Director Strategy and Operations at Clinton Health Access Initiative
Overview
The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health
organization committed to our mission of saving lives and reducing the
burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries. We work at the
invitation of governments to support them and the private sector to
create and sustain high-quality health systems.
CHAI was founded in 2002 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic with the
goal of dramatically reducing the price of life-saving drugs and
increasing access to these medicines in the countries with the highest
burden of the disease. Over the following two decades, CHAI has expanded
its focus. Today, along with HIV, we work in conjunction with our
partners to prevent and treat infectious diseases such as COVID-19,
malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Our work has also expanded into
cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases, and
we work to accelerate the rollout of lifesaving vaccines, reduce
maternal and child mortality, combat chronic malnutrition, and increase
access to assistive technology. We are investing in horizontal
approaches to strengthen health systems through programs in human
resources for health, digital health, and health financing.
At CHAI, our people are our greatest asset, and none of this work would
be possible without their talent, time, dedication, and passion for our
mission and values. We are a highly diverse team of enthusiastic
individuals across 40 countries with a broad range of skillsets and life
experiences. CHAI is deeply grounded in the countries we work in, with
the majority of our staff based in program countries. Learn more about
our exciting work: www.clintonhealthaccess.org
CHAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing an
environment of fairness and mutual respect where all applicants have
access to equal employment opportunities. CHAI values diversity and
inclusion and recognizes that our mission is best advanced by the
leadership and contributions of people with diverse experiences,
backgrounds, and cultures.
About the Role
The Director, Strategy and Operations will work very closely with the
Country Director and senior management team, both as a strategic thought
partner and in driving the execution of the organization’s strategic
direction. He/She will have the challenging and exciting responsibility
of maintaining a big-picture view of the entire organization and its
long-term impact while also having attention to detail and energy to
drive forward execution.
Reporting to the Country Director, the Director will have a wide-ranging
set of expectations, including undertaking key strategic analyses,
supporting new initiatives, developing high-priority board and donor
content, and driving execution and coordination of top organizational
priorities as set by the management team. This is a role for someone who
is able and excited to switch seamlessly between getting their hands
dirty to get things done across many workstreams while also being able
to step back to provide thought partnership on setting big-picture
organizational strategy, pursuing new opportunities, and troubleshooting
challenges.
Responsibilities
1. Strategic Support and Thought Partnership
Prepare the Country Director and program leaders for high-impact
meetings with donors, government officials, and strategic partners,
crafting briefings and tracking follow-ups to support
relationship-building excellence.
Drive coordination across CHAI for certain donor engagement
opportunities, managing submissions and timelines to secure funding
that propels CHAI’s mission.
Establish new relationships and foster existing relationships with
key development partners, government officials, and professional
networks to enhance CHAI Nigeria’s reputation.
Support, build, and maintain strong relationships with donors and
host country government representatives.
Develop compelling donor-facing materials, including proposals and
pitch decks, showcasing CHAI’s vision and measurable impact.
2. Business Development and External Engagement
Track donor funding trends and priorities within the African region
and communicate these to the Program Directors, Director of
Programs, and Country Director.
Research, analyze, and maintain a regular register of donor calls
for funding applications, including tenders, expressions of
interest, and requests for proposals.
Advise on potential partnerships with other organizations and
agencies and identify specific opportunities.
Identify and pursue funding opportunities for CHAI Nigeria – either
as a lead agency or subcontractor – among major international
agencies operating within the Africa region.
3. Program Performance Management
Support the implementation and evaluation of CHAI’s programs and
initiatives in Nigeria.
Review and update the CHAI Nigeria program performance management
framework and drive the quarterly review process.
Create tools and processes for goal setting, progress-tracking, and
resource allocation.
Monitor program performance and make necessary adjustments.
4. Talent Management
Contribute to staff recruitment and relevant HR processes for
building the team for CHAI Nigeria.
Oversee the creation and implementation of training programs to
enhance staff skills and leadership capabilities.
Develop and manage performance management processes that align with
organizational goals.
Design initiatives that improve employee morale and strengthen
organizational culture.
5. Special Projects and Other Responsibilities
Lead key cross-cutting initiatives, addressing organizational gaps
and driving high-impact projects forward.
Enhance internal communications and employee engagement, partnering
with the Country Director to deliver engaging updates.
Any other responsibility assigned by the Country Director.
Qualifications
Education
Master’s degree (MBA, MPP, MPA, or MA in International Development or
equivalent).
Experience
Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience, including at least 4
years in strategy/management consulting.
Experience in a fast-paced, results-oriented work environment.
Must have international experience or a strong understanding of
challenges facing the international development sector.
Successful track record of securing multiple high-value
projects/contracts from bilateral and multilateral donors.
Skills
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities.
High emotional intelligence and the ability to manage teams in
high-pressure situations.
Proficient in project management and cross-functional collaboration.
Languages
Proficiency in English is required; additional language skills are a
plus.
Why Join Us?
As Director, Operations & Strategy, you will be at the forefront of
strategic efforts to improve public health outcomes worldwide. This is
an opportunity to shape the future of global health programs and
contribute to advancing health equity across Nigeria and beyond.
Advantages
Prior experience with CHAI or similar organizations.
Experience in public health governance, systems strengthening, and
operations management.
Strong experience engaging with government officials and
multilateral organizations.