John Kamau Mwangi
Strategic Communications & Youth Engagement Specialist
Ruaka
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven professional with a strong track record in community engagement and youth empowerment, with a particular focus on malaria prevention and control. Over the years, I have championed youth-led leadership and innovative, communication-driven solutions to address public health challenges. Known for leveraging storytelling, digital platforms, and advocacy campaigns to amplify youth voices and mobilize communities around health priorities. A dedicated team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, I thrive in collaborative environments and bring a high level of self-motivation, strategic thinking, and cultural sensitivity to every initiative. My passion lies in creating inclusive spaces where young people lead change, especially in underserved communities impacted by malaria and other health burdens.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Associate
AMREF Health Africa
10.2024 - Current
- Lead strategic communication planning and implementation across 10+ counties, aligning with national malaria control priorities and reaching 11M+ people through SBC interventions.
- Provide technical support to 7 sub-recipients, strengthening SBC messaging, community mobilization, and advocacy with 50+ religious and community leaders.
- Represent the project in 5+ national and county-level SBC technical working groups, advancing collaborative and evidence-based communication strategies.
- Develop and disseminate 20+ communication materials, 15+ success stories, and knowledge products, enhancing project visibility and showcasing program impact.
- Review 50+ programmatic reports, providing actionable communication-focused feedback to refine message delivery and address gaps.
- Facilitate capacity building sessions for CHMTs, CHPs, and community structures, boosting local SBC communication and advocacy capacity.
- Support resource mobilization efforts, contributing to 4+ concept notes/proposals, donor reports, and work plans to drive effective, results-based communication activities.
Chairperson
Kenya Malaria Youth Corps
10.2021 - Current
- Provided strategic leadership and oversight to a national network of 200+ youth leaders driving malaria advocacy and community engagement.
- Mentored and trained over 600 young people in communication, advocacy, and leadership, enabling their active participation in national and county malaria response initiatives.
- Spearheaded agenda-setting and designed youth-driven communication strategies, resulting in 5+ national-level campaigns and strengthened collaborations with government, civil society, and donor partners.
- Enhanced managerial capacity while delivering 20+ high-level presentations on malaria advocacy, strengthening skills in strategic communication and stakeholder engagement.
- Championed youth empowerment and health equity in Kenya, contributing to increased youth representation in policy dialogues and program implementation forums.
Regional Field Officer - Western Region
KANCO
02.2021 - 06.2024
- Supported implementation of malaria community case management and TB contact tracing in 2 core counties (Bungoma & Kakamega) with periodic engagements in 5+ additional counties, contributing to improved case detection and follow-up rates.
- Provided technical support and mentorship to 200+ Ministry of Health staff and community health workers, strengthening capacity for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and patient follow-up at the community level.
- Enhanced strategic communication by tailoring health messages to reach 10,000+ community members, documenting 20+ success stories, and facilitating smooth information flow between field and regional teams.
- Produced monthly and quarterly field reports, integrating community insights to inform project planning and improve implementation strategies.
- Built partnerships with County Health Departments and 10+ stakeholders, actively engaging in advocacy forums and technical meetings to align interventions with evolving community health needs.
Procurement Assistant
Kenyatta International Convention Centre
10.2017 - 05.2018
- Facilitated 100% on-time delivery of goods by monitoring orders and resolving delays or discrepancies within set timelines.
- Assisted in evaluating and analyzing 200+ supplier and service provider offers to ensure cost-effectiveness and compliance.
- Maintained a monthly procurement plan, enabling timely supply and delivery of quality supplies and equipment, reducing stock-outs by 3%.
- Monitored payments by reconciling 100+ purchase orders and contracts against delivered services and inputs, ensuring accuracy and accountability.
Education
Master of Science - Health Systems Management And Development
Amref International University
Northlands, Ruiru06-2026
Bachelor of Science - Procurement and Contract Management
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture And Technology
Juja11.2018
Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education - KCSE
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Nairobi11.2010
Skills
- Strategic communication
- Community and youth engagement
- Project planning and coordination
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Reporting and documentation
References
- William, Dekker, Technical Advisor – Communications, Advocacy and Youth- African Leaders Malaria Alliance WDekker@alma.2030.org
- Joseph Were , Head of Research and Development- Kenya Malaria Youth Corps jwere@malariayouth.ke
Interests
Podcast Listening or Hosting (Health & Leadership), Outdoor Activities & Travel, Social Media Advocacy, Community Volunteering, Public Speaking and Mentorship
Accomplishments
- Contributed to the compilation of the African Union Malaria Progress Reports (2022, 2023, 2024).
- Recipient of the Brian Sharp Award for Best Young Investigator at the MIM Conference 2024.
Timeline
Project Associate
AMREF Health Africa
10.2024 - Current
Chairperson
Kenya Malaria Youth Corps
10.2021 - Current
Regional Field Officer - Western Region
KANCO
02.2021 - 06.2024
Procurement Assistant
Kenyatta International Convention Centre
10.2017 - 05.2018
Master of Science - Health Systems Management And Development
Amref International University
Bachelor of Science - Procurement and Contract Management
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture And Technology
Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education - KCSE
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
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