Oversee and manage the full spectrum of operational duties, ensuring seamless execution of daily tasks and long-term strategic initiatives. Develop, implement, and monitor policies and procedures to enhance efficiency, compliance, and performance across all departments. Lead cross-functional teams to achieve organizational objectives, fostering collaboration and accountability. Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and mentor staff to drive professional growth. Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reduction, and innovation to optimize workflows and resource allocation. Maintain accurate records, prepare comprehensive reports, and present findings to senior leadership to support data-driven decision-making. Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal guidelines while mitigating risks and resolving operational challenges promptly.
The Senior Director will oversee CHAI’s Private Sector Engagement and Private Finance initiatives, encompassing strategy development, partnership cultivation, implementation oversight, and team leadership. This role requires close collaboration with CHAI’s country teams and Health Systems Strengthening leadership, as well as engagement with external stakeholders such as governments, donors, Development Finance Institutions (Dais), Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), commercial banks, impact investors, private equity firms, venture capital groups, and health sector companies.
Develop and implement strategic initiatives while establishing a platform focused on facilitating deals.
To cultivate an in-depth, grassroots-level comprehension of the health investment landscape in key markets, map essential stakeholders spanning capital providers, health enterprises, regulatory bodies, and intermediaries. This analysis will pinpoint systemic inefficiencies and guide strategic opportunities where CHAI can deliver unparalleled impact.
Co-create CHAI’s strategic approach for private sector engagement and private finance mobilization for health across Sub-Saharan Africa, defining key focus regions, priority subsectors such as primary care, wholesale distribution systems, retail pharmacy, diagnostics, oncology, oxygen, supply chains, energy, and digital health, as well as CHAI’s specific role within the broader health ecosystem.
Establish well-defined operating models, impact assessment frameworks, and strategic work plans while developing the necessary operational infrastructure to support a fully functional deal platform. This includes creating systems for deal scouting, cultivating deal flow, managing pipelines, establishing due diligence protocols, maintaining institutional deal records, developing repeatable playbooks, and implementing robust impact measurement methodologies.
Transform the strategy into a dynamic, evolving framework by embedding structured review cycles to evaluate progress and empower decisive actions—whether intensifying efforts or pivoting direction—guided by empirical insights.
Leverage capital resources and cultivate strategic relationships throughout the entire capital ecosystem.
Forge and oversee strategic partnerships with a diverse network of capital providers, including multilateral development banks, development finance institutions, foundations, impact funds (both debt and equity), private equity/venture capital firms, local commercial banks, and microfinance institutions.
Leverage strategic initiatives to align CHAI’s health priorities with capital providers, fostering collaborative partnerships and innovative co-investment models.
Where relevant, explore partnerships with international companies (e.g., medical equipment, digital health, supply chain technology) that can support African health service delivery platforms, in line with donor interest in linking trade and aid.
Strategically represent CHAI at pivotal forums, focusing engagements that either initiate deals or enhance strategic positioning. This role demands meaningful participation that yields tangible outcomes, avoiding participation in mere conference circuits.
Devise and implement innovative financing solutions and strategic transactions to optimize capital structure and funding opportunities.
Spearhead the development and execution of innovative blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms—such as first-loss facilities, portfolio guarantees, subordinated capital, and results-linked incentives—to facilitate access to competitively priced financing for health-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and service providers. Guarantee the viability of implementation strategies by clearly defining partner roles and responsibilities.
Drive transactions from origination through close: partner alignment, term sheet negotiation, structuring, documentation, and oversight. Navigate the complexities of local currency financing, tenor, FX risk mitigation, and regulatory environments across different African markets.
Develop and implement mechanisms that clearly demonstrate measurable health outcomes and financial benefits, supported by practical monitoring and reporting strategies.
Collaborate closely with leading healthcare organizations to drive expansion and scale operations effectively.
Lead strategic advisory and support initiatives for health businesses, delivering tailored commercial and financial guidance while enhancing governance frameworks, clarifying unit economics, and developing compelling investment proposals. Identify financing requirements and align enterprises with optimal capital solutions.
Develop a structured methodology for transaction origination and pipeline management, transitioning from isolated opportunities to scalable, repeatable frameworks.
Facilitate the expansion of scale pathways by establishing contracts with governmental entities and key strategic purchasers.
