Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Shula Delphine Chikonde

Braintree

Summary

A passionate Communication for Development and Public Health Education Specialist with a background in developing and implementing comprehensive Social Behavior Change , Risk Communication and Community Engagement programs. I am skilled in creating engaging curriculum materials, conducting community health assessments, and facilitating training workshops on various health topics for diverse audiences. Adept at leading groups and working with individuals and communities to address different health concerns with indepth understanding of program needs, and trends in health issues. I have contributed to improved community health outcomes through effective inclusive and holistic gender-sensitive research strategies and advocacy efforts for prevention of disease including in emergency outbreaks.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Gender, Diversity and Social Inclusion Consultant

Christian Entrepreneurs Women Network, CEWN
Lusaka
04.2024 - 09.2024
  • Infusing the six (6) United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, 2022-2025 Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, GESI, Signature Solutions into CEWNs core mandate
  • Leading the analysis, review and adaptation of teaching and learning materials by providing training and document dissemination to staff and participants
  • Conducting qualitative research into Gender-Based-Violence, GBV, prevention and management practices as service delivery points.
  • Leading technical experience in systems strengthening for sustainable development, water, sanitation and hygiene, WASH, social and behavior change, SBC, nutrition and environmental interventions.
  • Engaging communities and contributing to the evaluation and scaling up of promising female-driven entrepreneurial practices within community settings that can lead to increased financial access including for those most traditionally marginalized
  • Collaborating with other members of the project team to plan and implement the annual Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Analysis and ensure that the results inform all project activities including the development of relevant indicators and work plans, particularly as they relate to women, girls and people with disabilities.
  • Introducing gender and disability transformative activities to scale up evidence-based interventions that promote gender equality and meet the needs of the participants

Risk Communication & Community Engagement Advisor

UK-Med
Lusaka
07.2024 - 08.2024
  • Successfully developed a Risk Communication and Community Engagement, RCCE, strategy for an upcoming Cholera Simulation Exercise with a primary focus on access to Universal Health Coverage, UHC, for pregnant HIV positive women suffering from cholera and under-nutrition.
  • Developed technical scripts for scenarios and role-plays to elucidate the role of RCCE in pillars of Case Management, Infection, Prevention and Control, IPC, WASH, Nutrition, Surveillance, Psychology and Mental Health and Midwifery.

Risk Communication and Community Engagement, RCCE, Advisor – Cholera Emergency

World Health Organization, WHO Zambia Country Office (Seconded from UK-Med Roster)
02.2024 - 03.2024
  • Provided support to the national RCCE/ SBC Technical Sub-Groups for the development of district, country and regional plans
  • Contributed to the development of Information, Education and Communication, IEC materials for dissemination to the general public including Cholera Treatment Centers, CTCs and maintaining quality control of RCCE products such as leaflets, brochures, posters
  • Jointly conducted Rapid Qualitative Assessments, RQAs, using FGDs, In-depth Interviews and Key Informant Interviews with UNICEF, Ministry of Health, University of Zambia, Red Cross and Zambia National of Public Health Institute, so as to adopt and adapt anthropological findings into strategic interventions to address community perceptions and misconceptions
  • Built and maintained emergency RCCE capacity by training Community Based Volunteers and Health Workers
  • Training included the relationship between Cholera and Nutrition
  • Updated the map of preferred channels of communication with focus on vulnerable groups and other potentially high risk groups on the uptake of Oral Cholera Vaccines
  • Conducted supervisory visits to various CTCs to maintain quality control of RCCE.

The University of Leeds
Leeds, United Kingdom / Geneva, Switzerland
04.2023 - 05.2023
  • Developed a video / vlog documenting daily activities for the Nuffield Center in advertising the CPD in International Health for both the Masters in Public Health International and the Master of Science in International Health
  • Captured and explained our tours and learning at World Health Organization, GAVI, International Red Cross and The Red Crescent, UNAIDS, International Labor Organization, UNHCR, Association of the Against Torture, the Human Rights Commission.

