Ratanang Balisi
Project Management Specialist
Gaborone,GA
Summary
Award-Winning Global Health Leader | Strategic Project Developer | USAID/PEPFAR Expert Visionary and results-oriented public health executive with over 24 years of progressive leadership, including 14 years at USAID/Botswana, managing strategic programs in HIV Care & Treatment, TB/HIV, PMTCT, NCDs, PHC, and Community Health. Proven expertise in designing, leading, and overseeing projects, and has successfully managed 11+ high-impact USAID/PEPFAR-funded projects—that are both U.S. founded and local partners, even up to four mechanisms concurrently. Recognized for driving innovation in health systems strengthening, accelerating digital transformation, and aligning country-led initiatives with U.S. foreign policy priorities and return-on-investment principles. Repeatedly honored for exceptional performance and leadership by USAID and the Global Health Bureau. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health. Holder of an MBA and a bachelor’s in social work.
Results-driven development professional with proven experience in designing and implementing impactful programs. Skilled in project management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. Strong team collaborator, adaptable to changing needs, and focused on achieving measurable outcomes. Highly reliable, with commitment to fostering productive partnerships and driving successful initiatives.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Certifications
Work History
Project Development Specialist (HIV Care & Treatment)
USAID/Botswana
01.2011 - Current
- Spearheaded design, implementation, and management of 11+ multimillion-dollar USAID/PEPFAR projects, achieving >95-98-98 HIV epidemic control targets.
- Led strategic areas: Community Health, Primary Health Care (PHC), PMTCT, HIV Care, TB/HIV, NCDs, and digital health innovations; key USAID/PEPFAR liaison with Government of Botswana (GoB) and multilateral stakeholders.
- Successfully chaired project design and Merit Review Committees for transformative programs like APC 2.0, C4, and local partner transition, leading to timely, high-impact awards.
- Oversaw policy development and guideline formulation, including the landmark Integrated Community Health Guidelines and Curriculum, driving systemic PHC revitalization.
- Co-authored national PHC studies; co-investigator on HIV Surveillance and Recency Studies.
- Led USAID's engagement in Botswana’s elimination of mother to child transmission (eMTCT) Gold Tier achievement, positioning community health as essential in vertical transmission elimination.
- Abstract accepted at IAS 2024, Munich— 'Closing the final gap of vertical transmission through scale-up of community interventions for EID.'
- Presented in the Africa State of the Art Conference in Johannesburg South Africa, a) Presentation; (Closing the 5-2-2 gap in the facility -community interface: Community health workers) b) Dev Talk; (leveraging PEPFAR to revitalize PHC) and c) Plenary session (Community Health Approaches).
- Served as AOR/Activity Manager for 11+ USAID bilateral and Washington-based mechanisms, including FHI360, KNCV, Steppingstones International, Tebelopele, and URC.
- Provided technical and managerial oversight: work plans, budgets, Site Improvement Monitoring System (SIMS), site visits, expenditure tracking, performance monitoring, and partner capacity building.
- Facilitated data analytics, reporting (POART, Monitoring, Evaluation Reporting (MER), Country Operational Planning (COP), Technical Area Narratives (TANS), and DATIM entry).
- USAID/PEPFAR TWG Chair/Co-Chair for HIV Care & Treatment (7 terms) and member of TWGs on OVC/DREAMS, NCDs, COVID-19, Prevention.
- Represented USAID at national TWGs: PHC, eMTCT, TB/HIV, Validation Committee Member for Botswana’s gold tier eMTCT certification, Global Fund's Community Engagement Strategic Initiative for GC7 TB/HIV/RSSH grant-making.
- Engaged across regional and global forums including the International PHC Conference (Addis, 2023) and SOTA Africa (2024).
National NGO Coordinator
Ministry of Local Government, Botswana
01.2008 - 01.2011
- National-level leadership of NGO/CBO registration, compliance, and donor coordination across HIV/AIDS and OVC sectors.
- Capacity building and technical assistance for over 100 NGO/CBOs on governance and accountability.
Project Officer
MASIELA TRUST FUND (Seconded to BOCAIP)
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Oversight of OVC programming, community health outreach, M&E, and staff supervision in Molepolole.
Centre Coordinator, Supervisor, Counselor
BOCAIP, Botswana
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Program management across HIV prevention, care, psychosocial support, and TB services; led 20+ staff and CHWs.
Social Worker (Internships)
Gaborone City Council & DITSHWANELO
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Delivered social services and human rights education for underserved communities.
Education
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) -
Walden University
01.2018 - Current
MBA - undefined
University of Botswana
Bachelor of Social Work - undefined
University of Botswana
Skills
ChatGPT
Certification
Global PHC Course, International Institute for PHC, 2025
Honors And Awards
- Global Health Bureau Achievement Award – USAID
- Multiple Eagle & Mission Honor Awards, USAID/Botswana
- Champion of Community Health Institutionalization
- Global Fund Proposal Development Committee Member, 2017–2018
- TWG Chair – PEPFAR Botswana, HIV Care & Treatment (multiple years)
Publications
- Closing the Final Gap..., Poster Presentation, IAS 2024, Munich
- Monitoring GeneXpert Quality in Botswana, 2018
- Overcoming Barriers to Change in Community Health Workforce, AJPH, 2018
- Undergraduate Thesis: Escalating HIV in Botswana, 2001
Timeline
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) -
Walden University
01.2018 - Current
Project Development Specialist (HIV Care & Treatment)
USAID/Botswana
01.2011 - Current
National NGO Coordinator
Ministry of Local Government, Botswana
01.2008 - 01.2011
Project Officer
MASIELA TRUST FUND (Seconded to BOCAIP)
01.2004 - 01.2007
Centre Coordinator, Supervisor, Counselor
BOCAIP, Botswana
01.2001 - 01.2004
Social Worker (Internships)
Gaborone City Council & DITSHWANELO
01.1999 - 01.2000
MBA - undefined
University of Botswana
Bachelor of Social Work - undefined
University of Botswana
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