Meet Our Dedicated Team
Human Resources
At EDFO, we believe that the strength of our organization lies in the collective efforts of our passionate and skilled team. From our visionary board members to our committed staff and volunteers, we are united in our mission to foster community development and empowerment. Learn more about the people behind our impactful work.”
Staff Members
At EDFO, we believe that the strength of our organization lies in the collective efforts of our passionate and skilled team. From our visionary board members to our committed staff and volunteers, we are united in our mission to foster community development and empowerment. Learn more about the people behind our impactful work.”
Noel Kihoza (PhD Candidate) Founder & Executive Director
Noel Kihoza is the Executive Director for and founder of EDFO since 2002. He has over 25 years of professional experience in virious strategic management roles in national and international organizations. Noel worked with as a senior credit officer and branch manager of Vision Fund Tanzania (one of the leading microfinance institutions in Tanzania) and World Vision Tanzania (7 years), founder and coordinator of Mwanza Children Network Action (9 years), he is part of the Mwanza Cluster for Prevention of Violence Against Children-PVAC (one of the directors, 5th year now), has been one of advisory board members for Heifer Project International (Tanzania, 3 years), worked as a resource person for Interteam Namibia and Tanzania (2 years), worked as the country deputy general secretary for Tanzania Evangelical Fellowship (part of AEA/WEA, 10 years), worked as one of the SADC election observers in Zimbabwe (2 times) representing non-state actors, worked as one of the curriculum developers for Mwanza University, was one of the team members (representing NGOs) to develop and launch National Curriculum for Financial Inclusion Educator Program under Bank of Tanzania (BoT). Financial literacy is part of this program.
Noel has extensive experience in conducting baselines surveys, researches, education policy monitoring, strategic community planning and management, financial management, human resource management. He has a strong and proven skills and ability to build and develop organizational capacity for CSOs-NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, professional organizations, companies, government (councils), groups and institutions.
Noel has been part of many national and international initiatives capitalizing on his capacity and competencies in various development areas.
Noel holds a BA in Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam, masters in business administration (MBA) from Maastricht School of Management/Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (MsM/ESAMI), education for Sustainable Development from the Aharon Ofri MASHAV International Educational Training Centre-Jerusalem, Israel and he is now pursuing DBM from America International University (AIU).
Noel has attended various professional and capacity building short courses both inside and outside Tanzania which have hugely contributed to his ability and competency to plan, design, undertake and successfully manage various community based programs/projects.
Marco M Shija Program Director
Establish and maintain working relationships with key stakeholders, government, civil society organizations, and community leaders; developing and leading communication and advocacy efforts to raise awareness of the organization's mission and programs. Marco Shija is Program Director for EDFO. He is a graduate from University of Dar es Salam and Institute of Rural Development for bachelor degree (Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies - BAGES) and Masters degree (Masters in Environmental Planning and Management - MEPM) respectively! Marco has attended various capacity building programs in parenting for respectability, school club formation and management, community mobilization and facilitation, training of trainers, formation and management of VSLAs, youth and women economic empowerment, community entry and facilitation, amongst others! He has about 10 years working with EDFO now, whose responsibilities include community program planning, coordinating, managing and evaluating. Being with EDFO, (in addition to the above responsibilities) Marco has developed requisite knowledge, skills, capabilities and experience in teamwork and building relationship with development stakeholders who are critical to the success of EDFO’s mission. This has helped a lot in implementing projects which involve various stakeholders from the beginning to the end.
Agreement Mbogela Project Officer
Sensitize, support, educate, advocate, empower, and collaborate with communities to promote health, prevention, and outreach initiatives targeting all community members especially children in and out of schools (adolescents).
Sande Pius Program Manager and Admin Assistant
Designing, planning, and executing initiatives that align with the Foundation's mission; Coordinate with stakeholders; Monitor & evaluate program outcomes; Manage program budgets and report on progress to stakeholders; Foster partnerships to enhance the impact of the Foundation's work; Coordinate and schedule events and appointments ; Respond to inquiries and assist with admin issues; Assist with the day-to-day office operations; Manage communication, maintain office supplies; Support the team in admin functions.
Michael Kisabo Project Officer
Sensitize, support, educate, advocate, empower, and collaborate with communities to promote health, violence prevention, and outreach initiatives targeting all community members especially children in and out of schools and women.
Edina Finance Officer
Overseeing the financial operations and financial planning of the organization; execution, analyzing, evaluating, recommending and improving organization's initiatives; developing and coordinating financial auditing and economic development marketing strategies.
Patrick John Project Officer
Sensitize, support, educate, advocate, empower, and collaborate with communities to promote health, violence prevention, and outreach initiatives targeting all community members especially children in and out of schools (adolescents) and women.
Joseph Mwolozi M & E Associate
Conducting baseline survey, research activities, analyzing data, monitoring project progress, evaluating outcomes, and facilitating continuous learning, interpret data, track project performance, assess impact, and contribute to evidence-based decision-making.
