Joan Minja
Originally from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and raised in Dar es Salaam, Joan's background is a blend of local heritage and global academic achievement. She graduated in 2013 from the University of Peloponnese in collaboration with the International Olympic Academy in Greece, earning a Master's in Olympic Studies. This academic foundation has shaped her leadership style, and she is committed to bringing the same passion and dedication to her work with Room to Read.
Joan’s professional accomplishments include being awarded the Tanzania Women of Achievement Award in 2014 in the sports category, as well as presenting a paper titled "Incentivizing Effective Allocation of Teachers and Teaching and Learning Materials in the EPforR Programme in Tanzania" at the UKFIET conference in 2023. These milestones reflect her ongoing commitment to improving education and gender equity in Tanzania.
Before joining Room to Read, Joan led a results-based financing education programme (EPforR) under the UK-funded Shule Bora initiative. This programme focused on improving education outcomes by aligning financial incentives with performance. Joan’s role included overseeing safeguarding components, identifying risks, implementing mitigation strategies, and training staff on safeguarding awareness.
With over 15 years of experience in strategic programme management, including roles with Shule Bora and EQUIP-Tanzania, Joan brings extensive expertise in planning, budgeting, execution, and team management. Her experience also includes close collaboration with the Tanzanian government (MoEST and PO-RALG) and education development partners, ensuring the successful delivery of educational programmes.
Beyond her professional achievements, Joan has demonstrated leadership in voluntary roles, including serving as President of the Amateur Boxing Federation of Tanzania. She is also a FIFA-recognized woman referee, instructor, and assessor, with a deep passion for football.