🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)

Freetown | Sierra Leone Posted 3 weeks ago Posted on Medical/ Healthcare / Pharmaceutical, Project Management

Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Program Manager
2.) Manager, Health Systems Strengthening

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Program Manager

Overview

The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to our mission of 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. Over the following two decades, CHAI has expanded its focus. Today, along with HIV, we work in conjunction with our partners to prevent and treat infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Our work has also expanded into cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases, and we work to accelerate the rollout of lifesaving vaccines, reduce maternal and child mortality, combat chronic malnutrition, and increase access to assistive technology. We are investing in horizontal approaches to strengthen health systems through programs in human resources for health, digital health, and health financing. With each new and innovative program, our strategy is grounded in maximizing sustainable impact at scale, ensuring that governments lead the solutions, that programs are designed to scale nationally, and learnings are shared globally.

At CHAI, our people are our greatest asset, and none of this work would be possible without their talent, time, dedication, and passion for our mission and values. We are a highly diverse team of enthusiastic individuals across 40 countries with a broad range of skill sets and life experiences. CHAI is deeply grounded in the countries we work in, with the majority of our staff based in program countries. Learn more about our exciting work: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org

CHAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to providing an environment of fairness, and mutual respect where all applicants have access to equal employment opportunities. CHAI values diversity and inclusion, and recognizes that our mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people with diverse experience, backgrounds, and culture.

Program Overview

CHAI established its presence in Sierra Leone in 2015. While the original intent was to provide assistance related to the Ebola response, preliminary discussions with the government made it clear that the greater need for partner support was in health systems strengthening. In response, CHAI developed a scope of work focused on human resources for health and supply chain management, supporting the Human Resources for Health Directorate within the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Pharmaceutical Procurement Unit (NPPU). Working closely with the MOH, CHAI helped to strengthen the national supply chain and health workforce management systems. This included improving commodity data collection, visibility, and use for distribution planning, and identifying health workforce gaps following the Ebola crisis and supporting measures to address these. CHAI’s work has contributed to strong relationships and trust with the government.

Over time, CHAI has expanded its support to the Government of Sierra Leone to include programmes on sexual and reproductive health, vaccine delivery, assistive technology, geospatial data use (GRID3), medical oxygen, and malaria. Across these programmes, CHAI’s approach is to maximize sustainable impact at scale by ensuring that the Government of Sierra Leone leads the solutions, that interventions are designed for national scale-up, and that lessons are shared globally.

In 2024, CHAI commenced support to the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) of the MOH. At the outset, CHAI worked with the NMCP to understand strengths and gaps within the malaria programme, the broader health system, and the landscape of partner and donor support. Through a set of technical and operational assessments—including a surveillance assessment, stakeholder consultations, a supply chain landscape assessment, a community health worker (CHW) desk review, and epidemiological analysis—CHAI and the NMCP have defined milestones and interventions to substantially reduce malaria mortality and morbidity.

Based on these assessments, CHAI has identified and prioritized areas of work according to expected impact and feasibility. Current focus areas include strengthening data reporting, analysis, and disease surveillance; supporting epidemiological stratification; strengthening the supply chain for malaria commodities and accountability across all levels; updating CHW and geo-registry databases; strengthening the functionality of the CHW programme; and supporting digitalization of vector control interventions. CHAI is also supporting the NMCP to develop the 2026–2030 malaria strategic plan and related applications to the Global Fund. CHAI will continue to consult with government and non-government partners in the country to ensure it adds value to ongoing efforts.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Sierra Leone, the Malaria Program Manager will help shape CHAI’s overall malaria strategy for the country, develop clear operational plans for execution, and continually identify opportunities for CHAI to add value and maximize impact. This is an opportunity to contribute to building a targeted, results-oriented malaria program in Sierra Leone.

The successful candidate will manage all operational and programmatic aspects of CHAI Sierra Leone’s malaria work, act as a trusted partner to government health officials and partners and facilitate the involvement of CHAI’s regional technical teams in delivering high-impact interventions to reduce malaria mortality and morbidity.

The Malaria Program Manager will have a strong personal commitment to achieving measurable results, the ability to navigate complex political and institutional environments, and the patience and optimism to work through challenging constraints. They must be a highly motivated, entrepreneurial individual with strong people and program management, problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills. The candidate must be fluent in English and have excellent relationship-building and communication skills. They must also be able to function independently with minimal oversight and demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence with close attention to detail.

CHAI places high value on personal qualities including resourcefulness, tenacity, independence, patience, humility, and a strong work ethic.

