Senior Manager, Programs

Job Title: Senior Manager, Programs
Job level: L6
Department: Country Programs
Location: Malawi
Reports to (title): Country Director
Travel required: Yes (Quarterly and as needed based on priority or program intensity)

Job Title

Senior Manager, Programs (Malawi)

About Evidence Action

Evidence Action is a global nonprofit organization with an approach distinctive in international development – we exclusively scale interventions that are backed by strong evidence and can be delivered with exceptional cost-effectiveness. Our programs have grown since our founding in 2013 to reach over 515 million people globally with our interventions. We deliver high impact for every dollar spent, as recognized by GiveWell, The Life You Can Save, and Charity Navigator.

We do development differently. We take a data-driven approach to identifying, scaling, and continuously improving programs which deliver immense impact, ensuring these solutions measurably improve the lives of millions. Our Deworm the World Initiative has helped governments in Africa and Asia deliver over 1.8 billion childhood deworming treatments, improving health, education, and incomes. Dispensers for Safe Water provides sustained safe water access to over 10 million people in rural Africa, preventing childhood illness and deaths.

We drive innovation. Our Accelerator builds the next generation of exceptional programs, taking an approach most similar to a venture capital model. We are ruthless in exiting programs which do not meet our criteria; those that advance deliver outsized impact for millions of people.
We are global. Across nine countries in Africa and Asia, our 700+ people are united by a tremendous passion for our mission and impact. We are strong because of our diversity of experience, geography, and background – with over 90% of our people in the countries where our impact is focused.

We have big ambitions. Over the next decade, we’re setting our sights higher: We aim to reach over 600 million people globally to fulfill our vision of a world where hundreds of millions of people in the poorest places have better opportunities and their lives are measurably improved. We believe in bold and urgent action – because poverty doesn’t wait, and neither should we.

We need great people. Our success to date is due to the collective work of our amazing staff. To achieve our ambitious goals, we are looking for people who share our passion for evidence, cost-effectiveness, and scale. We seek individuals who take an entrepreneurial approach, enjoy tackling hard problems, and have a bias to action and results. If our vision and approach excite you as much as it does us, we invite you to join us.

About Safe Water Now, Deworm the World, and Equal Vitamin Access[1] [2] [3]

Evidence Action has a growing portfolio of heavily impactful programs in Malawi.

Safe Water Now program supports two different interventions to deliver chlorine treatment directly to water points, in several countries in Africa, including Malawi. The program has been operating in Malawi since 2015, and has recently expanded to support eight districts, reaching 15% of Malawi’s population with access to safe water.

Deworm the World, recently launched in Malawi, aims to provide technical assistance to the Government of Malawi to deliver treatments for soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis across the country.  Since 2014, we’ve helped to deliver over 2 billion treatments across several countries in Africa and Asia, helping to drive dramatic reductions in prevalence of parasitic worm infections.

Alongside Deworm the World, we also launched weekly iron folic acid supplementation, under our Equal Vitamin Access program, to support the Government of Malawi  in delivering iron and folic acid treatments to all at-risk adolescent girls, as well as school-age children with the goal to scale up the program across the country in three years, helping to drive reductions in prevalence of anemia.

Both Deworm the World and Equal Vitamin Access are delivered using schools as the primary infrastructure, and are partially integrated to maximize efficiencies in implementation

Job Purpose

This is a very exciting time and opportunity to join Evidence Action as we manage and scale up extremely impactful and cost-effective programs to save children’s lives through access to safe water, and drive improvements in education, health and nutrition outcomes through mass deworming and iron folic acid supplementation.

The Senior Manager, Programs is responsible for providing leadership, management, and oversight of all Evidence Action programs in Malawi. This role requires close collaboration and relationship building with government stakeholders, technical acumen to use evidence and data to drive program improvements, and strong program and people management skills to ensure program goals and targets are being met in a high quality and cost-effective way. No day looks the same – so the person in this role should be excited about rolling up their sleeves to tackle problems big and small, alongside an incredible team. [4]
The Senior Manager, Programs will work closely with the Country Director, regional and global program and cross-functional teams, to ensure the successful delivery of all existing programs. This role will also have the potential opportunity to oversee other new programs in the future, if the need arises.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Management:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, cost-effective and technically sound implementation approach in close coordination with the Country Director for all programs in Malawi aligned with the organization’s mission and goals.
• Lead performance against program goals and targets, ensuring timely pivots and accelerating progress as needed.
• Oversee development and execution of program work plans; ensure regular progress assessment and accountability for achievement of program milestones and deliverables
• In collaboration with the country, regional and global teams, oversee budget development and financial management systems, to ensure funds are spent wisely and according to established work plans
• Monitor program expenditures, review financial reports, and ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures.
• Liaise with the Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority-Malawi, relevant procurement agencies, the Central Medical Stores Trust, local distributors and other stakeholders to facilitate timely registration,  procurement and distribution of IFA tablets for the IFA program.
• Support the relevant national stakeholders to prepare and submit the Joint Application Package (JAP), including the Joint Request for Selected Medicines (JRSM) for deworming medicines
• Oversee the procurement of all program supplies (chlorine tablets, staff gear etc) for Safe Water Now to ensure timely availability
• Share opportunities for additional health and nutrition programming in Malawi with global teams and support scoping activities for other health and nutrition interventions.

