Head of Data & Analytics

Jacaranda Health is a Kenyan-founded health organisation that partners with governments to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes through scalable, technology-enabled solutions in public health systems. Since 2016, the organisation has worked alongside Ministries of Health and county governments to strengthen the quality of maternal and newborn care by combining clinical expertise, digital innovation, data science, and health systems support.

Operating across 24 counties in Kenya and expanding into Ghana, Tanzania, and Nigeria, Jacaranda reaches millions of mothers through its programmes and is recognised as a leader in applying data and technology to improve health outcomes at scale.

About the role

The Head of Data & Analytics will lead the organisation’s data, analytics, and monitoring & evaluation functions, shaping how data is collected, managed, analysed, and used to drive impact across the organisation. Reporting to the Director of Research, Design & Evaluation, the role is responsible for developing the long-term data and analytics strategy, overseeing analytics infrastructure and M&E frameworks, and building a high-performing team that supports evidence-based decision-making. Working closely with Product, Technology, Research, and Programme teams, the successful candidate will play a critical role in informing product development, programme effectiveness, organisational learning, and the scale-up of Jacaranda’s technology-enabled health solutions.

The role works closely with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including the Research, Technology, Quality Assurance, and broader leadership teams within Jacaranda Health. Externally, the role engages with donors and funding partners, analytical and implementing partners, research collaborators, and data collection firms including IPA and IPSOS, helping to ensure that data and evidence effectively inform strategic decision-making.

Key dimensions of the role

The Head of Data & Analytics will have responsibilities including, but not limited to:

Lead Jacaranda's Data & Analytics Strategy

• Develop and deliver a 3–5 year data and analytics strategy aligned to organisational goals.
• Build a roadmap that strengthens evidence generation, decision-making, and programme effectiveness.
• Partner with teams across Product, Technology, Research, and Programmes to embed data-driven decision-making.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor internally and externally.

Drive Insight Generation and Impact Measurement

• Develop analytical approaches to assess programme performance, health outcomes, and organisational theory of change.
• Apply advanced statistical methods to generate actionable insights and improve programmes.
• Ensure data is used to better understand and serve end users.
• Support research design, implementation research, and complex evaluations, including randomized controlled trials.

Strengthen Data Systems and Governance

• Oversee data collection, management, quality assurance, and governance processes.
• Ensure data infrastructure, systems, and practices are efficient, scalable, and aligned with ethical and regulatory standards.
• Provide oversight of organisational data architecture and analytics capabilities.

Champion Data Communication and Utilisation

• Develop strategies that improve data literacy and the use of evidence across the organisation.
• Translate complex analyses into clear, actionable insights for staff, donors, government stakeholders, and partners.
• Oversee dashboards, visualisations, reporting, and knowledge-sharing activities that support learning and decision-making.

Support Product Development and Innovation

• Use data and evidence to inform product design, implementation, and scale.
• Contribute analytical expertise to emerging areas including machine learning and AI-enabled health solutions.

Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary Data & Analytics and M&E team.
• Build team capability, set priorities, and ensure delivery of high-quality outputs.
• Foster a culture of excellence, learning, and continuous improvement.

Resource Scope

• Leads the Data & Analytics Unit, managing three direct reports and providing indirect oversight to five analysts and senior analysts across Data & Analytics and M&E.
• Oversees departmental budgets related to data systems, analytics tools, infrastructure, and external research and data partners.
• Provides governance and technical oversight of organisational data assets across multiple programmes and geographies.

Risk & Decision-Making

• Accountable for the quality, integrity, security, and ethical use of organisational data.
• Decisions directly influence programme strategy, donor reporting, government engagement, and organisational reputation.
• Exercises significant autonomy in setting data priorities, analytical approaches, and approving data products, escalating only major strategic or organisational risks.

Skills and experience

The ideal candidate will possess, but is not limited to:

• Master’s degree in data science, Statistics, Informatics, Information Systems or similar
• Minimum level of experience required to perform effectively in the role
• At least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• 3 years should be in a managerial position, leading and mentoring data teams.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Millar Cameron, we are dedicated to supporting our Clients in building and supporting diverse and inclusive workplaces and culture, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Since 2007 Millar Cameron has specialised in sourcing leadership and keyperson talent across a number of industries, including agribusiness, international development, industrial, consumer, financial and professional services, private equity, and technology, media and telecommunications. Our mission and purpose is to positively contribute to the development of Africa, and other emerging markets, through the provision of people.