Mandy Govender

Public Health & Digital Health Leader
Biel, CH.

About

A highly accomplished Public Health and Digital Health leader with over 20 years of experience driving multi-country program management, strategic partnerships, and systems transformation across diverse low- and middle-income countries. Expert in leveraging AI for business development, financial governance, and MEAL system oversight, consistently delivering impactful outcomes in complex global health initiatives.

Work

Transform Health Coalition
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Programme and Operations Lead (Director Level)

Summary

Led the successful establishment and strategic oversight of six national digital health coalitions across India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Ecuador, and Senegal, securing two-year grant investments to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through policy and legislative transformation.

Highlights

Directed financial strategy and donor reporting for portfolios exceeding $5 million annually, leading digital transformation of financial and procurement systems to improve efficiency and transparency.

Architected and led high-impact, cross-sector partnerships with governments, multilaterals, civil society, and donors, positioning collaborations as levers for systems change and long-term sustainability.

Spearheaded comprehensive oversight mechanisms across programmatic, financial, and MEAL domains, synthesizing insights to enhance resilience and scalability across all coalitions.

Championed long-term sustainability and resource mobilization, including co-development of grant proposals, to secure vital funding and align with coalition missions.

Provided high-level strategic advisory and governance oversight for 6 national digital health coalitions, driving operational execution and building adaptive cross-functional coordination systems.

WHO Foundation
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Digital Health Thematic Consultant

Summary

Informed the Digital Health Thematic Programming strategy by providing insights and input through a landscape analysis and key informant interviews to identify opportunities for the Foundation.

Highlights

Conducted a comprehensive landscape analysis of digital health and key informant interviews with global actors, providing critical insights that shaped the WHO Foundation's thematic programming strategy.

HEALTH AI (formerly I-DAIR)
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Communications and Engagement Lead

Summary

Led collaboration strategies and agreements with institutional partners, managed external communications, and oversaw stakeholder mapping for global AI and digital health initiatives.

Highlights

Led collaboration strategies and agreements with institutional partners (governments, foundations, civil society, private sector, international organizations) to ensure optimal participation geometry at launch.

Managed all external communications, events, and media relations, producing outcome reports and messaging for global AI and digital health ventures.

Managed comprehensive stakeholder mapping of existing global partners engaged in AI and digital health, informing strategic outreach and engagement.

Jembi Health Systems South Africa
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Senior Programme Manager

Summary

Managed multiple programme areas focused on supporting the South African National Department of Health's digital health strategy, including electronic health records, with a project value of USD 5 million.

Highlights

Managed a $5 million program focused on supporting the South African National Department of Health's digital health strategy, specifically enhancing electronic health records.

Improved the accuracy of the national 90-90-90 HIV Report by focusing on continued care across healthcare facilities.

Ensured efficient expenditure of USAID-USG grants and accurate reporting, adhering strictly to donor guidelines for a national health department client.

Family Business (Sugar Cane Farm)
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Co-Manager

Summary

Co-managed a commercial-scale family sugar cane farm, overseeing all financial operations and daily business activities.

Highlights

Managed all financial aspects, including budgeting, accounting, and cash flow, for a commercial-scale sugar cane farm.

Directed day-to-day operational activities, ensuring continuity and efficiency of farm production and business processes.

Navigated business operations through a challenging family health period, demonstrating resilience and operational leadership.

Health Promotion Board Singapore (Ministry of Health Singapore Government)
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Deputy Director Regional Health Systems Engagement

Summary

Ensured achievement of 2020 goals for high-priority non-communicable diseases across Singapore, increasing chronic disease screening and follow-up with a value of SGD 3 million per year.

Highlights

Achieved 2020 goals for high-priority non-communicable diseases across Singapore, increasing chronic disease screening and follow-up, representing SGD 3 million in annual value.

Developed and implemented a 5-year strategic plan with KPIs to establish a health ecosystem that ensured promised health outcomes for the Ministry of Health.

Reported monthly on progress against allocated KPIs (outcome and budget indicators), achieving 95% spend, to the Ministry of Health and Ministers of Parliament.

Health Promotion Board Singapore
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Deputy Director Communicable Disease Education

Summary

Managed the spread of HIV, TB, and Flu across Singapore through detection and prevention - behaviour change, overseeing a programme value of $5 million per annum.

