Jacqueline N. Fonkwo
Global Health Leader | Health Financing | Impact Investing
Crofton
Summary
Global health and development leader with over 5 years of experience advancing health systems strengthening, social protection, and youth-focused initiatives across 42 countries on three continents. Bilingual in English and French, with a proven track record of mobilizing over $3M in donor funding and influencing policy reforms adopted by 8 national governments. Skilled in building multi-sector partnerships, designing scalable strategies, and delivering measurable impact, including expanding access to quality health services for 2M+ adolescents. Areas of expertise include health financing, social equity, portfolio management, and cross-cultural stakeholder engagement.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Global Consultant Adolescent & Youth Partnerships
FP2030, Foundation
09.2022 - 12.2024
- Directed the decentralization of FP2030’s adolescent and youth portfolio by establishing three regional hubs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, improving local ownership and program responsiveness.
- Secured over $3 million in multi-year USAID funding, enabling the scale-up of youth health programs and increasing access to quality services for 2 million adolescents across 42 countries.
- Designed and launched a global youth strategy adopted in 42+ countries, driving measurable improvements in policy alignment and youth-friendly service delivery at national and regional levels.
- Implemented financial monitoring systems and managed small grant portfolios, increasing accountability by 30% and strengthening the operational capacity of youth-led organizations.
- Led cross-regional advocacy campaigns that influenced 8 national governments to allocate increased domestic financing for youth-centered health initiatives, advancing progress toward universal health coverage goals.
Francophone Countries Associate – FP2030
UN Foundation
10.2021 - 08.2022
- Partnered with cross-sectoral stakeholders to support Ministers of Health from 8 francophone countries and Haiti in reaffirming FP2030 commitments and completing progress toward FP2020 goals, strengthening regional accountability.
- Established continuous communication channels with country focal points, delivering tailored insights on 8 national strategies and fostering inter-country exchanges that promoted shared learning and innovation.
- Led the establishment of two regional hubs in Africa, one in Asia, and one in Latin America and the Caribbean, enhancing regional presence, operational efficiency, and local engagement.
- Adapted and translated materials for Francophone audiences, improving accessibility and increasing stakeholder engagement through targeted newsletters, briefs, and event resources.
- Delivered technical support on family planning to eight countries, aligning national strategies with global objectives through capacity-building workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions that improved implementation quality.
Co-Founder & Team Lead
Youth 2 Youth, Cameroon
12.2018 - 07.2022
- Built Youth 2 Youth from a local initiative to a nationally and globally recognized youth-led organization, developing its vision, mission, theory of change, and strategy, and overseeing implementation of youth-responsive community projects.
- Led national NCD prevention efforts, including tobacco control, through youth-led social media campaigns and community education programs, reaching 20 schools and local communities the NW region.
- Secured $200,000 in funding from the UN Foundation, Gates Institute, and Grand Challenges Canada through compelling grant proposals, and maintained strong donor relationships to ensure financial sustainability.
- Designed and launched a telehealth mobile platform that reached 5,000+ youth in crisis-affected areas, improving access to maternal and child health services.
Medical Officer
Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
08.2017 - 04.2020
- Directed a multidisciplinary team of 12 midwives, 38 nurses, 4 final-year medical interns, and 20 student nurses, providing leadership, mentorship, and performance oversight that strengthened collaboration and improved patient care standards.
- Oversaw antenatal care, family planning, and maternal-child health services in a 120-bed hospital serving 45,000 residents, ensuring quality clinical follow-up and improved access to essential services.
- Managed outpatient care for diabetes, hypertension, malnutrition, and tropical diseases, applying evidence-based protocols to improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes.
- Designed and delivered structured capacity-building programs for medical interns, enhancing clinical competencies and supporting career advancement in the public health system.
Education
MBA - Finance Focus
Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business
05.2027
MSc - Global Health
Queen Margaret University
09.2021
MSc - Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine
University of South Wales
03.2020
Doctor of Medicine - undefined
University of Yaoundé I
11.2017
Skills
- Financial modeling in Excel and R
- French-English bilingual communication
- Project management (PMP certified)
- Data analysis for health systems
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
Certification
Project Management Institute: Project Management Professional, 2024
Accomplishments
- Fonkwo, J., Besong, M., Ngong, J., Glazier, A., Talawa, D., Alio, A. (2023). The Effect of the Anglophone Crisis on Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Northwest Region of Cameroon: a Qualitative Study. Journal of Global Health Reports. 2023;7:e2023040.
- Mambo, B, S., Nakalule., M., Buyibuyi., Makelele, A., Olivier, S, M., Muteke, K., Lussy, J., Fonkwo, J, N., (2022). Upholding Sensitization as the Pillar of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights’ Implementation Among Youths in Ongoing Conflict in Eastern DRC Congo. Pan African Medical Journal – One Health. 2022;8(16).
- Fonkwo, J., Agbor-Ntoh, G. A., Besong, E, M., Nouko, A., Akih, S., Wacha, W, R., et al. (2023) A Mobile Health Application Co-designed by Community Youth Leaders in Cameroon to Address Contraceptive Needs in a Conflict-Affected Region: A User-centered Approach. Biomedical Science Clinical Research, 2(4), 390-394.
- Fonkwo, J., Agbor-Ntoh, G., Besong, E, M., Nouko, A., Akih, S., Wacha, W, R., et al. Exploring Access, Barriers, and Opportunities in Digital Health to Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health Amongst Youth in Bamenda, Cameroon during the Anglophone Crisis: A Qualitative Study. Advances in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, 2(3), 217-221.
Timeline
Project Management Institute: Project Management Professional, 2024
02-2024
Global Consultant Adolescent & Youth Partnerships
FP2030, Foundation
09.2022 - 12.2024
Francophone Countries Associate – FP2030
UN Foundation
10.2021 - 08.2022
Commonwealth Scholarship Award
08-2020
Mandela Washington Fellowship, 2021 | The Coaching Fellowship, 2021 | Commonwealth Scholarship, 2020
04-2020
120 Under 40: New Generation of Family Planning Leaders, 2019 | International AIDS Society Educational Fund Award, 2019
07-2019
Co-Founder & Team Lead
Youth 2 Youth, Cameroon
12.2018 - 07.2022
Medical Officer
Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
08.2017 - 04.2020
MSc - Global Health
Queen Margaret University
MSc - Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine
University of South Wales
Doctor of Medicine - undefined
University of Yaoundé I
MBA - Finance Focus
Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business
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