Job Description

1.0 Job Information

Title Program Manager

Department Operations

Duty Station Neno District

Reports to Operations Director

Second Line Reporting Chief Operating Officer

Commitment Full-time

Working Hours 40 hours per week

2.0 Role Summary

The Program Manager is a senior member of the Operations Department and is responsible for leading the implementation of the Non-Negotiables Program Phase 2 (NNP2) in Malawi. The role provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership for infrastructure investments aimed at improving the quality, safety, reliability, and sustainability of healthcare facilities supported by Partners In Health (PIH/APZU).

The Program Manager will coordinate infrastructure projects, strengthen maintenance systems, oversee data-driven decision making, and supervise multidisciplinary technical teams to ensure successful delivery of NNP2 objectives. Working closely with Ministry of Health (MOH) counterparts, district leadership, facility teams, contractors, and the NNP2 Cross-Site Team, the incumbent will ensure that all infrastructure interventions meet quality standards, donor requirements, and organizational priorities.

The role serves as the primary focal point for NNP2 implementation in Malawi, ensuring alignment between infrastructure development, preventive maintenance systems, healthcare service delivery needs, and organizational strategic goals. The incumbent is expected to provide leadership in project management, infrastructure quality improvement, asset management, team development, and stakeholder engagement.

3.0 Core Responsibilities

3.1 Program Leadership and Project Management

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the implementation of all NNP2-funded infrastructure activities across PIH/APZU-supported facilities.
• Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and closure of infrastructure projects in accordance with approved timelines, budgets, quality standards, and donor requirements.
• Develop annual implementation plans covering:
  • Large Infrastructure Projects
  • Quality Checklist Fund activities
  • Infrastructure Documentation Systems
  • Capital Infrastructure Needs Register
  • CMMS implementation and utilization
  • Training and Capacity Building
  • Facilities inventory management
  • Tools and PPE management
• Coordinate technical teams, including Electrical and WASH Engineers, to ensure high-quality project execution.
• Monitor project risks, schedules, procurement activities, contractor performance, and budget utilization.
• Ensure infrastructure projects are completed in compliance with approved technical specifications, safety standards, and organizational requirements.
• Coordinate project reviews and incorporate lessons learned into future projects and operational systems.
• Oversee project documentation including drawings, reports, completion certificates, inspection records, and handover documentation.

3.2 Infrastructure Data Management and Systems Strengthening

• Lead the implementation, utilization, and continuous improvement of the UPKEEP Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Support the development and maintenance of comprehensive infrastructure asset registers for all supported facilities.
• Coordinate infrastructure Quality Checklist assessments and monitor implementation of corrective action plans.
• Develop and maintain monitoring and evaluation dashboards tracking:
  • Project progress
  • Budget performance
  • CMMS performance indicators
  • Preventive maintenance compliance
  • Asset performance
  • Infrastructure quality indicators
• Maintain and regularly update the Capital Infrastructure Needs Register.
• Support annual infrastructure planning and development of long-term infrastructure roadmaps.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timely reporting of infrastructure and asset management data.
• Produce quarterly, annual, and donor reports to support organizational and cross-site decision-making.

3.3 Team Leadership and Workforce Development

• Provide leadership, supervision, and technical support to engineering staff and other direct reports.
• Ensure organizational structures, staffing requirements, and job descriptions remain aligned with program objectives.
• Set annual work plans, performance objectives, and development goals for direct reports.
• Coordinate staff capacity-building initiatives and technical training programs in collaboration with the Human Resources Department.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching, mentoring, and feedback to staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous learning, innovation, and high performance.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and governance requirements.
• Promote safe work practices and adherence to occupational health and safety standards.

3.4 Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Serve as the primary focal point between PIH Malawi and the NNP2 Cross-Site Team.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Ministry of Health leadership, district health offices, facility management teams, and development partners.
• Collaborate with clinical teams, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) leads, and Environmental Health Officers to ensure infrastructure investments support quality care and patient safety.
• Facilitate technical review meetings, project steering committee meetings, and stakeholder consultations.
• Support knowledge sharing and cross-site collaboration across PIH programs and international infrastructure networks.
• Represent PIH/APZU in infrastructure-related meetings, technical forums, and partner engagements as appropriate.
• Promote integration of infrastructure priorities into broader organizational planning and service delivery improvement initiatives.

4.0 Expected Competencies, Attributes, and Behaviors

4.1 Core Competencies

• Program Leadership and Coordination: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage complex infrastructure, facilities, and capital investment programs; Strong project management skills with proven success in delivering projects on time, within budget, and to expected quality standards.
• Technical and Professional Expertise: Strong knowledge of healthcare infrastructure systems, engineering principles, construction management, maintenance systems, and facilities operations; Understanding of donor-funded project implementation and compliance requirements.
• Data-Informed Management: Ability to utilize infrastructure and maintenance data for planning, decision-making, performance monitoring, and reporting; Experience using CMMS platforms, asset management systems, and project monitoring tools.
• Team Development and Performance Management: Strong coaching, mentoring, and people management capabilities.

