Senior Program Officer, AI & Digital Health Delivery

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the organization emphasizes diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous paid time off, family leave, retirement contributions, and opportunities for employee engagement in various communities. The organization is committed to fostering a supportive work environment for personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
The Senior Program Officer (SPO) for AI & Digital Health Delivery will be instrumental in promoting AI-driven solutions to enhance primary health care and health systems across Africa. This role involves managing a diverse portfolio of investments in AI and health delivery, ensuring alignment with government priorities and the foundation's health objectives. The SPO will work closely with the Exemplars in Global Health (EGH) team, focusing on building an evidence and learning portfolio that informs the effective scaling of AI and digital health solutions. The successful candidate will leverage their technical expertise in AI and digital systems within healthcare, alongside a deep understanding of primary health care programming in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), to drive improvements in health outcomes through innovative technology.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for identifying, developing, and managing a multi-country portfolio of investments in AI and digital health that enhance primary health care delivery. Key responsibilities include leading due diligence processes, defining results frameworks, monitoring performance, and making recommendations regarding investment renewals or exits. The SPO will ensure that investments demonstrate a credible pathway to government adoption and public value, assessing costs and sustainability. They will facilitate engagement between the EGH team and country offices, providing technical support on AI and digital health solutions, and strengthening government capabilities to identify high-value AI opportunities. The role also involves advising on use cases across various health areas, ensuring integration of new tools with existing systems, and contributing to the development of AI strategies at the foundation. The SPO will synthesize lessons from investments and country experiences into actionable insights, prepare technical materials for diverse audiences, and maintain relationships with regional partners and government counterparts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in public health, medicine, data science, computer science, engineering, or a related field, or have equivalent experience. A minimum of 10 years of senior-level experience in advancing digital and AI-driven solutions in health systems is essential, with a strong preference for experience in global health programming focused on primary health care. Familiarity with AI applications in healthcare, proven knowledge of health systems in LMICs, and experience in grant making and portfolio management are also required. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to engage with government and partner organizations, strong communication skills in English, and the capacity to navigate complex healthcare environments.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in relevant fields such as public health, medicine, data science, computer science, or engineering is required. Equivalent experience may also be considered, particularly in roles that involve the application of innovative technologies to improve health outcomes.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 10 years of senior-level experience in advancing digital and AI-driven solutions in health systems, particularly in Africa. Experience in global health programming, especially in primary health care and health systems strengthening, is strongly preferred. Familiarity with AI applications in healthcare and proven knowledge of primary health care delivery in LMICs is essential.

Languages:
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are mandatory. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the African context may be advantageous but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This is a limited-term employee position with a three-year term based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The role may require travel up to 30% within Africa and globally. The hiring process will include a background check, and the organization is committed to providing an inclusive hiring experience, accommodating candidates with disabilities as needed. The organization values diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants.