Open to opportunities

Desiree Daphine

@desireedaphine

Message

Marketing and communication specialist driving behavior change in health and youth.

Uganda

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a role where I can lead data-driven, multi-channel communication that drives behavior change in youth and reproductive health, partnering with teams and stakeholders to design campaigns, strengthen digital engagement, and keep messaging clear, consistent, and human.

I’m an experienced Marketing and communication professional with 10 years of experience in Marketing, Communications, and Behavior Change management across the private and non-government sectors. I’m currently pursuing an MA in Communications while building data-driven interventions that improve knowledge and promote change in health-seeking behavior among youth, particularly in reproductive health.

In my current role, I develop multi-channel communication strategies that translate technical concepts into clear, actionable interventions for the audiences they’re designed to serve. I’ve designed and implemented #Tosilika SGBV across Kampala to improve knowledge and strengthen reporting of sexual violence cases, and I also created community-based peer-led “Tiko clubs” to improve adherence to HIV treatment and contraception and encourage positive sexual health behavior.

I’ve led capacity building, including providing training to over 300 community mobilisers in Wakiso and Kampala on behavior change communication that supports sustained contraception use and HIV treatment. I bring strong project discipline as well—maintaining updated work plans, reports, and research to ensure coordinated work flows between teams.

Previously, I managed internal and external communications, drafted and published press releases and programme updates, and led donor reporting and communications strategy development. I’ve also strengthened brand visibility through multi-stakeholder events, influencer marketing, and media work—from curated OpEds and media catalogues to scriptwriting and digital campaign execution.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Communication and Marketing Specialist

Current

Tiko Africa Uganda

Jun 2024 - Present (2 years 1 month)

Develops data-driven health behavior change communication for youth, including campaign planning and implementation. Leads community-based peer-led interventions and provides capacity building to community mobilisers.

Reproductive Health Messaging Campaign Planning Peer Led Community Groups ARV Adherence Contraception Promotion Digital Engagement

Communication and Marketing Coordinator

Teach For Uganda

Apr 2023 - May 2024 (1 year 1 month)

Managed internal and external communications including press releases, programme updates, donor briefing notes, and newsletters. Planned communications/PR strategy and budgets and supported media relations and reporting for leadership and donors.

Internal Communications Donor Briefing Notes Donor Reporting Communications Strategy Budget Planning Social Media Strategy Op Eds Talking Points Stakeholder Management

Marketing and Communications Manager

Lipa Later Group

Aug 2020 - Oct 2022 (2 years 2 months)

Managed marketing and communications for Lipa Later in Uganda, including launch activities and influencer-led campaigns. Supported growth through media events and marketing strategy execution.

Influencer Marketing Strategy Market Share Growth Marketing Execution

Client Relations Manager

Allround Consult

Jun 2019 - Jul 2020 (1 year 1 month)

Produced and edited newsletters, blog posts, and supplements in print and online, and supported press activities for clients. Also supported recruitment and branding efforts for a banking institution project.

Newsletter Editing Blog Writing Client Relations

Team Lead (Recruitment and Branding)

Afriland Bank

Jan 2017 - Jan 2019 (2 years)

Led recruitment and branding efforts for a banking institution project, supporting human resource retention during the engagement.

Recruitment support Retention

Marketing Manager

Intelworld International Ltd

Jul 2016 - Jul 2017 (1 year)

Managed external communications and digital marketing materials for the XENTE App, including websites and social media campaigns. Maintained consistent marketing/branding messaging and supported marketing strategy development.

Social Media Management Campaigns External Communications Marketing Strategy Brand Messaging

Data Entry & Management

Uganda Communications Commission

Jun 2015 - Jun 2016 (1 year)

Performed data entry and management in the Economic Regulation, Content and Consumer Affairs department with minimal supervision. Prepared retail bandwidth figures and supported speechwriting for leadership presentations.

Data Entry Retail Bandwidth Reporting Speechwriting Regulatory Documentation

Conducted Focus Group Research

Google Digital Garage

Jul 2020 - Present (6 years)

Conducted focus group research with AGYW in Kampala on reproductive health seeking behavior, then designed aligned information, education, and communication interventions.

Focus Groups Research Reproductive Health Seeking Behavior Policy and Social Norms Analysis Information Information Education and Communication (IEC) Interventions

Scriptwriter

Wizarts Media

Feb 2020 - Present (6 years 5 months)

Developed scripts and supported brand/media content work that achieved high social media visibility. Contributed to event-related concept development and media outreach efforts.

Concept Development Social Media Content Media Relations