A Journey of Professional Evolution with the Africa Evidence Network

Introduction/Executive Summary
Enock Musungwini is a seasoned public health practitioner, health policy specialist, health management consultant, and development practitioner with over 18 years of rich experience. He has been pivotal in promoting evidence-informed policies and practices in his current role as Programme Manager with Pangaea Zimbabwe and in previous engagements with various organisations. Enock's professional journey with the Africa Evidence Network (AEN) from 2015 to the present exemplifies the transformative potential of professional networks in personal and professional development. From his initial steps as an ordinary member of the AEN in 2015 to his current role as an AEN Reference Group committee member, his story highlights the remarkable growth and development influenced by his involvement with AEN and the Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM) space.

Background
Enock joined the Africa Evidence Network (AEN) in 2015 as an ordinary member, eager to explore the EIDM landscape and seek opportunities for professional networking, linkages, and advancement. By 2018, his active participation and engagement with AEN propelled him to become a reference group committee member, marking a significant milestone in his promising career. Recognising the ever-changing landscape, Enock understood the need for continuous improvement and development, academically and programmatically. This recognition led to his enrolment in the MSc Public Health degree at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) from 2018-19, and he is now a PhD candidate in Public Health (Health Policy and Financing) at UNICAF University.

Interventions, Programmes, and Plans
Enock's participation in AEN programs and events significantly enhanced his professional skills, including writing blogs, facilitating webinars, and authoring abstracts and publications. His involvement with the AEN broadened his networking horizons and opened numerous opportunities. At the AEN, Enock actively participated in communities of practice, evidence capacities workstreams, and facilitation roles at EVIDENCE conferences. These experiences provided fertile ground for his skills to flourish and his knowledge to expand. Collaborations with esteemed colleagues at the AEN, such as Charity Chisoro, Siziwe Ngcwabe, and Professor Ruth Stewart, as well as other like-minded professionals like Ronald Munatsi, Director of the Zimbabwe Evidence Informed Policy Network (ZeipNET), offered invaluable mentorship and peer review, fostering a culture of continuous professional development and improvement. Writing blogs for the AEN and developing work-related abstracts served as platforms for Enock to refine his writing, presentation, and facilitation skills, thereby elevating the calibre of his work. On his blogs, peer review feedback from the AEN team members, particularly Charity Chisoro and Dr Carina van Rooyen, strengthened his writing and publishing skills.

Results and Impact
Enock's journey with the AEN from 2015 to 2018, when he was appointed to the Reference Group, is marked by tangible achievements that underscore his professional transformation. In 2018, he secured a place in the MSc Public Health program at LSHTM, with his AEN membership providing an added advantage during the application process. He was also awarded the prestigious Chevening scholarship by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office to support his studies. The scholarship required strong leadership skills, networking abilities, and engagement, all of which Enock could fulfil due to his involvement with the AEN. His commitment to AEN enhanced his research capacity and evidence-based writing skills, leading to his receipt of the Amanda Jacklyn Berger prize for his MSc Public Health thesis at LSHTM in February 2020. Furthermore, his dedication and volunteer roles while studying in the UK earned him the British Foreign and Commonwealth Chevening Volunteers Gold Award.
Enock's professional network expanded as he became a Healthcare Information For All (HIFA) member in 2018 and was awarded the HIFA Country Representative of the Year for 2022-23. To date, he has an impressive portfolio of more than 15 abstracts accepted for oral and poster presentations at prestigious events, including the 3rd International Community Health Worker Symposium in Monrovia, Liberia, in March 2023; the Consortium of Universities for Global Health conference in Washington DC in April 2023; the Zimbabwe Medical Association 2023 Scientific Conference and Congress in September 2023; and the 7th Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2023. He has also published eight opinion pieces with Health Times Zimbabwe and AEN, showcasing his exceptional writing skills. Pangaea Zimbabwe awarded him the Brand Ambassador and Growth and Innovation awards in June 2023 to recognise his significant impact on the organisation.
Enock's active engagement within the AEN Reference Group, Communities of Practice, and Enhancing Evidence Capacities initiatives has opened doors to esteemed regional and international professional roles. He was appointed the HIFA Country Representative for Zimbabwe in April 2021, became a member of the International Network for Governmental Advice (INGSA) Africa chapter Steering Committee in 2021, and recently assumed the role of Global Coordinator for HIFA Supporting Organisations. These achievements highlight Enock's unwavering dedication and continuous professional development, nurtured by the supportive environment of the AEN.
Beyond organisational boundaries, Enock's impact is exemplified by his role as a Research Assistant with the International Centre for Evidence in Disability at LSHTM. Here, he contributed to producing peer-reviewed evidence briefs for the Penda Evidence portal, which provides access to evidence-based information for Disabled Persons Organizations and interested researchers and policymakers in low to middle-income countries, including Africa.

Enock's blog and opinion pieces are on the AEN and Health Times websites. Additionally, please see the links below for HIFA Award announcements and Enock's role as an LSHTM Alumni ambassador.

Links to publications, announcements, and other news for Enock
1. Blogs written for the AEN
Impact evaluation capacity in Africa: scoping study: https://www.africaevidencenetwork.org/en/learning-space/article/50/
Capacity development for EIDM in Africa: implications of targeting structural and value issues for ecosystem actors: https://www.africaevidencenetwork.org/en/learning-space/article/310/
2. Evidence brief published at the International Centre for Evidence Disability Evidence Portal: https://www.disabilityevidence.org/sites/default/files/content/question_brief/files/2022-04/DEP_Evidence_Brief -Visual Impairment_ Final_0.pdf
3. HIFA welcomes Enock Musungwini as HIFA Global Coordinator for Supporting Organisations: https://www.hifa.org/news/hifa-welcomes-enock-musungwini-hifa-global-coordinator
4. Link to Enock’s role as LSHTM Alumni Ambassador: https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/student-experience/student-ambassadors/enock-musungwini
5. Enock membership for INGSA Africa Steering Committee: https://ingsa.org/people/enock-musungwini/
6. Enock’s nomination for the UK Based Zimbabwe Achievers Awards in 2019: https://newsofthesouth.com/zim-achievers-awards-uk-nominees-announced/

Conclusion
Enock's journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring professionals in evidence-informed decision-making. It underscores the transformative potential of professional networks, continuous learning, and a steadfast commitment to personal and professional development. Enock's success reflects his achievements and the collaborative spirit and supportive ecosystem cultivated within the AEN and beyond. As he embarks on his PhD studies, Enock's trajectory stands as a testament to the enduring impact of evidence champions in the AEN and beyond in shaping a brighter future for evidence-informed policy-making globally.