Communication for Development Specialist / Consultant

Clinics 4 All International
Lusaka, Zambia
08.2019 - 02.2021
  • Successfully created a Communication for Development and Health Promotion strategy as part of the Five (5) year Stop TB Project – Zambia funded by USAID. Strategy included Risk Communication; Polling and Opinion Research; Learning and Capacity Building; Operations; Social Mobilization and Behavior Change Strategies.
  • Successfully developed Social and behavior change programs aimed at increasing the uptake of HIV prevention tools including condoms, voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), HIV testing and counselling (HTC) for early treatment and antiretroviral drugs–based approaches to prevention
  • Contributed to malaria scale-up programs through community engagement aimed at accelerating the use of mosquito nets.

Lecturer

National Institute of Public Administration
Lusaka, Zambia
02.2019 - 11.2019
  • Lectured students in Protocol and Diplomacy and, Qualitative Research Methods
  • Was proficient in developing lessons to expand learning opportunities
  • Conducted supervision of reports and thesis for students.

Lecturer

Zambia Catholic University
Kalulushi, Zambia
05.2018 - 01.2019
  • Substantially restructured operations in the first 3 months to refocus on new courses and creating partnerships for solution-set research development
  • Created and lectured courses in Food Security in Developing Countries; Gender and Development; Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches.

Consultant

Taysha Consulting (United Kingdom Based)
Lusaka, Zambia
08.2017 - 10.2017
  • Successfully wrote a proposal which resulted in the award of a tender for a UNICEF Long Term Agreement, LTA, based on Elimination of Early Child Marriage in Eastern Province, Zambia from 2018 to 2021.

Social and Behavior Change Consultant

Chichetekelo HIV AIDS Network
Kabwe, Zambia
08.2016 - 10.2016
  • Successfully carried out research on the effectiveness of communication methods used in the promotion of Post Exposure Prophylaxis, PEP, amongst Women and Youth
  • Successfully created material and implemented an Information and Education Campaign for social and behavior change
  • Built capacity of staff through training workshops to achieve full implementation HIV/AIDS programs for adolescents in Chowa Township.

Team Leader DFID Forest, Trees and Nutrition Project for Sub-Sahara Africa

Centre for International Forestry Research, CIFOR
Lusaka, Zambia/Bogor, Indonesia
07.2013 - 04.2016
  • Successfully implemented a USD$7million project funded by DFID to create improved nutrition consumption patterns based on forest foods
  • Conducted Nutrition Social and Behaviour Change Communication, SBCC, interventions to advocate for the adoption and maintain high-impact nutrition-related practices
  • Liaised with all four (4) other team leaders in Ethiopia, Uganda, Cameroon and Burkina Faso to ensure that technical and programmatic support was provided
  • In partnership with HarvestPlus Zambia and World Fish, provided leadership and made recommendations to promote bio fortified Pro-Vitamin A orange maize and sweet potatoes
  • Developed culturally acceptable messages on nutritional benefits of bio fortified crops
  • Successfully engaged communities and conducted anthropometrics for Mothers and Children below 24 months
  • Carried Desk Research, Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews
  • Spearheaded the recruitment, screening, training and supervision of staff
  • Achieved significant change at community level through the creation of a Social and Behavior Change Campaign using Theater for Development that depicted the negative effects of poor WASH on the nutrition status of children particularly in the first 1000 days
  • Conducted workshops, stakeholder consultative meetings and government line ministries.

Consultant

Nature Guard
Kabwe, Zambia
09.2012 - 03.2013
  • Assisted in the formulation of a Concept Paper resulting in funding worth USD700, 000
  • Gave guidance through oral briefings, written documentation and joint meetings.

Communication for Development Researcher

Zambia Forestry Department
Kabwe, Zambia
07.2011 - 08.2012
  • Successfully created Behavior Change Awareness campaigns through community engagement with the use of drama and educational gatherings on the dangers and adverse effects of deforestation and unsustainable land use
  • Employed participatory modes of communication in relying effective messages through relevant channels including community radio.

