Maximina Jokonya

Develop and execute a strategic plan, strengthening technical competence, donor engagement, and resource mobilisation for sustained organisational growth. Lead ongoing strategic reviews, ensuring adaptability to socio-economic and political changes while maintaining operational efficiency. Oversee fundraising initiatives, including donor engagement and proposal development, securing sustainable funding and expanding program impact. Implement strong financial management and compliance systems, ensuring proper expenditure control, adherence to donor requirements, and maintaining financial integrity. Represent the organisation in key stakeholder engagements, influencing policy discussions on HIV, maternal and child health, and health system strengthening. Optimise human resource management, improving staff recruitment, retention, and professional development to enhance team performance and organisational capacity. Increase visibility through advocacy and collaboration, strengthening relationships with government agencies, NGOs, and donors to improve program effectiveness.

• Boosted Y+ Global membership by 30% across ten regions by effectively leading strategic planning and management oversight initiatives.
• Enhanced team engagement and operational efficiency by successfully managing a remote team of 20 staff members, demonstrating strong communication skills.
• Ensured full compliance with audits in the Netherlands and South Africa by overseeing multi-million-dollar funds and coordinating with finance for approvals.
• Strengthened governance, operational efficiency, and internal systems by developing and implementing 14 policies.
• Enhanced global board governance and strategic oversight by recruiting and onboarding 10 board members, facilitating organizational development.
• Contributed to global health leadership and research by co-authoring two international peer-reviewed journals.
• Increased private sector partnerships by 12% by securing new support from RED, AHF, and ViiV Healthcare.
• Increased funding by 45% by successfully securing new donors like UNESCO, Global Alliance-UNICEF, EJAF and Gender Equality Fund for Y+ Global, reflecting a strong commitment to organizational goals.
• Strengthened international collaboration in HIV/AIDS response by managing multilateral events with AU, SADC, UN Women, The Global Fund, and civil society organisations.
• Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
• Oversaw financial management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability for the organization.

Directed the Project Management Unit, ensuring seamless coordination and support for effective project execution at the country level. Co-developed the HER Voice Fund M&E framework, establishing measurable success indicators to track grant impact and align with strategic objectives. Forged and strengthened key stakeholder alliances, driving advocacy efforts that elevated AGYW voices in global, regional, and national decision-making spaces.

• Reduced HIV incidence and improved AGYW health outcomes by managing the €2.6 million HER Voice Fund project, ensuring reporting requirements were met.
• Met donor requirements and advanced advocacy by authoring HER Voice Fund Annual Reports (2021-2023), showcasing excellent communication skills.
• Strengthened community programs by overseeing 125 organisations in 14 African countries and managing 10 global projects, coordinating with project teams.
• Secured a €7.5 million funding increase by expanding the HER Voice Fund Model to 14 countries, demonstrating effective project management and follow-through skills.
• Enhanced youth leadership by coordinating the HER Voice Fund Ambassadors Programme across 13 African nations, facilitating onboarding processes.
• Improved governance and accountability by developing 13 Country Profiles for HER Voice Fund and Gender Equality Fund, ensuring documentation consistency.
• Increased AGYW engagement in decision-making by leading the HER Voice Fund strategy (2022-2025), demonstrating strong management oversight.
• Boosted AGYW advocacy skills by training 112 advocates, raising knowledge levels by 76%, and securing five youth/AGYW seats within key decision-making platforms such as Country Coordination to the Global Fund.
• Highlighted program impact through a documentary on the HER Voice Fund's success in 13 countries, supporting organizational development.
• Amplified global visibility by managing six international conferences, including exhibitions at major AIDS conferences, ensuring effective communication and liaison.

Directed implementation of USAID_DREAMS project, prioritising engagement with young people to improve access to HIV testing services and facilitate linkage to care in Mutare District. Coordinated comprehensive training programs for Community Adolescents Treatment Supporters, ensuring their effectiveness in providing technical support to community workers. Advocated for policy reforms, contributing to a stronger framework for youth HIV interventions.

• Streamlined project management processes by implementing Agile methodologies and improving team communication.
• Optimized resource utilization by accurately forecasting project needs and allocating resources accordingly throughout the project lifecycle.
• Trained 326 Community Child Care Workers, 657 Health Care Workers, and 80 District Social Welfare Officers in HIV sensitive case management with government support.
• Co-authored Zvandiri psycho-social support materials, including Our Story Book, Red Ribbons, and the Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters (CATS) training curricula, ensuring comprehensive documentation.
• Strengthened child protection services by implementing and coordinating UNICEF's HIV-sensitive Case Management Fund across six districts in Mashonaland East.
• Expanded HIV prevention and care by leading the USAID DREAMS project in Mutare District, increasing youth access to testing and treatment, demonstrating strong project management.