Country Director

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About Sand

Sand Technologies is a fast-growing enterprise AI Product led company that solves real-world problems for large blue-chip companies and governments worldwide.

We’re pioneers of meaningful AI: our solutions go far beyond chatbots. We are using data and AI to solve the world’s biggest issues in telecommunications, sustainable water management, energy, healthcare, climate change, smart cities, and other areas that have a real impact on the world. For example, our AI systems help to manage the water supply for the entire city of London. We created the AI algorithms that enabled the 7th largest telecommunications company in the world to plan its network in 300 cities in record time. And we built a digital healthcare system that enables 30m people in a country to get world-class healthcare despite a shortage of doctors.

We’ve grown our revenues by over 500% in the last 12 months while winning prestigious scientific and industry awards for our cutting-edge technology. Our success is supported by about 300 engineers and scientists working across Africa, Europe, the UK, and the US.

About the role

Sand is expanding across Africa and beyond, partnering with governments and public sector officials to deliver transformative AI and data solutions. Our flagship healthcare initiative - the Health Operating System (HOS) - is already live. In Rwanda, hundreds of clinics have already been digitized, transforming rural facilities into next-generation health centers that are redefining care in Africa. Sand’s groundbreaking HOS integrates data and services to drive better outcomes - from maternal health to chronic disease management - already reaching more than 1 million patients. Designed for digital empowerment, the HOS equips thousands of frontline health workers with the tools and support they need to magnify their impact and strengthen community health.

Now, we are scaling rapidly. By the end of 2025, our HOS will be operational in 10 countries, and by 2026, we plan to expand even further across the continent. This is not an idea — it’s already happening, and the momentum is accelerating.

But healthcare is only one example. As Country Director, you will serve as Sand’s senior representative in the country, overseeing all operations and partnerships. You will engage at the highest levels of government, align Sand’s solutions with national priorities, and ensure the successful adoption and sustainability of our products—whether in healthcare, water, energy, telecommunications, or other sectors where Sand operates.

This role requires a leader who can build trust, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and position Sand as a long-term partner to governments in delivering innovation that drives impact at scale.

Specific Responsibilities

• Government & Public Sector Engagement: Serve as Sand’s primary liaison to government ministries, agencies, and public sector institutions, building trusted relationships that enable successful product adoption.
• Policy & Strategic Alignment: Ensure Sand’s solutions are designed and implemented in alignment with national strategies, sector policies, and long-term government priorities.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Convene and coordinate across ministries, development partners, regulators, and other actors to create an enabling environment for Sand’s solutions.
• Product Implementation Support: Oversee the in-country adoption of Sand’s products, ensuring smooth integration with existing systems and long-term sustainability.
• Change Management: Lead strategies to prepare institutions, government teams, and local stakeholders for new ways of working enabled by Sand’s solutions.
• Strategic Leadership: Represent Sand at the highest levels, shaping national conversations on digital transformation, AI, and innovation, while positioning Sand as a trusted partner for solving public sector challenges.
• Risk & Issue Management: Anticipate and address political, operational, or partnership risks that could affect successful delivery or sustainability.

Requirements - Essential

• Advanced degree in Digital Innovation, Information Systems, Public Policy, International Development, Business Administration, or a related field, with strong grounding in technology and systems.
• 10+ years of leadership experience working with governments and public sector stakeholders, ideally across technology, public services, or large-scale system transformation.
• Proven track record of navigating complex multi-stakeholder ecosystems and driving adoption of new products or systems at scale.
• Strong understanding of governance systems in Africa and/or comparable contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change management in technology-driven or public sector environments.
• Excellent diplomatic, negotiation, and high-level relationship management skills.
• Experience in one or more of Sand’s core industries - such as healthcare, water, energy, or telecommunications - is a strong plus.
• Language: Fluent in English.

Work Environment

This is a hybrid role with significant in-person requirements. While some responsibilities can be performed remotely, the role demands regular presence on the ground to build relationships, oversee implementation, and represent Sand with local stakeholders. At the same time, given the high degree of virtual collaboration with colleagues and partners across multiple geographies, the successful candidate must be highly self-driven, comfortable working in small in-person teams while contributing to larger efforts virtually, and disciplined in using online collaboration tools and video conferencing to maintain constant communication.

Due to the considerable amount of virtual work and interaction with colleagues and customers in different physical locations internationally, it is essential that the successful applicant has the drive and ethic to succeed in working in small teams physically but in larger efforts virtually. Self-drive to communicate constantly using online collaboration and video conferencing is essential.