Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Summary Profile
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Betty Atai Ngabirano

Kampala

Summary

With 24 years of experience in the health system, including 8 years as a senior medical practitioner, 9 years at the Ministry of Health (MoH), 3 years at the Makerere School of Public Health, and the last 4 years in roles of increasing responsibility at the USAID Uganda Health Systems Strengthening (UHSS) Activity, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the role of Director. My extensive background uniquely positions me to excel in this position due to my first-hand insights into every aspect of the Uganda health system, both public and private. In addition to my experience, I have successfully overseen large teams, managed financials, executed programs, and ensured strengthened private sector engagement in healthcare delivery during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. My expertise lies in operational leadership, program management, team development, and risk mitigation. I have a proven ability to navigate diverse stakeholders and foster collaboration across various sectors. With my commitment to advancing public health initiatives and staying ahead of disease outbreaks, I am confident that I can make a valuable contribution to your organization as a project director. A results-driven management professional with strong background in strategic leadership and emergency operations. Known for effectively overseeing critical operations and driving organizational improvements. Emphasizes team collaboration and adaptability to meet evolving demands. Proficient in crisis management and operational planning, with focus on achieving results. Professional leader, ready for next challenge. Demonstrated ability to drive strategic initiatives and optimize organizational efficiency. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving impactful results. Known for adaptability, reliability, and effective decision-making. Skilled in crisis management, strategic planning, and leadership development. Experienced with crisis management and strategic planning in high-stress environments. Utilizes effective communication and leadership to coordinate teams and ensure operational efficiency. Track record of fostering collaboration and driving organizational success. Diligent strategic and technical leader with proven history of leading teams and coordinating emergency responses effectively. Managed complex operations, ensuring safety and compliance with regulations. Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving by implementing strategic initiatives and fostering team collaboration. Resourceful Deputy Chief dedicated to maintaining order and public safety. Expertise in developing and administering department budget, evaluating and motivating personnel and establishing goals and objectives for department. Experienced Office Management and Administration Professional experienced optimizing productivity, efficiency and service quality across various environments. Highly dependable, ethical and reliable support specialist and leader that blends advanced organizational, technical and business acumen. Works effectively with cross-functional teams in ensuring operational and service excellence.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Deputy Chief of Party

USAID UHSS Activity – Palladium International LLC
07.2022 - 09.2024
  • Provided technical leadership for the $48.8M project in Uganda and managed strategic relationships with USAID, the Uganda Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Public Service, NGOs, and community stakeholders to make a streamlined impact with limited resources
  • Led recruitment and human resources management and community HSS activities, including development of national frameworks, policies, guidelines and strategies including the Uganda Alternative Distribution Strategy III (2021-26) that is meant to increase access to Family Planning and selected Reproductive Health commodities across the country through the private sector for public benefit
  • Worked with Uganda Healthcare Federation to improve Private health sectors data capture and reporting through the national reporting systems (DHIS2) in order to improve visibility of private sector contribution to health interventions
  • Additionally, developed and scaled up quality improvement in the private sector using the national approved Self-regulatory Quality Improvement System (SQIS)
  • Supported the MoH to strengthen governance structures (both public and private) across the health system; established functional boards in 14 hospitals, the Allied Health Professional Council, and the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council
  • Conducted an assessment of CHW-to-HIV/TB client ratio, the implications of which could increase resource provision to community healthcare services
  • Provided technical oversight to the team leads and technical staffs ensuring successful implementation of the project in five thematic areas namely Community health systems, Governance leadership and accountability, health financing and public finance management, health information systems and Human resources for health under the Uganda Health Systems Strengthening project
  • Collaborating with the Chief of Party, monitored progress to ensure program goals and reporting requirements are met on time and within budget, complying with USAID and Palladiums policies and procedures
  • I also administered the financial and operations oversight, ensuring adherence to Palladium’s accounting principles and USAID regulations

