Head of Health System Strengthening (HSS) at Jacaranda Health

Job Summary

As our solutions scale across Kenya, we have recognized the need to embed them within well functioning health systems that deliver high quality maternal and newborn health (MNH) services. We are seeking a Head of Health Systems Strengthening (HSS), a new department within Jacaranda Health. The Head of HSS will lead organizational efforts to understand gaps in health financing, supply chains and human resources, and will coordinate teams in the development and integration of efficient scalable solutions that improve MNH outcomes. 

Key responsibility areas 

• Strategic program implementation and execution: You have the ability to translate a strategic vision into programmatic reality. Jacaranda has two major donor funded grants that are exploring the interplay between resource availability (people, commodities, finances) and quality of MNH services. The Head of HSS will align organizational strategic objectives, donor needs and government priorities to ensure that our solutions are driving sustainable impact for mothers and babies seeking care in government hospitals. This means asking tough questions, realigning activities where necessary and redirecting partner organizations if appropriate. It also means ensuring that our reporting captures and conveys insights from the field. 
• Technical expert: You have a solid understanding of health system building blocks, and how they contribute to outcomes in real health systems. We are not looking for textbook experts, but for ‘real world’ implementers who have used less-than-perfect techniques to solve systemic challenges in health financing, supply chain management or human resource allocation. Importantly, your approach will have the ownership and collaboration of government partners who are seeking to improve outcomes in their systems. 
• Inter and intra organizational leadership: You are a master at coordinating partners and teams to successfully execute complex projects. Systemic change cannot happen without collaboration of multiple teams within Jacaranda, and with a group of partners with a broad range of expertise (startups, design firms, technology partners). You will have demonstrated leadership within prior organizations ‘managing across the matrix’ to achieve results, and you would have understood how to collaborate with partners to motivate independent groups to achieve a common goal. 
• Data driven decision maker: Data and insights drive your actions and your communication. At Jacaranda, we make critical decisions based on data collected from the field. This involves triangulating information (qualitative or quantitative; from providers or clients; within a facility or across counties) and interpreting the results to service insights. This also requires the ability to communicate those insights, whether with teams internally, or with a partner externally. 

Essential Experience /Competencies

• Master’s Degree in Strategic Management, Business Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Health or any other related field
• Minimum of five years of experience leading complex, donor funded projects that involve multiple stakeholders (government, partners, community etc.)
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of these areas: Health Financing, Supply Chain Management, Human Resources for Health. 
• Experience being the primary lead for large donor funded projects
• Demonstrated capacity to work in a dynamic environment and under reasonable pressure
• Demonstrated ability to drive change and innovation.