The Technical Director will work cross-functionally with country offices, technical programs, and external stakeholders to develop and advance a compelling regional agenda, positioning Amref as a recognized thought leader in the field.  This role involves building strategic partnerships and programming that aligns with the One Health approach. Key responsibilities include providing strategic leadership for portfolio expansion, overseeing program management, enhancing organizational visibility, and driving business development initiatives.

At Amref, we are committed to creating resilient health systems and transforming African communities through sustainable health solutions. We value innovation, collaboration, and integrity. This role offers a unique opportunity to advance the future of One Health initiatives across Africa, drive climate resilience, and strengthen regional health security systems.

Strategic Direction, Leadership and Portfolio Growth– 25%

• Lead the strategic development and execution of Amref’s One Health portfolio, centered on climate change and – health integration and reinforced by robust health security programming.
• Oversee the integration of One Health principles into Amref’s broader programming, policies, and advocacy initiatives.
• Direct strategic growth of Amref’s Regional Laboratory program through systematic expansion of laboratory networks, development of sustainable financing models, and integration of advanced diagnostic technologies to strengthen regional health security.
• Lead portfolio growth of Amref’s global health security work by strengthening regional surveillance systems, expanding emergency preparedness capabilities, and securing resources to build resilient health security infrastructure across target countries.
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors, strategic regional partners such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), governments, ministries of health (including national public health institutes, emergency operations centres); as well as research and policy institutions across sub-Saharan Africa such as the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC).
• Participate in relevant global and regional working groups, policy dialogues and global convenings to position Amref as a key stakeholder in Climate and Health, as well as Global Health Security.
• Provide thought leadership through scientific articles, opinion pieces, blogs; and representation of Amref in global and regional fora.

Programme Management and Coordination – 25%

• Provide technical leadership of an integrated One Health programme, specifically climate & health, health security activities, and specialized areas including antimicrobial resistance, laboratory strengthening, diagnostics and infectious disease surveillance.
• Provide technical guidance to country offices on climate-related health impacts, including vector-borne diseases, waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and non-communicable diseases linked to environmental changes.
• Support the implementation of high-impact interventions such as climate-informed surveillance systems, early warning tools, and cross-sector preparedness mechanisms.
• Develop Amref’s climate and health portfolio to include programme implementation, policy reforms and advocacy for climate change resilient health systems.
• Oversee the implementation and coordination of multi-country health security initiatives, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track program outcomes and impact.
• Coordinate the operational delivery of Amref’s Regional Laboratory program across multiple sites, managing quality assurance protocols, overseeing staff capacity building initiatives, and ensuring standardized laboratory procedures and reporting systems are maintained to meet international accreditation standards.
• Collaborate with Amref country offices, providing technical oversight to ensure high-quality programme implementation and compliance with donor requirements.
• Strengthen and support laboratory continuous quality improvement for various projects through planning and developing laboratory projects with the aim of developing essential diagnostic services in support of global, regional and national diagnostic systems focusing on clinical care and public health initiatives.
• Identify and assess regional priorities for diagnostics in collaboration with global, regional and national public health stakeholders and partners. This includes providing guidance and participating in technical consultancies and evaluations relating to improved diagnostics in Africa and worldwide.
• Determine staffing requirements and provide management support to ensure effective programme design while fostering a collaborative work environment.

Business Development – 30%

• Ensure program sustainability and pursue opportunities to increase funding for One Health initiatives through collaboration with Amref’s Business Development Unit.
• Initiate resource mobilization concepts for One Health by identifying funding opportunities through networking, meetings and other channels.
• Support, and in some cases, lead proposal writing and negotiations with donors to secure funding for One Health initiatives.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase program visibility and impact.

Research, Learning and Innovation – 10%

• Assist in developing and conducting research, both operational and scientific, including establishing research partnerships, disseminating results and publishing scientific papers, and making presentations at national, regional and international meetings and conferences.
• Actively develop and maintain extensive networks with experts and opinion-formers to ensure the organization’s work is shaped by the most up-to-date insights and research.
• Collaborate with academic and research institutions to promote learning, influence policy, and develop predictive analytics related to climate-sensitive diseases and environmental health risks.
• Create an environment for learning across projects within the programme, and across programmes through joint meetings and synergy forums and guide the development of climate and health knowledge products.

Other related duties as assigned – 10%

• The candidate may be asked to perform tasks beyond those explicitly listed in their job description, but these additional tasks will be relevant to their skills and competencies and connected to their primary responsibilities within the role.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in Public Health, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Veterinary Medicine, or a related discipline.
• Minimum seven (07) years of progressive leadership experience in One Health or climate and health programming in Africa.
• Deep knowledge of climate-sensitive health systems, ecosystem health, and transdisciplinary approaches to emerging health threats/global health security.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and managing large-scale, donor-funded programs.
• Strong research and analytical background, with peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields preferred.
• Experience with influencing national or regional One Health strategies and frameworks.
• Familiarity with laboratory systems strengthening, AMR programming, and integrated disease surveillance is an advantage.
• Being conversant with major laboratory-related agencies and networks in Africa is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience growing One Health/Global Health Security portfolio, including resource mobilization: performing business/proposal development roles, especially writing technical sections, or leading global health proposal strategy.