Health Programme Manager Full Time NEW

Danish Red Cross is looking for an Health Programme Manger to help manage our progamme, provide support to Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS), and support the development and growth of the portfolio in Malawi to ensure that vulnerable communities are protected and less affected by disasters and crisis.

Malawi is one of the world’s least developed and poorest countries. About 85% of the population live in the rural areas, and the majority of smallholders depend on rain fed agriculture. Vulnerability is thus widespread and not concentrated to any specific part of the country. Malawi is prone to recurrent flooding and droughts and, as a result of climate change, the frequency of these hazards is predicted to intensify, thus putting extra pressure on already vulnerable communities.

Danish Red Cross (DRC) has been engaged in a long-term bilateral partnership with Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) since the 1980s supporting community resilience focused on community-based health, livelihoods as well children and youth empowerment initiatives. Besides that, DRC also supports MRCS on Disaster Risk Management initiatives. Today, DRC is coordinating a consortium in support of MRCS and the MRCS Community Resilience programme (COMREP). COMREP was initiated in 2016 in the three southern districts of Mangochi, Mwanza and Chikwawa. A third phase of the programme commenced in January 2024 for a period of four years. COMREP consists of 5 outputs across five interrelated sectors: 1) Health, 2) WASH, 3) DM, 4) Empowerment, 5) National Society Development.

The Health Programme Manager is a team member of the International Department of Danish Red Cross (DRC). The overall purpose of this position is to support the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) in management and successful implementation of the Community Resilience programme (COMREP) projects and related initiatives. As a core partner to MRCS, the Programme Manager will lead the further MRCSs work in Malawi by strengthening capacity within MRCS and engaging with relevant governmental and non-governmental institutions.

The Health Programme Manager will also support related health initiatives of the Danish Red Cross in Malawi – as well as general support to the MRCS Health Department, especially outbreak preparedness and response.

The Programme Manager reports to, and works in close coordination with, the Danish Red Cross Country Manager, also based in Lilongwe, who is responsible for the overall management of DRC’s programme portfolio in Malawi.

Your main tasks include:

• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the COMREP project in a consortium with Icelandic RC.
• To provide oversight and guidance on the Community Resilience Programme.
• Provision of technical guidance and oversight to build capacity and competences in the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) in the thematic areas covered by the programme, hereunder coordinate thematic input from consortium partners.
• Coordinate with Danish Red Cross Youth (DRCY) in terms of youth activities and youth volunteer exchanges between DRCY and MRCS.
• Ensure reporting to DRC HQ stakeholders, including exchange visits by DRC Branch volunteers and MRCS volunteers.
• Ensure reporting to consortium partners through bi-annual narrative and financial reports and operational updates at steering group committee meetings.
• Spearhead the coordination, planning and execution of the COMREP steering group committee meetings. Provide guidance and support to MRCS COMREP team in PMER.
• Coordinate and monitor emergency health interventions, including support to the integration and mainstreaming of intersectional approaches, including Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) in the interventions.

Experience and Qualifications

Required

Valid work permit in Malawi.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public/Global Health or similar, alternatively Batchelor’s degree with relevant experience in Health projects.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in project management cycle, reporting and financial management.
• Experience in project design and proposal writing.
• Proven technical experience and knowledge on Health.
• Experience in partnership building and inter-institutional coordination in the field of Health.
• Previous experience working in partnerships and implementing through a local partner.

Skills and knowledge:

• An excellent communicator with proven negotiation skills
• Ability to translate complex and technical concepts into clear, accessible guidance, strengthening the capacities of partners and stakeholders.
• Flexibility and a strong willingness to learn, with the ability to embrace and adopt innovative approaches.
• Pressure resistance, ability to work in complex environment.
• Self-motivated, with good judgement and initiative skills
• Flexible, able to adapt to changing working conditions.
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office package.

Languages:

• Fluent in spoken and written English.

Preferred

• Previous working experience with the Red Cross/Red Crescent is an advantage.
• Experience developing and implementing EU/ECHO financed actions is an advantage.
• Experience in working with Community Based Health and First Aid and other Community Health approaches an advantage.
• Primary Health Care including Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Reproductive Health, Behaviour changes in health promotion.
• Programme Monitoring, evaluation and learning (PMEAL) including data collection and analysis.
• Facilitation and transfer of knowledge.
• Valid drivers licence.

Application, conditions, and further information

We look forward to receiving your application and CV no later than 18th of May 2025 21:59 CAT. Application and CV in English are accepted only through our online recruitment system. The position reports to the Country Manager in Malawi. The position is a national position, based in Malawi Red Cross Headquarters in Lilongwe. The ideal starting date is before 23rd of June 2025. The total length of the initial contract is 7 months with the possibility of extension. In case you have any questions or might need more information please see further Job Description (link) or contact the Country Manager in Malawi, Silvia Crespo Exposito [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you!

Tagged as: Danish Red Cross, Malawi