Tandwa Syakayuya , PhD,MPH,MDS,BA.DS
Lusaka
Summary
Dynamic Senior Technical Advisor with extensive experience at USAID, excelling in strategic partnerships and behavior change communication. Achieved a 95% increase in service utilization through innovative community engagement initiatives. Proven capacity builder and advocate, driving impactful health outcomes while ensuring compliance with donor regulations and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Technical Advisor, Community Services and Engagement
USAID Zambia Integrated Health
05.2023 - 02.2025
- Managing the community services and engagement for the USAID/PEPFAR $120 million integrated health Project on HIV/TB/Cervical Cancer, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health, Adolescent, and reproductive health with a focus on advocacy and stakeholder engagement
- Designed and implemented innovative Social and Behavior Change (SBC) models to enhance service uptake, adherence, and utilization of services by 95%
- Built strategic partnerships with government agencies MOH/MOE, donors (e.g., USAID, PEPFAR), and NGOs to align initiatives with national health priorities
- Successfully managed and mentored multi-sectoral teams, including SBC Advisor, Mental Health, Adolescent Health Advisor, Community mobilization & Community-led monitoring Advisor and Communication Specialist, Provincial and district community and clinical integration Officers, and over 2,000 community volunteers on a monthly stipend, achieving results ahead of schedule
- Strengthened healthcare access for vulnerable populations through targeted capacity building and integration of mental health and gender-focused services
- Ensured compliance with donor regulations, developed strategic work plans, and monitored performance to achieve project deliverables
- Represented the project in high-level technical forums, collaborating with stakeholders and USAID to drive sustainable community health outcomes
- Developed and monitored M&E frameworks, ensuring timely and cost-effective achievement of SBC objectives, targets, and deliverables
- Provided technical oversight and management for community services subgrantees, including VIAMO, Copper Rose Zambia, ZNYP+, Circle of Hope, and Mothers to Mothers (m2m)
- As a Senior Management Team member, delivered technical guidance and administrative leadership to support impactful, person-centered health interventions
National Social Behavior Change Consultant
UNICEF
04.2022 - 04.2023
- Support immunization campaigns, emergency response and manage risk communication, advocacy, and community engagement activities
- Public Health Emergency Response: Led community engagement and advocacy for immunization campaigns addressing Polio, Measles, and COVID-19 through vaccine-driven campaigns
- Strengthened ACSM and SBC activities at national and sub-national levels, enhancing advocacy and collaboration with health promotion units and emergency response centers
- Lucratively organized and facilitated training for health promotion officers, frontline health workers, and community health workers equipping them to effectively meet immunization needs
- Assessed communication platforms, developed and pre-tested IEC materials, and tailored messaging for diverse target populations
- Established enhanced response through social listening, rumor tracking, and developing corrective plans to address misinformation
- Provided hands-on support for ACSM micro-planning, vaccine, and cold chain coordination
- Represented UNICEF at national level as the strategic focal point for RCCE activities, working with MOH and partners to scale up emergency response campaigns nationwide
Senior Technical Advisor, Communication and Community Mobilization
University of Maryland
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Managed $24 million in HIV-based research and community mobilization, advocacy, and networking for the ZAMPHIA survey, a national survey measuring HIV progress in Zambia
- Designed, implemented, and monitored demand creation and community mobilization strategies across 10 provinces, 110 districts, and 404 Enumeration Areas, surpassing a response rate of 78% (target: 65%)
- Developed crisis communication plans to address public concerns and build trust in survey processes
- Created culturally relevant SBCC materials and strategies reducing HIV-related stigma and discrimination
- Successfully engaged national and sub-district stakeholders, including opinion leaders, civil society, community gatekeepers, and religious leaders, to enhance community participation
- Facilitated the research approval process for communication packages, securing clearances from the Ministry of Health (MOH), UNZA Biomedical REC, UMB, and CDC International Regulatory Boards
- Developed and implemented a crisis communication plan addressing public concerns about the blood sample collection process, fostering trust and participation
- Managed ZAMPHIA's social media presence and served as Editor-in-Chief of the bimonthly newsletter, effectively communicating project progress
