CATHERINA HABON
UNAIDS
Port Moresby
25
years of professional experience
Development Program and Grant Management Professional with expertise in managing donor-funded programs and NGO partnerships in Papua New Guinea. Proficient in the full grant management cycle, from proposal assessment to performance evaluation. Skilled in coordinating engagement among government and development partners to ensure accountable and inclusive program delivery, with a solid understanding of PNG’s development context.
Work History
Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Secretariat Manager
1 Year 11 Months- Lead the operations of the Papua New Guinea Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Secretariat, supporting governance, funding processes, oversight, stakeholder engagement, and coordination among government, civil society, development partners, and Global Fund implementing organisations.
- Lead Secretariat operations and coordinate CCM governance structures, including executive, oversight, governance, and ad hoc committees.
- Support Global Fund funding processes, including national strategic plan alignment, gap analysis, funding request development, documentation, and preparation for grant-making.
- Coordinated engagement among Global Fund Country Team, Principal Recipients, National Department of Health, government agencies, civil society, and development partners to enhance collaboration and streamline processes.
- Coordinate engagement between the Global Fund Country Team, Principal Recipients, National Department of Health, government agencies, civil society, and other development partners.
- Developed procedures, templates, terms of reference, and documentation systems that strengthened governance, transparency, and accountability.
- Facilitated CCM oversight processes by enabling access to program and financial information and coordinating stakeholder input on grant performance and implementation bottlenecks.
- Contribute to sustainability and transition planning and promote alignment between Global Fund investments, national priorities, and other development partner programs.
- Supervise Secretariat staff and coordinate annual priorities, budgeting, operational planning, and compliance with Global Fund requirements.
- Promote inclusive participation and ensure civil society and affected-community perspectives are represented in national-level funding and governance discussions.
Health System Coordinator
2 Years 4 Months- Led engagement with the National Department of Health (NDoH), National Capital District Provincial Health Authority (NCDPHA), Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA), and other government stakeholders.
- Coordinated stakeholder consultation, technical reviews, and project implementation activities for the Metoreia Health Centre and Daru Hospital redevelopment projects.
- Coordinated stakeholder consultations, technical reviews, and project implementation for Metoreia Health Centre and Daru Hospital redevelopment projects, enhancing health service delivery.
- Facilitated collaboration among government agencies, clinical specialists, project managers, consultants, and development partners, ensuring alignment with government requirements and agreed deliverables.
- Coordinated inputs from health specialists and consultants and monitored progress on technical reviews, stakeholder consultations, and project planning activities.
- Led human resource planning for Metoreia Health Centre, coordinating staffing requirements and supporting the allocation and upskilling of health personnel.
- Coordinated with NDoH, WPHA, and project teams to facilitate installation and commissioning of a biosafety cabinet in the new pathology laboratory at Daru Hospital to support tuberculosis testing.
- Worked with monitoring, evaluation, and learning teams and government stakeholders on environmental and social assessments and the application of gender equality, disability and social inclusion principles.
- Secured NDoH endorsement of Metoreia Health Centre design and coordinated certification as a Level 3 health centre, enabling formal handover to Government of Papua New Guinea.
- Key achievement: Supported the successful commissioning and handover of Metoreia Health Centre through coordinated engagement with government stakeholders, technical teams, and program partners.
Senior Program Manager
6 Years 6 Months- Managed the Health and HIV Implementing Services Provider (HHISP) contract with Abt from 2016 to 2020, valued at approximately AUD 60 million per annum.
- Managed Australia's approximately AUD 15 million annual investment in tuberculosis programming in PNG, monitoring implementation, reviewing budgets, and providing advice on funding and program priorities.
- Led design, planning, and negotiations for PNG–Australia Transition to Health (PATH) program, ensuring alignment with strategic health objectives.
- Coordinated with NGOs, government agencies, WHO, the World Bank, health specialists, and other development partners to align program activities and address implementation challenges.
