Prof Dr. Moussa Issa Lende
Dr. Moussa Issa Lende is a globally recognized expert in public health nutrition and health systems, with a distinguished career spanning over 15 years across humanitarian emergencies, protracted crises, and development contexts in West and Central Africa. He is a seasoned leader known for his strategic coordination of Nutrition Clusters, design of multisectoral emergency responses, and dedication to strengthening national health systems and academic institutions.
His professional journey demonstrates a consistent trajectory of leadership within premier global organizations. Currently serving as a Nutrition Specialist for UNICEF in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he provides high-level technical guidance for complex epidemic responses, including Mpox, Ebola, and Cholera. Previously, he held senior roles with Action Contre la Faim, the World Food Programme, and other implementing partners, where he managed large-scale integrated programmes encompassing Nutrition, Health, WASH, and Food Security. His expertise is firmly rooted in frontline experience, having coordinated life-saving interventions in some of the region’s most challenging and conflict-affected settings, including Ituri, Niger, and Mali.
Parallel to his field leadership, Dr. Issa Lende maintains a vigorous academic career as a university professor and research director. He has designed and delivered advanced curricula at institutions in the DRC, Senegal, and Egypt, while also serving as a Research Associate at Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada. He has successfully supervised over twenty master’s and PhD students, fostering a new generation of public health professionals. His commitment to advancing the field is further evidenced by his editorial leadership as Editor-in-Chief of the Business & Technology Journal and his role as a peer reviewer for several international scientific publications.
A prolific researcher, he has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, books, and monographs. His recent scholarship focuses on the intersection of COVID-19 and non-communicable diseases, the impact of cash-based transfers on nutrition, and the evaluation of humanitarian interventions. This body of work bridges the gap between field practice and academic inquiry, ensuring that operational lessons inform policy and research agendas.
Dr. Issa Lende’s operational philosophy is characterized by a commitment to multisectoral collaboration, results-based management, and capacity building. He is adept at mobilizing resources and forging strategic partnerships among UN agencies, governments, NGOs, and academic stakeholders to deliver measurable outcomes for vulnerable populations. Fluent in French and professionally proficient in English, he effectively navigates complex multicultural environments.
Holding a Doctorate in Global Health and Health Systems, along with multiple Master’s degrees in Public Health, Dr. Moussa Issa Lende embodies a unique synthesis of practitioner, strategist, and scholar. His career is dedicated to building resilient communities through evidence-based programming, institutional strengthening, and the relentless pursuit of health equity.