Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Habitat for Humanity Malawi (HFHM) is a Christian non-profit organization with a vision of “a Malawi where everyone has a decent place to live.” Guided by its new strategic direction, HFHM is committed to scaling its impact by focusing on building more and better homes, transforming housing systems, and inspiring action for housing. Habitat for Humanity Malawi is seeking to fill the following key vacant position as part of the organization’s institutional strengthening and strategic realignment process in line with the new Country Strategic Plan (2025–2030).

POSITION

NATIONAL DIRECTOR

Reports to

AVP – Regional Office and the Board

Location

Lilongwe

Job Summary

Reporting to the AVP – Regional Office and the HFH Malawi Board, the National Director (ND) provides overall leadership and management to HFH Malawi and guides the implementation of HFH Malawi strategy. The ND will represent HFH Malawi vision, mission, and values to all stakeholders. The ND will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization by ensuring effective resource mobilization, financial and programmatic support/management to staff and partners, business & partnership development, Advocacy, and communications.

In collaboration with the HFHM Board of Directors and HFHI, the ND ensures that the mobilization of resources is adequate to achieve short-term and long-term strategic goals; develops and implements, together with staff and HFHI, a fund-raising strategy that mobilizes resources through diversified constituencies.

The ND has a matrix reporting line to the HFH Malawi Board chair and HFHI AVP – Africa Area Office and will supervise the Program,Resource Development, Finance & Operations, HRLOD and Administration units at NO level.

Key responsibilities

Strategy, business development and institutional representation

• Guides the implementation of HFHM strategy and long-term business plan that leads to increased positive impact on access to decent and affordable housing in Malawi.
• Models’ servant leadership and preserves, upholds, and promotes Habitat for Humanity mission, principles, and core values.
• Ensure Country Strategy performance and monitor and identify and inform about internal or external risks, which affect strategy implementation as well as contingent opportunities to be taken for program strengthening and development. Propose corrective measures in case of deviations.
• Identify opportunities to enhance HFH Malawi positioning & pre-positioning, visibility, strategic alliances, and funding opportunities related to the National Office.
• Work with the Senior management team and the Board of Directors in Malawi in cultivating strategic partnerships or relationships with new/existing donors to further strategic development opportunities

Operations and compliance management

• Ensure compliance with all legal obligations of the Organization, internal policies, and regulations.
• Lead and supervise the performance of the country team with transparency, integrity, control, and quality; to provide timely and accurate internal and external accountability.
• Coordination with the SMT, lead the annual planning and budgeting process, and manages the implementation of the plan and reporting of measurable outcome.
• In consultation with the HFH Malawi Board of Directors ensures the fiscal, legal, and programmatic integrity of the organization including accurate and timely reporting to relevant country statutory authorities, to HFHI and to donors.
• Oversee programme planning, management, and evaluation through implementation of innovative partnerships and Housing Technologies.

Implementation and reporting

• Supports the Program Director on the program and project development; validate project budgets, operational plans and ensure that the interventions are aligned with the NO strategy, objectives and budget allocated for the relevant activities and approved by the board and HFHI Africa Area Office.
• Management and technical support, to ensure high quality of the interventions to achieve synergies and complement projects and partners.
• Ensure that the projects count with a proper MEAL plan and supervise its implementation. Identify deviations and/or opportunities to be taken and propose or approving corrective measures.
• Ensure that effective financial administrative systems governing the project activities are in place and are in line with HFHI and donor requirements.

Human Resource management

• In coordination with HR, ensure work force planning for optimum utilization of human resources, identify key staff in the NO, recommending them to national or international cross-cutting projects as part of capacity building and succession planning.
• Identify training and capacity building needs for team career (technical and behavioral) growth and efficiency.
• Ensure implementation of the HFH Malawi Performance management system to enhance individual & team performance and accountability
• Validate the HFH Malawi structure to ensure its fit for purpose to maximize the efficiency of the NO team.

Resource Mobilization, Fundraising, Partnerships and strengthening of the Program

• In coordination with the SMT and other relevant staff and local partners, lead the identification of new initiatives and opportunities that respond to identified needs of the NO strategy and support resource mobilization activities for new opportunities identified in coordination with HFHI Area Office and HQ
• Ensure the sustainability of the Program through the development and implementation of a Fundraising strategy which include the current donors supporting HFH Malawi and others.
• Ensure and support the HFH Malawi team in developing innovative and strategic project proposals, based on the meaningful participation of the local partners, community, and other relevant stakeholders to consolidate and expand Malawi program operations.
• Prepares policy papers and coordinates input to key organizational documents as they relate to developing and strengthening partnerships with existing and new donors, including non-traditional donors.
• Develops the fundraising strategies for governmental, corporate sector and foundations funding sources, systematizing organization-wide efforts to this effect.

