The Director of Kenya Programs is a senior leadership role responsible for the development and execution of Jacaranda Health's programmatic roadmap in Kenya. This position requires strategic oversight, driving innovation in maternal and neonatal health, ensuring cross-divisional integration, managing external stakeholder relationships (especially government and donors), and leading resource stewardship and team performance across multiple departments.
What You’ll Do
Strategic Leadership & Program Execution:
- Develop and execute multi-year programmatic roadmaps aligned with organizational strategy, donor commitments, and sustainability objectives.
- Set HOD objectives, track impact targets, define quality standards, and remove strategic barriers.
- Drive innovation in maternal and neonatal health, digital health integration, and health systems strengthening.
- Establish and scale new interventions, partnership models, and implementation approaches.
Cross-Divisional Collaboration & Organizational Strategy:
- Co-create organizational strategy with Directors, integrating Kenya Programs with innovations, evidence, technology, and operations.
- Bridge innovation and implementation, providing field insights to shape JH products while leading adoption and scale.
- Partner with Research & Data & Analytics to ensure Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) informs continuous improvement and demonstrates impact.
- Collaborate with Operations and Quality Assurance to optimize performance, maintain standards, and drive sustainability.
External Influence & Strategic Relationships:
- Build and steward director-level relationships with government decision-makers (MOH, counties, Council of Governors, SHA, DHA) and key stakeholders (NNAK, NCK, KMPDU, KOGS, private sector).
- Lead donor relationships, managing project delivery, expectations, and scope negotiations.
- Present program performance and strategic recommendations with clarity and evidence.
- Contribute to fundraising, leveraging stakeholder access to secure strategic investments.
Resource Stewardship & Team Leadership:
- Be accountable for Kenya Programs performance: quality, financial management, risk mitigation, team effectiveness.
- Manage consolidated budget across all departments, driving efficiency, donor compliance, and fund utilization.
- Build high-performing teams, develop HOD leadership, and ensure strong organizational culture.
- Identify and mitigate organizational risks: programs, partnerships, reputation, compliance.
- Establish governance frameworks ensuring ethical implementation and beneficiary safety.
Candidate Profile (What you bring)
Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in a healthcare field (Medicine, Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Health Systems); Master's in Public Health or related field desirable.
- 8-10 years progressive leadership in health systems programs or donor-funded projects; 6-8 years at senior management/director level leading multiple departments.
- Demonstrated expertise in Health Systems Strengthening, Maternal & Neonatal Health, or Health Financing.
- Proven track record establishing new capabilities, driving transformation, and managing similar-scale budgets/teams.
- Strong experience with the Kenya health sector (devolved system), government systems (MOH, counties), and donor/multi-sectoral stakeholders.
