Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer (ceo) At Open Health Foundation
full-time
Role Overview
The Executive Director/CEO will serve as the chief executive and strategic leader of Open Health Foundation, providing overall direction for the organization's programmes, operations, people, partnerships, finances, and institutional development.
The role will work closely with the Board and senior leadership team to develop and execute the Foundation's strategic priorities, build strong relationships with donors, government institutions, development partners, private-sector organizations, healthcare stakeholders, and other strategic partners.
The Executive Director/CEO will also serve as a principal ambassador for the Foundation, representing its interests and mission at high-level meetings, conferences, policy forums, donor engagements, and other relevant platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Direction:
Provide visionary and effective leadership in alignment with the Foundation's mission, values, and long-term objectives.
Develop, implement, and periodically review the Foundation's strategic plan and organizational priorities.
Translate strategic objectives into clear annual operational plans, targets, budgets, and measurable outcomes.
Identify emerging opportunities, risks, and trends within the health and development sectors and position the Foundation accordingly.
Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Ensure that the Foundation remains responsive to the evolving needs of the communities and populations it serves.
Programme Leadership & Impact:
Provide strategic oversight of all Foundation programmes, projects, and interventions.
Ensure programmes are evidence-based, impactful, scalable, and aligned with the Foundation's strategic priorities.
Establish appropriate systems for monitoring, evaluation, learning, and impact measurement.
Review programme performance and ensure timely corrective action where required.
Promote innovation and the adoption of effective approaches to healthcare delivery and health-system strengthening.
Ensure programme activities comply with relevant regulatory, ethical, contractual, and donor requirements.
Fundraising & Resource Mobilization:
Lead the development and implementation of a sustainable resource-mobilization strategy.
Build and maintain strong relationships with institutional donors, foundations, development agencies, government institutions, corporate organizations, philanthropists, and other funding partners.
Identify and pursue strategic funding opportunities, grants, partnerships, and investment opportunities.
Provide leadership in the development of high-quality proposals, concept notes, funding strategies, and partnership opportunities.
Diversify the Foundation's funding base and reduce dependence on a limited number of funding sources.
Represent the Foundation in high-level donor and funding discussions.
Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement:
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships that advance the Foundation's mission and programmes.
Build strong relationships with government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, healthcare organizations, academic institutions, NGOs, private-sector organizations, and community stakeholders.
Represent the Foundation at national and international conferences, policy engagements, sector meetings, and other strategic forums.
Identify opportunities for collaboration, co-investment, knowledge exchange, and programme expansion.
Position Open Health Foundation as a credible and respected organization within the health and development ecosystem.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management:
Work closely with the Board to ensure effective organizational governance and accountability.
Provide the Board with accurate, timely, and strategic information to support informed decision-making.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, donor requirements, organizational policies, and governance standards.
Identify, assess, and manage organizational, financial, operational, reputational, and programme risks.
Maintain appropriate internal controls and accountability mechanisms.
Promote transparency and ethical conduct across the organization.
Financial & Operational Management:
Provide executive oversight of the Foundation's financial sustainability and operational performance.
Work with the finance team and Board to develop and manage annual budgets and financial plans.
Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational and donor resources.
Monitor organizational financial performance and take appropriate action where necessary.
Ensure effective systems, processes, policies, and structures are in place to support organizational growth.
Oversee organizational efficiency and ensure resources are aligned with strategic priorities.
People & Leadership Development:
Provide strong leadership to the senior management team and promote effective cross-functional collaboration.
Build and retain a high-performing, diverse, and mission-driven workforce.
Establish clear performance expectations and accountability mechanisms for senior leadership.
Support staff development, succession planning, and leadership capacity building.
Promote a positive organizational culture built on professionalism, integrity, inclusion, accountability, and respect.
Ensure that the Foundation attracts and retains high-calibre talent.
Advocacy, Visibility & Thought Leadership:
Serve as a public ambassador and leading voice for Open Health Foundation.
Develop and strengthen the Foundation's institutional profile and visibility within the health sector.
Contribute to health policy discussions, sector advocacy, and thought leadership initiatives.
Represent the Foundation in media engagements and public forums where appropriate.
Promote the Foundation's achievements, evidence, lessons learned, and impact responsibly.
Monitoring, Reporting & Accountability:
Ensure the timely preparation and presentation of organizational, programme, financial, and strategic reports.
Track progress against organizational goals, key performance indicators, and strategic targets.
Provide regular performance updates to the Board and other relevant stakeholders.
Use data, evidence, and organizational learning to inform strategic decision-making.
Ensure accountability to beneficiaries, partners, donors, regulators, and the Board.
Key Performance Indicators
The successful Executive Director/CEOwill be expected to demonstrate measurable performance across areas including:
Achievement of the Foundation's strategic objectives and annual targets.
Growth and diversification of funding and resource mobilization.
Quality, reach, and measurable impact of programmes.
Development and sustainability of strategic partnerships.
Financial sustainability and responsible resource management.
Organizational growth, efficiency, and institutional strengthening.
Staff engagement, retention, and leadership development.
Governance, compliance, and risk management.
Increased institutional visibility and sector influence.
Satisfaction and confidence of key stakeholders, partners, and the Board.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
A Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Health Sciences, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Management, or a related discipline.
A Master's degree or relevant postgraduate qualification is highly desirable.
Minimum of 7years of progressive professional experience, with at least 3years in a senior management, executive, or organizational leadership position.
Demonstrated experience leading a nonprofit, foundation, NGO, development organization, healthcare organization, or comparable institution.
Proven experience in strategic planning, organizational leadership, programme management, and stakeholder engagement.
Demonstrable experience in fundraising, grant acquisition, donor management, and resource mobilization.
Strong understanding of the health, development, nonprofit, or social-impact ecosystem.
Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex organizational operations.
Strong financial management, budgeting, and organizational oversight capabilities.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
Desirable:
Experience working with international development agencies, foundations, bilateral or multilateral organizations, or major institutional donors.
Experience working with government and public-sector stakeholders.
Experience in health systems strengthening, healthcare access, community health, public health, or related areas.
Experience developing and managing large-scale grants and multi-stakeholder programmes.
Professional membership or certification in a relevant field.
Experience serving on boards, committees, advisory groups, or sector-level initiatives.
Core Competencies:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
Visionary and strategic leadership
Exceptional stakeholder management
Fundraising and business development acumen
Strong understanding of the health and development sector
High-level communication and public speaking skills
Financial and commercial awareness
Strong governance and ethical judgement
Programme and project oversight
Negotiation and partnership-building skills
People leadership and talent development
Problem-solving and sound decision-making
Adaptability and innovation
High integrity, professionalism, and accountability
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and sustainable health impact
Leadership Profile:
We are looking for a leader who is strategic without losing sight of execution, commercially astute without compromising the Foundation's social mission, and ambitious while remaining accountable to the communities it serves.
The ideal candidate should be able to move confidently between Board-level strategy, donor and government engagement, programme oversight, financial stewardship, and people leadership.
They should possess the credibility and relationship-building ability to establish Open Health Foundation as a trusted partner while creating the systems, culture, and resources required for long-term institutional sustainability.