Foster the development of an exceptional team and serve as a primary representative of CHAI in all external engagements.
Develop a high-performing team by cultivating an organizational culture that harmonizes financial discipline with a profound respect for local contexts and insights.
Representing CHAI, you will engage with senior-level stakeholders across governments, donors, investors, and private sector leaders in high-level forums. Additionally, you will craft compelling external communications, including reports and presentations, while shaping CHAI’s strategic perspectives on sustainable health financing.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field required, along with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in software development. Proficiency in multiple programming languages, including but not limited to Java, Python, or C++, is essential. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment are also necessary. Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure and familiarity with DevOps practices are highly desirable. Additionally, candidates should possess excellent communication skills to effectively convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
A bachelor’s degree is required; however, an advanced degree in Finance, Business (MBA), Economics, or a related field is highly preferred.
With over a decade of progressive expertise in impact investment, blended finance, development finance, venture capital, private equity, investment banking, or structured finance, you have a proven track record of advancing transactions from initial concept through to practical implementation.
Proven track record in formulating and implementing strategic initiatives within intricate and uncertain settings, adept at converting overarching objectives into practical steps, determining optimal focus areas amid a diverse environment, and adapting strategies in response to changing circumstances.
Proven expertise in deploying capital strategically across various business development phases and evaluating investment preparedness. Skilled in designing risk-sharing mechanisms such as guarantees, first-loss positions, and subordinated capital, along with collaborating with Development Finance Institutions (Dais), Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), and commercial financial entities.
Professional experience in the health sector across sub-Saharan Africa, coupled with a robust network spanning healthcare, finance, and development, is essential. The ideal candidate will have collaborated with or supported health subject-matter experts (SMEs) and enterprises operating in frontier or emerging markets, demonstrating a keen grasp of the practical challenges involved in providing accessible, cost-effective services.
Demonstrated expertise in assembling and guiding high-performing teams by identifying and recruiting top-tier talent, establishing clear strategic direction, and fostering an innovative culture supported by robust operational frameworks.
Exceptional written and verbal proficiency in English is essential, while fluency in French or Portuguese would provide a substantial advantage, particularly given CHAI’s global presence.
Exhibits readiness to undertake travel commitments, with an expected frequency ranging from 25% to 35% of the role’s responsibilities.
Attributes:
Energized by building from the ground up in dynamic, unstructured settings, this role thrives on execution with a strong preference for delivering results over refining theoretical frameworks.
Commercially adept and purpose-driven, the ideal candidate must confidently interact with DFI investment committees and rural healthcare entrepreneurs, bridging the gap between financial returns and health impact seamlessly.
An individual capable of navigating diverse cultural environments and maintaining organizational humility is essential, with the ability to thrive in an NGO setting by honoring CHAI’s collaborative ethos while integrating the efficiency and discipline characteristic of the private sector. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an authentic commitment to the mission-driven purpose of the organization, viewing this role not as a secondary option but as a meaningful pursuit.
Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal abilities and emotional intelligence by fostering trust across varied professional environments, including interactions with government officials, NGO colleagues, investors, and founders, while maintaining seamless collaboration and minimizing friction.
Intellectual curiosity and a strong ability to navigate ambiguity are essential for this position, as it involves developing strategy within an evolving and uncertain landscape—making these qualities critical for candidate self-assessment.
Driven by a mission to broaden access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, the role requires unwavering dedication to this purpose.
Within the initial 12 to 18-month timeframe, success will be defined by the following measurable outcomes and milestones:
A well-defined strategy and operating model have been established, explicitly identifying priority countries and subsectors for focused execution.
A cohesive core team has been assembled, alongside established workflows and robust pipeline management systems.
With an extensive network of capital providers and a carefully selected pipeline of high-value healthcare enterprises, the candidate demonstrates exceptional access to key financing sources and promising investment opportunities.
Developed expertise in structuring 2–3 financing solutions, either in the design phase or early implementation stages, in collaboration with aligned partners, while establishing a clear trajectory for initial capital deployment.
Targeted assistance will be provided to an initial group of companies, yielding measurable improvements in their investment readiness or the amount of capital secured.
Systemic challenges restricting healthcare investment in Sub-Saharan Africa have been identified, meticulously documented, and incorporated into strategic decision-making frameworks.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
10 years
