Job description
GHS is seeking a Director to support the growth of our new Nairobi office, which will serve as a hub for the East African region. GHS is an international consulting organization that aims to ensure the development and worldwide delivery of health products, technologies and information. We specialize in communications, advocacy, research and strategy. Our donors and clients include foundations, NGOs, government agencies, academic institutions and product development partnerships that are working in the health and development space.
GHS currently has offices in New York, USA; New Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow and Kolkata, India; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Beijing, China; and, our most recent addition, Nairobi, Kenya. We also have a growing presence in Johannesburg, South Africa.
GHS’s Director in Nairobi will be responsible for spearheading new business development efforts in Kenya and across East Africa; hiring, managing and mentoring a small team; and coordinating day-to-day operations of the office. He or she will also manage the development and execution of communications and advocacy strategies for GHS’s clients and partners, focused on major health and development challenges in the region, including reproductive maternal, newborn and child health, HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, nutrition and health financing, among others.
This is the ideal position for an intelligent, entrepreneurial, motivated and passionate senior professional who has a sophisticated understanding of an evolving global health environment and a strong background in global health advocacy and/or communications. The individual should also possess excellent diplomatic and client relations skills and an energetic and flexible management style. We are seeking someone who can thrive in a fast-paced, demanding and entrepreneurial environment.
This will be a full-time, Nairobi-based position. The Director will report to GHS’s Executive Vice President. Kenyan and other East African nationals are encouraged to apply; preference will be given to individuals with permission to work in Kenya.
Additional information about responsibilities and qualifications is included below.
Responsibilities Specifically, GHS’s Nairobi-based Director will:
Plan, direct, and coordinate the strategic, operational and administrative direction of the GHS Nairobi office, working in close collaboration with GHS’s EVP
Oversee a range of high-profile projects in Kenya/East Africa, including developing and implementing advocacy and media/communications strategies and market research
Identify and secure new business opportunities with development agencies, foundations, private sector companies and civil society organizations based in Kenya
Create and maintain interactions and networks with government agencies, multilaterals, CSOs and other partners in Kenya and East Africa
Hire, build and mentor an appropriately-sized team to support client work and new business development efforts
Manage client relationships, ensuring that excellent service is delivered to clients and keeping other senior managers and the organization’s senior leadership apprised of project development
Create and track project work plans and budgets to ensure successful and timely completion of client deliverables
Manage the establishment of the administrative functions of the Nairobi office
Attend frequent domestic and international meetings and events both with clients and alone, on their behalf
Maintain effective communication between the Nairobi office, other country offices and the NYC-based head office
Required Qualifications
12-15 years of experience in global health and development areas; some of which should be in a management position
Proven ability to assist with organizational growth and drive profitability as well as proven success at cultivating new or expanded business opportunities
Strong relationships with global health stakeholders from the public, private and civil society sectors in Kenya and across East Africa
Deep understanding of advocacy and communications in an African context
Experience managing cross-client, cross-office and cross-cultural challenges, including staffing, resource allocations, organizational development, knowledge management, etc.
Excellent leadership and talent management skills: ability to manage, mentor, motivate and inspire staff and colleagues
Creative and collaborative management style with hands-on approach to project management (i.e., willingness to “roll up one’s sleeves”)
Ability to produce — and to mentor GHS staff to build their own teams to produce — client ready documents across the full range of GHS services
Ability and desire to function in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment
Willingness to travel internationally; overseas work experience is a plus
Excellent oral and written communications skills; fluency in English, both spoken and written, is required & Kiswahili and/or French proficiency is a plus
Master’s degree in a related field or Bachelor’s degree with additional qualifications (course certificates)
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