- Coordinated efforts with NGOs, government agencies, WHO, the World Bank, and health specialists to align program activities and effectively address implementation challenges.
- Conducted budget reviews and data analysis and provided recommendations to management on funding, resource allocation, program performance, and emerging risks.
- Supported development and implementation of the National Capital District TB Strategy 2016–2020 and Western Province TB Strategy.
- Coordinated the establishment of a child TB project at Port Moresby General Hospital, including development of the concept note and implementation plan, treatment rollout, and e-TB record-keeping arrangements.
- Coordinated TB and COVID-19 response activities with government stakeholders, development partners, health specialists, and infrastructure teams.
- Established operational priorities to meet contractual requirements and deliverables within agreed timeframes and budgets.
- Managed and mentored staff while fostering high-level engagement with NDoH, provincial health authorities, WHO, and the World Bank to enhance program effectiveness.
- Key contribution: Managed substantial donor-funded investments and service provider contracts while coordinating partners, monitoring performance, and supporting strategic program design and implementation.
Program Manager
1 Year 11 Months- Coordinated the Health Sector Portfolio Evaluation, including development of terms of reference, contracting arrangements, in-country consultations, review of draft reports, and completion of evaluation deliverables.
- Coordinated engagement with the monitoring and evaluation service provider and implementing partners to improve reporting, monitoring practices, and program performance.
- Coordinated monitoring and evaluation, program reviews, service provider procurement processes, and performance monitoring across DFAT's health and HIV portfolio.
- Coordinated engagement with monitoring and evaluation service provider and implementing partners to enhance reporting, monitoring practices, and program performance.
- Contributed to health and HIV sector monitoring and evaluation frameworks, analytical papers, reports, and other program documentation.
- Monitored NGO partner performance, facilitating site visits and consultations to identify implementation issues and reinforce accountability.
- Prepared reports on program results, including gender-disaggregated data, to inform planning and management decisions.
- Represented DFAT on the National Health Plan Mid-Term Review Technical Working Group and the Research Advisory Council.
- Supervised staff, supported capacity development, and contributed to recruitment and workload planning.
- Maintained accurate program records and supported NGO understanding of DFAT processes and PNG national health priorities.
- Key contribution: Supported transparent assessment processes, service provider coordination, program evaluation, and improvements in partner monitoring and reporting.
Acting Senior Program Manager
8 Months- Coordinated transition of 13 NGOs funded through Health and HIV Program to Health and HIV Service Provider, JTA International, ensuring seamless program delivery.
- Managed NGO partnerships and coordinated financial and technical support for organisations delivering HIV and sexually transmitted infection services.
- Coordinated the transition of 13 NGOs directly funded through the Health and HIV Program to the Health and HIV Service Provider, JTA International.
- Managed NGO partnerships, providing financial and technical support to organizations delivering HIV and sexually transmitted infection services, enhancing service quality.
- Coordinated NGO annual activity plans and mid-year reports in consultation with the National AIDS Council Secretariat.
- Coordinated multiple NGO partnership transitions, ensuring continuity of program delivery, planning, and reporting during transformational changes.
Program Manager
3 Years 9 Months- Managed the full grant management cycle, including reviewing grant proposals and funding submissions, assessing alignment with program objectives, negotiating agreements, monitoring implementation, reviewing financial acquittals, evaluating partner performance, and providing recommendations on funding.
- Managed five NGO partners under the PNG Australia Sexual Health Improvement Program, Clinton Health Access Initiative, and National Catholic HIV Program. Held responsibilities across the grant management cycle, from proposal review and funding processes through to implementation monitoring and performance review.
- Reviewed partner proposals, annual activity plans, and budgets to ensure alignment with program priorities and optimize resource allocation.
- Monitored expenditure and program progress, reviewed narrative and financial reports, identified implementation challenges, and recommended appropriate follow-up actions.
- Monitored expenditure and program progress, reviewed narrative and financial reports, and identified implementation challenges.