Highlights

Managed end-to-end projects valued at $5 million per annum focused on controlling the spread of HIV, TB, and Flu across Singapore through detection and prevention strategies.

Oversaw grant management for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to support public health initiatives.

Led comprehensive program management for vulnerable populations (sex workers, men who have sex with men, migrant workers) for HIV screening and prevention campaigns.

Led cross-Ministry project engagement to strengthen the holistic whole-of-government health system.

Spearheaded the Board's ASEAN-level engagement on HIV and AIDS initiatives.

Dance4Life South Africa
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Managing Director

Summary

Established and scaled an NGO across 55 schools in 3 Provinces of South Africa, aiming to reduce HIV transmission in high-at-risk youth as part of the Dance4Life Global Franchise.

Highlights

Established and scaled an NGO across 55 schools in 3 Provinces of South Africa, significantly contributing to HIV transmission reduction among high-at-risk youth.

Designed and implemented the overall organizational structure and necessary governance systems for the NGO.

Cultivated and fostered long-term donor relations with key organizations (HIVOS, Stop AIDS Now, DFID) to secure sustained funding for program operations.

University of Cape Town's HIV/AIDS Unit
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Programme Manager

Summary

Managed projects focused on reducing HIV infections within the student population and in informal settlements across the Western Cape and other African Universities through partnerships.

Highlights

Managed projects to reduce HIV infections among student populations and in neighboring informal settlements across the Western Cape of South Africa.

Collaborated with partner universities and NGOs to implement public health initiatives effectively across diverse communities.

Volunteer

Remote Coders
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Volunteer Coach

Summary

Mentored aspiring young digital professionals in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

Highlights

Mentored aspiring young digital professionals from LMICs, providing guidance and support to foster their skill development and career growth.

Data Science for Health Discovery & Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) Initiative
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Working Group Member

Summary

Contributed as a working group member to the Data Science for Health Discovery & Innovation in Africa Initiative.

Highlights

Contributed to strategic discussions and initiatives as a Working Group Member for the Data Science for Health Discovery & Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) Initiative.

MULTIMONDO
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Volunteer

Summary

Supported migrant integration services in Biel, Switzerland.

Highlights

Provided support for migrant integration services in Biel, Switzerland, facilitating community cohesion and support.

LangSamer Biel
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General

Summary

Community Vegetable garden work

Education

University of the Western Cape

Masters

Public Health

University of KwaZulu Natal

Master's

Business Administration (Strategic Management)

University of South Africa

B. A. Honours

Industrial Psychology

University of Cape Town

Bachelor of Social Science

Psychology and Organisational Psychology

Languages

English
Afrikaans
isiZulu
German

Skills

Health systems Strengthening

Low and middle income countries, Enabling environment.

Digital Health Systems Strengthening

Policy, Advocacy, Budget, Legislation.

Management & Leadership

Strategic Project Management, End-to-End Project Management, Financial Governance, Budgeting, Forecasting, Variance Analysis, Audit Preparation, Donor Compliance (USAID, GIZ, Botnar), MEAL Systems Oversight, Change Management Strategies, Impact Reporting, Business Development, Fundraising, Strategic Partnerships, Intelligence Gathering, Policy Influence & Advocacy, Team Leadership, Coaching, Mentorship, Performance Appraisal, Competency-Based Capacity Building, Multi-Stakeholder Engagement, Coalition-Building, Systems Transformation.

Technical & Digital Tools

Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, ChatGPT, Claude AI, Microsoft Copilot, Fluxx, Smartsheet, Trello, Salesforce, Slack, MailChimp, WordPress, Xero, Approvalmax, Airtable, COVIDENCE, MIRO, ArcGIS, Operational Digitization, Adaptive Digital Infrastructure.

AI & Data Strategy

Generative AI Application, Prompt Engineering, Data-Driven Donor Proposals, Complex Report Analysis, Actionable Insights Extraction, Policy Brief Support, Advocacy Material Development.

Compliance & Risk Management

Due Diligence Processes, Operational Policies, Risk Mitigation, Donor Compliance.

Business Development
Public Health & Global Health

Digital Health, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), HIV/AIDS Prevention & Control, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Community Health, Health Policy & Legislative Advocacy, Global Health Discourse, Business Development.

Interests