Country Lead, Ethiopia – Data.FI Full Time NEW

Project Background:

Palladium is implementing the USAID-funded Translating Data for Implementation (Data.FI) award. Data.FI is a $180 million project which serves as USAID’s primary mechanism for data, technology, and health information systems to support HIV activities across strategic PEPFAR countries.  Data.FI is part of a suite of large-scale global HIV programs that USAID has awarded and represents the next generation of HIV/AIDS programs. Data.FI plays a key role in USAID’s goals of helping partner countries on their Journey to Self-Reliance and transitioning local organizations to prime recipients of USG funding. 

The overall goal of the Data.FI project is to improve global, regional, and national in-depth analyses of HIV epidemiologic and program data that can be directly applied to expedite the achievement of PEPFAR targets to attain and sustain control of the HIV epidemic.  The focus also includes directly supporting host country governments and implementing partners to further enhance existing health information system platforms to inform management responses to well-defined gaps in HIV/AIDS programming.  In order to ensure rapid access to high quality data, Data.FI works towards: accelerating data utilization to rapidly course correct and take to scale cost-effective and impactful activities, models and approaches required to attain and maintain HIV epidemic control; scaling and optimizing in-country health information system capabilities to collect, exchange, adapt, govern, and visualize information in order to track the attainment and maintenance of HIV epidemic control; and supporting the transition of prime funding and implementation to capable local partners.

Position Summary: 

The Country Director serves as the strategic and operational leader for all digital health activities in Ethiopia. This senior-level position provides high-level vision, direction, and oversight for the design, implementation, and scale-up of digital health solutions that are aligned with national health priorities. The Country Director acts as the primary liaison with the Ministry of Health (MOH), United States Government (USG) partners, and other key stakeholders, ensuring strong collaboration, technical quality, and timely achievement of project objectives. This role is responsible for cultivating a high-performing, country-led team that delivers sustainable, interoperable, and secure health information systems. The Country Director also leads resource mobilization, risk management, and policy engagement efforts to embed digital health innovations into national systems and strategies. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

•  Provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and technical oversight for all digital health initiatives in Ethiopia. 
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with the Ministry of Health, regional health bureaus, donors, and implementing partners to foster country ownership and alignment with national health goals.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of digital health activities across multiple platforms and workstreams, ensuring integration and synergy.
• Guide the development and implementation of national-scale digital transformation strategies, including policies, enterprise architecture, and governance frameworks.
• Oversee financial management, staffing, operational planning, and compliance in accordance with donor and institutional requirements.
• Represent the project in high-level forums, technical working groups, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms, articulating strategic priorities and progress.
• Drive adaptive management practices by monitoring progress, analyzing risks, and making timely course corrections to achieve results.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, learning, and inclusivity within the country team.
• Support the development of funding proposals and strategic partnerships to sustain and expand digital health investments in Ethiopia.
• Ensure alignment with global best practices in digital health, data security, and responsible data use. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public health, health informatics, management, or a related field. 
• Minimum 10 years of experience managing complex health or development programs. 
• Demonstrated success in stakeholder engagement, government coordination, and donor reporting. 
• Strong understanding of digital health systems in low-resource settings. 
• Fluency in English and Amharic is required. 

How To Apply

Apply link: https://palladium.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/24142?c=palladium&sq=req24142

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success, and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.    

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Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.  

Safeguarding – We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.