Responsibilities

Lead implementation of CHAI’s malaria strategy in Sierra Leone in close collaboration with CHAI’s country, regional, and global malaria teams, ensuring alignment with NMCP priorities and national goals.
Develop and execute annual work plans with clear milestones, timelines, and budgets to ensure timely, high-impact delivery of malaria program activities.
Support NMCP to strengthen systems and processes for effective execution of the national malaria strategy 2026 to 2030, including:
- Enhancing malaria surveillance systems to ensure timely, complete, and accurate reporting from health facilities and CHWs, and promoting data use for decision-making.
- Supporting digitalization and operational planning for vector control interventions.
- Strengthening malaria case management across public and private sectors to ensure prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
- Updating policies, guidelines, and operational plans in line with WHO recommendations and national priorities.
- Supporting the functionality and data systems of the CHW program, including geo-registry and CHW database updates.
Coordinate the development, finalization, and operationalization of the 2026–2030 national malaria strategic plan and contribute to Global Fund funding request development, including gap analysis, costing, and partner alignment.
Identify and pursue new opportunities for CHAI to add value, based on evolving NMCP needs, partner landscape, and data insights.
Manage and mentor the malaria program team, including recruitment, performance management, and professional development.
Coordinate with government and non-government stakeholders, including NMCP, DPC, DPPI, donors, and implementing partners, to ensure alignment, reduce duplication, and foster collaboration.
Support resource mobilization efforts by identifying funding gaps and contributing to proposal development and donor engagement.
Develop high-quality communication materials, including technical reports, presentations, and briefs for internal and external audiences.
Track program performance and financials, ensuring activities are on budget, compliant with CHAI and donor requirements, and well-documented.
Contribute to cross-country learning by sharing lessons, tools, and innovations with CHAI’s global malaria team and other country programs.
In close coordination with CHAI’s malaria global team, draft quarterly country progress reports for donors and internal leadership
Undertake additional responsibilities as requested by CHAI’s country leadership to support broader health systems strengthening efforts.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with +7 years of work experience with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership
Experience planning and executing complex programs or projects with verifiable results

Experience in strategy development, planning, and project implementation
Experience working and communicating with government officials and multilateral organizations
Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, team building and interpersonal skills
Comfortable in peer relationships with senior managers and leadership at the Ministry of Health, including civil servants and other senior government officials
Ability to navigate complex government processes
Ability to favourably influence decision-making processes in a diplomatic and collaborative manner
Ability to work independently without extensive structural or operational support from line manager
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, delegate, and work independently
Ability to be effective in high-pressure situations and work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment
Ability to be patient and to achieve maximum efficiency and impact with limited human and financial resources
Strong mentor, manager, role model and team player who demands 100% performance from self and entire team
Excellent business-oriented oral and written communication skills
Willingness and ability to travel as needed
Fluency in English language, both written and oral

Advantages

Knowledge of malaria or other global infectious diseases
Experience living or working in West Africa
Experience working in resource constraint environment
Previous CHAI experience
Fluency in Krio or other local languages of Sierra Leone

Click here to apply

2.) Manager, Health Systems Strengthening

Overview

Program Overview

CHAI established its presence in Sierra Leone in 2015, evolving from initial Ebola response assistance to become a strategic partner for health systems strengthening, initially focusing on Human Resources for Health and Supply Chain. Building on strong government relationships, CHAI expanded its programs to include sexual and reproductive health, vaccines, assistive technology, geospatial data, medical oxygen, and malaria elimination. This strategy consistently prioritizes maximizing sustainable, government-led impact at national scale, with global learning dissemination.

Project Background

The global health landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift. Major reductions in foreign assistance, including abrupt cuts to U.S. government-funded programs are forcing countries to transition quickly toward greater self-reliance. These cuts are part of a broader trend of declining Official Development Assistance (ODA) from several donor countries, creating a prolonged funding instability that threatens decades of hard-won progress across HIV, malaria, maternal and child health, and other critical sectors. Recognizing this challenge, CHAI has launched a global effort to support governments during this critical transition. Through the establishment of Technical Support Units (TSUs), CHAI aims to provide rapid, embedded technical assistance to Ministries of Health to identify financing gaps, reprogram existing resources, mobilize sustainable domestic financing, and drive systemic reforms.

Sierra Leone's significant health improvements over the past decade, largely driven by substantial USG funding in areas like RMNCAH-N, malaria, and HIV/AIDS, now face a critical threat due to recent external funding reductions. These cuts risk reversing hard-won gains, deepening health inequities, and disrupting essential services without immediate, strategic action and alternative financing. To counteract this, CHAI is supporting the Ministry of Health by conducting robust, data-driven analyses to quantify the impact of these reductions, identify at-risk programs, and inform critical resource reallocation and mitigation strategies. It is also catalysing domestic resource mobilization efforts to foster long-term sustainability and reduce donor dependency.

