Our primary focus in this post is our search for a Director of External Affairs. However, if you’re looking to contribute to our mission in other ways, including our new partnership competition, see the bottom of this post!

HealthLearn is looking for a Director of External Affairs to spearhead the growth of a product that is changing professional learning for health workers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Since early 2024, our mobile-first courses have been completed over 100,000 times. Our flagship program, Newborn Care Foundations, has already reached 60,000 health workers. Most importantly, our modeling suggests the program may be well above GiveWell’s bar for cost-effectiveness.

We are continually working to improve our monitoring and evaluation, but we’re confident enough that the tech works and that the demand is there. Now, we need a strategic leader to help us integrate into national health systems and scale our reach to millions of health workers.

Overview of the Role

The Director of External Affairs is a leadership position responsible for HealthLearn’s external growth strategy. This isn't just a "communications" role; it’s a high-stakes blend of government relations, strategic partnerships, and fundraising.

The full job description is here, but here is a snapshot of what you’ll be doing:

• Government Navigation: Securing Ministry of Health approvals and CPD accreditation across multiple countries (we’re aiming for four in your first year).
• Strategic Partnerships: Building bridges with NGOs and professional councils to launch and disseminate our courses.
• Fundraising & Positioning: Working alongside the Executive Director to shepherd donor relationships and represent HealthLearn on the global stage.
• Unblocking Progress: Using persistence and judgment to move stalled regulatory processes through complex bureaucracies.

This is a full-time, remote position (requiring work authorization in the US, EU, or UK) with up to 30% travel to engage with partners and governments on the ground.

Who Should Consider Applying?

We are looking for a senior operator who thrives in complex environments. You might be a great fit if:

• You have 8+ years of experience in government engagement, policy, or business development, ideally within Sub-Saharan Africa.
• You have extreme persistence and know how to navigate politically and bureaucratically challenging settings.
• You have a track record of owning high-stakes relationships and long-term projects with senior stakeholders.
• You are comfortable leading a small team while personally executing high-priority tasks.

Note on Role Flexibility: We are looking for a Director, but we are open to considering exceptional candidates who are slightly earlier in their career for the position of Head of External Affairs.

A Few Practical Details

• Compensation: The salary range for US-based candidates is $60,000–$78,000 (Director) or $48,000–$54,000 (Head). Rates will be adjusted for cost-of-living for those outside the US.
• Deadline: Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis. For full consideration, please apply by February 15th, 2026.
• Language: Full English proficiency is required; French is a strong advantage given our expansion goals.

If you’re ready to help millions of health workers provide better care, you can apply here.

Other Ways to Engage

Not the right fit for the Director role but still want to help us scale? Here are some other ways to get involved:

• Country Partnership Competition: We have officially launched our competition to identify new countries for expansion! If you represent an organization or an entity interested in bringing HealthLearn to your country, check out the entry details here.
• Spread the Word: If you know a relentless diplomat who would excel in the Director role, please share this post with them! We expect many of our best leads to come through referrals.