The Opportunity

Abt seeks a highly experienced digital health sector expert as Digital Health Director for the anticipated USAID Kenya Digital Health Ecosystem (DHE) Activity. This 5-Year USAID-funded program aims to improve the availability and quality of healthcare services in Kenya through a national integrated and comprehensive digital health ecosystem. The program focuses on increasing country ownership and managing a sector-wide health information ecosystem to enhance health systems outcomes in terms of equity, quality, and resource optimization. Key areas include integrating digital health solutions, enhancing digital health ecosystem governance, and strengthening strategic partnerships.
The Digital Health Director will provide digital health technical leadership and ensure digital health technical excellence across the project. The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and is contingent upon award to Abt.

Core Responsibilities

Supports the Chief of Party (COP) in leadership and execution of the technical vision of the project.
Closely collaborate with the COP to manage project performance and results and ensure that activity components are results-oriented, deliverables are of high quality, and reporting is relevant and timely.
Provides direct oversight of technical advisors and support to activities across key technical areas of the project.
Serves as a digital health technical expert, ensuring digital health technical excellence across the project.
Closely collaborates with the COP to provide oversight and direction of the project’s operational and administrative staff.
Oversees iterative assessment, planning, and adaptation (as needed) of activities in the field, including soliciting and incorporating the input and lessons learned from project staff, partners, and local stakeholders.
Develops and updates technical strategies, plans, and approaches to achieve objectives and ensure that all activities are consistent with accepted best practices.
Spearheads development of high-quality routine activity updates, progress reports, and other technical deliverables.
Supports project staff to develop and implement innovative approaches to capacity strengthening and ensure a high-quality transfer of competencies to Kenyan institutions and communities.
Participates in technical networks, meetings, and select technical working groups as appropriate to represent the project and ensure effective collaboration on relevant technical work.
In the absence of the COP, serves as Acting COP and the project’s key representative to critical stakeholders, including USAID, the Government of Kenya, other donors and implementing partners, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and communities.

What We Value

Master’s Degree (minimum) or Doctorate in public health, international development, health informatics, information systems, computer science, or another relevant field;
Minimum 12 years (with Master’s) or 10 years (with PhD) of experience providing progressive technical leadership in the digital health sector, and preferred experience in at least 4 of the following technical leadership in the areas of:

Digital health & data systems development and implementation
Data science and analytics
Interoperability and standards
Digital health governance, compliance, and security
Strategic information / health informatics
Partnership management
Private sector engagement


At least 3 years’ experience in a senior technical position for a public health and/or international development project, with experience in a USAID-funded project highly desirable.
Effective written and oral communication, presentation, and advocacy skills.
Excellent computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and PowerPoint.
Demonstrated inclusive leadership, creative problem solving, and adaptive management skills.
Proven ability to work with a diverse group of team members, partners, and stakeholders.
Must be fluent in English.