Advocacy and Communications

• Proactively analyze the actors who have the potential to contribute to the achievement of the HFHM program goals within the broader context including government, private sector, donors and foundations, international and local civil society, academic institutions. Establish and actively sustain productive relationships with relevant actors (inside and outside the country).
• Develops and implements, together with staff and the support of HFHI, an Advocacy strategy to promote policies and systems that advance access to affordable and decent housing in Malawi.
• Contribute to national dialogue on housing strategies and advocate for change in policies and practice in line with program goals. Support and work effectively in coalitions, networks, and social movements to achieve broader impact.
• Promote and participate in campaigns and events to raise awareness, advocacy, or funds.

Board relations

• Oversees the development of the HFH Malawi Board relationship with the staff and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensures HFH Malawi Board of Directors’ resolutions are implemented.
• Ensure organizational stability and sustainability by supporting the recruitment and development of a wise, skilled, committed, and balanced Board of Trustees, marked by integrity and upholding the Habitat mission.

Contingency Planning, Safety and Security Management

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by HFHI guidelines, policy, and NO security plans.
• Proactively ensure that staff and v

• Guides the implementation of HFHM strategy and long-term business plan that leads to increased positive impact on access to decent and affordable housing in Malawi.
• Models’ servant leadership and preserves, upholds, and promotes Habitat for Humanity mission, principles, and core values.
• Ensure Country Strategy performance and monitor and identify and inform about internal or external risks, which affect strategy implementation as well as contingent opportunities to be taken for program strengthening and development. Propose corrective measures in case of deviations.
• Identify opportunities to enhance HFH Malawi positioning & pre-positioning, visibility, strategic alliances, and funding opportunities related to the National Office.
• Work with the Senior management team and the Board of Directors in Malawi in cultivating strategic partnerships or relationships with new/existing donors to further strategic development opportunities
• Ensure compliance with all legal obligations of the Organization, internal policies, and regulations.
• Lead and supervise the performance of the country team with transparency, integrity, control, and quality; to provide timely and accurate internal and external accountability.
• Coordination with the SMT, lead the annual planning and budgeting process, and manages the implementation of the plan and reporting of measurable outcome.
• In consultation with the HFH Malawi Board of Directors ensures the fiscal, legal, and programmatic integrity of the organization including accurate and timely reporting to relevant country statutory authorities, to HFHI and to donors.
• Oversee programme planning, management, and evaluation through implementation of innovative partnerships and Housing Technologies.
• Supports the Program Director on the program and project development; validate project budgets, operational plans and ensure that the interventions are aligned with the NO strategy, objectives and budget allocated for the relevant activities and approved by the board and HFHI Africa Area Office.
• Management and technical support, to ensure high quality of the interventions to achieve synergies and complement projects and partners.
• Ensure that the projects count with a proper MEAL plan and supervise its implementation. Identify deviations and/or opportunities to be taken and propose or approving corrective measures.
• Ensure that effective financial administrative systems governing the project activities are in place and are in line with HFHI and donor requirements.
• In coordination with HR, ensure work force planning for optimum utilization of human resources, identify key staff in the NO, recommending them to national or international cross-cutting projects as part of capacity building and succession planning.
• Identify training and capacity building needs for team career (technical and behavioral) growth and efficiency.
• Ensure implementation of the HFH Malawi Performance management system to enhance individual & team performance and accountability
• Validate the HFH Malawi structure to ensure its fit for purpose to maximize the efficiency of the NO team.
• In coordination with the SMT and other relevant staff and local partners, lead the identification of new initiatives and opportunities that respond to identified needs of the NO strategy and support resource mobilization activities for new opportunities identified in coordination with HFHI Area Office and HQ
• Ensure the sustainability of the Program through the development and implementation of a Fundraising strategy which include the current donors supporting HFH Malawi and others.
• Ensure and support the HFH Malawi team in developing innovative and strategic project proposals, based on the meaningful participation of the local partners, community, and other relevant stakeholders to consolidate and expand Malawi program operations.
• Prepares policy papers and coordinates input to key organizational documents as they relate to developing and strengthening partnerships with existing and new donors, including non-traditional donors.
• Develops the fundraising strategies for governmental, corporate sector and foundations funding sources, systematizing organization-wide efforts to this effect.
• Proactively analyze the actors who have the potential to contribute to the achievement of the HFHM program goals within the broader context including government, private sector, donors and foundations, international and local civil society, academic institutions. Establish and actively sustain productive relationships with relevant actors (inside and outside the country).
• Develops and implements, together with staff and the support of HFHI, an Advocacy strategy to promote policies and systems that advance access to affordable and decent housing in Malawi.
• Contribute to national dialogue on housing strategies and advocate for change in policies and practice in line with program goals. Support and work effectively in coalitions, networks, and social movements to achieve broader impact.
• Promote and participate in campaigns and events to raise awareness, advocacy, or funds.
• Oversees the development of the HFH Malawi Board relationship with the staff and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensures HFH Malawi Board of Directors’ resolutions are implemented.
• Ensure organizational stability and sustainability by supporting the recruitment and development of a wise, skilled, committed, and balanced Board of Trustees, marked by integrity and upholding the Habitat mission.
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by HFHI guidelines, policy, and NO security plans.
• Proactively ensure that staff and v