Position Overview

The Clinton Health Access Initiative Inc. (CHAI) Sierra Leone is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Health Financing Manager to lead and support the Ministry of Health (MOH) in strengthening its health financing systems. In a rapidly evolving global health landscape marked by funding cuts and shifting priorities, this role is critical to helping Sierra Leone optimize its fiscal space, mobilize domestic and external resources, and ensure sustainable, equitable progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The Manager will provide strategic technical assistance, analytical leadership, and project management expertise across a range of health financing initiatives. This position requires a blend of advanced analytical capabilities, strong government and partner coordination skills, and a strategic mindset to drive evidence-based policy and implementation. They will serve as a key member of the CHAI Sierra Leone team, and will actively support CHAI Sierra Leone’s health systems strengthening initiatives, serving as a collaborative partner to government health officials. They will facilitate engagement with CHAI's global HSS and Technical Support Unit (TSU) ensuring the execution of impactful programs aligned with government priorities.

CHAI places considerable emphasis on personal qualities such as resourcefulness, tenacity, independence, patience, humility, and a strong work ethic. Fluency in English is a requirement, with excellent communication and relationship-building skills, which are paramount for effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders. This role presents an exciting opportunity for a dedicated individual to make a meaningful impact in the realm of public health in Sierra Leone.

Responsibilities

The Manager will provide technical expertise in health financing, resource optimization, health policy, and economic evaluation, and program fundraising. Reporting to the Associate Director, Programs, the Manager will:

Assess and quantify the impact of funding cuts from USG and other major global health financing partners on key health programs, service delivery, and health outcomes in Sierra Leone. This will involve a consolidated analysis combining economic and health impact evaluations, alongside detailed mapping of donor investments, particularly in high-priority areas such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH- N), and broader health systems strengthening. The insights generated will be critical for identifying gaps, informing mitigation strategies, and guiding the reallocation of resources to sustain essential health services.
Strengthen the functionality and data quality of existing Resource Mapping and Expenditure Tracking (RMET) process to enhance coordination, data use, and evidence-based decision-making. This includes diagnosing bottlenecks to identify technical, institutional, and coordination gaps, and supporting the MOH to improve data collection, completeness, and timeliness.
Build MOH’s capacity to manage and sustain the RMET process, while enhancing the utility of RMET outputs for health sector planning, resource allocation, and advocacy. This includes the development of real-time resource mapping and allocation dashboards to support timely, evidence-based policy and investment decisions.
Develop evidence-based policy recommendations including scenario modeling, proposals, and business cases as well as actionable strategies for mobilizing, allocating, and managing domestic resources to sustain priority health services and reduce reliance on external aid.
Evaluate the MOH fiscal space to identify opportunities for increased domestic resource mobilization, including options within government budgets, innovative financing mechanisms, and potential efficiency gains within the health sector.
Engage with senior government officials of the MOH, MOF, and Integrated Health Projects Administration Unit (IHPAU) to advise on strategic financing reforms and resource mobilization strategies.
Collaborate with CHAI’s HSS team to generate evidence to support the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) reprioritization and provide technical assistance for the Grant Cycle 8 (GC8) funding request for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria (HTM) and Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH), with the aim of ensuring that program resources are directed toward high-impact areas, including strengthening and sustaining the national supply chain system, to help address gaps resulting from global health funding reductions
Define and monitor key indicators related to efficiency, resource mobilization, and financial sustainability to guide ongoing decision-making and track progress
Strengthen the capacity of national stakeholders, particularly the MOH and MOF to lead and implement sustainable health financing reforms aligned with the forthcoming Healthcare Financing Strategy (2026–2030).
Document and share progress, accomplishments, successes and learnings internally and externally to support learning across countries and for donor reporting purposes.
Articulate and measure progress against program goals to enhance internal accountability.
Facilitate cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement and coordination in health financing planning, ensuring alignment with national development priorities and increased accountability for health investments.
Perform any other functions as assigned by the Country Director.

Qualifications

Master’s degree (or higher) in Health Financing, Public Health, Health Policy, Public Administration, or a related field.
At least 7–10 years of work experience in health financing, health systems strengthening, health policy and reform, preferably in low- or middle-income countries.
Strong understanding of health financing structures in sub-Saharan Africa; direct experience working with National Health Insurance Schemes is highly desirable.
Proven track record of conducting economic evaluations, financial gap analyses, or resource optimization strategies.
Experience working directly with ministries of health, ministries of finance, or national health insurance bodies.
Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate complex financial concepts into clear, actionable recommendations.
Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
Prior experience working with donor-funded projects (e.g., Global Fund, Gavi, USAID, World Bank) is an asset.

Click here to apply