Team Lead, Community Systems

UHSS Activity
09.2021 - 06.2022
  • As a Team Lead for Community Health Systems, your responsibilities include working with various organizations to support community health initiatives, leading capacity building for community health workers, strengthening community engagement and participation, developing workplans for community health systems, providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Health, developing regulatory frameworks, policies, and standards for community health, leading efforts to improve data capture and reporting, coordinating technical trainings, advising project leadership on technical matters, documenting best practices, managing the Community Health Systems Team, monitoring and reporting on project implementation, and representing the organization at technical forums at the national, regional and global arenas
  • Led the implementation of national community health system strengthening activities, including developing strategic frameworks, guidelines, and tools for the national community health program
  • These included the National community health strategy, the Community health implementation plan, the integrated community health service package, the community health education and promotion handbook and the community health investment case
  • Implemented a malaria community health program in 15 malaria high burden districts, leading to increased reporting rates, increased availability of life saving malaria commodities, increased local leadership for malaria prevention at all levels from the districts to the household levels and ultimately reduced malaria positivity
  • Engaged over 70,000 community members through community dialogues and developed household action plans against malaria
  • Trained over 1500 VHTs to offer integrated services including Family planning, in the target districts
  • Supported Ministry of Health in implementing the Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) pilot program in three local governments, resulting in positive health outcomes and served as evidence for expanding the CHEWs program in Uganda
  • As a new initiative, played a key role in resource mobilization for the CHEWs program, provided technical assistance in curriculum development, training, supervision and performance review
  • This was essential for the documentation of lessons learned from the CHEWs pilot program
  • Additionally, supported MOH in developing data capture and reporting tools and supervision tools for CHEWs
  • Worked with the Ministry of Health’s Division of Health Information to develop work flows for digitizing CHEWs reporting and integrating it in the national system alongside existing reporting by the Village Health Teams (VHTs)
  • The evidence generated from the CHEWs pilot program informed scale up of the CHEWs program in Uganda to an additional 20 districts in the next one year
  • This evidence also informed the costing of the program and revision of the CHEWs strategy as well as updating the training curriculum and manual based on the finding from the pilot
  • To track of footprint of Community health worker (CHWs) including VHTs and CHEWs, supported the MOH in upgrading the Community Health Worker registry (CHWR) in the Integrated Human Resource Information Systems (iHRIS)
  • By the end of 2024, over 914000 CHWs were registered in the system from 64 districts, with their work was traceable in over 2 million households
  • Generated evidence including National Standard for CHW: Patient Ratio for HIV/TB services and harmonized remuneration for CHWs, that was adopted by the GOU for payment of the CHEWs stipends

Senior Systems Improvement Advisor

UHSS Activity – Infectious Disease Institute
05.2020 - 09.2021
  • Developed tools and policies, and trained MoH, RRH, district, and health financing (HF) personnel on their use
  • Wrote a plan to improve results-based financing
  • Collaborated with the MoH to operationalize the Hub-and-Spoke model for RRHs and functionalize hospital boards
  • Facilitated coordination between national directorates
  • Crafted a management framework to enhance HF oversight by management committees
  • Oversaw procurement and distribution of a $1.3M COVID-19 donation
  • While providing this Supply Chain Oversight for life saving commodities, ensured the end-to-end procurement and supply chain management of essential COVID-19 commodities through government channels, ensuring alignment with national policies
  • Also provided technical assistance in strategic planning for procurement and distribution, helped maintain a consistent supply of critical health commodities at all levels of care
  • Additionally, spearheaded monitoring and support supervision in collaboration with MOH to ensure that commodities and equipment were appropriately maintained, stored, managed, and distributed
  • This oversight reduced supply disruptions and improved accountability in health facilities across the country
  • Part of my role also ensured strengthening Strategic Partnerships where I played a critical role in collaborating with key stakeholders through national platforms, such as the Oxygen and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) pillars, to foster strategic partnerships among stakeholders
  • Working closely with the National Medical Stores (NMS) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS), promoted a coordinated approach that ensured both public and private sectors had reliable access to health commodities
  • Also provided technical support to national and subnational stakeholders, facilitating efficient procurement, warehousing, and distribution practices
  • This support improved resource allocation, helped mitigate supply challenges, and ensured the availability of COVID-19 commodities where they were most needed
  • Finally, aligned supply chain efforts with national health priorities and policies, supporting a streamlined distribution system that improved commodity flow

