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Memory Mutsaka

@memorymutsaka

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Senior programme leader advancing rights-based, gender-transformative development through donor-funded portfolios.

Zimbabwe

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What I'm looking for

I want to lead donor-funded human rights and gender-transformative programmes—pairing strong partner performance with rigorous monitoring, learning and resource mobilisation, and collaborating in multi-stakeholder environments that turn evidence into sustainable impact.

I am a senior development professional with 15+ years of experience leading donor-funded programmes across human rights, gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, SRHR, HIV/AIDS and community development.

I provide strategic leadership and oversight of a USD 53 million development portfolio, guiding programme direction, partner performance, risk management, resource allocation and results delivery. I lead strategic engagement with government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, UN agencies and regional stakeholders to strengthen policy influence, strategic partnerships and sustainability.

I strengthen programme quality and accountability through participatory Theory of Change workshops for 35 funded partners, integrating gender equality and social inclusion across partner portfolios. I also contribute evidence to inform investments and policy decisions, including MEL strengthening and grant-supported research and learning.

Previously, I led national Behaviour Change MERL system design for HIV/AIDS & SRHR, managed Global Fund-supported partner performance, and developed technical proposals that supported resource mobilisation for Key Populations, Adolescent Girls and Young Women, and Community TB mobilisation. I started in small grants and accountability roles, building partner capacity in financial management, budgeting, reporting and safeguarding—values I carry into every partnership I lead.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

National Programme Officer

Current

Embassy of Sweden (Sida)

Feb 2018 - Present (8 years 4 months)

Provided strategic leadership for a USD 53 million portfolio across human rights, governance, gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and SRHR, managing partner performance, risk management, and resource allocation. Led policy and donor coordination engagement and facilitated Theory of Change workshops for 35 funded partners to strengthen gender equality and social inclusion across partner p

Portfolio Management Strategic Partnerships Theories Of Change Women'S Economic Empowerment Risk Management

National M&E Officer

National AIDS Council

Sep 2012 - Jan 2018 (5 years 4 months)

Led design and strengthening of the national Behaviour Change MERL system, aligning reporting frameworks with Global Fund and UNDP requirements to support strategic planning and performance monitoring. Managed monitoring, evaluation, and partner performance for a 10-partner Global Fund-supported programme and led a Crown Agents-funded Client Satisfaction Survey grant across 42 districts to inform

Monitoring & Evaluation MERL Systems Data Quality Survey Design Proposal Development

Small Grants Officer

Mercy Corps

Mar 2010 - Dec 2011 (1 year 9 months)

Led implementation of a community-led development programme supporting vulnerable households through social protection and livelihood initiatives while strengthening community group capacity for proposal development, financial management, budgeting, reporting and accountability. Managed the full small-grant cycle for USD 100–1,000 grants, supporting 6–10 community-based organisations and projects

Capacity Building Financial Management Budgeting Compliance Oversight Microfinance Partnerships

M&E Accountability Team Lead

Oxfam GB

Aug 2007 - Feb 2010 (2 years 6 months)

Led monitoring, evaluation, accountability and compliance systems across humanitarian and development programmes, integrating gender equality and Gender in Emergencies approaches to strengthen women’s participation and protection from gender-related risks. Built staff and community capacity in accountability and safeguarding and generated impact evidence for learning products, impact stories and d

Monitoring & Evaluation Gender In Emergencies Safeguarding Feedback Mechanisms Rights Based Programming

Project Team Leader

GOAL

Oct 2005 - Jul 2007 (1 year 9 months)

Led implementation of WFP-supported emergency food security and school feeding programmes targeting vulnerable households and communities affected by food insecurity. Managed beneficiary targeting, programme delivery and monitoring systems across multiple districts, strengthening accountability and inclusive community engagement that improved women’s participation in planning and implementation.

Food Security School Feeding Community Engagement Gender Equality Integration Field Monitoring