CHNRI Secretariat provides cohesion for all the CHNRI activities, ensuring coordination through frequent exchange of information among various parts of CHNRI. It is essentially the operational arm of the network.

The Global Forum for Health Research (GFHR) hosted the secretariat for the first two years. It was then shifted to ICDDR,B in Bangladesh which has been the host institution from June 2004 to December 2009. Thereafter, the CHNRI Secretariat is hosted at The INCLEN Trust International, New Delhi, India with effect from January 1, 2010.

The Secretariat is responsible for implementing the visions laid out by the board through maintaining operational, financial, communications and administrative support. The Secretariat is responsible for making proposals to the Board concerning strategies and policies, analyzing policy issues, making recommendations, managing the foundation’s administration and finances, preparing and implementing the annual work plan and budget, and supporting the Chair and the Board especially for advocacy and fundraising.

The Secretariat is headed by the Executive Director and supported by the Coordinator and other technical, communication and administrative staff.