Country Director at Touch Health Tanzania

Are you a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader who is ready to drive growth, equity, and impact in Tanzania’s health sector? Touch Health seeks candidates for the role of Country Director, a position that will take the helm of our organization’s operations in Tanzania. As Country Director, you’ll lead programmatic excellence, drive innovation, shape strategy, and lead a high-performing team to continuously strengthen Touch’s reputation, visibility, and partnerships in Tanzania. This is an opportunity to join the leadership team of our organization at an exciting, significant juncture in our twenty-year history, as we scale our health programs in Tanzania and beyond.

You’ll oversee a growing portfolio of programs and a diverse team of 10+ talented programmatic staff, as well as provide vital leadership to country operations functions. Your leadership style is deeply collaborative and prioritizes fostering a culture of excellence, focus, and purpose. With oversight of programmatic operations, technical quality, and financial integrity, you’ll ensure our programs are not only impactful but cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable.

As the face of Touch Health in Tanzania, you’ll build powerful partnerships with government leaders, funding partners, and local and international stakeholders. Whether representing Touch in high-level technical working groups, speaking at global health forums, or shaping national strategy behind the scenes, you’ll position Touch Health as a trusted thought partner to the Tanzanian government in its pursuit of its health sector agenda.

You’ll join the executive leadership of the organization, working hand-in-hand with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Program Officer, and Chief Advancement Officer. You will also liaise with Touch’s Board of Directors and drive critical fundraising efforts in Tanzania and abroad.

If you're a trailblazer ready to drive real change, this is your moment.

The full-time role will be based in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, with regular travel to program sites across Tanzania as well as to Dodoma to ensure consistent engagement with MOH, PORALG and all relevant Government of Tanzania authorities.

ABOUT TOUCH:

Touch Health is a nonprofit organization with a mission to strengthen healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa by breaking down the barriers in access to care through innovative health sector programming. Working in partnership with governments, peer organizations, and private sector experts, Touch focuses on three main pillars: healthcare workforce planning and optimization, improving access to care for women and children, and health systems strengthening initiatives. Founded in 2004, Touch’s unique approach to sustainable healthcare design was incubated at McKinsey & Company; today management consulting expertise guides our program design and implementation of health programs, prioritizing sustainability and government ownership. The success of Touch’s initiatives in Tanzania led to the expansion of programs across multiple sub-Saharan African countries and partnerships with large institutions and funding partners to fuel broad and sustained health sector impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Program Leadership and Country Team Management

• Partner with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Program Officer (CPO), Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), and in-country technical experts to design and deliver high-impact programs.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of country programs, ensuring alignment with Touch’s methodology as well as Tanzania’s strategic priorities.
• Proactively manage and monitor projects to meet deliverables, timelines, budgets, and impact goals, adjusting course as needed.
• Ensure timely, high-quality communications and reporting that meet internal and external stakeholder needs.
• Contribute strategic insights from the field to organizational leadership, supporting the development and execution of Touch’s strategic priorities.

External Relationships

• Represent Touch in both formal and informal settings with government officials, international donors, and national technical advisory groups to strengthen Touch’s visibility and credibility.
• Develop and nurture strategic relationships with in-country donors and partners to support program and organizational growth.
• Disseminate key project findings with government, donors, and partners to inform decision-making.
• Engage regularly with government, donors, and partners to share updates on project progress and future program plans, contributing to shaping national health priorities.
• Work with the CAO to identify and pursue new funding opportunities, both local and international.
• Participate in relevant national forum, conferences, and strategic events in Tanzania to elevate Touch’s profile and foster meaningful partnerships.

Financial and Operations Management

• In collaboration with the CEO, supervise key operations - administration, finance, and HR – to ensure efficient, project-aligned execution.
• Work with the CEO, CPO, and CAO to lead the development of quarterly and annual budgets and financial projections.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of budgets, financial reports, and grant documentation, aligned with donor requirements and internal policies.
• Promote financial transparency and accountability through strong oversight of financial processes and compliance with audit standards.

Personnel Management and Development

• Foster the development, coaching, and retention of a high-performing team by empowering staff to take on greater responsibility, expand their scope, and continuously improve their performance.
• Provide leadership in building strong inter-team communication and cohesion, helping to sustain a positive organizational culture and support staff through periods of growth and change.
• Promote a culture of accountability by ensuring regular, respectful, and constructive feedback is provided to and among staff, partners, and stakeholders.
• Support the effective implementation of staff performance reviews in a timely and constructive manner
• Support all HR and personnel-related matters, including contracts, compensation, taxation, registrations, residence permits, and departures, comply with both local legal requirements and Touch’s internal policies.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Leadership & Strategy

• Minimum 15 years’ relevant professional experience in leading a health system strengthening organization with multiple programs and donors
• Master’s degree in relevant field (e.g., MBA, MPH, MPA, international development) or equivalent demonstrated professional experience
• Proven entrepreneurial mindset and a track record of driving strategic growth and program impact

Program & Technical Expertise

• Technical depth in global health, including health system strengthening, maternal and child health, digital health, and Human Resources for Health (HRH), particularly in Tanzania.
• Strong grasp of the program life cycle, from design to implementation and impact measurement.
• Successful track record of program delivery, aligned with national priorities and international best practices.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Experience building capacity and collaboration across government, NGOs, and implementation partners.
• Proven ability to engage local governments, rural communities, UN agencies, and development actors.
• Established personal high-level networks in Tanzania, with a history of leveraging relationships to unlock new opportunities.

Operations & Compliance

• Experienced in managing finance, operations, and administration, ensuring alignment with donor and organizational requirements.
• Understanding of compliance, audit standards, and financial oversight in complex program settings.

Communications & Analytical Skills

• Demonstrated experience leading and empowering a diverse, cross-cultural team with an emphasis on collaboration and accountability
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills
• Strong analytical skills.
• Professional proficiency in English, both written and spoken.
• Willingness to work flexible hours across time zones, as needed

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Touch Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, age, gender identification, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. All qualified candidates will be given equal opportunity and selection decisions will be based solely on job-related factors. For more information about Touch Health, please visit www.touchhealth.org