Reports To : Chief Operating Officer
Location : Africa-based, preferably at our offices in Uganda or Zambia. Willingness to travel across program countries required.
Contract Type : Full-time
Annual Compensation : $ 80,000 – $100,000 + Benefits
StrongMinds (SM) is a global nonprofit organization driven by the fundamental belief that mental health is a human right and the foundation of thriving families and communities. At StrongMinds (SM), we deploy ground-breaking innovations to bring free, evidence-based, culturally relevant mental health care to the world’s most under-resourced populations. StrongMinds is committed to turning the tide against mental health disparities, ensuring everyone has the support they need to lead healthy, productive, satisfying lives. Our mission is to democratize access to mental health care for people with depression globally.
Since 2013, we have treated depression in over 1,000,000 people in Africa, primarily in Uganda, Zambia, and Kenya. Over the next decade, we will expand globally. StrongMinds has earned an impressive reputation as a high-impact, cost-effective charity. We were featured as a TIME100 Health innovator in the global mental health space, and in media outlets that include The New York Times, Forbes, BBC World Service, and the Stanford Social Innovation Review. The UK organization Founder’s Pledge says, “StrongMinds is among the most cost-effective options available to donors seeking to improve people’s quality of life.”
The Director of Digital Transformation will lead StrongMinds’ strategic adoption of technology to improve operational efficiency, program delivery, and readiness for government scale. Reporting to the COO, this role is critical in advancing program delivery digitization, optimising StrongMinds’ data management system, and integrating digital solutions across the organisation’s operational processes.
You will spearhead the adoption of AI-driven tools and off-the-shelf digital platforms to enhance mental health service delivery, automate support to StrongMinds’ volunteers and improve the overall digital experience for StrongMinds’ teams, volunteers and government partners.
You will oversee the organization’s digital transformation efforts across multiple workstreams, working closely with the Innovation Lab, Research Team, and Country Office teams. You will shape tech pilots, build internal digital capabilities, and ensure that our technology strategy is interoperable with government systems to ease transition and institutionalization.
This role is ideal for a systems thinker with a bold vision for technology in the nonprofit sector, someone who understands how to scale digital solutions in low-connectivity settings and who believes in co-creation with frontline teams and government partners.
Key Responsibilities
Digital Strategy and Organizational Transformation
- Lead the development and execution of StrongMinds’ global digital transformation strategy, aligned with our 2035 vision.
- Design a future-facing roadmap for scaling through digital solutions in delivery, monitoring, and internal operations.
- Champion change management and promote a culture of innovation and digital adoption across all levels of the organization.
- Define key technology investments and digital architecture to enable cost-efficient, scalable programming.
- Co-lead the development of a Data Management System to enable data-informed decision making, with a focus on real-time insights and action.
Program Innovation & Tech-Enabled Delivery
Partner with the Programs teams to digitize elements of IPT-G delivery, including digital self-guided tools and hybrid delivery models.Pilot AI-enabled solutions to enhance group session fidelity, remote coaching, and field data collection.Support the Innovation Lab in developing, testing, and scaling revenue-generating digital mental health products, using a “buy, not build” strategy where possible to leverage existing technologies and accelerate time-to-market.Use user-centered design to ensure digital tools are intuitive and accessible for volunteers and clients in low-literacy and low-connectivity settings.Internal Systems, Data Integration & Automation
Oversee the consolidation of StrongMinds’ productivity stack across all departments including Finance and Human Resources.Audit current practices / plans against industry options, to develop a transformation strategy for internal systems as the organization grows.Improve knowledge management systems and data governance practices to ensure a single source of truth and effective learning.Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration
Supervise the IT technical team and consultants to ensure data security, regulatory and internal policies compliance.Build and mentor a small global digital team and matrixed contributors across departments.Facilitate digital literacy and continuous learning across all levels of the organization.Coordinate closely with senior leadership to align digital strategies with operational realities.External Representation and Partnership Building
Serve as StrongMinds’ lead digital health representative with government actors, funders, and implementation partners.Cultivate relationships with industry leaders, technology partners, and digital health networks, while continuously monitoring industry developments relevant to StrongMinds’ strategy and operationsParticipate in business development by articulating the role of technology in StrongMinds’ scaling vision and proactively fundraise for tech / digital initiatives.Must-Haves :
At least 10 years’ experience leading digital transformation in the nonprofit, health, or development sectorsDemonstrated success in developing and executing digital strategies in low resource settings.Expertise in digital health, community-led data collection, and systems integration in LMICsStrong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to guide cross-functional teams through organizational change.Strong grasp of data governance, digital privacy, and ethical tech use in community healthExperience in emerging technology trends and a passion for leveraging digital tools to enhance impact.Ability to engage and influence C-suite executives, external partners, and industry stakeholders.Bonus Points For :
Experience working with government partners, particularly Ministries of HealthExperience with mental health delivery or behavior change programs.Knowledge of AI / LLM tools and their application in non-clinical counseling or coachingStrongMinds Core Values
We are people focused.We think big and act fast.We are data driven.We do what we say and say what we do.We believe in collaboration, not competition.How to apply