Country Director (NGO) – Public Health, Nairobi

About the role

An international NGO focused on public health is looking for a strategic Country Leader to be based in Nairobi. The successful candidate will act as the organisation's senior in-country leader, driving government engagement and advancing national initiatives that expand access to improved eye health services. The role combines strategic leadership, government relations, coalition coordination, policy analysis and program oversight.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as Kenya's primary liaison with the Ministry of Health, the Department of Eye Health, the Council of Governors, County Health Departments and relevant regulatory bodies.
• Lead engagement with national health frameworks, including SHA/SHIF, reimbursement structures, accreditation pathways and regulatory processes affecting eyeglass access.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Kenya's multi-sector coalition, coordinating government, NGOs, academic institutions and private-sector partners.
• Convene and lead coalition meetings, technical working groups and cross-sector collaborations aligned with WHO SPECS 2030 and national eye health priorities.
• Oversee national initiatives expanding refractive error services and spectacle coverage, including demand generation and market development.
• Monitor program execution, including data collection, performance tracking, risk management and reporting to executive leadership and steering structures.
• Carry out policy, regulatory and operational research, and prepare strategic analyses, briefing documents, grant materials and stakeholder reports.
• Represent the organisation with government, donors, NGOs and partners, and support country-level operations and local team leadership.

Required profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Proven experience in public health, health systems, policy, development or related fields, including work with Kenyan government ministries, regulatory bodies and county-level institutions.
• Strong strategic leadership skills and a strong understanding of health systems, policy development, financing, reimbursement and service delivery models.
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate multi-stakeholder coalitions across public, private and development sectors.
• Excellent communication, presentation and documentation skills, with the ability to prepare strategic analyses and policy-related materials.