ABOUT THE MERCY JAMES CENTER

Opened in 2017, the Mercy James Center is a specialized paediatric surgery and intensive care facility located within Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital’s campus. The Center includes three operating theatres, a 6-bed intensive care unit, a 50-bed ward, a day clinic, and teaching classrooms.

The facility operates through a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Health of Malawi and the Paediatric Surgery Trust. The Center is dedicated to delivering high-quality paediatric surgical care while supporting training and capacity development within Malawi’s healthcare system.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Interim Administration Director will serve as a member of the hospital’s executive leadership team and will provide strategic and operational leadership for the administrative, human resources, and financial management functions of the Mercy James Center.

Working closely with the Medical Director, consortium partners, and senior management, the successful candidate will strengthen governance, operational systems, financial oversight, and organizational performance to support the Center’s mission and long-term sustainability. The role is offered on a one-year fixed-term basis, with renewal subject to need and funding availability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership:

• Support the development and execution of the Center’s strategic plan in collaboration with the Board and senior management.
• Translate strategic priorities into operational workplans, budgets, and measurable performance targets.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen operational efficiency, sustainability, and service delivery.

Governance and Board Reporting:

• Serve as the principal executive reporting to the Board of Trustees on administrative, financial, and operational performance.
• Prepare and present quarterly performance reports to the Board.
• Strengthen communication and reporting frameworks between management and the Board.
• Ensure compliance with governance, regulatory, and ethical standards.

Organizational Oversight

• Provide leadership to key administrative functions, including:
  • Hospital administration
  • Human resources
  • Finance and reporting
• Strengthen organizational structures, policies, and management systems.
• Support recruitment, performance management, and staff development activities.

Financial Leadership:

• Provide strategic oversight of financial planning, budgeting, and sustainability initiatives.
• Strengthen internal controls and financial management systems.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting to the Board, donors, and regulators.
• Oversee financial reporting, budgeting, and audit processes.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Educations

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Health Administration, Public Health, or a related field.
• Additional training in governance, nonprofit leadership, or strategic management is an advantage.

Experience

• At least 10 years of senior leadership experience, preferably in health care, and international nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategy, governance, financial oversight, and organizational leadership.
• Experience in working in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly desirable.

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership and analytical thinking
• Strong financial and organizational management skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
• High integrity and commitment to the Center’s charitable mission
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and complex stakeholder environments.

• Support the development and execution of the Center’s strategic plan in collaboration with the Board and senior management.
• Translate strategic priorities into operational workplans, budgets, and measurable performance targets.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen operational efficiency, sustainability, and service delivery.
• Serve as the principal executive reporting to the Board of Trustees on administrative, financial, and operational performance.
• Prepare and present quarterly performance reports to the Board.
• Strengthen communication and reporting frameworks between management and the Board.
• Ensure compliance with governance, regulatory, and ethical standards.
• Provide leadership to key administrative functions, including: Hospital administration, Human resources, Finance and reporting
• Strengthen organizational structures, policies, and management systems.
• Support recruitment, performance management, and staff development activities.
• Provide strategic oversight of financial planning, budgeting, and sustainability initiatives.
• Strengthen internal controls and financial management systems.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting to the Board, donors, and regulators.
• Oversee financial reporting, budgeting, and audit processes.

• Strategic leadership and analytical thinking
• Strong financial and organizational management skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
• High integrity and commitment to the Center’s charitable mission
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and complex stakeholder environments.

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Health Administration, Public Health, or a related field.
• Additional training in governance, nonprofit leadership, or strategic management is an advantage.
• At least 10 years of senior leadership experience, preferably in health care, and international nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategy, governance, financial oversight, and organizational leadership.
• Experience in working in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly desirable.