Associate Director, Applied AI

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 and has since expanded its focus to include infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis, as well as non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Our work also encompasses lifesaving vaccines, maternal and child health, chronic malnutrition, and assistive technology. We invest in strengthening health systems through programs in human resources, digital health, and health financing, ensuring sustainable impact at scale.

About the role

The Associate Director, Applied AI will serve as CHAI's senior technical expert in machine learning and AI, advising CHAI projects and Ministries of Health on best practices for the responsible deployment of ML and AI. This role combines deep expertise in traditional machine learning and data science with hands-on experience in newer AI tools such as large language models and agentic systems. The individual will guide teams toward the right technical approach for each problem, provide quality assurance across projects, and build a global team of technical experts over time. The role reports to the Senior Director, Head of AI and involves regular travel to CHAI program countries.

Responsibilities

• Serve as CHAI's senior technical advisor on machine learning and AI, guiding CHAI projects and Ministries of Health on best practices for responsible model development and deployment.
• Advise teams on selecting appropriate technical approaches across both traditional machine learning and data science (e.g., supervised learning, optimization, time series) and newer AI tools (e.g., large language models, agentic systems).
• Provide quality assurance across a broad portfolio of projects, reviewing the work of CHAI teams and external technical partners to ensure sound practices in model building, evaluation, and performance measurement.
• Establish and promote standards, methods, and guidance for rigorous model development and validation across the AI team's work.
• Provide hands-on technical guidance and senior-advisor support to a wide range of projects at varying stages of maturity.
• Recruit, mentor, and build a global team of technical experts to support projects across CHAI's work as the portfolio grows.
• Partner with government counterparts to build their capacity to develop, evaluate, and sustain ML and AI solutions.
• Translate technical concepts and trade-offs clearly for non-technical audiences, including senior government and program stakeholders.
• Stay current with developments in machine learning and AI and assess their relevance and applicability to CHAI's work.
• Undertake other responsibilities as needed to advance the technical quality of the AI team's work.

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 in machine learning, data science, or a closely related technical field.
• Deep expertise in traditional machine learning and data science methods, such as supervised learning, optimization and linear programming, and time series analysis.
• Hands-on experience with newer AI tools and approaches, including large language models and agentic systems.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate model quality and rigorously measure and validate model performance.
• Advanced degree in a quantitative or technical discipline such as data science, statistics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• 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 applying machine learning or AI in health, global health, or global development contexts.
• Experience working in low- and middle-income country settings.
• Experience working with governments or Ministries of Health.
• Experience building, mentoring, or leading technical teams.