A medical doctor with postgraduate training in Public Health and Health Economics with specialist skills in program design and evaluations, strategic information management and data quality assessments, Dr. Rita Sonko has over 20 years’ experience in implementing, managing and providing technical assistance for health and social development programs. Over 17 years of her experience is implementing HIV combination prevention programs in Southern Africa which address both social and structural drivers as well as the biomedical interventions. Over 15 years of her experience includes developing and implementing capacity development initiatives aimed at strengthening capacities of program staff and policy makers to improve access, quality and use of strategic information for decision-making. Over the past ten years, Rita has gained extensive experience in designing and implementing evaluations for programs and policies implemented by government departments, International and National NGOs as well as community-based organizations. Her consultant work includes the Global Fund, UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO, Save the Children, PSI, FHI 360, Social Impact, Clear Outcomes, ICAP, IMA World Health (Corus) and ChildFund International. Rita supports several organizations to design and prepare bid responses for the US government, as well as the Global Fund and UN agencies. Rita is a current member of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) Strategic Information Technical Task Team that provides guidance and support in implementation of National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs. 

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