Director, Programs and Primary Health Care at Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)

About The Role

• The Director, Programs and PHC will lead the strategy, development, and execution of the PHC programs collectively aimed at strengthening health systems that sustainably increase equitable access to quality and integrated PHC and SRHR for vulnerable groups in Nigeria. You will oversee the full lifecycle of PHC and SRHR initiatives, from strategic programmatic development and policy to delivery, ensuring accessibility and affordability across diverse populations. They will also lead the team’s efforts in building and delivering the ambitious goals of health systems strengthening portfolio and cross cutting initiatives in the CHAI Nigeria office that includes Health Financing, governance integration systems, Climate and Health and Assistive Technologies programs. This role requires strategic leadership, technical expertise, and strong cross-functional collaboration.
• You will work closely with the Nigerian government at national and sub-national levels, senior leadership of the organization, external stakeholders, donors, and public health organizations to drive the success of PHC and all programs.

Strategic Leadership & Management

• Lead the development and execution of PHC program strategy, aligning them with global health objectives and strategies of multilateral organizations like the World Bank, the World Health Organization, Global Fund, and GAVI.
• Oversee the design and implementation of PHC programs aligned with government priorities.
• Manage cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of program objectives.
• Monitor program progress, identify risks, and troubleshoot challenges.
• Manage the PHC program budget(s) including providing technical leadership and oversight for annual budgeting, budget forecasting, and ensuring compliance with budget execution against program goals and grant deliverables.
• Monitor emerging trends and integrate relevant innovations into program strategies.
• Inform CHAI’s global approach with country-specific insights.
• Provide thought leadership on PHC and UHC to senior management and external stakeholders.
• Ensure effective resource management and smooth operations across PHC grants.
• Identify and mitigate risks in the PHC program development and implementation process.
• Lead the development of a learning and research agenda to enhance CHAI's PHC strategy.
• Apply strong problem-solving and critical analytical thinking skills to identify gaps and opportunities in ongoing sector reforms including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and generate strong concepts and program initiatives to strengthen Government’s efforts and guide investments in PHC delivery systems and performance evaluation in the country.
• Lead fundraising efforts and donor engagement to support CHAI Nigeria’s PHC program, including securing regional and in-country donors.

Across all Programs in CHAI Nigeria

• Lead the design, development and execution of coherent programmatic multiyear strategies and interventions aimed at strengthening health systems with a special focus on the health financing pillar. Develop existing and future programs within the health systems strengthening cluster particularly in a resource constrained and rapidly evolving context. Lead structured program performance reviews and develop an accountability culture within teams In collaboration with the Director of strategy and Operations, guide the development and updating of a program specific results frameworks, annual operational plans, program risk registers and other process documents to ensure effective program execution. Lead program tracking of progress, analyzing data, and making recommendations for improvements based on evidence Lead structured program monitoring processes across teams including Gant chart management and productive team meetings Facilitate fundraising and business development efforts through grant writing, proof reading and desk reviews of key documentation Working with the Director of Finance and Administration, Lead program budget planning, tracking, and reporting, oversee budgets and resources for various projects, ensuring that they are used effectively and efficiently to achieve desired outcomes. Lead the development and review of financial and donor reports on project budget execution. Build a collaborative working environment between activity leads, operational teams and finance liaisons
• Lead the development and review of key program reports for internal and external stakeholder consumption including donors, MOH leadership and CHAI leadership
• Build project management capacity and skills within program teams ensuring timely execution of activities, compliance to CHAI policies and protocols, alignment with CHAI Nigeria and global mission objectives and responsive to government needs
• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management
• Collaborate with the Government agencies (e.g. Federal Ministry of Health, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), National Primary
• Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and state counterparts) and other external partners in-country (World Bank, WHO, other NGOs) to strengthen the design, implementation and evaluation of the national PHC program and relevant initiatives
• Lead development of key relationships between governmental, donor entities, nongovernmental organizations and health service delivery points in collaboration with country leadership
• Lead engagement with key MOH Program Managers/ division heads to gather input and ensure alignment and buy in across all programmatic activities.
• Lead and build strong relationships with key global team program counterparts ensuring effective representation of CHAI Uganda and showcasing lessons
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive stakeholder matrix for the portfolio of programs supported ensuring stakeholder needs are identified, negotiation avenues and mapped and healthy relationships are maintained.
• Guide program leads in navigating complex stakeholder relationships and favorably influence decision making in a professional and collaborative manner.
• Build a productive cadence of engagement with internal and external stakeholders and guide program leads in replicating this across activities implementation processes
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including government bodies, international organizations (WHO, World Bank, The Global Fund), donor organizations (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Affairs Canada etc.), Non-Governmental Organizations and the private sector.
• Represent CHAI at global health forums, advocating for PHC strengthening and the broader UHC agenda.
• Collaborate with donors and partners to ensure continued support for the PHC programs.
• Collaborate with governments, NGOs, and the private sector on advocacy to drive attention and resources to PHC strengthening in Nigeria.

Team Leadership & Development

• Contribute to staff recruitment and relevant HR processes for building the team for the CHAI Nigeria PHC program.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Provide regular feedback and coaching to team members, ensuring their professional growth.
• Actively engage with each direct report to understand their individual career aspirations and professional development objectives
• Continuously monitor progress of direct reports, provide constructive feedback, and identify opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth
• Lead, develop and motivate a multi skilled team of managers, senior associates and officers as defined by program deployment needs
• Be a role model and team player who demonstrates exceptionally high performance and harnesses the same from a diverse, talented and dynamic team.
• Proactively identify and address programmatic, team management and performance management matters that arise.
• Develop and maintain feedback mechanisms to ensure effective staff and team performance

Education

• Master’s degree or higher in Public Health, Economics, Business Management, or related discipline. MD/MBBS, PhD, or equivalent experience preferred

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in global health, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership position in PHC/UHC program strategy, development, and implementation
• Proven record managing large, complex public health programs and partnerships
• Expertise in global health policy, PHC systems, and regulatory frameworks
• Experience working with governments, NGOs, and international organizations (e.g., WHO, World Bank, Global Fund)
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, donor engagement, and securing large-scale funding

Skills

• Strong strategic and critical thinking skills.
• Strong project management and strategic planning skills, effective communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Strong grant writing and proposal development skills
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficient in project management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including compelling presentations and reports.
• Extensive global health experience, donor organizational experience (is an advantage)
• Ability to manage complex projects, prioritize tasks, and work independently.
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to manage teams in high-pressure situations.
• Ability to travel up to 35% of the time

Languages

• Proficiency in English is required; additional language skills are a plus.