Rita Eleanor Kiawoin
Monrovia
Summary
Passionate and dedicated public health professional with extensive experience working on public health system-strengthening programs. Skilled in conducting research, analyzing data, and developing evidence-based strategies to address public health issues, especially in resource-constrained, post-conflict work environments. Committed to promoting community health and well-being, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Adept at report writing and maintaining meticulous documentation, driving impactful decision-making in health initiatives. Excellent team player, and a great self-starter seeking to leverage expertise to drive positive change and improve health outcomes.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Research Analyst
WHO Regional Office for Africa
Brazzaville
09.2020 - 09.2024
- Researched technical, scientific, and historical contents, and validated them against supporting data for accuracy and relevance
- Analyzed data and presented in user-friendly visualizations to communicate key health information for evidence-informed decision-making
- Reviewed, summarized, consolidated, and quality-checked information from around 10 different technical/managerial areas every week; this summary ranged between 16 and 20 pages and is a crucial resource for the Regional Director, other directors, and a range of technical colleagues who use it as the basis/master file for other briefings and updates
- Drafted sections of key documents, reports, presentations, speeches, and talking points for a variety of audiences, summarizing developments, outcomes, results, and recommendations
- Engaged and communicated relevant information with WHO staff members and partners across the African region and HQ as required
- Reviewed, updated, and consolidated the country profiles of all 47 Member States in the WHO African Region for COVID-19 and other health emergencies
- This entailed updating the number of cases, deaths, and vaccinations, as well as information on country-specific gaps, best practices, and upcoming events
- Reviewed and provided data and other information to strengthen document development and knowledge management systems and processes, including documenting action points from key meetings and initiatives, monitoring, and follow-up
- Prepared updates for WHO AFRO’s representatives for the weekly envoys’ meetings convened by WHO headquarters
- Developed draft talking points and compiled notes ahead of the Regional Director's weekly press conference
- Developed and disseminated both internal and external communications for organizational updates
- Assisted in developing various health day messages on behalf of the Regional Director
- Took notes of discussions during biweekly WHO Headquarters COVID-19 press conferences
- Updated and maintained the online SharePoint (OneDrive) repository of the Regional Director's documents (speeches, messages, meetings, etc.)
- Maintained comprehensive documentation, including meeting minutes, reports, and deliverables
- Provided support in coordinating the preparation of the Regional Director's annual report and materials for the Regional Committee meeting, in collaboration with Focal Points of various clusters
Research Officer
Ministry of Health
Monrovia
04.2014 - 09.2020
- Implemented strategies and activities designed to improve the country's health system performance
- Developed and maintained research partnerships to expand knowledge and access to information
- Made substantial inputs to the development of work plans, research questions, project concept notes, field research guides, and protocols
- Reviewed existing literature on relevant topics to inform study design
- Conducted in-depth qualitative and quantitative research.
- Managed local research teams by providing training and onsite monitoring of field data collection, pilot projects, and roll-out of interventions
- Developed and tested survey questionnaires on varied topics to collect data for research projects
- Conducted key-informant interviews with government, traditional leaders, county surveillance officers, youth groups, women leaders, etc., using a full range of qualitative and quantitative research techniques
- Prepared detailed reports summarizing research findings and recommendations for further action
- Supported monitoring and evaluation (M&E), program planning, coordination, and management
- Supervised and directed data collection, and performed data collection, entry, and analysis
- Established and maintained a system to file and track research studies, assessments, and surveys conducted by the Research Unit of the Ministry of Health
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to execute work plans effectively
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of results
Technical Assistant (President’s Young Professionals Program)
Ministry of Health
Monrovia
03.2012 - 03.2014
- Collaborated with team members on various projects to meet deadlines and achieve goals
- Administered donor survey questionnaires for national health accounts and resource mapping studies
- Prepared presentations and reports on project progress for management review
- Participated in cross-functional meetings to discuss project requirements, timelines, and resource allocation
- Organized all Health Financing Task Force meetings for the Health Financing Division
- Compiled and circulated minutes of meetings
- Conducted survey training for data collectors
- Supervised data collectors for resource tracking exercise
- Drafted field and technical reports
- Coordinated submission of weekly activity plans and reports
Administrative Officer
Liberia Watch for Human Rights
Monrovia
01.2008 - 08.2010
- Provided input on strategic planning and management activities
- Set goals for department and staff
- Organized and coordinated interdepartmental operations and activities
- Assumed responsibility for timely reporting to senior management and partners
- Supported workflow of daily administrative tasks to achieve targets and deadlines
- Maintained scheduling and event calendars for staff meetings, workshops, and important deadlines
- Prepared meeting agendas, recorded minutes, and distributed documentation to attendees
Education
Certificate - Project Management
Liberia Institute of Public Administration
Monrovia, Liberia09-2016
Master of Public Health - Community Health
Cuttington University Graduate School
Monrovia, Liberia06.2013
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Cuttington University
Suacoco, Bong07.2007
High School Diploma -
St. Teresa's Convent
Monrovia, Liberia07.2003
Skills
- Team player
- Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Report writing
- Administrative support
- Health research
- Cross-functional coordination
- Time management
- Multitasking capacity
Affiliations
- Member
Women in Public Health | Monrovia, Liberia|January 2023 - Current - Member
Liberia Public Health Association | Monrovia, Liberia|March 2023 - Current - Team Member
Recruitment support for new members, President's Young Professionals Programme | Monrovia, Liberia|2014 - 2021
Certification
- Professional Leadership Certificate in Public Service, President's Young Professionals Programme, 2014
- Data Software Training in LQAS & CSPro, MEASURE Evaluation, 2013
- National Health Accounts Production Tool Training, Abts Associates, 2012
- Operational Research, CIAM Public Health and Research Development Center/West Africa Health Organization (WAHO), 2012
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Research Analyst
WHO Regional Office for Africa
09.2020 - 09.2024
Research Officer
Ministry of Health
04.2014 - 09.2020
Technical Assistant (President’s Young Professionals Program)
Ministry of Health
03.2012 - 03.2014
Administrative Officer
Liberia Watch for Human Rights
01.2008 - 08.2010
Certificate - Project Management
Liberia Institute of Public Administration
Master of Public Health - Community Health
Cuttington University Graduate School
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Cuttington University
High School Diploma -
St. Teresa's Convent
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