4.2 Behavioral Attributes

• Collaborative and Partnership-Oriented: Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills. Ability to work effectively with government counterparts, contractors, technical teams, donors, and organizational leadership.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Ability to perform effectively in rural, resource-constrained, and rapidly changing environments.
• Quality and Service Orientation: Commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality infrastructure that supports excellent healthcare delivery.
• Integrity and Accountability: Demonstrates professionalism, transparency, ethical conduct, and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.

4.3 Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Execution and Accountability: Ability to translate strategic plans into measurable operational results. Strong focus on implementation, follow-through, and achieving agreed objectives.
• Analytical Problem Solving: Ability to identify infrastructure risks and operational challenges and develop sustainable solutions.
• Effective Communication and Influence: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders.
• Supportive and Performance-Oriented Supervision: Provides effective leadership, constructive feedback, coaching, and performance management support.

5.0 Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Infrastructure Management, or another relevant engineering-related field.
• Professional certification in Project Management, Infrastructure Management, Facilities Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 4 to 5 years of experience managing construction or infrastructure projects.
• Minimum of 2 to 3 years of experience implementing donor-funded projects.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated experience in project planning, procurement oversight, contractor management, and infrastructure quality assurance.
• Experience with CMMS, asset management systems, or facilities management platforms is required.

6.0 Additional Notes

• Willingness to live and work in rural settings.
• Regular travel to supported facilities and project sites is required.
• The position may require flexibility to work during evenings, weekends, and public holidays when project demands require.
• Commitment to PIH/APZU’s values of social justice, health equity, quality improvement, and service excellence.
• Membership with the Malawi Engineers’ Institute (MEI) and/or the Board of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BAQS) is an added advantage.
• Strong advocate in social medicine, health equity and social justice.

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the implementation of all NNP2-funded infrastructure activities across PIH/APZU-supported facilities.
• Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and closure of infrastructure projects in accordance with approved timelines, budgets, quality standards, and donor requirements.
• Develop annual implementation plans covering: Large Infrastructure Projects, Quality Checklist Fund activities, Infrastructure Documentation Systems, Capital Infrastructure Needs Register, CMMS implementation and utilization, Training and Capacity Building, Facilities inventory management, Tools and PPE management.
• Coordinate technical teams, including Electrical and WASH Engineers, to ensure high-quality project execution.
• Monitor project risks, schedules, procurement activities, contractor performance, and budget utilization.
• Ensure infrastructure projects are completed in compliance with approved technical specifications, safety standards, and organizational requirements.
• Coordinate project reviews and incorporate lessons learned into future projects and operational systems.
• Oversee project documentation including drawings, reports, completion certificates, inspection records, and handover documentation.
• Lead the implementation, utilization, and continuous improvement of the UPKEEP Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Support the development and maintenance of comprehensive infrastructure asset registers for all supported facilities.
• Coordinate infrastructure Quality Checklist assessments and monitor implementation of corrective action plans.
• Develop and maintain monitoring and evaluation dashboards tracking: Project progress, Budget performance, CMMS performance indicators, Preventive maintenance compliance, Asset performance, Infrastructure quality indicators.
• Maintain and regularly update the Capital Infrastructure Needs Register.
• Support annual infrastructure planning and development of long-term infrastructure roadmaps.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timely reporting of infrastructure and asset management data.
• Produce quarterly, annual, and donor reports to support organizational and cross-site decision-making.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and technical support to engineering staff and other direct reports.
• Ensure organizational structures, staffing requirements, and job descriptions remain aligned with program objectives.
• Set annual work plans, performance objectives, and development goals for direct reports.
• Coordinate staff capacity-building initiatives and technical training programs in collaboration with the Human Resources Department.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching, mentoring, and feedback to staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous learning, innovation, and high performance.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and governance requirements.
• Promote safe work practices and adherence to occupational health and safety standards.
• Serve as the primary focal point between PIH Malawi and the NNP2 Cross-Site Team.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Ministry of Health leadership, district health offices, facility management teams, and development partners.
• Collaborate with clinical teams, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) leads, and Environmental Health Officers to ensure infrastructure investments support quality care and patient safety.
• Facilitate technical review meetings, project steering committee meetings, and stakeholder consultations.
• Support knowledge sharing and cross-site collaboration across PIH programs and international infrastructure networks.
• Represent PIH/APZU in infrastructure-related meetings, technical forums, and partner engagements as appropriate.
• Promote integration of infrastructure priorities into broader organizational planning and service delivery improvement initiatives.

• Program Leadership and Coordination
• Project Management
• Technical and Professional Expertise in healthcare infrastructure systems, engineering principles, construction management, maintenance systems, and facilities operations
• Data-Informed Management
• CMMS platforms, asset management systems, and project monitoring tools
• Team Development and Performance Management
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Communication Skills
• Problem Solving

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Infrastructure Management, or another relevant engineering-related field.
• Professional certification in Project Management, Infrastructure Management, Facilities Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in project planning, procurement oversight, contractor management, and infrastructure quality assurance.
• Experience with CMMS, asset management systems, or facilities management platforms is required.
• Strong advocate in social medicine, health equity and social justice.