Fannie Nthakomwa

Fannie is a multi-disciplinary expert with more than 17 years of experience in the development and governance sectors. As the Deputy Regional Director, she is responsible for overseeing the management and operation of all programmes implemented at the country level within the southern African region for improved programme performance and coherence with organizational and donor objectives. She also serves as the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the Southern Africa Political Parties and Dialogue (SAPP&D). Prior to this, she served as the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) and DWF Country Director for Zambia. Fannie has wide experience in governance promotion of policy dialogue, citizen participation, responsiveness, transparency and accountability as well as strengthening democratic governance and institutions. She is also well experienced in legislative and parliamentary work, programme management and strategic planning. Before joining DWF, Fannie worked with a broad range of actors in management positions including serving as Programme Manager at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) Malawi, as Deputy Country Director and Programs Coordinator with the Swedish Organization for Individual Relief (SOIR) and as Project Manager for the jointly funded Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and DFID Economic Governance Project in Malawi. She also has hands-on experience in grants management and setting up grants making systems having worked as Deputy Team Leader and Head of Operations for a £19 million multi-donor (DFID, Royal Norwegian Embassy and Irish Aid) pooled grant-making facility in Malawi (the Tilitonse Fund). As a DWF Master trainer and facilitator, Fannie provides organizational capacity development support through training, mentorship and coaching. Her academic background, in which she holds an MSc in Agriculture Economics from University of Malawi, and her practical experience in governance provides the much-needed nexus between politics and development.