Country Lead, Uganda Data-Activated Architecture for Resilient Transition (DART)

About Palladium:

Operating in over 50 countries, Palladium is a global consulting and implementation company working in partnership with governments, businesses, investors, and communities to design and deliver solutions that create lasting positive impact. We address some of the world’s most complex challenges across infrastructure, economic growth and natural capital, health, energy, climate and environment, and digital transformation—strengthening systems, institutions, and markets to support inclusive and sustainable development. Our more than 2,100 staff worldwide work as trusted advisors across diverse contexts, combining deep technical expertise, implementation techniques, and innovative technology to deliver locally informed, client-focused solutions that help organizations achieve measurable, sustainable impact.

Palladium is part of GISI’s global family of companies, which aims to create solutions for the world’s most complex challenges. With annual revenues of $14 billion, GISI’s approximately 15,000 employees are engaged in projects across 100 countries worldwide providing construction, program/project management, and engineering consulting services.

Project Background:

Data-Activated Architecture for Resilient Transition (DART) supports the Ministry of Health (MOH) to strengthen and scale interoperable, fit-for-purpose digital health systems. The project supports facility digitization and EMR readiness; National Data Warehouse (NDWH) stabilization; data-center design and cybersecurity; Health Information Exchange (HIE) operations and priority integrations; workforce certification; survey modernization; responsible AI adoption; and service-delivery data reporting performance. The project is designed to build on MOH-owned systems, repositories, standards, and governance structures, with progressive transfer of capability to government and Ugandan institutions. Project period is anticipated 2026–2030, beginning with a six-month foundation phase.

Note: All positions are subject to award, final organizational design, and Palladium hiring procedures. Reporting lines may be adjusted during mobilization. “MOH” includes the responsible Directorate/Department of Health Informatics (DHI) and other government units as applicable.

Position Summary:

The Country Lead provides overall strategic, technical, operational, and fiduciary leadership for the Uganda DART project. The position serves as the senior in-country representative to MOH, the U.S. Government, National Medical Stores (NMS), Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), implementing partners, and other stakeholders. The Country Lead ensures that project activities advance MOH priorities; achieve verified performance milestones; protect government ownership of systems, assets, data, and repositories; and build sustainable national capability across the digital health ecosystem.

Location:

This role and project will be based out of Kampala, Uganda with national and regional travel as required.

Reporting and Supervision:

• The Team Lead will report to the Project Director / Palladium Portfolio
• This role will have 5-6 direct reports and oversight over all staff

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary senior liaison with MOH, DHI, USG/GHSD, NMS, UBOS, local partners, and other stakeholders
• Provide overall direction for the facility digitization, NDWH, HIE, cybersecurity, survey modernization, AI, and service-delivery reporting workstreams
• Lead delivery against the performance-based workplan, milestone plan, approved budget, risk register, and verification calendar
• Chair internal project performance reviews and ensure timely escalation and resolution of decisions, dependencies, and delivery risks
• Ensure project interventions align with MOH governance, national digital health architecture, data-protection requirements, and approved implementation priorities
• Oversee staff performance, subcontractor and subaward management, procurement coordination, safeguarding, compliance, and financial accountability
• Ensure timely, high-quality technical reports, quarterly progress reports, evidence packs, workplans, and communications to USG and Palladium
• Represent DART at senior coordination forums, technical working groups, joint reviews, and donor engagements
• Promote a government-led transition model in which MOH progressively assumes operational authority, staffing, contracts, budgets, repositories, and performance oversight

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in public health, health informatics, management, international development, information systems, or a related field
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience leading complex public health, digital health, health systems strengthening, or donor-funded programs
• Demonstrated success working with senior government officials, donors, private-sector providers, and diverse implementing partners
• Experience managing performance-based awards, milestone verification, large procurements, and multi-disciplinary teams is strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of health information systems, digital transformation, and government-led sustainability in low-resource settings
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, written communication, and presentation skills
• Professional fluency in English; knowledge of Ugandan health-sector systems is strongly preferred

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early as the position may close once a suitable candidate is found. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual, or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

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.