ARLINGTON, VA., Feb. 2, 2021 – Counterpart International is pleased to announce the appointment of Katia Dos Santos Dias as Chief of Party, Mozambique for its United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) portfolio. Ms. Dos Santos is a trained nutritionist and food engineer and has worked extensively in the design and delivery of nutrition, food safety and quality, health, and environment projects in Portugal, Mozambique and – most recently – Sudan.
Ms. Dos Santos will lead the implementation of Counterpart’s new five-year, McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition program, Our Bright Future!, in collaboration with partners Associação PROGRESSO, Civil Society Learning and Capacity Building Centre (CESC), and Creative Associates International. Our Bright Future! (2020 – 2025) will assist the Government of Mozambique to reduce hunger, improve health, and strengthen the primary education system in 203 schools in Magude, Manhiça, Moamba, and Matutuine districts in the Maputo province.
Before joining Counterpart, she served as a Country Director for Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) in Mozambique, where she led its work with public and private sector partners, NGOs, and civil society organizations to create innovative and market-based sustainable models to improve nutrition of populations at risk of malnutrition. Previously, she worked with the World Food Programme (WFP) on the development of a micronutrient strategy through a home production and fortification project in Sudan.
“Katia brings to Counterpart a deep expertise in designing and managing nutrition, food fortification, and food safety programs. As Chief of Party for Our Bright Future!, Katia returns to her native Mozambique, making her particularly well-suited to lead the project’s implementation,” said Brian Dotson, Director of Counterpart International’s USDA portfolio. “We’re thrilled to welcome Katia to Counterpart as we continue to grow our partnership with USDA.”
Katia Dos Santos Dias holds a Master’s in Public Health and Food Safety, a MSc in Investment Management and International Commerce, and a BA in Nutrition and Food Engineering.
About Counterpart International
For over 55 years, Counterpart International has forged partnerships with communities and local organizations to build inclusive, sustainable communities in which people thrive. Our current project portfolio is focused on education, food security and agricultural development, effective governance, institutional strengthening, and economic development.
For more information, please visit counterpart.org.
