Associate Director, AI - Health Systems

The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries. We work at the invitation of governments to support them and the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems. CHAI was founded in 2002 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with the goal of dramatically reducing the price of life-saving drugs and increasing access to these medicines in the countries with the highest burden of the disease. Today, we work with our partners to prevent and treat infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis, as well as non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Our work also includes accelerating the rollout of lifesaving vaccines, reducing maternal and child mortality, combating chronic malnutrition, and increasing access to assistive technology. We invest in strengthening health systems through programs in human resources for health, digital health, and health financing.

About the role

The Associate Director, Health Systems AI will lead the strategy and launch of CHAI's National Health Intelligence Center work in partnership with CHAI program countries. This senior role combines strategic leadership, government engagement, and deep practical fluency with modern AI tools. The individual will define the vision for how AI can improve health systems management, translate that vision into a concrete portfolio of country engagements, and build the team and partnerships needed to deliver it. This role reports to the Senior Director and Head of AI and requires regular travel to CHAI program countries, including occasional multi-week periods.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the strategy for CHAI's Health Systems AI work, including the vision for how AI can strengthen health systems management across financing, supply chain, disease surveillance, and workforce functions.
• Partner with Ministries of Health and senior government officials to identify priority use cases and co-design the operating model, governance, and roadmap for National Health Intelligence Centers.
• Build, manage, and mentor a growing team, setting direction and standards for high-quality delivery across multiple country engagements.
• Lead the identification, evaluation, and responsible adoption of AI tools and approaches, ensuring solutions are practical, sustainable, and appropriate to government contexts.
• Prototype and systematize AI-enabled workflows using modern development and automation tools, and translate what is technically possible into concrete offerings for partner countries.
• Build the capacity of government counterparts to use AI tools effectively in their day-to-day work.
• Develop and steward relationships with governments, donors, technology partners, and other stakeholders to advance and sustain the portfolio.
• Contribute to fundraising, proposal development, and budget management to support the growth of the Health Systems AI portfolio.
• Represent CHAI's Health Systems AI work in external forums with donors, governments, and partners.
• Work across CHAI program teams to align the Health Systems AI portfolio with broader organizational strategy and identify opportunities for collaboration.
• Undertake other responsibilities as needed to advance the portfolio.

Requirements

• Passion for AI and its potential to improve health systems in low- and middle-income countries.
• 8 to 12+ years of relevant professional experience, including experience working with LMIC governments on digital or technology initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to build strategic vision and lead teams to deliver against it.
• Deep, hands-on fluency with modern AI tools and the use of AI to augment, automate, and systematize work.
• Strong background or demonstrated interest in public health or global health.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage senior government and external stakeholders.
• Ability to think strategically, handle ambiguity, and problem solve in a fast-paced, limited-structure, multicultural environment.
• Willingness to undertake regular travel to CHAI program countries, including occasional multi-week periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing or implementing digital health, data, or health information systems in LMIC settings.
• Experience engaging Ministries of Health or other senior government counterparts.
• Experience with fundraising, proposal development, or donor management.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field.