The Collective Mission Behind ChainOptix
We are a diverse group of experts dedicated to revolutionizing Zambian agriculture and social progress through transparent data and strategic innovation. Our team bridges the gap between grassroots needs and international expertise.
Leaderships
Ngaitila Phiri LLB(Hons)AHCZ, LLM
Chief Executive Officer
With over two decades of experience in rights-based programming across sub-Saharan Africa, Ms. Phiri most recently served as Social Protection Division Chief at USAID/Zambia, managing a $60 million portfolio spanning gender-based violence, key populations, and vulnerable youth. A seasoned convener and policy leader, she has chaired national task forces, drafted development frameworks, and built institutional capacity across government, civil society, and multilateral settings.
Simon Cole BSc. (Hons)
Director
A biochemist by training (University of Manchester), Simon brings nearly 40 years of end-to-end supply chain expertise across 28 countries. He has held senior roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing at Merck & Co and Aspen Pharma, and in medical devices at Durex and condomi. His work in low- to middle-income countries spans quantification, procurement, warehousing, and distribution, consistently delivering innovative, best-practice solutions.
Rabson Zyambo, DBA, MPH, BPharm, CIM.
Director
With over 26 years of experience, Rabson is a senior health supply chain specialist with a strong track record across government, quasi-government, and international development sectors. He has led donor-funded programmes in collaboration with USAID and the Zambian Ministry of Health, delivering measurable results in strategic planning, logistics design, procurement, and capacity building.
Lukonde Peter, BPharm, Dip.Pharm.
Director
Mr. Lukonde Peter is a Zambian pharmacist with 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical logistics, health supply chain management, and health systems strengthening. He leads national supply chain coordination for key public health programmes at the Ministry of Health HQ, including HIV, Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC), Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and epidemic preparedness and response. He serves as Chairperson of the National Pharmaceutical Track-and-Trace Technical Working Group (TWG), Chairperson of the Ministry of Health National Taskforce on Medicines Theft, and Secretariat to the Steering Committee on Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. He has also served as Secretariat to the Zambia National Formulary Committee and several other national technical committees, contributing to the development of pharmaceutical policies, regulatory frameworks, and governance systems. Mr. Lukonde has spearheaded strategic national initiatives, including coordinating the Project C.U.R.E. partnership, which has facilitated the donation of medical equipment and supplies to health facilities across Zambia. He works closely with international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, USAID, the Global Fund, PDU, UNFPA and other development partners to strengthen pharmaceutical systems, improve access to essential medicines, and enhance supply chain resilience. He is widely recognized for his leadership in pharmaceutical governance, health supply chain innovation, GS1 standards implementation, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the advancement of sustainable and resilient health systems in Zambia.
Consultants
Arlene H. Phiri, BA Ed., MCD
Principal Consultant (HIV Prevention and Public Health Strategy)
With over 20 years of leadership in HIV prevention and health communication across Zambia and Southern Africa, Arlene has managed multi-million dollar initiatives at USAID, Africare Zambia, and the National HIV/AIDS Council. At USAID, she developed and managed two flagship prevention projects: the Zambia Community HIV Prevention Project ($78M) and the Controlling HIV Epidemic for Key and Underserved Populations Project ($45M). She holds a Master's in Communication for Development and a Bachelor's in Education.
Dr. Nancy Kasese-Chanda; BScHB, MBCHB, MPH
Principal Consultant (TB, HIV treatment, Health Strategy and planning, global health security, capacity building)
A distinguished Zambian physician and public health specialist (MPH, University of Alabama at Birmingham), Dr. Kasese-Chanda has over two decades of experience leading major health initiatives in TB, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal and child health. She has held senior roles at USAID and Zambia's Ministry of Health, directing multi-million dollar programmes and advising on national health policy. A published researcher, she is also a committed advocate for mentorship and capacity building in health systems.
Dr. Godfrey Lingenda (BSc-HB, MBChB, MPH)
Principal Consultant (HIV Prevention and treatment, Maternal and Child Health, Malaria, Health Strategy and Planning, Health Systems Strengthening)
A medical doctor with a postgraduate specialisation in Public Health (University of Newcastle, Australia), Godfrey brings 20 years of experience across clinical practice and health systems management. He spent over a decade in senior Ministry of Health roles; including District Health Director and National Coordinator, overseeing donor-funded programmes spanning RMNCAH, TB/HIV, malaria, and disease surveillance. He also contributed seven years to Zambia's PEPFAR-supported HIV response and has taught epidemiology and health financing at postgraduate level.
Erin Berghammer, MS, MPH
Principal Consultant (Strategic Information, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning)
With over 14 years of experience in M&E and strategic information across sub-Saharan Africa, Erin most recently served as Strategic Information Division Chief at USAID/Zambia, leading monitoring, evaluation, and surveillance across one of the world's largest bilateral health portfolios, covering HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, family health, and systems strengthening. She has designed nationally adopted tools, led data alignment working groups, and driven measurable improvements in partner performance and data-informed resource allocation.
Charles Nyanoka
Principal Consultant (Business Advisor, Procurement Leadership, Systems Strengthening, Risk Mitigation & Compliance, Capacity Building & Local Ownership)
A business advisor and procurement specialist with over 15 years of international experience, Charles has led procurement strategies for USAID awards exceeding $100M annually, including Action HIV, ZamHealth, and TBLON, delivering cost savings and driving localization goals that increased direct local funding by 40%. He also brings private sector depth as lead procurement specialist on Mopani Copper Mines' $320M Synclinorium Shaft project. His expertise spans USG regulations (FAR, AIDAR), audit oversight, and stakeholder capacity building across health, governance, and economic growth sectors.
Kamiji Mulyata
Finance & Administration Specialist | Development & Donor-Funded Programs
With over 15 years supporting high-value donor-funded programmes at USAID/Zambia's Financial Management Office, Kamiji specialises in financial governance, budgeting, compliance, and partner performance. She is recognised for improving operational efficiency, strengthening partner accountability, and producing accurate financial reports across both Programme and PEPFAR funding streams. She holds a BA (Hons) in Business Studies, a Diploma in Business Management (ABE), and is currently pursuing an MBA in International Business (University of Greenwich).
Shachibonde Kasanda, MBA, BA (Hons), MCIPS
Principal Consultant (Contracts, Procurement & Operations Management)
An MCIPS-qualified procurement professional with over 15 years of experience, Shachibonde has overseen portfolios exceeding $500 million, including major USAID/Zambia initiatives such as the $120M Zambia Integrated Health activity and the $72M Scaling Up Nutrition programme. Her expertise covers the full acquisition lifecycle, from solicitation and cost analysis to contract negotiation and post-award oversight, in alignment with US Government regulations. She also co-led the USAID/Zambia Drought Task Force, securing over $20M in food aid. She holds an MBA (Heriot-Watt University) and a BA (Hons) in Purchasing & Supply Chain Management (University of Greenwich).
Kalumba Kabwe
Communications & Operations Specialist
A communications and operations professional with over 10 years of experience supporting international organisations and donor-funded initiatives, Kalumba has managed public information systems and development outreach at USAID/Zambia, coordinating cross-functional teams and delivering high-level stakeholder engagement. Her expertise spans executive support, event management, digital communications, and operational systems. She holds a BA in Mass Communication (University of Zambia) and is pursuing an MBA at the University of Lusaka.
Join the Mission
We are always looking for passionate individuals to join our field teams or contribute as remote advisors.