Background

Save the Children is inviting applications from suitably qualified personnel to fill the position of District Construction Technician under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Project in Southern Malawi. The position will be based at the district level and will report directly to the Project Construction Coordinator, with a dotted line to the District Coordinator.

The District Construction Technician (DCT) will be responsible for overseeing and providing technical leadership for all construction-related activities within the project districts. The role holder will ensure the quality and compliance of infrastructure works—including solar installations, light to moderate renovations, and WASH facilities—with project standards and WHO construction guidelines adapted to the local context. The DCT will play a critical role in ensuring the implementation of climate-resilient, gender-sensitive, and sustainable health infrastructure, thereby contributing to improved community health and resilience in climate-vulnerable districts.

The post holder will work closely with district health authorities, contractors, local government structures, and community representatives to ensure timely and quality delivery of construction activities. S/he will also be responsible for conducting feasibility assessments, preparing design sketches and Bills of Quantities (BOQs), monitoring construction progress, ensuring quality assurance, and providing on-site technical support. Through this role, the DCT will contribute to strengthening climate-resilient health infrastructure, WASH systems, and energy solutions that enhance service delivery in health facilities.

The position holder will ensure that learning, technical quality, and progress updates are well documented and communicated to the Project Construction Coordinator, supporting evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement of project implementation.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and vary working hours accordingly.

Qualifications and Requirements

In order to be successful, you will bring/have:

• A Diploma in Civil Engineering or an equivalent qualification in construction or building technology.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising and managing small- to medium-scale construction projects, preferably within public health or WASH infrastructure.
• Proven ability to prepare Bills of Quantities (BOQs), cost estimates, work schedules, and feasibility assessments for small-scale infrastructure.
• Experience ensuring construction quality standards and compliance with technical specifications, including safety and environmental considerations.
• Commitment to Save the Children’s values and principles, including accountability, transparency, and child safeguarding.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, contractors, community leaders, and project teams.
• Strong record-keeping and reporting skills, with the ability to prepare progress reports and maintain accurate documentation.
• Good understanding of solarization, WASH, and climate-resilient construction practices.
• Willingness and ability to adapt work practices, travel frequently to field sites, and work extended hours in emergencies.

Desirable Qualifications

• Basic knowledge and skills in AutoCAD, MS Word, Excel, and other engineering software.
• Previous experience working with NGOs or community-based development projects.
• Candidates from the local or host community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Organizational Information

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

We believe in providing reasonable accommodations to support the professional growth and success of all employees. We thus encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities.

• Oversee and provide technical leadership for all construction-related activities within the project districts
• Ensure the quality and compliance of infrastructure works—including solar installations, light to moderate renovations, and WASH facilities—with project standards and WHO construction guidelines adapted to the local context
• Ensure the implementation of climate-resilient, gender-sensitive, and sustainable health infrastructure
• Work closely with district health authorities, contractors, local government structures, and community representatives to ensure timely and quality delivery of construction activities
• Conduct feasibility assessments
• Prepare design sketches and Bills of Quantities (BOQs)
• Monitor construction progress
• Ensure quality assurance
• Provide on-site technical support
• Contribute to strengthening climate-resilient health infrastructure, WASH systems, and energy solutions that enhance service delivery in health facilities
• Ensure that learning, technical quality, and progress updates are well documented and communicated to the Project Construction Coordinator
• Support evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement of project implementation
• Work outside the normal role profile and vary working hours accordingly in the event of a major humanitarian emergency

• Ability to prepare Bills of Quantities (BOQs), cost estimates, work schedules, and feasibility assessments for small-scale infrastructure
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, contractors, community leaders, and project teams
• Strong record-keeping and reporting skills
• Ability to prepare progress reports and maintain accurate documentation
• Good understanding of solarization, WASH, and climate-resilient construction practices
• Willingness and ability to adapt work practices, travel frequently to field sites, and work extended hours in emergencies
• Basic knowledge and skills in AutoCAD, MS Word, Excel, and other engineering software (desirable)

• A Diploma in Civil Engineering or an equivalent qualification in construction or building technology
• Demonstrated experience in supervising and managing small- to medium-scale construction projects, preferably within public health or WASH infrastructure
• Experience ensuring construction quality standards and compliance with technical specifications, including safety and environmental considerations
• Commitment to Save the Children’s values and principles, including accountability, transparency, and child safeguarding
• Previous experience working with NGOs or community-based development projects (desirable)