Deputy Director, AI Delivery & Government Partnerships

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, deserve the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the organization emphasizes diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. It offers an exceptional benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage without premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employee engagement in various communities. The organization is committed to fostering a workplace environment that supports both personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director, AI Delivery & Government Partnerships will spearhead the Foundation’s AI initiatives across Africa, focusing on translating advanced AI capabilities into practical, cost-effective programs aimed at improving outcomes for underserved populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This leadership role emphasizes building high-trust partnerships with governments and public institutions, enhancing AI hubs across the continent, and driving key initiatives in collaboration with platform providers from design to implementation. The role requires a strong understanding of technology strategy and institutional delivery, navigating the complexities of African public sectors. The Deputy Director will manage a dedicated team and serve as a regional integrator within the Africa Regional Offices (ARO), collaborating across various functions to ensure AI deployments align with institutional realities and budget constraints. The position builds on existing AI delivery work and aims to expand initiatives such as scaling AI hubs, operationalizing health innovation models, and supporting platform partnerships for tangible use cases.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Deputy Director will lead the design and implementation of AI-enabled programs in African LMIC settings, ensuring alignment with the Africa Data and Digital team. Responsibilities include translating strategic opportunities into funded programs with measurable outcomes, developing practical delivery playbooks, and establishing governance mechanisms with government counterparts. The role also involves leading AI platform partnerships, ensuring user-centered design and integration with existing tools, and managing a portfolio that balances execution with experimentation. The Deputy Director will strengthen AI hubs across priority countries, engage with regional platforms to shape standards, and embed equity in all deployments. Additionally, the role requires managing a focused team, fostering a collaborative culture, and navigating relationships across ARO and global teams.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in large-scale digital, AI, or data-enabled programs, particularly in LMIC settings. Proven ability to translate complex technology into institutional adoption is essential, along with a demonstrated track record of building partnerships with governments and public institutions. Strong program leadership capabilities, excellent communication skills, and practical AI literacy are required. Familiarity with data governance and public-sector system integration is also important, as is experience engaging with regional platforms and translating commitments into actionable programs.

Educational Background:
While specific educational qualifications are not detailed, candidates are expected to have a strong background in relevant fields such as public health, digital technology, or a related discipline that supports the role's responsibilities.

Experience:
Candidates should have extensive experience in leading digital, AI, or data-enabled programs, particularly in public sector contexts. A demonstrated ability to navigate political economies and operational constraints to achieve results is crucial, along with experience in managing multi-stakeholder budgets and generating credible evidence of impact.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and familiarity with French is considered a plus, enhancing communication capabilities in diverse contexts.

Additional Notes:
The position is open to candidates in Nairobi, Kenya, as well as other offices in Nigeria, Ethiopia, or South Africa. The role is full-time and involves significant leadership responsibilities, including managing a focused team and engaging with various stakeholders. The organization emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility in its hiring process, providing accommodations for candidates with disabilities or medical conditions. The hiring process will include a background check, and the organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all employment practices.