Tiwale Limodzi Foundation, a nonprofit institution of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, is seeking Program Manager and Project Officer on part time

Position Summary for Program Manager:

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Program Manager will drive the strategic planning, oversight, and execution of the Foundation’s programs and donor-funded initiatives. This pivotal role ensures all projects successfully achieve the Foundation’s strategic goals while remaining deeply rooted in its vision, mission, and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST). The ideal candidate is a mature, visionary leader capable of navigating complex stakeholder relationships—spanning government ministries, Archdiocese leadership, and grassroots communities—while maintaining rigorous financial and operational compliance.

Immediate Priority Focus: Eco-Innovation & Livelihoods Project

The incoming Program Manager will immediately take operational ownership of our flagship community initiative focused on rural clean energy and environmental sustainability. A key priority will be overseeing the production, distribution, and community adoption of sustainable clean energy solutions, tracking metrics such as reduced firewood consumption, fuel adoption rates, and localized income-generating opportunities for vulnerable populations.

Responsibilities or duties

Apart from the project specific management, the program manager will also have the following roles:

1. Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight

• Design and execute comprehensive program strategies that align with the Foundation’s mission, multi-year strategic plan, and Catholic Social Teaching.Business Plans & Presentations
• Oversee the entire lifecycle of multiple concurrent projects (from inception and training to production, distribution, and closeout).
• Ensure all project activities strictly adhere to organizational safeguarding policies, donor guidelines, and broader Church mission commitments.
• Champion policy advocacy efforts that advance the Foundation’s programming and systemic social impact.

2. Financial Management & Donor Compliance

• Lead the conceptualization and writing of high-quality project proposals, grant applications, and strategic budgets to mobilize resources.
• Manage project budgets rigorously, ensuring funds are utilized efficiently and expenditures remain within approved limits.
• Ensure full compliance with institutional and international donor requirements (e.g., Missio Munich), including maintaining meticulous procurement records for higher-value contracts (specifically those exceeding EUR 1,000).
• Coordinate internal and external audit processes to ensure total financial transparency and accountability.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation & Quality Control

• Design and manage the project’s multi-level monitoring system, conducting quarterly performance reviews to evaluate impact against predefined indicators.
• Design and manage robust, multi-level Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems to measure program performance, data accuracy, and long-term impact.
• Verify data collected by field officers and community volunteers, ensuring the integrity of field metrics, production volumes, and behavioral adoption rates.
• Lead project assessment processes, including baseline and endline studies, to capture and document community impact and institutional knowledge.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Management

• Act as the primary liaison between the Foundation and high-level external stakeholders, including District Executive Committees (DEC), government ministries, and international donors.
• Maintain regular, transparent communication with Archdiocese leadership and the Foundation’s Board regarding project status, milestones, and challenges.
• Foster strategic partnerships with NGOs, community-based organizations, and structures of the Catholic Church.
• Conduct periodic joint field visits to provide management-level guidance and resolve complex implementation challenges on the ground.

5. Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Directly supervise, mentor, and build the capacity of project officers, field staff, and volunteers, fostering a high-performing and ethical team culture.
• Facilitate meaningful community engagement, ensuring local populations actively participate in program design and field implementation.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Economics, or a related field from an accredited institution. A Master’s Degree is highly desirable and considered an asset.

Experience needed

Experience: 5 years of progressive experience in project/program management within the NGO, non-profit, or development sector (reporting to executive leadership is preferred).

Fundraising & Compliance: Proven track record in resource mobilization, budget management, and managing compliance for strict international donor frameworks.

Sector Knowledge: Strong understanding of sustainable development, environmental/climate justice, human rights, and community-based development approaches.

Technical Skills: Deep familiarity with M&E frameworks, data collection methodologies, financial reporting, and project management tools.

Values Alignment: A demonstrated commitment to integrating Catholic Social Teachings into development practices.

Requirement: Must be willing to travel extensively within project districts.

• Design and execute comprehensive program strategies that align with the Foundation’s mission, multi-year strategic plan, and Catholic Social Teaching.Business Plans & Presentations
• Oversee the entire lifecycle of multiple concurrent projects (from inception and training to production, distribution, and closeout).
• Ensure all project activities strictly adhere to organizational safeguarding policies, donor guidelines, and broader Church mission commitments.
• Champion policy advocacy efforts that advance the Foundation’s programming and systemic social impact.
• Lead the conceptualization and writing of high-quality project proposals, grant applications, and strategic budgets to mobilize resources.
• Manage project budgets rigorously, ensuring funds are utilized efficiently and expenditures remain within approved limits.
• Ensure full compliance with institutional and international donor requirements (e.g., Missio Munich), including maintaining meticulous procurement records for higher-value contracts (specifically those exceeding EUR 1,000).
• Coordinate internal and external audit processes to ensure total financial transparency and accountability.
• Design and manage the project’s multi-level monitoring system, conducting quarterly performance reviews to evaluate impact against predefined indicators.
• Design and manage robust, multi-level Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems to measure program performance, data accuracy, and long-term impact.
• Verify data collected by field officers and community volunteers, ensuring the integrity of field metrics, production volumes, and behavioral adoption rates.
• Lead project assessment processes, including baseline and endline studies, to capture and document community impact and institutional knowledge.
• Act as the primary liaison between the Foundation and high-level external stakeholders, including District Executive Committees (DEC), government ministries, and international donors.
• Maintain regular, transparent communication with Archdiocese leadership and the Foundation’s Board regarding project status, milestones, and challenges.
• Foster strategic partnerships with NGOs, community-based organizations, and structures of the Catholic Church.
• Conduct periodic joint field visits to provide management-level guidance and resolve complex implementation challenges on the ground.
• Directly supervise, mentor, and build the capacity of project officers, field staff, and volunteers, fostering a high-performing and ethical team culture.
• Facilitate meaningful community engagement, ensuring local populations actively participate in program design and field implementation.

• Deep familiarity with M&E frameworks, data collection methodologies, financial reporting, and project management tools.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Economics, or a related field from an accredited institution. A Master’s Degree is highly desirable and considered an asset.
• 5 years of progressive experience in project/program management within the NGO, non-profit, or development sector (reporting to executive leadership is preferred).
• Proven track record in resource mobilization, budget management, and managing compliance for strict international donor frameworks.
• Strong understanding of sustainable development, environmental/climate justice, human rights, and community-based development approaches.
• Deep familiarity with M&E frameworks, data collection methodologies, financial reporting, and project management tools.
• A demonstrated commitment to integrating Catholic Social Teachings into development practices.
• Must be willing to travel extensively within project districts.