Systems Improvement Advisor

Spark Health Africa
07.2018 - 05.2020
  • Company Overview: embedded in MoH
  • Provided technical leadership over a 1 billion UGX portfolio at MOH
  • Built capacity of district health management teams in a leadership and governance mindset change, which required monthly visits to mentor and conduct needs assessments
  • Provided Technical Assistance to increase resource mobilization, promote asset-based thinking and enhance data use
  • Produced senior leadership trainings for district and MoH officials, rooted in needs assessment results
  • Supervised two MoH personnel
  • Embedded in MoH

Technical Advisor, Health Systems Strengthening

Makerere School of Public Health
10.2015 - 03.2018
  • Strengthened capacity in 53 districts through TA related to planning and monitoring decentralized health services
  • Developed five-year HIV/AIDs plans for 19 districts, using insights from program evaluations conducted with senior national and district officials
  • Designed a nine-month tailor made competence-based Leadership Management and Governance fellowship program for DHTs and trained 63 district health professionals
  • Strengthened Continuous quality improvement and M&E for the HIV response including case-based surveillance

Senior Advisor Decentralized Response

10.2013 - 09.2015
  • I led the implementation of the District Led Programming (DLP) initiative in Uganda with the goal of achieving an AIDS-Free Generation and meeting UNAIDS targets
  • This endeavour required close collaboration with District Health Teams, the Uganda AIDS Commission, and Health Development Partners to develop and align DLP strategies
  • Embedded in the AIDS Control Program (ACP) at the MOH, I worked with the MOH/Pharmacy department, National Drug Authority and key private sector stakeholders to align market-based approaches with public health priorities
  • And from a technical perspective, while in the ACP, I worked closely with the Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG) to broaden access to Family planning and other reproductive health services in the private sector, significantly contributing to the increase in the modern contraceptive prevalence in the country
  • I participated in capacity building for Sexual and Gender based violence trainings for health workers at the facility level to improve quality of services
  • Trained facility staff in logistics management information systems (LMIS) in order to improve availability of health supplies
  • Working with the RH department, ensured gender mainstreaming in RH
  • I played a key role in shaping the strategy of the Uganda National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) strategy and was instrumental in designing a strategy for implementation of fellowship training programs at the NIPH, including the Short-term, Medium-term and long-term field epidemiology training programs (FETP); ensuring alignment with essential public health functions
  • I engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders to strengthen health systems and oversee the progress of district-led programming efforts
  • Additionally, I provided regular briefings to senior management, including the Director General of Health Services and drafted talking points for key officials

Senior Project Officer, HMIS

Ministry of Health
03.2009 - 09.2013
  • Led a team of four to integrate all HIV reporting into one system and increased funding from $55K to $400K in one year
  • Led implementation of the district-led programming concept for AIDS control, which required securing buy-in at all levels of government, including the Uganda AIDS Commission, district health teams, Implementing Partners, capacity builders such as the Makerere School of Public Health, and more

Senior Medical Officer, Head of Medical Department

Nsambya Hospital HIV/AIDs Program
07.1999 - 12.2007
  • Successfully delivered ART in low-resource settings by creating a clinic that inspired additional funding
  • Integrated TB and HIV services within the hospital that resulted to free access to TB services
  • Introduced TB prophylaxis for HIV patients as a pilot for the MOH
  • Managed a team of 19 medical staff
  • In addition to overseeing program management, I was responsible for managing medicines and health supplies at the HIV/AIDS Clinic
  • This entailed quantifying and procuring supplies to prevent any shortages, as well as maintaining accurate logistics records and ensuring accountability
  • I collaborated with various departments to understand and meet their procurement requirements, enhancing interdepartmental communication and ensuring the prompt delivery of necessary health supplies and commodities
  • I played a key role in negotiating supplier contracts, resulting in an average cost reduction of 15% across all purchases and contributing to the HIV Clinics cost-saving
  • I identified and brought on board new suppliers from the open market, expanding the program's supplier network and offering more competitive pricing options
  • This, in turn, made a wider range of medications accessible to patients through the savings achieved

