Arminda Zandamela is a Sociologist with 20 years of experience managing healthcare programs and services. She has provided technical assistance to the Mozambique National Health System in areas such as Sexual and Reproductive Health, focusing on HIV, Family Planning, gender equity, and gender-based violence, as well as addressing challenges related to natural disasters and climate change.
Arminda has extensive experience working with key populations and vulnerable groups, including young people, individuals with disabilities, adolescents, girls, and young women. She actively participates in technical working groups that focus on health system improvements and climate change initiatives. Additionally, she is highly skilled in training health and community workers on topics such as HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence, gender equity, referral systems, integration and continuity of health services, preparedness, and the impacts of climate change on the National Health System.
Her expertise includes resource mobilization, management, and building relationships with donors and partners. Arminda has solid experience and an extensive background in developing health policies and guidelines, as well as human rights and GBV training packages for Police and Justice Institutions. She has proven experience in partnership management and institutional marketing, including administrative, technical, and financial management.
Other significant contributions include improving data for decision-making, developing quality care standards for key populations, enhancing health provision and human rights, organizing local initiatives to improve access to services and care, and facilitating the launch of Mozambique’s first guideline for the provision of prevention, care, and treatment for key populations by the health sector as well developed the first Guidelines addressing climate resilience interventions for sex workers in Mozambique. She has successfully managed relationships with government and implementing partners and has been involved in advocating for revisions, writing, and implementing SRHR and HIV policies and guidelines.
Ms. Zandamela has a BA in Social Sciences, as well as a degree in Sociology from Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, a post-graduation in Public Health from ISCED, and specialization degree in Human Rights from Pontifical Catholic University, Brazil. She currently works with Pathfinder as Projects Director.