Executive Director At Open Health Foundation

Role Overview

• The Executive Director 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 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 will 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 10 years of progressive professional experience, with at least 5 years 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.