Education

Executive Master of Business Administration -

Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI)
01.2017

Master of International Public Health -

University of Sydney
01.2008

Diploma - Palliative Care

Makerere University
01.2004

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery -

Makerere University
01.1998

Skills

  • Training Program Implementation
  • Employee Training
  • Expense Management
  • Effective Meeting Facilitation
  • Regulatory Framework Design
  • Stakeholder Involvement
  • Cross-Functional Teamwork
  • Analytical Problem-Solving
  • Time management
  • Detail-Oriented Approach
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Consistent Dependability
  • Excellent communication
  • Team collaboration
  • Team leadership
  • Clear Communication
  • Adaptability in Dynamic Environments
  • Client Relationship Management
  • Team Leadership
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Operational Oversight
  • Analytical thinking
  • Staff management
  • Process Quality Management
  • Complex Problem-solving
  • Strategic Development
  • Systematic Quality Improvement

Summary Profile

As a Deputy Chief of Party (Deputy Director/Operations Lead/Technical Director), I bring over 24 years of experience in the health system, including eight years as a senior medical practitioner, nine years at the Ministry of Health (MoH), three years at the Makerere School of Public Health, and the last four years in roles of increasing responsibility at the USAID Uganda Health Systems Strengthening (UHSS) Activity. My extensive background uniquely positions me to excel in the role of Director due to my first-hand insights into every aspect of the Uganda health system, both public and private. Part of my role was also to ensure strengthened private sector engagement in healthcare delivery at a critical time of an unprecedented COVID19 pandemic, while ensuring improved financial models, and enhanced service delivery through multisector collaboration. My expertise lies in operational leadership, program management, team development and risk mitigation. I have successfully overseen large teams, managed financials, overseen large procurements and distribution, and executed programs that led to the successful implementation of the UHSS project life cycle. With over 10 years’ experience providing senior technical leadership to health programs, I have served as a senior systems improvement advisor at the MoH, where I spearheaded the functionalization and operationalize the Hub-and-Spoke model for Regional Referral Hospitals (RRHs). Additionally, my work as a senior advisor at the MoH resulted in integration of HIV reporting into a single system, leading to a funding increase from $55K to $400K within one year. She has served as a senior advisor in several positions for Uganda’s health ministry and academia providing high level expertise, technical guidance and public-private collaboration. Here, she worked to lend her expertise in think-tank leadership roles, working with the executive teams at the ministry on major decisions. As a prominent collaborator, and will leverage existing networks to politically navigate the MoH senior leadership, and work closely with USAID, CDC, GIZ, FCDO, local partners, and various stakeholders to design and implement technical activities. During my tenure at Makerere, I worked with 50+ district health authorities to strengthen capacity, oversee work planning, and coordinate decentralized health services. As a subject matter expert, I consistently demonstrated my expertise in strategic problem solving, stakeholder engagement, skills development and leadership training. My proven ability to navigate diverse stakeholders has been instrumental in increasing health system accountability. One notable achievement includes my facilitation of intergovernmental engagement with the new governance and regulations directorate at the MOH, during the UHSS project. This led to significant improvements in the functionality of governing bodies, resulting in the establishment of new hospital boards in all six of Uganda’s national referral hospitals and fourteen Regional Referral Hospitals. With a proven ability to drive impactful change and foster collaboration across various sectors, Betty is well-equipped to excel in a project director role. My transferrable skills, coupled with my commitment to advancing public health initiatives and staying ahead of disease/disease outbreaks, make me a valuable asset to your organization.

Languages

English
Advanced (C1)
French
Elementary (A2)

Timeline

Deputy Chief of Party

USAID UHSS Activity – Palladium International LLC
07.2022 - 09.2024

Team Lead, Community Systems

UHSS Activity
09.2021 - 06.2022

Senior Systems Improvement Advisor

UHSS Activity – Infectious Disease Institute
05.2020 - 09.2021

Systems Improvement Advisor

Spark Health Africa
07.2018 - 05.2020

Technical Advisor, Health Systems Strengthening

Makerere School of Public Health
10.2015 - 03.2018

Senior Advisor Decentralized Response

10.2013 - 09.2015

Senior Project Officer, HMIS

Ministry of Health
03.2009 - 09.2013

Senior Medical Officer, Head of Medical Department

Nsambya Hospital HIV/AIDs Program
07.1999 - 12.2007

Master of International Public Health -

University of Sydney

Diploma - Palliative Care

Makerere University

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery -

Makerere University

Executive Master of Business Administration -

Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI)

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Betty Atai Ngabirano