HEARD Nepal Executive Board Members

Rakesh Kumar Yadav is in experienced public health and development expert with over 15 years of experience in designing and leading transformative health programs across a wide range of sectors. His expertise spans health system strengthening, program design, and capacity building, with a particular emphasis on addressing critical health challenges, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, Health & Nutrition, SRHR, maternal and child health, gender-based violence, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Holding a degree in General Medicine, a Bachelor of Public Health, and a Master of Public Health (MPH), along with a Master of Arts, Rakesh combines comprehensive clinical expertise with a strategic public health approach. He has led impactful interventions in complex and resource-limited settings. Throughout his career, Rakesh has held key leadership roles with prominent organizations such as the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN World Food Programme (WFP), Save the Children, and JSI's NFHP II/USAID, where he spearheaded large-scale health initiatives, often in emergency and humanitarian contexts. Rakesh’s extensive field experience includes managing health system strengthening efforts with the Nepal Health Sector Support Program (NHSSP III), overseeing the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) program as District Nutrition Coordinator for WFP, and contributing to COVID-19 response efforts by enhancing isolation center operations and facilitating cross-border health coordination. He has also played a pivotal role in USAID-funded projects, including the SABAL Project and Jhpiego’s Health for Life (H4L) initiative, where he focused on strengthening health systems for maternal and child health. Additionally, he has contributed significantly to PSI Nepal's women's health initiatives, particularly in remote districts of Nepal. A seasoned program manager, Rakesh is adept at team leadership, strategic planning, and the implementation of comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of health interventions. He possesses advanced expertise in Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC), a key approach for fostering sustainable health improvements at the community level. Rakesh's collaborative management style, coupled with his ability to coordinate across sectors, facilitates the development of integrated solutions that effectively address the underlying determinants of health and development challenges. Rakesh's expertise extends to working closely with government bodies and local stakeholders at both the provincial and federal levels of Nepal’s evolving health system. He is deeply committed to applying evidence-based solutions to public health challenges, with a focus on strengthening health systems and advancing health equity to ensure that vulnerable populations have access to quality healthcare and support.