Healthcare and MedicalFull-TimeSenior-level(6+ yrs)
Job Description
Jacaranda Health is a social enterprise that aims to transform maternal health care in East Africa and make pregnancy and childbirth safer for women and newborns. The Head of Department - Programs is a strategic leadership role responsible for the direction and integration of the organization's core workstreams, including PROMPTS, MENTORS 2.0, and Data & Advocacy. The role involves translating high-level strategy into actionable departmental plans, overseeing large-scale health programs, and fostering partnerships with government and donor stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Programme Integration
Own the annual strategic plan across PROMPTS, MENTORS 2.0 and Data & Advocacy, aligned to organisational OKRs and donor commitments.
Translate strategy into departmental action plans with clear ownership, milestones and resource allocation.
Drive integration and cross-learning across the three workstreams, and lead quarterly programme reviews.
Represent Programmes in organisational leadership forums and support the Director, Kenya Programs on donor engagement and executive decision-making.
Programme Oversight
PROMPTS: Oversee reach, consent and engagement KPIs; continuously improve the enrolment model, consent strategy and cost-per-consented-mum efficiency; drive cost-share targets with counties and facilities; guide EMR integration.
MENTORS 2.0 & HSS: Provide strategic oversight of the EmONC mentorship programme; lead Ministry of Health engagement toward formal endorsement as a national mentorship implementer; steer health financing strategy and Results-Based Financing pilots; manage the Health Financing Technical Advisor.
Data & Advocacy: Set direction for the County Data Sharing & Advocacy project; oversee platform roll-out, adoption and utilisation; lead county advocacy design, messaging and tracking tools; convene cross-learning events.
People, Partnerships & Delivery
Lead, develop and manage direct reports through structured check-ins, coaching and performance management.
Build a high-performing, motivated Programmes team with clear roles and career pathways, and actively manage field travel load to prevent burnout.
Project and manage annual departmental budgets; review monthly variance analyses; ensure timely, high-quality donor reporting; oversee contracts with technical partners.
Represent Jacaranda Health at national and international forums, working groups and donor convenings, and cultivate new partnership opportunities.
Qualifications and Experience
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Master’s in Public Health, Business, Strategy or related discipline and/or project management certification is an added advantage.
10+ years of progressive experience, including at least 5 years in senior leadership, managing complex, multi‑workstream or multi‑county health programmes.
Demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following areas: digital health, clinical mentorship at scale, health financing or systems strengthening, and government partnership management.
A strong track record leading donor‑funded, multi‑stakeholder programmes, with confidence in grant compliance, reporting and budget oversight.
A people‑centred, execution‑focused leader who translates strategy into measurable results, builds high‑performing teams across geographies, and navigates dynamic, high‑pressure environments with clarity and resilience.
Skills and Competencies
Transformational leadership and people development; strategic thinking and innovation management.
Advocacy and stakeholder influence; collaborative, co-design approach.
Data-driven decision making; excellent oral and written communication.
Resilience under pressure; change management and adaptability; high integrity.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the Jacaranda Health application portal on HireHive. Visit Jacaranda Health on jacaranda-health.hirehive.com to submit your application.
