Head of Country Expansion at Jacaranda Health

HEAD OF COUNTRY EXPANSION ABOUT THE ROLE Jacaranda Health is seeking a Head of Country Expansion to drive the organization's growth strategy across East African markets. You will translate Jacaranda Health's country expansion vision into executable programmes, sustainable partnerships, and measurable impact on maternal and newborn health outcomes. Managing a team of programme managers and in-country consultants, you'll own both the performance of current operations and the strategic development of new market opportunities, while deepening Jacaranda Health's integration within government health systems. WHAT YOU'LL DO Programme Delivery and Expansion Convert departmental strategy into clear, country-specific workplans, milestones, and accountability frameworks that drive results. Oversee all aspects of programme delivery across existing countries, ensuring country teams, partners, and global technical teams meet agreed quality and timeliness standards. Execute approved expansion plans with precision, managing both direct and partner-led implementation models to agreed timelines and quality benchmarks. Monitor and communicate progress against critical metrics including enrolment, engagement, behaviour change, and system adoption, using data insights to fuel continuous improvement. Identify delivery bottlenecks early, escalating risks and strategic decisions to the Director of Global Programs and Product as needed. Partnership Development and Management Create and nurture a robust pipeline of new partnership opportunities spanning governments, NGOs, donors, and private sector players to expand reach within existing markets. Lead partnership structuring, contracting, and onboarding processes aligned with Jacaranda Health's standards and requirements. Strengthen existing partnerships to unlock additional scale and secure long-term commitment from key stakeholders. Manage and develop in-country partnership consultants, setting performance expectations and monitoring delivery standards. Government and Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain strong operational relationships with Ministries of Health and sub-national government bodies, positioning Jacaranda Health as a trusted delivery partner. Represent Jacaranda Health in technical forums, working groups, and stakeholder engagements at the country level. Navigate regulatory, policy, and system dynamics to ensure programme continuity and support scaling ambitions. Keep the Director informed of government priorities, policy developments, and emerging market opportunities. Integration, Localisation, and Sustainability Embed programmes within government workflows, systems, and priorities such as eCHIS alignment initiatives. Collaborate with Product and Clinical teams to ensure culturally and contextually appropriate programme implementation for each market. Coordinate across Product, Technology, Data, and Clinical functions, translating country-level needs into clear, actionable strategic briefs. Identify and advance sustainability pathways including government ownership models, telecom partnerships, and cost-sharing arrangements in line with the Director's strategy. Team Leadership and Development Lead, manage, and develop a capable team of programme managers with strong expertise in partnership management and programme execution. Establish clear performance expectations, provide ongoing constructive feedback, and invest in team member growth and development. Cultivate a culture rooted in ownership, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving across all team interactions. WHO YOU ARE Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Public Health, International Development, Business, or a closely related field. 9 to 10 years of professional experience in programme management, partnership development, or health systems strengthening. Demonstrated success managing multi-stakeholder programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably in a government or NGO environment. Proven ability to convert strategic direction into concrete operational results across country-level teams. Experience leading and developing teams of managers or senior professionals. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree or equivalent advanced education and professional experience combination. Core Competencies In-depth knowledge of health systems, community health delivery models, and digital health programmes operating in Sub-Saharan Africa. Track record of developing, structuring, and managing complex partnerships across government, NGO, and private sector organizations. Demonstrated ability to influence and persuade diverse stakeholders across departments and organizations without direct authority. Strong analytical and data interpretation skills with a commitment to evidence-based programme decisions. Excellent written and verbal communication abilities suited for diverse audiences including donors, government officials, and senior leadership. Expertise in programme design, management, quality assurance, monitoring, evaluation, and data-driven decision-making. Proficiency in government relations, stakeholder management, and navigating health systems landscapes. WHY JOIN JACARANDA HEALTH Mission-driven impact: Transform maternal and newborn health for millions of women and families across East Africa. Innovation at the forefront: Work with emerging technology solutions in maternal and newborn health. Growth opportunity: Build your career with a rapidly scaling organization operating at national and global scale. Collaborative culture: