Project Manager

jobsCareers, Careers - Malawi

Job Title: Project Manager
Organisation: Self Help Africa
Contract Type: Full time, Fixed term 6 month contract
Hours: 37.5 per week
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Reports to: Deputy Wash Programme Manager

About Self Help Africa :

Established in 1984, Self Help Africa is an international development organisation that works through agriculture and agri-enterprise development to address hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impacts of climate change. We believe that equitable economic development is key to lifting communities out of long-term poverty, empowering them to take control of their futures and improving their quality of life.

In early 2023 we launched a new five-year organisation strategy, which defines shared mission as the alleviation of hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impact of climate change through community-led, market-based and enterprise-focused approaches, so that people can have access to nutritious food, clean water, decent employment and incomes, while sustaining natural resources.

Our wider organisation also includes social enterprise subsidiaries Partner Africa, which provides ethical auditing and consultancy services, and CUMO, Malawi’s largest micro-finance provider.

Our three core values are:
▪ Impact: We are accountable, ambitious and committed to systemic change.
▪ Innovation: We are agile, creative and enterprising in an ever-changing World.
▪ Community: We are inclusive, honest and have integrity in our relationships.

Job purpose:

Reporting to the Deputy Program Manager (DPM), s/he is accountable for the overall planning, implementation, monitoring, quality – control and reporting of all WASH Projects. S/he will manage human, financial and other resources for all the WASH Projects. S/he will have responsibility for ensuring that the projects are managed effectively and efficiently. S/he will line manage all WASH Project Teams in Chikwawa and Chitipa, working in close collaboration with Project Accountants. S/he will also oversee implementation of school WASH projects in the 3 districts of Chikwawa, Chitipa and Lilongwe and staff.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide overall day to day management oversight for the planning and delivery of the project in all 3 districts of Chikwawa, Chitipa and Lilongwe (17 target schools), ensuring that the project is implemented within acceptable quality, timeframe and budget.
  • Ensure the implementation of the project is in compliance with UNICEF requirements, government policies and global and national standards.
  • Provide technical leadership in school WASH infrastructure, Management of Solar Powered Water Supply System
  • Ensure effective project budgetary control and monitoring is in line with SHA’s financial procedures and guidelines, and fraud and risk management policies.
  • Produce timely and quality technical and financial reports both for donors and internal use; timely review & submit the reports to DPM for review.
  • Ensure proper project/program assessments, design, monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management processes are employed in the WASH program; and fully engage to make sure that appropriate monitoring tools including electronic based platforms are used to support the monitoring and decision-making processes.
  • Develop and submit weekly updates and monthly monitoring and documentation reports to Deputy WASH Program Manager.
  • Ensure that appropriate human resource performance monitoring mechanisms with proper coaching and mentoring are practiced enhancing smooth staff relations and accountability.
  • Work with the WASH Program Manager to handle WASH donors, support donors and partners’ visits, briefings and meetings.
  • Promote major cross cutting themes including environment, gender, protection, disability, peace building and core values of the organization.
  • Ensure implementation of project activities in line with SHA’s safeguarding policy and procedures. This includes ensuring promotion of a positive culture of openness and transparent where team members are able to raise concerns.
  • Represents SHA at national sector technical forums, events and meetings, where agreed with WASH Program Manager.

Key Relationships:

Internal:

  • Deputy WASH Program Manager
  • WASH Project Engineer
  • WASH Filed Facilitators
  • Project Accountant
  • Stores and Administration Officer

External:

  • Implementing partners
  • District Council

Qualification:

  • At least Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field like Irrigation Engineering, Environmental Health, Community Development or related discipline, a master’s degree being an advantage.

Knowledge, Experience and Other Requirements:

  • At least 5 years’ relevant experience in WASH in an international NGO working as a Project Manager
  • Demonstrable experience in project management and people management
  • Strong character traits, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity and integrity
  • Proven experience of managing donor(s) funded projects or programs
  • Good computer skills including MS Word, Excel and internet
  • Knowledge and Experience in WASH infrastructure in schools and irrigation , Solar Powered Management System, Professionalised maintenance services, Sanitation Marketing and Systems strengthening approaches
  • Demonstrable understanding of safeguarding risks and mitigating actions.
  • Experience in developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems including monitoring
  • Experience in proposal development, budget preparation and report writing
  • A full clean driving license and ability to drive a four-wheel drive manual vehicle is essential.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written in English
  • Creates and encourages a climate of team-work and collaboration in a diverse cultural environment.
  • Has high-level management and supervisory skills

How to apply:

Full job description here. 

Qualified and interested candidates who meet the stated requirements must submit a completed Application Form, along with an up to date Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter here. 

The closing date for applications is 28th November 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Important information: 

Self Help Africa is an international development charity and is committed to the safeguarding of all those who we come into contact with or through our work. We are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour relating to our work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and we are committed to promoting the welfare of children and the people we aim to assist with whom Self Help Africa engages. Self Help Africa expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviours outlined in the Code of Conduct and Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Recruitment to all roles in Self Help Africa will include, and be subject to, a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre- employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checking. Self Help Africa is committed to the principles of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms her/his understanding of these recruitment procedures. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Self Help Africa is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.