- Supervised the Community Mobilization unit, providing leadership to staff and a large team of Community Mobilizers to ensure seamless operations and outcomes
Senior Technical Advisor, Community Engagement
Save the Children
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Coordinated community engagement and advocacy for $9 million TA USAID’s Maternal Child Survival Program (MCSP)
- Directed the design, implementation, and monitoring of community health and social behavior change initiatives across 42 districts, supporting Provincial and District Health Management Teams
- Developed annual work plans, budgets, and quarterly reports, documenting key results in community engagement and RMNCAH&N interventions
- Provided capacity development, coaching, and mentorship to Provincial and District frontline health workers, partners, and CHWs, utilizing evidence-based training, mentorship, and quality improvement strategies
- Enhanced the Government of Zambia’s healthcare service delivery by focusing on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH&N)
- Contributed to the program’s overarching goal of reducing preventable child and maternal deaths by aligning with SIDA and USAID priorities in global health initiatives across 25 countries
Communication for development officer (C4D) Technical Lead
UNICEF
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Led the GRZ-UN-EU MDGI Program, a €49.6 million health systems strengthening project focused on RMNCAH&N supporting demand creation, community mobilization, advocacy, partnership building, and community health system strengthening
- Served as Technical Lead for the €49.6M EU-funded five-year health system strengthening program on RMNCAH&N, one of the most comprehensive initiatives ever implemented in Zambia
- Directed the execution of Result Area 3: Demand Creation for RMNCH-N services, fostering increased uptake of health services across 11 target districts in Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces
- Built strong partnerships with community groups, leaders, civil society, and other stakeholders to collaboratively develop and implement communication policies, strategies, and action plans
- Led the design, formulation, management, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of a behavior change and social mobilization strategy to enhance service demand
- Oversaw consultants and consultancy services, driving quality improvement processes through research, design, and implementation of system-strengthening programs
Youth Development Manager
Child Fund Zambia
01.2009 - 01.2014
- Led the Life Skills for Zambia Nurse e-learning project, a $7.6 million pioneering digital initiative
- Pioneered Zambia’s first e-learning digital program, successfully leading its development and execution with a budget of $7.6M
- Designed and implemented digital training modules, including life skills, significantly enhancing capacity-building initiatives
- Provided strategic direction and technical support to project staff, ensuring effective delegation, adherence to SOPs, and development of comprehensive project guidelines
- Oversaw project monitoring processes, including monthly burn rate analysis and asset management, ensuring financial accountability and operational efficiency
- Represented Child Fund at high-level partner meetings locally and internationally, fostering strategic partnerships and advancing program goals
Provincial Community Mobilization Specialist-HIV Prevention
Afya Mzuri / FHI 360
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Led the community service delivery for USAID/PEPFAR Zambian-led Prevention Program, a $39 million grant
- Provided strategic leadership under the $39M USAID/PEPFAR-funded Afya Muzuri program, driving the development and management of community mobilization and communication plans
- Conducted training needs assessments and built capacity for partners, sub-grantees, community mobilizers, outreach workers, and volunteers, utilizing participatory learning methods to boost community engagement and demand for HIV prevention and care services
- Led the development and implementation of a behavioral change communication strategy tailored to address community-specific needs
- Facilitated community-led initiatives to identify service delivery gaps and develop quality improvement plans to enhance HIV service uptake
- Prepared budgets, financial reports, and contractor terms of reference, ensuring compliance with donor requirements
- Documented key program outputs, including case studies, success stories, and detailed monthly and quarterly reports, showcasing program impact
OVC Officer
Child Fund Zambia
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Successfully designed and implemented child and youth development programs under the $7.6M Australian Partnership initiative in African countries, focusing on orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
- Led interventions addressing HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), and psycho-social support
