Ralph Saymore Makuyana

Strengthening an Integrated Comprehensive Approach for HIV Services for Adolescents and Young People through Determined, Resilient, AIDS-Free Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) Program Oct/23-Sept/25 • Supported PEPFAR/CDC cooperative agreements by strengthening HIV/AIDS epidemic control through ethical data use, digital health systems, and evidence-based communication strategies. • Designed and implemented qualitative and quantitative evaluation protocols, operational research projects, and data analysis plans to ensure transparency, accountability, and adaptive learning in digital health programming. • Disseminated programmatic findings via technical briefs, manuscripts, and conference presentations, translating complex health data into accessible messages that built trust among diverse stakeholders. • Supervised and mentored district M&E teams under the DREAMS project, provided technical assistance on M&E, digital health platforms, and advanced community engagement initiatives in HIV, TB, and GBV hotspots. • Led MEL activities across multiple districts, ensuring data-driven decision-making for HIV and OVC programs. • Collaborated with program officers and with government ministries, NGOs, and clinical partners to strengthen program outcomes. • Designed and implemented data quality improvement plans, indicator matrices, and adaptive learning frameworks. • Developed digital dashboards and reports to communicate program performance to stakeholders in accessible formats. • Documented success stories and lessons learned to inform program adaptation and donor reporting. • Supported digital health initiatives by integrating ethical data practices and safeguarding protocols.

Supporting the Provision of Comprehensive HIV Prevention, Testing, Treatment, Care, and Support Program Oct/21 – Sept/23 • Coordinated program planning, evaluation, and data collection methodologies for HIV prevention across six pillars, ensuring ethical, inclusive, and evidence-based approaches to digital health and community engagement. • Designed and implemented primary data collection tools, conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis, and translated findings into accessible insights for program adaptation and stakeholder communication. • Led operational research initiatives from study design to dissemination, including protocol development, ethical approval, data management, and scientific writing to strengthen transparency and accountability in health programming. • Supervised and mentored district and field staff on MEL tools and digital health systems, conducted routine data quality assessments, and implemented improvement plans to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of program data.

HIV/AIDS, Re-Ignite Innovate Sustain and Empower (RISE) program Oct/20-Sept/21 • Coordinated HIV case surveillance and digital reporting for AGYW under the RISE program, maintaining line lists, conducting weekly analyses, and translating findings into clear messages for Ministry of Health stakeholders to strengthen trust and accountability. • Led community‑focused digital health initiatives through the Oral‑PrEP pilot study in Mutare, analyzing uptake and side‑effect trends, and communicating results in accessible formats to inform program adaptation and public engagement. • Ensured responsible and ethical digital health practices by conducting SIMS and RDQAs across districts, developing internal data quality improvement plans, and promoting transparency and compliance with national implementation guidelines. • Facilitated inclusive stakeholder dialogues via RTWG, POC, and POT meetings, using routine data reviews and performance dashboards to engage communities, address service gaps, and build participation in DREAMS and HIV prevention activities. • Managed health information systems and digital platforms to improve program visibility and accountability. • Translated research findings into clear communication materials for community forums and outreach campaigns. • Designed and executed digital engagement initiatives, including self-care campaigns and social media content. • Developed internal guidelines promoting fairness, transparency, and responsible use of digital health data. • Facilitated workshops and roadshows to build trust and participation among the general & key populations.

DREAMS Adolescent Girls and Young Women Health for Life 360 Program in Zimbabwe. Mar/18-Sept/20 • Supported provincial Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) planning and analytics across multiple districts, contributing to the design, implementation, and refinement of performance monitoring systems to enhance accountability and data-driven program management. • Managed and maintained data systems for HIV prevention programs targeting Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in Mutare, ensuring timely, complete, and high-quality reporting across DREAMS and OVC interventions. • Led the development, standardization, and adaptation of M&E tools and indicator reference guides, aligning program monitoring frameworks with PEPFAR/USAID MER indicators and national M&E standards. • Built capacity of program and data staff in data management, analysis, visualization, and use of digital platforms to promote data quality assurance (DQA) and evidence-based decision-making. • Designed and deployed interactive data dashboards and analytics products to facilitate real-time performance monitoring and adaptive management. • Supported qualitative assessments and operational research to strengthen the program’s evidence base and inform strategic adjustments. • Contributed to Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) processes, promoting continuous learning, reflection, and adaptive programming within provincial teams.

Sustaining Prevention, Increasing Access to Care and Empowerment for OVC (SPACE for OVC). Sept/17-Feb/18 • Supported the design, pretesting, and refinement of data collection tools and templates, improving data quality and streamlining information flow between implementing partners and district M&E teams. • Supported routine data submissions and validation processes, enhancing efficiency, data consistency, and compliance with donor reporting requirements for MER indicators (HTS_TST, TX_CURR, TX_PLVS, PMTCT_EID) and custom indicators. • Performed data cleaning, validation, and statistical analysis using tools such as R, STATA, and SPSS, generating evidence- based insights that informed quarterly program reviews and adaptive management decisions.

Child Protection, Social and Economic Justice Programs, partnering with Implementing Partners (Simukai Child Protection Program, Nyanga Community Development Trust, Diocese of Mutare Community Care Programme (DOMCCP), Family Action for Community Empowerment Zimbabwe and Community Organization for Poverty Alleviation in Zimbabwe) July/14-Aug/15 • Collaborated with partner organizations championing women’s rights, disability inclusion, rural empowerment, and economic justice, providing technical MEL support across program portfolios. • Supported Implementing Partners in strengthening advocacy initiatives through developing log frames, indicator matrices, and PMPs, and enhancing data-flow systems for radio and community outreach activities. • Worked with Implementing Partners to improve tracking of education and empowerment services for orphans and vulnerable populations (children, women and marginalized men) by designing/refining electronic data-collection tools, dashboards, and indicator guidance.

Data Science Lab

WorldQuant University