OVERVIEW

Fisherman’s Rest Lodge, affiliated with a UK charity, is a community-oriented lodge located on Mbame Estate in rural Blantyre, Malawi.

For over 20 years, Fisherman’s Rest has been woven into the fabric of the surrounding communities, welcoming families, school groups, church teams, and long-term volunteers from around the world into a genuinely different kind of travel experience.

The organization is looking for a Hospitality Manager who does more than simply run a lodge smoothly. They are seeking someone who understands that every guest arriving at Fisherman’s Rest is stepping into a new experience.

The ideal candidate will bring warmth, competence, and genuine care for people, ensuring guests feel less like customers and more like family.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Hospitality Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of the lodge and manage the full guest experience from arrival to departure.

You will work closely with:

• the Fisherman’s Rest team,
• lodge staff,
• and community partners

to ensure every guest stay is:

• safe,
• meaningful,
• and exceptionally well-hosted.

The role also includes local marketing responsibilities, including attending TAKULANDIRANI events in Lilongwe.

This is a hands-on, people-focused role. The successful candidate will live on-site at Mbame Estate and become fully embedded within the community and the Fisherman’s Rest family.

The position operates on a flexible 7-day hospitality rota, meaning flexibility is essential, including working weekends and public holidays.

DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and manage all lodge operations including accommodation, catering, housekeeping, and facilities maintenance
• Welcome and brief guests upon arrival
• Ensure guests feel supported and prepared throughout their stay
• Oversee itinerary coordination
• Liaise with community project leaders to align guest activities with local initiatives
• Manage bookings, invoicing, and guest communications
• Supervise and support lodge staff while fostering a positive service-driven culture
• Ensure health, safety, and safeguarding standards are maintained at all times
• Handle guest feedback and resolve issues professionally and promptly
• Support marketing efforts including social media updates and representation at events such as TAKULANDIRANI
• Maintain accurate operational records and report to UK-based trustees

WHO THEY ARE LOOKING FOR

Applicants should have:

• Proven experience in hospitality, hotel, or lodge management
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• A warm, approachable, and culturally sensitive personality
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Comfort living in a rural, community-based environment
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and non-standard hospitality hours
• Passion for community development and cross-cultural engagement
• Malawi nationality or legal right to work in Malawi
• Good English proficiency (Chichewa is an added advantage)

WHAT THEY OFFER

• On-site accommodation at Mbame Estate
• Competitive local salary
• Opportunity to work within a unique community-focused organization
• A chance to positively impact both guests and local communities
• A supportive working environment connected to a UK charity

• Lead and manage all lodge operations including accommodation, catering, housekeeping, and facilities maintenance
• Welcome and brief guests upon arrival
• Ensure guests feel supported and prepared throughout their stay
• Oversee itinerary coordination
• Liaise with community project leaders to align guest activities with local initiatives
• Manage bookings, invoicing, and guest communications
• Supervise and support lodge staff while fostering a positive service-driven culture
• Ensure health, safety, and safeguarding standards are maintained at all times
• Handle guest feedback and resolve issues professionally and promptly
• Support marketing efforts including social media updates and representation at events such as TAKULANDIRANI
• Maintain accurate operational records and report to UK-based trustees

• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• A warm, approachable, and culturally sensitive personality
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Comfort living in a rural, community-based environment
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and non-standard hospitality hours
• Passion for community development and cross-cultural engagement
• Good English proficiency

• Proven experience in hospitality, hotel, or lodge management
• Malawi nationality or legal right to work in Malawi