Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 60 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Our Christian Mission.

Working in collaboration with the Country Director of Malawi and the Regional Human Resources Manager for Africa, the Human Resources Manager of Malawi will assist in the development and implementation of the strategy, policies, and Human Resource functions in alignment with Water Mission headquarters. This is a full-time position that reports to the Regional Human Resources Director Africa and requires residency in Lilongwe, Malawi. The position requires travel to areas where Water Mission’s Malawi program operates.

Our Culture:

Water Mission fosters a biblical worldview culture that pursues God-honoring excellence. As the Human Resources Manager, you are responsible for promoting servant leadership, integrity, accountability, continuous learning, and organizational excellence, while ensuring that all Human Resources practices align with Water Mission's mission, vision, values, and standards

Responsibilities or duties

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, the communities we serve, and the public.
• Understand, support, and nurture Water Mission’s vision, mission, and core values.
• Collaborate with headquarters and local senior leadership to understand the organization’s goals and strategy related to staffing, recruiting, development, retention, and employee relations.
• Administer human resources programs within Malawi, including, but not limited to, compensation, benefits, and leave; recruitment and selection; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; and training and development.
• Work with in-country leadership, the Regional Human Resources Director Africa, and Water Mission headquarters to develop the Malawi Human Resources Strategic Plan and the Malawi Staffing Plan.
• Manage all aspects of the employee life cycle, including but not limited to the developing of job descriptions, advertising, shortlisting, participating in interviewing and selection, conducting background searches, facilitating onboarding, induction, retention, and off-boarding.
• Prepare and manage employment contracts and employment offer letters and ensure compliance with local labor laws and Water Mission policies.
• Develop and maintain a talent pool of both internal and external candidates.
• Update the human resources manual regularly and ensure it’s aligned with Water Mission policies and Malawi's regulatory provisions and changes.
• Collaborate with Water Mission headquarters to execute the training and development initiatives of the organization.
• Conduct staff training sessions on human resources policies and/or other areas of training as directed.
• Implement and oversee the Performance Management System.
• Complete benchmark studies with comparator organizations on remuneration, human resources policies and practices, and/or any other employee-related matters.
• Administer employee benefits programs (e.g., medical insurance, life insurance, etc.) and train staff accordingly.
• Manage all aspects of compliance within human resources and implement necessary controls.
• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and Employment Law; apply this knowledge to communicate changes in policy, practice, and resources to local senior leadership and headquarters-based human resources department.
• Prepare reports for management and attend leadership meetings.
• Manage and participate in all human resources audits and respond/close audit queries in a timely manner.
• May manage auxiliary staff.
• Handle all employee discipline and grievance-related matters.
• Manage all employee relations, conduct investigations, and coordinate with Headquarters as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications or requirements 

• Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Industrial Psychology, Organizational Development, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Master's Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or Organizational Development is an added advantage.
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, including at least three (3) years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Experience working with an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) is strongly preferred.
• Membership with the Institute of People Management Malawi (IPMM) or another recognized Human Resources professional body is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience managing recruitment, employee relations, performance management, organizational development, compensation and benefits, and Human Resources compliance.

Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of Malawi labour laws, employment regulations, and Human Resources best practices.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and people management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, mediation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).
• Ability to analyze Human Resources data and prepare management reports.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability and willingness to travel periodically throughout Malawi to support field operations.

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, the communities we serve, and the public.
• Understand, support, and nurture Water Mission’s vision, mission, and core values.
• Collaborate with headquarters and local senior leadership to understand the organization’s goals and strategy related to staffing, recruiting, development, retention, and employee relations.
• Administer human resources programs within Malawi, including, but not limited to, compensation, benefits, and leave; recruitment and selection; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; and training and development.
• Work with in-country leadership, the Regional Human Resources Director Africa, and Water Mission headquarters to develop the Malawi Human Resources Strategic Plan and the Malawi Staffing Plan.
• Manage all aspects of the employee life cycle, including but not limited to the developing of job descriptions, advertising, shortlisting, participating in interviewing and selection, conducting background searches, facilitating onboarding, induction, retention, and off-boarding.
• Prepare and manage employment contracts and employment offer letters and ensure compliance with local labor laws and Water Mission policies.
• Develop and maintain a talent pool of both internal and external candidates.
• Update the human resources manual regularly and ensure it’s aligned with Water Mission policies and Malawi's regulatory provisions and changes.
• Collaborate with Water Mission headquarters to execute the training and development initiatives of the organization.
• Conduct staff training sessions on human resources policies and/or other areas of training as directed.
• Implement and oversee the Performance Management System.
• Complete benchmark studies with comparator organizations on remuneration, human resources policies and practices, and/or any other employee-related matters.
• Administer employee benefits programs (e.g., medical insurance, life insurance, etc.) and train staff accordingly.
• Manage all aspects of compliance within human resources and implement necessary controls.
• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and Employment Law; apply this knowledge to communicate changes in policy, practice, and resources to local senior leadership and headquarters-based human resources department.
• Prepare reports for management and attend leadership meetings.
• Manage and participate in all human resources audits and respond/close audit queries in a timely manner.
• May manage auxiliary staff.
• Handle all employee discipline and grievance-related matters.
• Manage all employee relations, conduct investigations, and coordinate with Headquarters as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Thorough knowledge of Malawi labour laws, employment regulations, and Human Resources best practices.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and people management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, mediation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).
• Ability to analyze Human Resources data and prepare management reports.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability and willingness to travel periodically throughout Malawi to support field operations.

• Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Industrial Psychology, Organizational Development, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Master's Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or Organizational Development is an added advantage.
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, including at least three (3) years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Experience working with an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) is strongly preferred.
• Membership with the Institute of People Management Malawi (IPMM) or another recognized Human Resources professional body is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience managing recruitment, employee relations, performance management, organizational development, compensation and benefits, and Human Resources compliance.