Role Overview
Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is seeking an exceptional, entrepreneurial leader to serve as Country Director for CHAI Kenya. The Country Director holds overall responsibility for CHAI’s strategy, operations, and programmatic impact in Kenya and serves as CHAI’s most senior representative in-country. This individual will build and sustain trusted relationships with national and county government, donors, and partners, while leading a high-performing, multi-program team through a complex and dynamic operating environment.
The Country Director will shape the long-term vision for CHAI Kenya's growth, working with the Kenya Ministry of Health, county governments, donors, regional and global CHAI programs, and senior leadership to build partnerships and chart a path to lasting impact. The Country Director will lead a complex, multi-program portfolio in alignment with CHAI's global strategy and Kenya's national health priorities.
This role reports to Regional Vice President, Eastern Africa and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Responsibilities
- Lead CHAI Kenya's team of about 55 people and a multi-program portfolio to consistently deliver transformational impact within Kenya's health system, including through health system strengthening and integrated models of care.
- Elevate CHAI's role as a trusted partner and adviser to the Kenya Ministry of Health, relevant stakeholders, and safeguard CHAI's reputation as a highly capable organization whose primary agenda is to support government priorities.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with key stakeholders across national and county government, international agencies, NGOs, the private sector, and donors.
- Maintain strong bidirectional communication with CHAI regional and global leadership to ensure CHAI's full capabilities are leveraged on the ground.
- Lead program design and expansion, including new program development in partnership with government, and guide each program toward scale and sustainable impact.
- Ensure rigorous design, execution, and monitoring and evaluation across the country portfolio, so program results meet or exceed commitments to donors.
- Represent CHAI externally with donors, technical partners, and at national and international fora.
- Build and lead CHAI Kenya's leadership team, and strengthen office processes, tools, and systems across the employee lifecycle — hiring, onboarding, learning, performance management, and career progression — to foster a culture of impact, curiosity, and inclusion.
- Establish and grow relationships with current and prospective donors to CHAI Kenya, and support fundraising to sustain and expand the program.
- Ensure strong financial management, accountability, and legal and regulatory compliance across the country program.
- Foster cross-pollination of ideas with other CHAI country directors and contribute to regional strategy for Eastern Africa.
- Given CHAI's lean staffing model, take on direct programmatic work where needed to support the country team.
- Undertake other responsibilities as assigned by CHAI regional leadership.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Advanced degree in public health, business, or a related field, plus 15+ years of progressive experience in strategic program management, preferably in global health or international development; with a strong focus on strengthening health systems.
- 5+ years in a senior leadership and supervisory role, with a demonstrated ability to recruit, manage, evaluate, and develop staff, and to foster a diverse, results-oriented team.
- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex organizational and government structures.
- Demonstrated success leading multi-team, integrated program strategies that achieve measurable health impact.
- Strong command of global health and health systems strengthening programs relevant to Kenya's portfolio, including infectious diseases (HIV, tuberculosis, malaria), reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health, non-communicable diseases (including cervical cancer), and cross-cutting systems work such as health financing, digital health, health workforce, and assistive technology.
- Proven ability to navigate complex government processes with multiple stakeholders, and to negotiate and build consensus in a diplomatic, collaborative manner.
- Experience in a leadership role with direct operational and financial responsibility and accountability.
- Track record overseeing diverse program portfolios and delivering impact at scale.
- Strong understanding of fundraising strategy, with demonstrated success cultivating and managing donor relationships.
- Extensive experience managing technical teams to drive programmatic impact against ambitious goals.
- Experience managing budgets and guiding program leads on budget management.
- Experience working with decentralized or devolved government structures; familiarity with Kenya's devolved health system is an advantage.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills in English (written and verbal), with a proven ability to build trusted relationships across cross-functional teams, senior leadership, and external partners.
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Willingness to travel frequently within Kenya and occasionally internationally.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates can apply online by visiting Clinton Health Access Initiative on careers-chai.icims.com.
