Associate Director - Ethiopia

Position Overview

The Associate Director Ethiopia will lead and represent organization in the country, responsible for cultivating relationships with key individuals across government, civil society, and the private sector, while building a core set of strategic partners. The Associate Director will oversee the successful execution of digital transformation projects, ensuring alignment with government priorities and local needs. As a key advocate for digital public infrastructure, the role involves driving awareness, adoption, and scaling of technological solutions across impact sectors in Ethiopia.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership:

a. Develop and implement country-specific strategies and programs aligned with organization's vision, ensuring the initiatives address local challenges and needs.

b. Identify opportunities for scaling and replicating successful digital solutions across regions and sectors in Ethiopia.

c. Ensure compliance with local laws, regulations, and Equidhis policies, safeguarding organisational interests.

2. Relationship Management:

a. Act as the primary representative of Equidhi in Ethiopia, building and maintaining strong relationships with government stakeholders, civil society, and private sector partners.

b. Engage with policymakers and officials to advocate for the adoption, ensuring alignment with governments development priorities.

c. Foster collaboration with international development organisations and donors to drive impact through DPI.

d. Identify and engage strategic partners to expand the adoption of the DIGIT platform and grow our engagements in Ethiopia.

e. Ensure partner enablement on the DIGIT platform through capacity-building and technical support to foster platform integration and adoption.

f. Enable partner success by providing guidance and resources to ensure effective outcomes. Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders in Ethiopia and address their needs through strategic project execution.

3. Project & Program Management:

a. Be responsible for the planning, execution, and monitoring of programs in Ethiopia, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budgets.

b. Coordinate with local and international teams across partner organisations, ensuring effective management of resources, risks, and stakeholder expectations.

c. Drive program progress, identify risks, and own the delivery of programmatic outcomes.

4. Tech Evangelism:

a. Promote the adoption and scaling of the DIGIT platform and other solutions in Ethiopia.

b. Organise and deliver workshops, seminars, and training sessions with support from the team to raise awareness about the benefits among public and private sectors in Ethiopia.

c. Stay updated on digital innovations and trends, ensuring the continuous     improvement of organization's offerings to Ethiopian stakeholders.

5. Monitoring & Evaluation:

a. Establish robust frameworks for monitoring project outcomes and impact, ensuring continuous learning and adaptation.

b. Collaborate with relevant teams to track and measure key performance indicators (KPIs), and integrate feedback into ongoing projects, improving adoption of  technology and programmatic interventions.

Required Skills & Qualifications

A. Experience:

1. Minimum 8-10 years of experience in leadership roles involving government relations, program/project management, and technology-driven initiatives.

2. Proven track record in managing relationships with government entities, NGOs, and private sector partners.

3. Experience in digital transformation projects, preferably within Public Health, Local Governance, Sanitation, or Public Finance.

B. Technical Expertise:

1. Working understanding of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its applications in governance and public service delivery.

2. Familiarity with technology platforms, digital services, and data-driven decision-making tools, preferably in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

C. Leadership & Communication:

1. Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and lead cross-functional teams.

2. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of engaging and influencing senior government officials and stakeholders.

D. Strategic Thinking:

1. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategies for large-scale projects in complex environments.

2. Ability to identify and pursue new opportunities for partnership and impact, scaling successful projects across the country.

E. Education:

1. Masters degree in Public Policy, Business Administration, Information Technology,or a related field.

D. Language: Proficiency in English and Amharic is required.