Technical guidance and quality assurance:

• Work in close coordination with Country Director, MLE and global program teams, and government to design and adapt strategies key to the implementation of a cost-effective programs, including: delivery platform modalities, training and distribution cascades, monitoring, learning, and evaluation strategies (MLE), data collection and reporting, chlorine delivery schedules, and approaches to community sensitization, among others.
• Provide strategic and technical input on overarching community mobilization strategies to increase uptake and adoption of all programs, including reviewing concepts, content, and modalities, and obtaining internal review from Evidence Action’s leadership as appropriate.
• Ensure the quality of key program materials, including training materials, quantification tools, stock trackers and supply distribution plans, and program reports.
• Conduct regular field visits to program sites to assess program implementation, provide technical support, and identify areas for improvement.
• Provide technical input and evidence-based recommendations for improved program planning and decision-making during implementation, leveraging the monitoring reports as well as lessons from other geographies.
• Coordinate closely with National, sub-National and community government stakeholders to identify and troubleshoot challenges that might affect the quality of the program

Partnership Development and Collaboration:

• Serve as a well-respected external representative, including cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with relevant  high- and mid-level government officials and other key stakeholders, including technical agencies, NGOs, funders, and other partners
• Work closely with Country Director on engagement with key government stakeholders on aligning on the program modalities, including creation and finalization of national/district MoUs and other relevant documents
• Lead all engagement with high-level government officials to map key processes and undertake activities to ensure relevant policies and guidelines are being updated for all programs, to create an enabling environment and scale the program countrywide
• Lead regular advocacy and review meetings with key government stakeholders and partners to share program progress, results and recommendations, with the goal of securing program buy-in and strengthening  implementation
• Develop and execute advocacy and engagement strategies with the government to mobilize domestic resources to facilitate long-term sustainability of the program
• Work with Evidence Action’s global teams to develop concept notes and proposals, budgets, and progress reports. Engage with current and prospective donors to share program overviews and updates.

Team Management and Capacity Building:

• Provide leadership and guidance to the program team, ensuring effective coordination, collaboration, and communication among team members.
• Mentor and support program staff, providing technical guidance and capacity building opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that promotes teamwork, learning, and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as Public Health, Development Studies, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of experience in designing, managing and implementing programs preferably in the public health space with a focus on WASH and nutrition interventions
• Experience working in a Non- profit or an  INGO in Malawi will be preferred.
• Familiarity with the Malawi public health context and relevant stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of safe water and nutrition interventions, including water supply, sanitation, hygiene promotion, and nutrition-sensitive programming.
• Proven experience in program management, including strategic planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively manage teams, build partnerships, and engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a demonstrated ability to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present information to diverse audiences.
• Fluency in local language(s) and proficiency in English.

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, duties, or responsibilities associated with the role.

Working conditions

This role requires regular domestic and occasional international travel, including travel into least developed rural areas.

Physical requirements

The candidate should have the necessary documentation to work in Malawi.The candidate must be able to travel by various modes of transportation, such as airplanes, trains, and cars, and must be able to endure long periods of sitting or standing during travel. They must also be able to navigate unfamiliar environments and adapt to different cultural norms.
In addition, the candidate should have the ability to work in less developed rural areas, which may have limited access to modern infrastructure and amenities. This may require the candidate to adapt to basic living conditions, such as limited electricity or running water, and be comfortable with potential challenges such as extreme weather conditions, insects, or wildlife.

Overall, the candidate should be in good physical health and possess the flexibility and adaptability to handle the physical demands of regular domestic and occasional international travel, including travel into less developed rural areas.

Direct reports

●      Program Manager, School Health
●      Program Manager, Safe Water Now

Equal Opportunity Statement
At Evidence Action, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusivity in our workforce. We believe in creating a workplace that is free from discrimination and where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply for this position at Evidence Action, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. We are committed to providing a fair and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal access and consideration for all applicants. We strive to foster an environment that embraces diversity, respects individual differences, and promotes a culture of inclusion. By embracing a diverse workforce, we believe we can better serve our mission to use evidence to improve global wellbeing.

To apply, follow this link

http://mw.techragency.com/vacancy#/v/129 and send a copy of your CV to info@mw.techragency.com