Country Director – Malawi

About the role

Healthy Learners is expanding its award‑winning school health model from Zambia to Malawi. The Country Director will be the senior in‑country leader responsible for establishing government partnerships, adapting the programme to the local context, and scaling delivery from pilot to national coverage.

Key responsibilities

• Adapt, execute and continuously improve the School Health Programme in Malawi, guiding it from pilot through national scale.
• Lead government engagement, negotiate and steward MOUs with the Ministries of Health and Education, and manage inter‑ministerial risks.
• Build, hire and manage the Malawi team across administration, finance, procurement, and program functions, fostering a collaborative culture.
• Represent Healthy Learners to donors, funders and external partners, securing resources and strategic collaborations.
• Oversee financial management, budgeting, procurement, compliance, data protection and child safeguarding standards.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in Public Health, Business Administration, International Development or related field.
• 8‑10 years senior leadership experience managing budgets, staff and external partnerships in complex or emerging‑market environments.
• Demonstrated ability to engage senior government and NGO stakeholders, preferably within health or education systems.
• Strong financial and human‑resources management literacy, with experience overseeing significant budgets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English and comfort operating in ambiguous, start‑up conditions.