital
09.2009 - 05.2010
Senior House Officer
University Teaching Hospital
01.2009 - 08.2009
Junior Resident Medical Officer
University Teaching Hospital
05.2007 - 12.2008
HIV Peace Corps Program/Medical Intern
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
02.2005 - 02.2006
PHD Candidate - Health Policy and Systems Strengthening
Western Cape University
Master of Public Health - MPH
University of Zambia
Master of Business Administration - MBA
University of Zambia
Master of Medicine - Paediatrics and Child Health
University of Zambia, School of Medicine
Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery - MBChB
University of Zambia
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