WASH & Climate Resilience Project Manager

jobsCareers, Careers - Malawi

Job ID: 85990
Job Title: WASH & Climate Resilience Project Manager
Organisation: Self Help Africa
Contract Type: Full time, Fixed term 12 month contract
Hours: 37.5 per week
Location: Thyolo
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.

About the Project

Self Help Africa (SHA) has been implementing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programming in Thyolo District for the past 10 years, with a strategic focus on increasing and sustaining equitable access to safe water and sanitation services in the context of climate change. With funding from The One Foundation, the WASH programme in Thyolo will deliver two projects: a WASH and Climate Resilience project and a general WASH project. In addition to support from The One Foundation, the programme also receives funding from Co-op UK to implement WASH interventions in collaboration with tea estates. SHA’s work in Thyolo is implemented in close coordination with district councils, relevant government line ministries, Thuchila Tea Association, MAFECO, and other WASH stakeholders, ensuring alignment with district priorities and national WASH strategies. Key interventions include provision of access to safe water, improved sanitation, hygiene promotion, water resource and catchment management and systems strengthening aimed at improving service delivery, accountability, and long-term sustainability. The project will adopt a district-wide WASH systems approach that integrates climate resilience, water resources management, health, agriculture, and food and nutrition security.

Job purpose:

Reporting to the Deputy WASH Programme Manager, the WASH and Climate Resilience Project Manager will provide overall technical and managerial leadership for the implementation of SHA’s on-going WASH project and a new climate-resilient WASH project in Thyolo District. The role is responsible for coordinating district-level planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning to ensure high-quality delivery of integrated WASH interventions aligned with district priorities and national WASH strategies. The WASH and Climate Resilience Project Manager will ensure that project activities are delivered on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards, with a strong focus on achieving sustainable and cost-effective results. This includes oversight of financial performance, tracking progress against targets, and ensuring effective utilisation of project resources. The role will also lead on stakeholder coordination and engagement beyond the non-WASH actors, working closely with district councils, government line ministries, Thuchila Tea Association, MAFECO, and other WASH /non WASH actors to support a district-wide WASH systems approach. The WASH and Climate Resilience Project Manager will lead and mentor a multidisciplinary district project team, fostering a high-performing and collaborative working environment capable of delivering climate-resilient water supply services, sustaining ODF outcomes, and strengthening WASH systems across targeted TAs. The role includes line management of the Water Resources Management Officer, MEAL officer and Coordinator, WASH Field Facilitators, Civil technicians and Admin & Stores Officer, and close collaboration with the Project Accountant to ensure strong financial management, accountability, learning, and visibility of results.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Leadership and Implementation

  • Provide day-to-day operational leadership for multiple WASH projects in Thyolo (beyond boreholes and Climate Resilience WASH project) ensuring effective, efficient, and high-quality delivery of planned activities.
  • Ensure project implementation is aligned with approved work plans, log frames, timelines, and quality standards.
  • Apply adaptive management approaches informed by monitoring, learning, and evolving context, including climate risks.
  • Provide technical guidance and oversight across all aspects of project implementation, with particular emphasis on climate-resilient WASH approaches and water resources management.
  • Ensure integration of community-based management, capacity building, gender equality, and social inclusion into project activities.
  • Promote quality assurance and adherence to national standards and best practices in WASH programming.

Planning, Budgeting, and Financial Management

  • Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of project work plans and budgets in line with approved deliverables and available resources.
  • Ensure strong budgetary control, accurate expenditure tracking, and compliance with SHA’s financial procedures, fraud prevention, and risk management policies.
  • Monitor expenditure to ensure spending remains within approved budgets and contributes to cost-effective results.

Team Management and Coordination

  • Line manage and support Water Resources Management Officer, Field facilitators and civil technicians, ensuring effective coordination of project activities and delivery of results.
  • Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture through mentoring, performance management, and capacity development.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with District Executive Committee (DEC), District Council Technical (DCT) members, government line ministries, and other WASH stakeholders.
  • Ensure close collaboration with community structures, district partners, and other SHA projects to maximise synergies and sustainability.
  • Represent SHA at district and national WASH coordination and emergency forums, including WASH Cluster meetings, as appropriate.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning and Reporting

  • Oversee routine monitoring and assessment of project activities to ensure relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability.
  • Use monitoring data and learning to inform decision-making, continuous improvement, and adaptive management.
  • Prepare and submit weekly updates, monthly monitoring reports, and supporting documentation to the Deputy WASH Programme Manager and Programme Manager.
  • Ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality reporting that meets internal, donor, and stakeholder requirements.

Key Relationships:

Internal:

  • Deputy /WASH Program Manager
  • Water Resources Officer
  • WASH Filed Facilitators
  • Project Accountant
  • Stores and Administration Officer
  • MEAL Officer
  • MEAL coordinator
  • National MEAL Manager

External:

  • Local Partner
  • District Council

Qualification:

  • At least a Bachelor’s degree in Water Resources Management, or Environmental Health, Engineering and any other relevant field. A master degree will be an added advantage.

Knowledge, Experience and Other Requirements:

  • At least 5 years’ experience of working in WASH and Climate resilience-related development and humanitarian projects in an International NGO.
  • Experience of working of Water Resources and catchment management interventions
  • Good knowledge and experience in groundwater monitoring and management
  • Experience in managing multiple projects from different donors
  • Strong planning and budgets skills and experience.
  • Extensive experience of targeting and working with disadvantaged people in Malawian society.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English, Chichewa, including good English report writing skills.
  • Well-refined people management, team working and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong respect and empathy for rural communities, and an affinity to SHA’s mission and values of integrity, dignity and environmental respect.
  • Team player that thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative, and entrepreneurial environment
  • Ability to work independently and take a lead with new ideas.
  • Ability to build/maintain good relationships with stakeholders – especially government staff and communities
  • Ready to work at odd hours, including weekends and holiday

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 14th January 2026. 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.