Ms. Grace Maleko is a Senior Lecturer at Moshi Co-operative University (MoCU), teaching courses in cooperative management and development studies. She holds a Master’s Degree in Co-operative Management and Organisational  Development from the University of Leicester, UK (2006), a Post-graduate Diploma (Development studies 1994 – 1995) from Kimmoge Manor, Dublin, Ireland, and a Bachelor of Arts (Public Administration & International Relations) 1984-1987 from the University of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Her areas of expertise are Co-operative Management, Leadership, SACCOS Management, Gender Development Studies (Women and Youth Empowerment). Maleko has also conducted several consulting assignments and community services with National and International organizations including the following: Interpreted ILO Recommendation No.193 on the Promotion of Co-operatives into Swahili Version (ILO/COOPNET 2003), Gender Research  Data Collection in Kilimanjaro (ILO, 2011), Evaluation of Capacity Building Project for Kalali Women Dairy Co-operative (ILO, 2011), Mid-term Evaluation of Simanjiro Capacity Building for Mother and Child Health Programme (Dec, 2004), Skill Share Arusha, How Women fare in East African Co-operatives: The Case of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, 2012 (ICA).

In addition, she has served in various Leadership positions at MoCU: Acting Director, Kizumbi Institute of Co-operative and Business Studies (KICoB) from April 2021 to October 2022; Centre Coordinator, Kizumbi 2012 -2018; Head of Department, Gender and Development, GAD 2008 -2012; Chairperson, Network Against Female Genital Mutilation (NAFGEM) 2005 – 2008; Chairperson  Moshi University College of Co-operative and Business Studies (MUCCoBS) Kindergaten, 2003 – 2008; and Chairperson Action for Democracy and Local Governance (ADGL) 2013 -2017.

For many years she has facilitated gender seminars and workshops for grassroots to Women Economic Groups (WEGS), Youth Economic Groups (YEGS), Farmers Co-operative SACCOS, NGOs and also mobilizing women and Youth to join Co-operatives and start small businesses to alleviate poverty in households.