Senior Program Manager, Clinical AI

About Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)

The Clinton Health Access Initiative is a global health organization dedicated to saving lives and alleviating disease burdens in low- and middle-income countries. Founded in 2002 to combat HIV/AIDS by lowering drug prices and increasing access, CHAI now works broadly on infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis, as well as non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. The organization also focuses on vaccine rollout, maternal and child health, nutrition, assistive technologies, and strengthening health systems through workforce, digital health, and financing programs—aiming for sustainable, government-led solutions scaled nationally.

Position Summary

CHAI seeks a Senior Manager or Associate Director to lead the implementation of its Artificial Intelligence initiative focused on enhancing healthcare delivery in Ethiopia. Reporting to the Global Team Clinical AI Lead, this role owns all aspects of in-country execution—turning strategy, clinical needs, and product plans into tangible results while building and managing government, partner, and global team relationships. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of healthcare ecosystems, including demand, referral systems, infrastructure, regulation, workforce, and service quality, enabling a coordinated approach to drive the initiative forward responsibly and at pace.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead full delivery of CHAI’s AI initiative in Ethiopia, from initial pilots to scaling phases.
• Convert strategic plans and clinical AI product roadmaps into detailed, sequenced action plans with clear milestones and risk management.
• Maintain ongoing collaboration with CHAI country leadership and various Ministry of Health directorates, coordinating efforts among partners involved.
• Serve as the primary liaison between CHAI Ethiopia and Global Clinical AI teams, ensuring alignment and resolving issues proactively.
• Identify and analyze how related health system elements affect initiative outcomes; gather evidence to highlight challenges and facilitate system-wide responses.
• Manage and nurture the Clinical AI in-country team, promoting a servant-leadership culture centered on open communication, collaboration, and swift problem-solving.
• Ensure clinical information, workflow details, infrastructure realities, and pilot data are accurate and confidential, supporting ethical standards in patient data governance.
• Produce clear reports and updates for senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Prepare for scaling including regulatory compliance, infrastructure readiness, workforce training, and monitoring systems.
• Provide expert technical assistance to CHAI and Ministry of Health as needed.
• Travel regularly within Ethiopia and internationally (10–25% of the time) to support engagement and implementation.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by CHAI leadership both globally and locally.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree mandatory; master’s degree preferred in public health, health systems, business administration, computer science, mathematics, or related fields.
• Extensive progressive experience in health systems, health technology implementation, or large-scale program leadership, with significant exposure in low- and middle-income countries.
• Proven success in advancing health technology projects, ideally involving AI, from development through large-scale deployment.
• Comprehensive insight into healthcare ecosystems encompassing infrastructure, regulation, supply chains, human resources, data management, referral networks, and validation.
• Experience working closely with ministries of health, building long-term, trust-based partnerships for impactful decision-making.
• Strong abilities in strategic planning, roadmap creation, and execution of complex initiatives.
• Excellent strategic foresight to anticipate opportunities and challenges, positioning programs effectively.
• Effective stakeholder engagement skills across government, donors, partners, and internal teams.
• Leadership style centered on service, team cohesion, and fostering a collaborative environment that addresses issues effectively.
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and spoken, capable of producing detailed reports and briefings.
• Willing and able to undertake frequent domestic and international travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Medical degree with obstetric experience.
• Background in healthcare AI, digital health, or health informatics.
• Experience supporting national electronic medical record or health information system deployments in LMIC settings.
• Fluency in Amharic language.

Equal Opportunity Statement

CHAI is committed to fairness, mutual respect, and equal employment opportunities. The organization values diversity and inclusion and believes its mission benefits from people of varied experiences and backgrounds.

Additional Information

This position is based in Ethiopia and may be filled at either Senior Manager or Associate Director level depending on candidate experience. The role involves regular on-site presence and up to 25% travel, domestically and internationally.