Dorothy N. Chibbonta

Dorothy N. Chibbonta

What Did you enjoy about the program?

Participating in the Research Tools & Software in Biostatistics program was an enriching experience that strengthened both my technical capacity and confidence in handling complex data tasks.

I particularly enjoyed how each module was structured to build upon the previous one, creating a coherent learning journey from foundational concepts to advanced analytical tools.

The exposure to statistical symbols and their real-world application helped deepen my understanding of core bio-statistical principles, making it easier to appreciate the logic behind various analytical techniques used in research.

The program was especially engaging because it blended theory with hands-on practice. Learning to work with tools such as Enketo, KoboCollect, Google Forms’ advanced features, and SurveyMonkey showed me how versatile and powerful modern data-collection platforms can be.

These sessions were practical, interactive, and directly relevant to my social science fieldwork, which made me appreciate the importance of choosing the right tool for different data-collection environments.

I enjoyed being able to compare platforms and understand the strengths each brings to research. Another highlight for me was exploring a diverse range of data-analysis and visualization software.

Working with Power BI, SAS, SPSS, Tableau, and R-Studio exposed me to a wide ecosystem of analytical tools that are shaping the future of evidence-based decision making.

I particularly enjoyed seeing how artificial intelligence is being integrated into tools like SPSS to enhance analytical efficiency.

The modules on descriptive and inferential statistics, hypothesis testing, and statistics in decision making brought everything together, allowing me to apply the tools in meaningful ways and interpret results with greater accuracy.

Overall, what I enjoyed most was how the program made biostatistics approachable, modern, and relevant. The blend of classical statistical foundations with cutting-edge digital tools gave me a well-rounded skill set that I can confidently apply in real-world projects.

The practical in class discussions, expert facilitation, and the opportunity to work with industry-standard platforms made the learning experience both empowering and inspiring.

This program has not only deepened my appreciation for biostatistics but has also strengthened my ability to contribute effectively to data-driven work across multiple disciplines.

PROFILE

Name: Dorothy N. Chibbonta

Dorothy N. Chibbonta is a development practitioner and emerging research professional with over nine years of experience in program administration, policy implementation, public sector support, and evidence-based decision-making. She has developed a strong foundation in analytical work, data-driven planning, and the use of research insights to strengthen social protection, education, and community development programs across Zambia.

Her participation in this course reflects a growing commitment to integrating quantitative methods into her work, particularly in areas such as social protection analysis, adolescent health programming, education reform, community research, and policy diagnostics. She has increasingly engaged in roles requiring structured problem-solving, data interpretation, monitoring and evaluation, and preparation of analytical papers for departmental and inter-governmental use.

Dorothy currently serves as a Social Welfare Officer under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services in Zambia. In this role, she collects, analyses, and synthesizes data on social protection and human rights to inform departmental planning and diagnostic studies. She supports the delivery of Cash Transfer schemes, conducts home assessments for vulnerable individuals, develops monitoring tools for social protection programs, and collaborates with partners such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) among others. Her experience has involved working on multi-sectorial interventions, including contributions to the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment & Livelihoods (GEWEL) project, facilitation of scholarships for vulnerable persons, and coordination of repatriation initiatives for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.

These roles strengthened her skills in research documentation, policy interpretation, stakeholder coordination, and evidence-informed program design.
Before joining her current role, Dorothy served in various research and program leadership capacities that deepened her ability to manage data, coordinate field research, and apply analytical tools in practical development settings. As a Chief Affairs Officer in the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, she managed departmental data systems, supported field research, monitored local governance programs, coordinated stakeholder platforms, and contributed to policy processes—including by-law development on early marriage prevention. She also played a lead secretariat role in district project implementation of EU/GIZ-funded initiatives.

Earlier in her career with Good Neighbors International, she co-designed community-level behaviour change programs, conducted regular child rights trainings, supported monitoring and evaluation activities. She contributed to the development of strategic tools useful for sexual and reproductive health education sessions across multiple communities.

These experiences cemented her ability to translate research findings into program action and to communicate complex information to both technical and community audiences.
Dorothy has also worked as a consultant with international development organizations, including Palladium International and the Education Partnerships Group. Her roles involved supporting development of monitoring frameworks, maintaining project management systems, analyzing sector data, coordinating multi-stakeholder processes, and supporting policy reform engagements with Government partners.

Through these assignments, she has built a reputation for precision, analytical clarity, and strong documentation practices. Her exposure to biostatistics software through the recent training course enriched these experiences by providing computational skills that complement her already strong grounding in research, social analysis, and monitoring and evaluation. Dorothy is particularly interested in leveraging modern data tools to strengthen program diagnostics, improve quality of evidence in social protection and education, and support public sector–oriented research in the future.

Dorothy holds a Master of Arts in Development Studies from the University of Zambia. She has additional training in Public Policy Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation.
With a unique blend of analytical skills, research experience, technical coordination expertise, and newly strengthened biostatistics competencies, Dorothy is committed to advancing evidence-based development practice. She aims to contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives that use statistical tools to improve service delivery, strengthen public systems, and enhance outcomes for vulnerable populations in Zambia and beyond.

Professional Summary

Program administrator skilled in managing and coordinating projects. Possess over nine years' experience in project administration, implementation and building successful compliance programs within the public sector and Non-Profit Organizations. Analytical, problem solver and possess strength in collaborating with team members, both remotely and in person. Skilled in maintaining and tracking project management systems and meeting deliverables under tight deadlines.

Proficient in working with different to ensure successful implementation of programmes. Able to provide direct support to Senior Management Team on the overall operation of the program. Possess ability to work in a fast-paced environment and comfortable working with diverse teams at regional and global levels.

Work History

Ministry of Community Development and Social Services-Social Welfare Officer. Mumbwa, Zambia 11/2023 –current

 Collect relevant data on social protection and human rights, and conduct data analysis to inform departmental diagnostic studies and work planning.

 Collaborate with the Ministry of Education (MoE) in the implementation of Girls Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL) Project through the provision of social protection incentives and devising initiatives to curb early marriages among adolescent secondary school girls to improve retention among girls.

 Facilitate and coordinate Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) scholarships for vulnerable students within the district.

 Facilitate the delivery of the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) scheme and develop tools and mechanisms for monitoring social protection programmes.

 Conduct homes assessments for vulnerable persons and individuals in need of care such as disabled, economically poor, aged) and linking them to public welfare assistance services.

 Work with Development Alternatives Inc (DAI) to implement the Scaling Up Nutrition initiative (SUN II). Provide guidance in social and nutrition sensitive cases and advocate good hygiene practices.

 Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders working to advance social development within the district.

 Plan, organize and coordinate ad hoc district technical expert group meetings.

 Conduct desk reviews and prepare various written papers such as draft background papers, sections of research reports and studies, and summary reports for dissemination within the Ministry and other Government departments.

 Attend stakeholder meetings with both Government and non-Governmental officials and take detailed meeting minutes for departmental and external circulation and communication.

Skills

 Strategic Planning and Analytical skills

 Relationship management and remote working

 Microsoft Office 365 and technical support

 Procurement and budget coordination

 Event planning and administrative support

 Documenting and Information management

 Collaborating and knowledge sharing

 Research

Education

Graduation 05/2024

University of Zambia Lusaka Master of Arts: Development Studies 2015

The University of Zambia Lusaka Bachelor of Arts Degree: Library and Information studies and Development Studies

Short Courses

Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs – Chief Affairs Officer Mumbwa. Zambia 06/2019 - 07/2021

 Disseminated Policy guidelines and negotiated successful implementation of government policies to facilitate conflict resolution in traditional governing structures and local community establishments.

 Facilitated formation of by-laws to curb early marriages in 2 traditional establishments with over 800 villages.

 Introduced structure by developing and documenting formal administration processes and procedures to provide consistency for audit and program monitoring.

 Managed the department’s data management systems and reported on programs implemented in local governance administration to measure impact.

 Worked with multiple stakeholders to appoint and support local community production committees.

