John Okewe
Population Health And Community Development Officer
Kisumu
Summary
Bringing over five years of dedicated experience in policy development focused on health, youth, women, and gender advancement programs. I offer a robust background in advocacy, championing human rights, and fostering collaborative partnerships for impactful goals. My expertise spans key areas including Community Health and Development, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, Public Health encompassing Population Health, Reproductive Health, Epidemiology, Disease Control, Health System and Information Management, Program Management, Research, and Project planning. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Population Health complemented by diverse training and certifications, my knowledge is grounded in both theoretical principles and practical applications. My capacity for advocacy and policy formulation encompasses a wide array of contemporary topics, particularly centered around community, youth and gender development. I excel as a collaborative team player, consistently demonstrating exceptional interpersonal finesse and adept communication skills. My meticulous attention to detail is paired with a remarkable ability to adapt within various environments, ensuring effective teamwork and the accomplishment of shared objectives.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
10
10
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Senior Community Development Officer
Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency
12.2023 - Current
- Identified and profiled 8 Water Service Providers (WSPs) within the Agency's jurisdiction, strengthening coordination for last-mile service delivery.
- Led and supervised the Community Development Section (4 staff), coordinating the formation of 10 Community Water Service Providers (CWSPs) to enhance local water governance.
- Mobilized and registered 12 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) across multiple wards to participate in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs.
- Conducted community sensitization forums reaching over 5,000 residents on CBO formation, governance, and project sustainability.
- Developed intervention mechanisms that resolved operational bottlenecks affecting over 30 CBOs and NGOs, improving compliance and project implementation rates.
- Provided technical guidance on the preparation of 15+ community project proposals, with over 80% successfully securing funding.
- Authored and submitted 5+ grant-ready funding proposals for community development initiatives valued at multi-million shilling project scopes.
Member
Youth for All group
11.2020 - Current
- Contributed to a African Union (AU) virtual advocacy campaign on reimagining an Africa without child marriage.
- The team emerged overall winners in the African Union Virtual Campaign (Nov 2020), competing against 10+ youth groups from across Africa.
- Engaged in digital advocacy that reached over 50,000 online participants through social media and virtual forums.
Data Entry Clerk and Facilitator for Afya Ziwani Project
National Organization of Peer Educators (NOPE)
01.2021 - 04.2022
- Conducted monthly Data Quality Audits (DQA) on records of 2,000+ Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), improving data accuracy by over 30%.
- Verified 100% of MoH source documents monthly, ensuring compliance with donor and government reporting standards.
- Ensured completion and proper filing of 2,000+ AGYW client files in line with SOP requirements.
- Supported SIMS and PEPFAR/OGAC site audits, contributing to zero major audit queries during project review cycles.
- Conducted monthly performance reviews that enabled the project to maintain 95%+ target achievement.
- Entered and validated project data within strict reporting timelines, supporting donor reporting for budgets exceeding KES 50M.
Movement Builder
AIDS Foundation of South Africa (AFSA), Sex Rights African Network
09.2019 - 07.2020
- Participated in regional advocacy initiatives across Southern and Eastern Africa on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), youth, and gender equality.
- Supported policy dialogue forums engaging 500+ youth leaders and CSOs on SRHR integration.
- Contributed to cross-country learning exchanges that influenced youth-friendly SRHR programming in 5+ countries.
Enumerator
Homa-Bay County Statistics Office (KNBS)
08.2019 - 09.2019
- Conducted household data collection for 300+ households during the national census exercise in Oyugis Town.
- Achieved 98% data accuracy through strict adherence to enumeration protocols.
- Played a key role in ensuring full geographic coverage within assigned census enumeration areas.
Intern
Kisumu Urban Apostolate Programs
06.2017 - 09.2017
- Mobilized 1,500+ community members for outreach programs targeting HIV prevention, hygiene, and maternal health.
- Supervised and mentored 25+ Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) on community sensitization strategies.
- Conducted Community Diagnosis in 6 community units, informing WASH and health intervention strategies.
- Delivered health education sessions in 10+ schools and community units, reaching 3,000+ learners and caregivers.
- Supported implementation of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programs, contributing to improved ANC attendance.
- Successfully completed 45 CHIC modules (Platinum Level).
- Participated in project planning, implementation, and evaluation cycles for 5+ community development projects.
- Supported staff members in their daily tasks, reducing workload burden and allowing for increased focus on higher-priority assignments.
- Contributed to a positive team environment by collaborating with fellow interns on group projects and presentations.
- Prepared project presentations and reports to assist senior staff.
- Developed organizational skills through managing multiple tasks simultaneously while adhering to strict deadlines.
- Utilized strong communication abilities during presentations which led to increased understanding among colleagues regarding project goals and objectives.
Attachment
Rachuonyo Sub-County Hospital
05.2016 - 08.2016
- Conducted community organizing activities reaching 800+ households through outreach programs.
- Provided family planning services to 300+ clients at the FP Options Department.
- Delivered daily health talks to an average of 60+ patients per day at the Mother and Child Health (MCH) clinic.
- Participated in disease surveillance across 5 community units, supporting early detection of malaria, HIV, and NCDs.
- Supported diagnosis and management of 100+ cases of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
- Participated in food and premises inspections, improving sanitation compliance among local vendors.
- Facilitated community dialogues that strengthened citizen participation in public health decision-making.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Population Health
12-2018
GPA: Second-Class Honors, (Upper Division)
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
11.2013
GPA: Mean Grade of B+
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education -
11.2007
Skills
Certification
Certificate of Participation in training on Requirements of the AfDB's Updated Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) (May 2025)
References
- Miriam, Siwa, Senior Manager, Research Strategy & Performance Management, msiwa@lvswwda.go.ke, +254722705466, Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA)
- Chris, Akun Goro, Human Resource and Administration Officer, chrisakun@pandpieri.org, +254732907524, Kisumu Urban Apostolate Programs (KUAP)
- Joyce, Adongo, Ward Coordinator, jadudanope@gmail.com, +254 706 413808, National Organization for Peer Educators (NOPE)
Timeline
Senior Community Development Officer - Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency
12.2023 - Current
Data Entry Clerk and Facilitator for Afya Ziwani Project - National Organization of Peer Educators (NOPE)
01.2021 - 04.2022
Member - Youth for All group
11.2020 - Current
Movement Builder - AIDS Foundation of South Africa (AFSA), Sex Rights African Network
09.2019 - 07.2020
Enumerator - Homa-Bay County Statistics Office (KNBS)
08.2019 - 09.2019
Intern - Kisumu Urban Apostolate Programs
06.2017 - 09.2017
Attachment - Rachuonyo Sub-County Hospital
05.2016 - 08.2016
Kenyatta University - Bachelor of Science, Population Health
God-Ber Secondary School - Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education,
Oyugis Primary School - Kenya Certificate of Primary Education,