Education

MPH Public Health (International) -

University of Leeds
United Kingdom

Continuous Professional Development, CPD – Global Health -

World Health Organization
Geneva, Switzerland

Certificate in Technical Grant Writing for Non-Government Organizations -

Keno Institute and MJH Consulting (USA)

Master of Arts Degree in Communication for Development -

University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia

Bachelor of Arts Degree with major in Development Studies with a Minor in Mass Communication -

University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia

Senior Secondary ‘O’ Level General School Certificate -

Ibenga Girls Convent School

Skills

  • Presentations and Public Speaking
  • Positive Attitude
  • Health Promotion
  • Behavioral Interventions
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • Community Outreach
  • Qualitative Research
  • Progress Reporting
  • Needs Determination
  • Active Listening
  • Flexible and Adaptable
  • Material Development
  • Cultural Competency
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Effective Communication
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Problem Solving
  • Training and Capacity Building
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Critical Thinker
  • Testing Protocols
  • Proposal Writing
  • Technical Grant Writing
  • Continuous Improvement

Short Courses

  • Nutrition in Emergencies (Current)
  • Introduction to Cholera, 2024
  • Cholera Outbreaks: Emergency Preparedness and Response, 2024
  • Advancing Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy, 2024
  • Mpox: Introductory course for African outbreak contexts, 2024
  • Mpox: Epidemiology, preparedness and response for African outbreak contexts, 2024
  • Accountability of Affected Populations, AAP, 2024
  • UK-Med Safeguarding Pathway, 2024
  • Community Engagement for Behaviour and Social Change in Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action 2024
  • WHO Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, PSEA 2024
  • Child Protection 2018
  • WASH solutions for schools, using the example of rural schools in Bolivia (8 days) 2016

Professional and Academic Membership Bodies

  • UK Med Emergency Deployment Team Roster
  • Chevening Alumina
  • Global Health - Tuberculosis, Malaria and Neglected Diseases

Affiliations

  • Dr Fred Kapaya WHO National Team Lead- Health Operations and Technical Expertise, HOTE, Zambia Cholera Emergency Response. Mobile;+260 777 262519 kapayaf@who.int
  • Dr Ricky Kalliecharan. University of Leeds- Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development. Mobile; +44 (0) 113 343 3732. R.Kalliecharan@leeds.ac.uk.
  • Dr Isabel Madzorera. Center for International Forestry Research. Mobile; +1 617-939-6980. imadzorera@cigar.org or imadzorera@yahoo.co.uk
  • Dr Teresa Alfonso. UK Med. Mobile; +44 7542 5776.teresa.alfonso@uk-med.org

Timeline

Risk Communication & Community Engagement Advisor

UK-Med
07.2024 - 08.2024

Gender, Diversity and Social Inclusion Consultant

Christian Entrepreneurs Women Network, CEWN
04.2024 - 09.2024

Risk Communication and Community Engagement, RCCE, Advisor – Cholera Emergency

World Health Organization, WHO Zambia Country Office (Seconded from UK-Med Roster)
02.2024 - 03.2024

The University of Leeds
04.2023 - 05.2023

Communication for Development Specialist / Consultant

Clinics 4 All International
08.2019 - 02.2021

Lecturer

National Institute of Public Administration
02.2019 - 11.2019

Lecturer

Zambia Catholic University
05.2018 - 01.2019

Consultant

Taysha Consulting (United Kingdom Based)
08.2017 - 10.2017

Social and Behavior Change Consultant

Chichetekelo HIV AIDS Network
08.2016 - 10.2016

Team Leader DFID Forest, Trees and Nutrition Project for Sub-Sahara Africa

Centre for International Forestry Research, CIFOR
07.2013 - 04.2016

Consultant

Nature Guard
09.2012 - 03.2013

Communication for Development Researcher

Zambia Forestry Department
07.2011 - 08.2012

MPH Public Health (International) -

University of Leeds

Continuous Professional Development, CPD – Global Health -

World Health Organization

Certificate in Technical Grant Writing for Non-Government Organizations -

Keno Institute and MJH Consulting (USA)

Master of Arts Degree in Communication for Development -

University of Zambia

Bachelor of Arts Degree with major in Development Studies with a Minor in Mass Communication -

University of Zambia

Senior Secondary ‘O’ Level General School Certificate -

Ibenga Girls Convent School

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Shula Delphine Chikonde