The Global Alliance for Communities is pleased to announce the appointment of Viddah Owino as its new Lead, strengthening the Alliance’s leadership at a critical moment of growth and consolidation.

Viddah joins the Alliance as it continues to expand its role as a global coalition of more than 250 grassroots-led organizations working across the Global South to advance community-driven solutions and rebalance how funding, influence, and decision-making flow to the local level.

At a glance

• Seasoned humanitarian and development leader with deep experience across health systems, emergency response, program development and regional policy engagement
• Brings over 15 years of senior leadership experience across Africa and fragile contexts
• Strong track record advancing localization, and equitable partnerships and translating regional and global policy into practical, community-driven delivery
• Primed to immediately lead implementation and strategic growth across the Alliance

A values-driven leader with deep regional expertise

Viddah brings more than 15 years of senior leadership experience across humanitarian response, public health, nutrition, WASH, and emergency preparedness. Most recently, she served as Regional Migration Health Officer for East, Horn, and South Africa at IOM – UN Migration, supporting regional bodies including IGAD, the East African Community, the African Union, and SADC to develop and implement migration and cross-border health policies. Previously, she spent nine years with the International Rescue Committee in Kenya as National Program Lead for Nutrition, WASH, and Emergencies, leading multi-sectoral portfolios, emergency preparedness, and partnerships with governments, donors, UN agencies, and local organisations. Her earlier roles with AMREF Health Africa, Save the Children UK, and World Vision further reflect deep experience in community-based delivery and policy engagement.

“I am truly honored to join the Global Alliance for Communities at a pivotal moment when there is growing recognition that lasting change is driven by communities themselves. Throughout my career, I have consistently seen that the most effective and impactful policies, funding, and systems are those shaped by local leadership and rooted in lived experience. I am excited to work alongside grassroots leaders across the Global South to drive strong implementation, center frontline evidence and advocacy, and build credible partnerships that position the Alliance as a trusted and influential bridge between communities and the institutions seeking to support them.”

– Viddah Owino

Leading implementation across the Alliance

Viddah will provide strategic leadership to operationalize the Alliance’s vision and steer its next phase of growth.

Her focus will include:

• Designing and embedding the Alliance’s operating model, governance structures, and systems to enable effective, member-driven implementation
• Guiding the Alliance’s strategic direction to ensure locally led priorities are translated into credible, scalable action across regions
• Positioning the Alliance as a trusted global platform that consolidates frontline evidence, learning, and advocacy from its membership
• Shaping high value partnerships with funders, research institutions, multilaterals, and the private sector that align resources with community leadership
• Strengthening the Alliance’s external influence and visibility, ensuring it is recognised as a credible bridge between grassroots communities and decision-making institutions

The Global Alliance for Communities looks forward to welcoming Viddah Owino into this role and to the leadership she will bring as the Alliance continues to grow and deepen its global influence.