Head of Department - Programs

About the role

The Head of Department – Programs will provide unified leadership across our three programme workstreams: PROMPTS (digital SMS), MENTORS 2.0 (capacity building) and Data & Advocacy (county data sharing, quality improvement and health financing advocacy). This is a senior leadership role for someone who can translate strategy into coordinated execution across a complex, multi-county portfolio. You will oversee donor-funded grants, deepen long-term partnerships with county governments and the Ministry of Health, and hold end-to-end accountability for programme results in Kenya.

You will lead a team of four managers and a wider function of 30+ programme, helpdesk and field-facing staff, operating across 24+ counties.

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Reports to: Director of Kenya Programs

Direct reports: HSS Manager  |  Service Delivery Program Manager  |  Helpdesk Manager  |   Health Financing Technical Advisor

Terms of Engagement: One-year contract, renewable

About Jacaranda Health

Jacaranda Health’s mission is to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in the public health system. Through innovative AI-driven technology and human-centered solutions, we partner with governments to scale impactful, data driven interventions. These solutions include PROMPTS, an AI-enabled platform for mothers, and MENTORS, a facility-based training program equipping frontline nurses with lifesaving skills and knowledge. Our innovations and partnerships have reached over 3 million women across 1,100+ health facilities. As we expand across Kenya, Eswatini, and Ghana, we are looking for dynamic leaders with a passion for impact, to help us transform the future of maternal health. 

Jacaranda Health is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from qualified candidates regardless of race or ethnicity, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and any other protected characteristics. 

About the team

The Programs Department is the operational engine of Jacaranda Health’s work in Kenya, bringing together three closely connected workstreams under one roof:

• PROMPTS – our flagship digital SMS service that supports mothers through pregnancy, childbirth and the early postnatal period, delivered in partnership with county governments and backed by a 24/7 Helpdesk.

• MENTORS 2.0 – an EmONC clinical mentorship programme that strengthens the skills and confidence of frontline maternal and newborn health providers across public health facilities.

• Data & Advocacy – a growing portfolio focused on county data sharing, quality improvement and health financing advocacy, helping counties use evidence to drive better maternal and newborn health decisions.

We collaborate closely with our Data & Analytics, Research & Design, Technology, Finance and Communications teams, and with a wide ecosystem of donors, county governments and technical partners. It is a mission-driven, data-literate, field-connected team that values clarity, learning and delivery at scale.

What You’ll Do:

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.

Who you are:

What you bring

• 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.

  
  

Why join us?

Mission-driven work: Impact the lives of millions of mothers and babies.

Innovation-forward thinking: Lead cutting-edge solutions in maternal and newborn health.

High-growth organization: Shape national-scale programs with global reach.

People-centric culture: Collaborate with an ambitious, passionate, and supportive team.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit applications through this link – HOD Programs.Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is encouraged. No hard copies required or accepted. 

Application Deadline: 15th May 2026.