Dr. Susan Onyango
BIO
A WHO Non-Communicable Diseases Innovation Lab 3rd cycle winner, Susan is a highly motivated and results-driven professional with over 15 years of experience in Global Health Programming including HIV/AIDS Prevention and control, Malaria Prevention and Control, Food Security and Nutrition, with over 7 years in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
She has a nutrition background with MPH from the University of Nottingham, UK and PhD from Pôle Universitaire Euclide. She is
skilled in providing technical and programmatic support, project management of multi-donor programs, and facilitating learning platforms for advocacy and capacity building. Proven ability to coordinate the development of strategic roadmaps and capacity-building packages, leading to successful implementation and improved access to NCD services. Committed to providing evidence-based and people-centred integrated NCD preventive and management programs, contributing to the organisation's overall success. She has had the great fortune to work on genuinely inspiring projects while meeting many influential and creative individuals throughout her career. She believes in working together to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Get in touch today for more information about her experience and portfolio or how to collaborate on an upcoming project.
Being a lifelong learner is a trait that is really important to me, and I know that a good education is not just for the schoolyard. Some lessons were learned in the traditional way, while others I have received from professional mentors, while working and in some cases, friends and family. Read about my professional journey and get in touch with any questions.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Past Positions
NUTRITION OFFICER
ELIZABETH GLASER PEDIATRIC FOUNDATION/ LVCT- MOH
MODULE LEADER AT PUBLIC HEALTH U/ NEXTGEN U (Jan 2022- Present)
November 2015 - Present
LVCT/MOH
An innovator with evidence-informed approaches and outside-the-box ideas combining multidisciplinary thinking and cross-sectoral actions as evidenced by establishing a project, ‘The Healthy Woman,’ involving various actors, targeting women and girls to prevent NCDs with a focus on tackling physical inactivity and unhealthy diet.
Oversees nutrition implementation in the HIV/AIDS/TB and NCD Clinics
Knowledge of current global health and nutrition trends and technical expertise as evidenced by contribution towards development of Kenya Nutrition Scorecard 2020, Kenya National Guidelines, job aids and training manual on Nutrition and HIV/AIDS 2020, and Homa Bay County Nutrition Action Plan 2019-2023.
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PUBLIC HEALTH U/ NEXT GEN U
Takes responsibility for the Public Health Nutrition Module at Public Health U/NextGenU. The roles are performed in conjunction with the Academic Coordinator, and the Student Support Officer. This role includes ensuring that the units are updated to reflect any changes based on feedback from the previous semester, answering tutors' questions, and participating in the Education Committee.
TECHNICAL OFFICER - NUTRITION
March 2015- September 2015
Strong programming skills and experience in coordinating USAID-funded projects including financial management. I played a Nutrition Advisory role to the Provincial Programme. ï‚· I also played a nutrition technical role in implementation of the nutrition component. Assisted six County Nutrition Coordinators in their counties in implementation of nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive-agriculture interventions in collaboration with International Potato Centre. This led to improved nutrition outcomes in theses counties according to the health management information system data, Site Improvement Monitoring System (SIMS) exercise conducted by USAID and finally APHIAPLUS end-of-activity performance evaluation in October 2015.
PROGRAMME COORDINATOR
January 2007 - February 2015
Worked for two different organizations between this period: World Vision from April 2011 and Kenya Red Cross From January 2007 to March 2011.
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World Vision
Excellent relationship builder with advanced skills in capacity building and collaborations as demonstrated by establishment of community-led initiatives such as the set-up of water kiosk by the community in Turkana, a local bakery and poultry keeping that resulted in improved well-being of the children and families. ï‚· Excellent support to sub-granted local organizations. ï‚· Coordination of food security, nutrition, water and sanitation projects within the programme area; development, implementation of the work plans and financial management of these projects. ï‚· Networking with implementing partners and relevant government ministries like ministries of health and agriculture.
Kenya Red Cross
Knowledgeable innovator with experience in advocacy, networking and interagency collaboration and management, as evidenced by the establishment of agri-nutrition project (farming of amaranth by women living with HIV/AIDS) that was later supported by the Swedish Red Cross. Families and the women sold the surplus grains, boosting their economic status. ï‚· Managed and ensured proper coordination, planning and successful operations of three projects: Family Health & Home Based Care Project with nutrition component; Lake Victoria Partnership and Livelihood Project and Malaria Prevention and Control Project.
Worked as a team leader for relief operations and health coordination activities during the 2007 post-election violence