- Supported NGO partners to prepare annual activity plans, budgets, reports, and program reviews.
- Identified partner capacity gaps and coordinated technical assistance in monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, gender equality and social inclusion, and reporting to strengthen partner capabilities.
- Organised biannual NGO forums to enhance coordination, collaboration, and information sharing among partner organisations, fostering stronger partnerships.
- Coordinated with UNAIDS, UNICEF, WHO, ADB, and other development partners to promote harmonisation of HIV and health investments.
- Contributed to program reviews and the design of new initiatives, including preparation of terms of reference, consultant engagement, and contractual documentation.
- Oversaw two health infrastructure projects from design and construction through to occupancy certification.
- Key contribution: Direct experience managing NGO grants from proposal review and agreement negotiations through implementation, financial monitoring, performance assessment, and funding recommendations.
Short-Term HIV Consultant
7 Months- Provided technical assistance to five government health clinics and NGOs, enhancing funding proposals for HIV prevention, voluntary counselling and testing, and prevention of parent-to-child transmission services.
- Coordinated with government clinics and NGO partners to identify service delivery needs and support implementation.
- Conducted site visits and needs assessments to inform funding proposals and program design.
- Monitored implementation and progress of funded activities, assessing milestones and preparing reports for stakeholders to ensure accountability and transparency.
- Coordinated with government clinics and NGO partners to identify service delivery needs, facilitating effective implementation of HIV programs.
- Key contribution: Experience supporting proposal development, funding submissions, partner assessment, and monitoring of funded activities.
Field Officer
6 Months- Supervised community outreach volunteers to enhance delivery of HIV, STI, gender awareness, and health education activities.
- Coordinated community activities and patient referrals, strengthening ties with NCD Health Services and other organisations.
- Maintained stakeholder relationships while preparing detailed activity and referral reports to inform program effectiveness.
Registered Nurse
3 Years 11 Months- Provided nursing services in urban health clinics in Port Moresby, enhancing frontline health service delivery.
- Delivered direct patient care, monitoring vital signs and responding to clinical changes.
- Administered prescribed medications and maintained accurate nursing documentation.
- Assessed patient conditions and coordinated timely referral to appropriate clinical services.
Education
Master of International Health - Public Health
Bachelor's Degree - Community/Public Health Nursing
Diploma - General Nursing
Skills
Grant management
Proposal assessment
Funding Recommendations
Contract management
Budget monitoring
Monitoring
Evaluation and Reporting
Compliance and Accountability
Program Planning and Implementation
Partner Performance Monitoring
Monitoring and evaluation
Government and Stakeholder Engagement
Social inclusion
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Location: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Health Information System Short Course — University of Queensland, 2021
- Strategies for Leader Effectiveness — Centre for Public Management, 2019
- Women in National Security — Australian National University, 2019
- Monitoring and Evaluation Training — Clear Horizon, 2015
- Program Design Training — Clear Horizon, 2015
- Teams and Leadership in AusAID — Centre for Public Management, 2009
CURRICULUM VITAE
CURRICULUM VITAE
Timeline
Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Secretariat Manager
UNAIDS
11.2024 - CurrentRead More
Health System Coordinator
DT Global
07.2022 - 11.2024Read More
Senior Program Manager
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
01.2016 - 07.2022Read More
Program Manager
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
01.2014 - 12.2015Read More
Acting Senior Program Manager
AusAID
04.2012 - 12.2012Read More
Program Manager
AusAID
06.2008 - 03.2012Read More
Short-Term HIV Consultant
UNICEF PNG
10.2007 - 05.2008Read More
Field Officer
NCD/Central Red Cross Branch
01.2007 - 07.2007Read More
Registered Nurse
Papua New Guinea National Department of Health
01.2002 - 12.2005Read More
Pacific Adventist University
Diploma from General Nursing
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University of Papua New Guinea
Bachelor's Degree from Community/Public Health Nursing
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University of New South Wales
Master of International Health from Public Health
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