Meet The Team

Semkae Kilonzo began work at Policy Forum in 2007 as the lead responsible for media, communication and advocacy at the network’s secretariat office as part of the organisation’s desire to see policy analysis information widely disseminated to policy makers, civil society and the general public. He has since assumed the role of Coordinator, heading the Secretariat. He is also on the Steering Committee of the Global Movement for Budget Transparency, Accountability and Participation (BTAP). Semkae holds a Masters degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Cardiff University, U.K. and received his earlier media training in Dublin Ireland and the Tanzania School of Journalism. He is also an alumnus of the Public Service Accountability Monitor (Fundamentals of Social Accountability Monitoring Course) of Rhodes University, South Africa. Among his many interests, Semkae is passionate about encouraging public participation in policy making and championing the equitable use of public resources.”

Prisca Kowa works at Policy Forum as a Senior Officer for Local Governance and Stakeholders Relations. Prior to acquire that position she worked as a Program Assistant for Capacity Enhancement and later a Program Officer for Local Governance. Before joining Policy Forum, Prisca worked with CARE International and Aga Khan Foundation respectively. In both organizations she worked around community development projects. Prisca possess a massive experience on local governance related issues and how they are administered in Tanzania. Academically, she holds a Master Degree of Research and Public Policy and a Bachelor Degree of Sociology both from the University of Dar es Salam. She is also an alumnus of the Public Service Accountability Monitor (Fundamentals of Social Accountability Monitoring Course) of Rhodes University, South Africa. Her passion is to see the implementation of policies results to the improved lives of Tanzanians within their locales.

Rashid Kulewa joined Policy Forum in the year 2010, He completed his certificate course in computer studies at ICL Training Centre. He had worked with different organizations like, FHI as a driver and Axios Foundation as an Assistant Logistic Officer/Driver.Rashid's interest is to see that the Tanzanian's benefit from their country's resources.

Nicholas Lekule | Manager - Budget and Policy Analysis

Nicholas Lekule joined Policy Forum in 2013 and works with the organisation as a manager responsible for Policy and Budget analysis. He has over ten years’ experience working with the Civil Society sector in Tanzania. At Policy Forum, Nicholas coordinates the work of the Budget Working Group (BWG) and that of the Tanzania Tax Justice Coalition (TTJC). The former brings together CSO whose work focuses on analysis of policies and budgets at the national level while the latter is a loose coalition of CSOs interested in seeing tax justice prevailing in the country.

Nicholas has vast experience in the area of public financial management/good governance. He has for a number of years now been involved in analysis of public policies including budgets, bills related to public financing and engagement with policy makers with the aim of improving policy processes to ensure that the existing policies as well as those that are being made work for the betterment of the lives of the people. Over the years of working with policy makers, he has seen improvements in policy processes and appreciation of the CSOs work by policy makers. Nicholas holds a Master’s degree in Development Policy and Practice for Civil Society offered by Bradford University. He is also an alumnus of the Public Service Accountability Monitor (Fundamentals of Social Accountability Monitoring Course) of Rhodes University, South Africa.

Hellen Massawe | Programme Officer - Budget and Policy Analysis

Hellen Massawe has recently joined Policy Forum as a Programme Assistant – Budget & Policy Analysis.  She is a graduate at the University of Dar es salaam where she was pursuing a degree of bachelor of Laws. She obtained a post graduate diploma in legal practice from Law School of Tanzania. Hellen has a comprehensive legal background that places prominence in policy making aspects. She finds satisfaction that comes from taking part in conceptual developments.

Haitham Kichwabuta| Programme Officer - Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL)

Haitham Kichwabuta has recently joined Policy Forum as Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer responsible for leading MEL activities in the organization. For more than four years, Haitham has been working in the field of Monitoring and Evaluation in environmental, agricultural and public health sector. She has a deep knowledge and understanding of project management, monitoring and evaluations and performed similar duties reporting to different donors when working with Oxfam in Tanzania and with a consultancy firm in her past experience before joining the organization. Haitham holds a degree in Environmental sciences and Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture and a candidate of a Master’s Degree of Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation in Health offered by Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences. She is longing to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in implementing Monitoring and Evaluations that is evidence-based and focuses on results.