Program Lead – Maternal Newborn and Child Health

Role Overview

As Program Lead for Jhpiego’s Healthy Birth Initiative in Kenya, you will guide the programme from strategic planning and budgeting through delivery, performance review and learning. You will work with government and health-sector partners to improve the quality and reach of maternal and newborn care, with particular attention to life-saving services for small, sick and preterm babies.

The role combines technical leadership with responsibility for teams, partnerships, finances and programme results. Its work supports stronger health systems and wider adoption of evidence-based care across national and county settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Set programme priorities and lead planning, budgeting, implementation and performance management for the Healthy Birth Initiative.
• Provide technical direction on maternal and newborn health, quality improvement and the introduction of innovative care approaches.
• Work with national and county governments and other partners to strengthen health systems, clinical workforce capacity and referral networks.
• Build and maintain relationships with donors, global partners, professional associations, academic institutions and implementing organisations.
• Lead monitoring, evaluation, research and learning, using programme data to guide decisions and share useful findings.
• Oversee financial controls, donor compliance, risk management and the performance of programme partners.
• Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team spanning technical, programme and monitoring and evaluation functions.
• Identify opportunities to mobilise resources and support the growth of maternal, newborn and child health work.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, international development or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public health programme management, including a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership position.
• At least 5 years of experience in maternal, newborn and child health programming.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large donor-funded programmes and multidisciplinary teams.
• Substantial experience working with regional, national and county governments in Kenya.
• Strong knowledge of Kenya’s maternal, newborn and child health context.
• Expertise in health systems strengthening, quality improvement, resource mobilisation and stakeholder engagement.