Elisha NoelVolunteer
Organizing and coordinating community volunteers (Community Health Workers/Community Change Agents/Community Based Facilitators) for respective community activities.
Achieng Communication Officer
Digital content creation, copy writing articles, publications, newsletters, profile, reports and press releases. Execute a branding strategy for EDFO.
Neema KazimiliOffice Assistant
Planning and implementing the cleanup of the office building according to specific plan and schedule, keeping toilets in every room clean and ventilated, maintain hygiene of the surrounding space of the office building, keep the kitchen area clean, supporter in inventorying and purchasing goods for the office.
What does our Team do?
EDFO staff team comprises various professionals with moderate to a vast experience in working with community. The team empowers/equips vulnerable community members including children, youth/adolescents, women and men to become agents of change, through community led and centered capacity building interventions.
Our team (including volunteers and supporters) have dedicated and committed their resources (energy/efforts, time, knowledge/skills/experience) to make a difference in the lives of marginalized/vulnerable community groups.
Noel Kihoza (PhD Candidate) Founder & Executive Director
Noel Kihoza is the Executive Director for and founder of EDFO since 2002. He has over 25 years of professional experience in virious strategic management roles in national and international organizations. Noel worked with as a senior credit officer and branch manager of Vision Fund Tanzania (one of the leading microfinance institutions in Tanzania) and World Vision Tanzania (7 years), founder and coordinator of Mwanza Children Network Action (9 years), he is part of the Mwanza Cluster for Prevention of Violence Against Children-PVAC (one of the directors, 5th year now), has been one of advisory board members for Heifer Project International (Tanzania, 3 years), worked as a resource person for Interteam Namibia and Tanzania (2 years), worked as the country deputy general secretary for Tanzania Evangelical Fellowship (part of AEA/WEA, 10 years), worked as one of the SADC election observers in Zimbabwe (2 times) representing non-state actors, worked as one of the curriculum developers for Mwanza University, was one of the team members (representing NGOs) to develop and launch National Curriculum for Financial Inclusion Educator Program under Bank of Tanzania (BoT). Financial literacy is part of this program.
Noel has extensive experience in conducting baselines surveys, researches, education policy monitoring, strategic community planning and management, financial management, human resource management. He has a strong and proven skills and ability to build and develop organizational capacity for CSOs-NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, professional organizations, companies, government (councils), groups and institutions.
Noel has been part of many national and international initiatives capitalizing on his capacity and competencies in various development areas.
Noel holds a BA in Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam, masters in business administration (MBA) from Maastricht School of Management/Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (MsM/ESAMI), education for Sustainable Development from the Aharon Ofri MASHAV International Educational Training Centre-Jerusalem, Israel and he is now pursuing DBM from America International University (AIU).
Noel has attended various professional and capacity building short courses both inside and outside Tanzania which have hugely contributed to his ability and competency to plan, design, undertake and successfully manage various community based programs/projects.
Charles ChamshamaChairperson
Charles Chamshama joins the board as chairperson.
Blandina KatumbaTreasurer
Blandina Katumba is one of the funding members of EDFO. She is a graduate of Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) bachelors in business administration (BBA) and she is currently pursuing master of business administration (MBA) in project management from World Academy for Research and Development – London UK. She has played a big role in taking off of EDFO’s operations especially in the early years of its existence. She oversaw the human resources department, marketing, project planning and management and resource mobilization both locally and internationally to help EDFO work with communities in delivering services efficiently. She has a vast experience in working with international organizations. She worked with Family Health International (FHI) as administrative assistant assuming various responsibilities in the office and in the field (community). Due to her capacity, dedication and commitment to work, she was hired by Americares Tanzania where she is currently working as a project administrative officer (PAO) responsible for planning, coordinating, managing, monitoring and evaluating community activities. Through Americares, she has been able to work with USAID as one of the great international donors. This has expanded her capacity and experience which is valuable to EDFO’s work!
Marco M Shija Member
Establish and maintain working relationships with key stakeholders, government, civil society organizations, and community leaders; developing and leading communication and advocacy efforts to raise awareness of the organization's mission and programs. Marco Shija is Program Director for EDFO. He is a graduate from University of Dar es Salam and Institute of Rural Development for bachelor degree (Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies - BAGES) and Masters degree (Masters in Environmental Planning and Management - MEPM) respectively! Marco has attended various capacity building programs in parenting for respectability, school club formation and management, community mobilization and facilitation, training of trainers, formation and management of VSLAs, youth and women economic empowerment, community entry and facilitation, amongst others! He has about 10 years working with EDFO now, whose responsibilities include community program planning, coordinating, managing and evaluating. Being with EDFO, (in addition to the above responsibilities) Marco has developed requisite knowledge, skills, capabilities and experience in teamwork and building relationship with development stakeholders who are critical to the success of EDFO’s mission. This has helped a lot in implementing projects which involve various stakeholders from the beginning to the end.