 Managed the European Union (EU)/the Deutsche Gesellschaft für international Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) grant and liaised with the donors to ensure compliance during project implementation.

 Organised and maintained the Ministry’s and GIZ’s digital files, documents, templates and tools for easy retrieval and reference.

 Appointed secretariat of the District Expert Team (DET) on the EU/GIZ project, to lead on creating annual activity calendar, managing stakeholder relationships, project contract and costs, program

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Risk management to ensure that mitigation measures are undertaken, and project desired performance results are achieved.

 Worked with consultants from NIRAS, DAI Inc and other organisations to support program implementation and ease roll out of project management systems.

 Coordinated the Ministry’s field research, analysis and program monitoring and evaluation within the district.

Good Neighbors International-Zambia – Project officer Lusaka 01/2016 - 06/2019

 Developed and implemented a highly effective teen pregnancy prevention program, working towards achieving the community goal of reducing pregnancies among school going children for 13–18-year-olds in four Community Development project

 Advocated for the rights of children and conducted regular community training through various means such as puppet shows and community roundtable meetings to keep people abreast on child laws.

 Conducted home assessments to ensure children were growing in a child-friendly environment.

 Facilitated after-school interactive sessions as well as regular stakeholder roundtable discussions to enhance sex education efforts, encourage personal responsibility, and encourage communications pertaining to sexual reproductive health among adolescent school going children.

 Working with the Program Manager, co- designed the GNZ’s Good Teacher’ Child rights campaign tool where 400 rural based teachers had been capacitated on children’s rights based on the UN’s Convention on the Rights of a Child.

 Developed and maintained relationships with key stakeholders in both the Public Sector and Non-Governmental organizations.

 Regularly updated project documents to track project progress and conduct monitoring and evaluation through performance and risk monitoring, and scenario planning to anticipate project risks and provide strategic action.

 Designated Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) champion within the department. I supported the Operations and Learning Manager in Public Policy Analysis, Development,

Monitoring and Evaluation (University of Zambia, Lusaka-2024)

the design and implementation of monitoring frameworks to track programmes against the designed evaluation matrices.

 Controlled data quality standards and compliance during project delivery to enhance corporate governance.

 Documented lessons learnt and shared success stories to provide learning points for delivery of future projects to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Consultancy

Palladium International, LLC – Edufinance Africa Consultant 02/2024 – 03/2025: Remote (part-time)

 Lead on creation and regular update of project documents including programme and project-level workplans, monitoring and learning

frameworks, and reporting templates.

 Coordinate meeting set ups and facilitate communication across various stakeholders.

 Conduct stakeholder analysis and map influential stakeholders for key policy reform activities.

 Develop an outlined checklist process and track status for Ministerial sign-off on prioritized reform activities.

 Develop templates for obtaining Ministerial sign-off of prioritized reform activities.

 Contribute to development of policy options note and Ministeria technical brief.

 Engage Government officials on draft policy papers to obtain feedback and consensus.

Education Partnerships Group – Associate 07/2021 – 11/2023: Remote (Full-time)

 Regularly updated project documents including programme and project-level workplans, monitoring and learning frameworks, and reporting templates.

 Maintained EPG Zambia’s Share point system and managed key backup offline documents in instances of MS system failure.

 Developed monthly and quarterly reports to fulfill donors and partners reporting requirements.

 Created files and documents for use by new hires and retrieval for the current team.

 Developed ‘how to guide’ on utilisation of Trello and outlined the flow of documents for internal quality checks.

 Assisted onboarding of EPG staff. Trained and supported new senior/associates on EPG’s project management systems.

 Appointed champion to support team members through the migration of EPG old dashboard project management to the revised project management tool.

 Built and maintained relationships with local vendors and contractors to ensure that supplies and operations needs of team members are met.

 Coordinated and planned for stakeholder meetings with Ministry of Education and other key education stakeholders.

 Supported Program Manager to design in-country strategy for low-fee private school program implementation.

 Collated relevant data and information on the education sector and conducted data analysis to inform diagnostic studies and work planing