Selina Darko (Nee Esantsi)
Stratford,USA
Summary
Experienced program manager with over ten years in program monitoring and report writing across reproductive health, gender, child survival, and education initiatives. Adept at collaborating with partners both local and international. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision. Great track record in improving program outcomes, and ensuring donor compliance.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Manager
Abilis
Greenwich, USA
09.2021 - Current
- Supervised and trained staff on the use of Therap app for accurate reporting and monitoring
- Created a secure, supportive environment for residents, fostering their independence and personal goals
- Documented and ensured compliance with healthcare guidelines and company policies to maintain program quality
Program/Monitoring Associate
Women In Need (WIN) Ghana
, Ghana
02.2020 - 08.2021
- Assisted in the preparation and revision of the Project Implementation Plan to align with donor objectives
- Contributed to the timely delivery of high-quality annual reports, ensuring donor satisfaction and adherence to guidelines
- Supported in drafting research and evaluation reports that informed key programmatic decisions and improvements
Program Officer to Senior Program Officer
Population Council
, Ghana
05.2008 - 12.2019
- Provided TA in the development and implementation of various activities associated with Population Council’s component of the Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality (R3M) program
- For the analysis and reporting of results from the R3M program
- Led the design and implementation of M&E studies, significantly improving data collection efficiency for the R3M program
- Coordinated with government agencies and NGOs to ensure timely project execution and alignment with donor expectations
- Managed results reporting, ensuring compliance with USAID and DFID standards
- Coordinated discussions and program activities for three projects (STEP UP, Adolescent Financial Literacy and Evidence) and between partners in the NGO and government agencies to ensure timely completion of goals
- Awarded, supervised/monitored sub awards and consultants
- Provided technical and administrative backstopping to the (USAID malaria) project
- Provide oversight and day-to-day management and administration of the DFID adolescent project
- Acted as Country Director during absence, overseeing staff and maintaining key project relationships with donors, partners, and government entities
- Successfully managed program budgets/monitored expenditure to ensure compliance with budget restrictions and advised on fund disbursements, ensuring financial health of all projects (including but not limited to review and approval of expense reports).
- Signatory to Population Council Bank accounts (Cedi & Dollar)
- Recruited local staff and consultants to support program needs (construction, evaluation and project management)
- Represented Population Council in program-related meetings and conferences both in and outside Ghana
Associate Researcher
Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG)
Accra, Ghana
06.2006 - 04.2008
- Developed and executed research protocols to collect data for a variety of projects.
- Drafted reports summarizing research findings and developed recommendations based on results.
Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) Field Coordinator
BASICS II Project
, Ghana
01.2002 - 12.2003
- Led the planning and implementation of Community IMCI activities in collaboration with local health staff, improving the quality of health services in districts
- Delivered technical assistance to ensure program success, directly contributing to USAID's project goals
- In collaboration with Country Team Leader (CTL) award contracts and monitor its timely execution
- Developed comprehensive reports on field activity progress.
- Prepared budgets for upcoming field projects and monitored expenditures.
Education
Master of Arts (MA) - Population Studies (Demography)
Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS)
Legon, Ghana01.2006
Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) - Population and Family Life
University of Cape Coast
Cape Coast, Ghana01.1999
Skills
- Organizational skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Donor reporting
- Budgeting
- Team leadership
- Staff supervision
- Program management abilities
- Budgeting and financial management
- Technical support
- Documentation
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
Certification
• American Heart Foundation First Aid CPR 2022
• State of Connecticut – DDS Medication Administration Certification 2022
• John’s Hopkins University Course Certificate COVID-19 Contact Tracing 2021
• AHCA, NCAL, CNA Online.com Certificate of Completion – Temporal Nurse Aide 2020
• 10th Annual Summer Institute in Reproductive Health and Development 2012 Analytic Skills for Programs and Policies Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore, USA
• Sustainable Microenterprise and Development Program - Ghana 2010 University of New Hamshire/Carsey Institute/GHAMFIN GIMPA, Ghana
Accomplishments
- Abilis Employee of the Month - March 2024 (7 months after employment)
- Published articles on Reproductive Health
- Article on 'Safe Space' Published in the Population Council Annual Report 2010
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant Manager
Abilis
09.2021 - Current
Program/Monitoring Associate
Women In Need (WIN) Ghana
02.2020 - 08.2021
Program Officer to Senior Program Officer
Population Council
05.2008 - 12.2019
Associate Researcher
Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG)
06.2006 - 04.2008
Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) Field Coordinator
BASICS II Project
01.2002 - 12.2003
• American Heart Foundation First Aid CPR 2022
• State of Connecticut – DDS Medication Administration Certification 2022
• John’s Hopkins University Course Certificate COVID-19 Contact Tracing 2021
• AHCA, NCAL, CNA Online.com Certificate of Completion – Temporal Nurse Aide 2020
• 10th Annual Summer Institute in Reproductive Health and Development 2012 Analytic Skills for Programs and Policies Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore, USA
• Sustainable Microenterprise and Development Program - Ghana 2010 University of New Hamshire/Carsey Institute/GHAMFIN GIMPA, Ghana
Master of Arts (MA) - Population Studies (Demography)
Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS)
Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) - Population and Family Life
University of Cape Coast
Similar Profiles
Kameika GonezKameika Gonez
Assistant Program Manager at AbilisAssistant Program Manager at Abilis
Alesha RossAlesha Ross
Counselor / Driver at AbilisCounselor / Driver at Abilis
Alesha RossAlesha Ross
Counselor / Driver at AbilisCounselor / Driver at Abilis