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

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Position Overview

Pact is initiating a new activity in Malawi as part of the ACHIEVE project, a global project funded through the U.S. Department of State. The activity in Malawi will align with ACHIEVE’s overall strategic objectives which include achieving and maintaining HIV/AIDS epidemic control among pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, children, and adolescents and improving integrated maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition services. The activity will be implemented in Zomba, Thyolo, Karonga, and Balaka districts with limited focus also at a national level possible. In close coordination with the Ministry of Health, ACHIEVE will support the availability of integrated, quality lifesaving services to women, newborns, and children at community and facility levels; expand the availability of lifesaving HIV services by strengthening the integration of HIV services in ANC platforms, among others; and strengthen subnational health management teams to plan, manage, monitor, and evaluate their health programs.

The Project Director serves in the primary leadership role for the ACHIEVE activity in Malawi, which aims to improve, sustain, and further integrate MNCH and HIV/AIDS services at health facility and community levels and ensure that client-centered, high-impact, high-quality services are available to Malawians in the target districts. The position also serves as the main point of contact and legal representative for Malawi within Pact and externally and the overall custodian of policies and compliance at Pact Malawi.

Position Location: One of the focus districts (or potentially Blantyre)

Responsibilities or duties

• Serve as the primary point of contact with U.S. DOS in Malawi for day-to-day implementation and management matters and with Pact global office.
• Serve in ACHIEVE Malawi’s primary leadership role, coordinating among and maintaining strong relationships with U.S. DOS and key stakeholders, including partners, government, civil society, and other implementers.
• Provide overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise for the project.
• Partner closely with the Technical Director, MEL Director, Finance/Ops/HR leads, and other senior staff to ensure that ACHIEVE meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements.
• Liaise closely with ACHIEVE and Pact global management, technical, and finance/operations teams to ensure that all project activities are compliant with USG rules and regulations and are consistent with Pact’s policies, procedures and best practices.
• Oversee project planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting in accordance with the highest standards and requirements of the award, including ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact resources.
• Represent ACHIEVE/Malawi in technical working groups and in planning, coordination, and performance review meetings.
• Represent Pact legally before government officials and partners.
• Provide supportive supervision to designated staff members.
• Hold Power of Attorney (POA) authority for Pact in matters concerning registration, Memoranda of Understanding between Pact and the Host Country’s government agencies or other relevant stakeholders, bank accounts, local employment and non-US consultants, commercial leases and agreements securing utility services, procurement of goods and services, agreements and grants for programmatic activities, and correspondence with and certification to governmental authorities at local, municipal, regional, and national levels as may be required to maintain Pact as a fully compliant operation in Malawi.

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

• Graduate degree from an accredited university in the field of management, organizational leadership, international development, public or global health, or a related technical field.
• Knowledge of USG rules, regulations, and policies.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.

Experience needed

• Minimum of 10 years’ progressive leadership experience in international development, global health, public health, other professional experience requiring strong leadership and management capacities is required.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience managing diverse teams of professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience leading successful teams, achieving deliverables on time and within budget, and providing program financial oversight
• Demonstrated track record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with government and civil society stakeholders.
• Ability to travel within Malawi.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Preferred Qualifications

• Work experience in Malawi strongly preferred; Malawi nationals are encouraged to apply.
• Clinical qualification (medical doctor, clinical officer, nurse, midwife, or other cadre).
• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Malawi.
• Experience managing and/or working on integrated MNCH/nutrition/HIV services

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.

At Pact, we recognize your impact, offer you opportunities and support your total well-being. Our comprehensive benefit offerings may include healthcare, retirement (8.8%) and savings plans, paid time off, disability and life insurance programs, learning and development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections .

• Serve as the primary point of contact with U.S. DOS in Malawi for day-to-day implementation and management matters and with Pact global office.
• Serve in ACHIEVE Malawi’s primary leadership role, coordinating among and maintaining strong relationships with U.S. DOS and key stakeholders, including partners, government, civil society, and other implementers.
• Provide overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise for the project.
• Partner closely with the Technical Director, MEL Director, Finance/Ops/HR leads, and other senior staff to ensure that ACHIEVE meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements.
• Liaise closely with ACHIEVE and Pact global management, technical, and finance/operations teams to ensure that all project activities are compliant with USG rules and regulations and are consistent with Pact’s policies, procedures and best practices.
• Oversee project planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting in accordance with the highest standards and requirements of the award, including ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact resources.
• Represent ACHIEVE/Malawi in technical working groups and in planning, coordination, and performance review meetings.
• Represent Pact legally before government officials and partners.
• Provide supportive supervision to designated staff members.
• Hold Power of Attorney (POA) authority for Pact in matters concerning registration, Memoranda of Understanding between Pact and the Host Country’s government agencies or other relevant stakeholders, bank accounts, local employment and non-US consultants, commercial leases and agreements securing utility services, procurement of goods and services, agreements and grants for programmatic activities, and correspondence with and certification to governmental authorities at local, municipal, regional, and national levels as may be required to maintain Pact as a fully compliant operation in Malawi.

• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.

• Graduate degree from an accredited university in the field of management, organizational leadership, international development, public or global health, or a related technical field.
• Knowledge of USG rules, regulations, and policies.
• Work experience in Malawi strongly preferred; Malawi nationals are encouraged to apply.
• Clinical qualification (medical doctor, clinical officer, nurse, midwife, or other cadre).
• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Malawi.
• Experience managing and/or working on integrated MNCH/nutrition/HIV services