- Developed and executed youth livelihood and life skills projects, empowering vulnerable populations with sustainable skills and opportunities
- Fostered a holistic approach to child and youth development, ensuring alignment with program goals and donor expectations
Education
Ph.D. - Health Sciences
Selinus University
Delware- USA06-2024
Master of Arts - Public Health (Global Health)
Cavendish University
Lusaka- Zambia10-2022
Master of Arts - Development Studies
Zambian Open University
Lusaka- Zambia09-2016
Bachelor of Arts - Development Studies
Zambian Open University
09-2010
Postgraduate Certificate - Working with Children, Families, And Communities Affected By The Impact Of HIV/AIDS, Poverty, Conflict, And Displacement In Africa
University Of Kwazulu Natal
Kwazulu Natal - South Africa03-2010
Certificate - Community Development
Monze Staff Training College
Monze- Zambia06-2006
Full Grade 12 Certificate -
Naboye High School
Kafue-Zambia12-2000
Skills
- Strategic Partnerships
- Strategic Program Management
- Behavior Change Communication (SBCC)
- Public Health Policy
- Advocacy
- Media and Communication
- Health Governance
- Global Health Program Development
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Capacity Building
- Knowledge Management
- Technical Assistance
- Monitoring and Evaluation, Accountability Learning (MEAL)
- Resource Mobilization
- Donor Relations
- Community Health and Humanitarian Response
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Health Systems Strengthening
- Grant writing
- Best practice implementation
- Remote technical support
- Tracking and documentation
- Training materials development
- Staff education and training
- Strategic partnerships
- Risk Assessment
- Communication Crisis Management
- Emergency Preparedness and Response for Outbreaks
- Planning and Budget Management
- Grants Management
- Sub Grantee Management
Certification
- Certificate in Quality Improvement / Quality Assurance, MOH, 05/01/14
- National Master Trainer in Psychosocial Support Counseling, REPSSI, 05/01/09
- Health Communication for Managers, Global Health eLearning Centre, 05/01/14
- Communication for Development, UNICEF EASRO, 05/01/14
- Monitoring & Evaluation, Global Health eLearning Centre, 05/01/14
- Trainer of Trainers in 'Condomize Champions Trainer', UNFPA, 05/01/16
- Trainer of Trainers in Comprehensive Sexual Reproductive Health (CSE), UNFPA, 05/01/15
- Trainer of Trainers in SAASA, A Participatory Gender-Based Violence Tool, FHI 360, 05/01/12
Technical Proficiency
MS Office Suite, DHIS2, HMIS, SPSS, and virtual collaboration tools
Languages
English
First Language
Pubilcations
- National Guidelines & Manuals:
- National NHC Guidelines (MOH, 2017)
- NHC and HCC Leadership Manual (MOH, 2017)
- Mentorship Guidelines for Health Care Workers in Zambia, 3rd Edition (MOH, 2017)
- Quality Improvement and Assurance for HCWs in Zambia, 2nd Edition (MOH, 2017)
- Youth Life Skills Manual for Zambia Nurse E-Learning Students (Child Fund Zambia, 2014)
- Strategies & Packages:
- RMNCH-N Communication Strategy (MOH, 2018)
- SBC Packages for HIV/AIDS and RMNCAH-N, including IEC materials, campaign visuals, and media content (MOH, 2015–Present)
- Communication Strategy for ZAMPHIA 2020 Survey, including SOPs and social media campaigns
- USAID-ZIH SBC and Volunteer Engagement Strategies (Pact and Copper Rose Zambia)
- Editorial Leadership
Editor-in-Chief for the ZAMPHIA Newsletter (Quarterly Publications)
References
- Dr. Chinedu Agbakwuru, PHIA Director, University of Maryland Baltimore, +234 805 7269880, edwuru@gmail.com
- Dr. Nambao Mary, Technical Lead Specialist, UNICEF - EU-UN MDGI, +260 966 801750, marynambao@gmail.com
- Dr. Morrison Zulu, Director of Technical Services, USAID – Zambia Integrated Health, +260 976 384629, morrisonzulu5@gmail.com
Timeline
Senior Technical Advisor, Community Services and Engagement
USAID Zambia Integrated Health
05.2023 - 02.2025
National Social Behavior Change Consultant
UNICEF
04.2022 - 04.2023
Senior Technical Advisor, Communication and Community Mobilization
University of Maryland
01.2019 - 01.2021
Senior Technical Advisor, Community Engagement
Save the Children
01.2017 - 01.2019
Communication for development officer (C4D) Technical Lead
UNICEF
01.2014 - 01.2017
Provincial Community Mobilization Specialist-HIV Prevention
Afya Mzuri / FHI 360
01.2011 - 01.2013
Youth Development Manager
Child Fund Zambia
01.2009 - 01.2014
OVC Officer
Child Fund Zambia
01.2004 - 01.2009
Ph.D. - Health Sciences
Selinus University
Master of Arts - Public Health (Global Health)
Cavendish University
Master of Arts - Development Studies
Zambian Open University
Bachelor of Arts - Development Studies
Zambian Open University
Postgraduate Certificate - Working with Children, Families, And Communities Affected By The Impact Of HIV/AIDS, Poverty, Conflict, And Displacement In Africa
University Of Kwazulu Natal
Certificate - Community Development
Monze Staff Training College
Full Grade 12 Certificate -
Naboye High School
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