Project Director -Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition (MNCH-N)

Jhpiego is an international, non-profit health organization affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University. Jhpiego develops innovations to enhance the capacity of health care workers, strengthening health systems and improve delivery of care towards improving the health and well-being. Jhpiego has been collaborating with the Government of Malawi and various partners in implementing a wide-range of interventions in maternal, newborn and child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and care and treatment, since 1999. 

Jhpiego, is seeking a highly qualified Project Director to lead the design and implementation of lifesaving Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition (MNCH-N) services in Malawi. This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape impactful health interventions and contribute to sustainable improvements in maternal and child health across the country.

The Project Director will be based in Lilongwe, Malawi, reporting directly to the Country Director, and will supervise the Technical Advisor, Senior M&E Advisor, Project Manager, and Communications Advisor.

The Project Director will provide overall leadership, management, and strategic direction for the MNCH-N project, ensuring the achievement of project goals and objectives including within project-supported geographies in Malawi. This role will be responsible for technical leadership, administrative oversight, and financial management, serving as the primary point of contact with the donor, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and other key stakeholders.

Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for all project activities, aligning with the overall goal of reducing maternal, newborn, and child morbidity and mortality and improving nutrition outcomes among project-supported populations. 
• Lead, mentor and motivate diverse team of technical staff, ensuring high levels of performance and fostering a resilient and adaptable team capable of operating in a complex and rapidly changing environment.
• Represent the project at national and international forums, advocating for MNCH-N priorities in Malawi, with particular emphasis on life saving services.
• Make timely, evidence-informed decisions that balance programmatic impact, financial stewardship, and compliance.
• Promote data-driven decision-making by integrating monitoring, evaluation, and learning into leadership practices

Management and administrative oversight

• Ensure timely and high-quality project implementation across all objectives, with a strong focus on strengthening lifesaving MNCH-N services to improve MNCH-N health outcomes. Oversee monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) activities, ensuring data –driven adaptation and continuous quality improvement.
• Report any deficiencies in delivering on project targets to the Country Director in a timely manner and propose and implement strategies to mitigate gaps.
• Ensure the project is technically sound, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of the Government of Malawi, its people, and U.S. Government (USG).
• Coordinate with the Ministry of Health (MoH), local government authorities, implementing partners, and community structures to strengthen ownership and sustainability
• Track progress against key performance indicators (KPIs), use data for decision-making, and address implementation gaps

Compliance and Risk Management

• Manage project finances, human resources, and operations in compliance with the donor regulations and organizational policies.
• Ensure compliance with the terms of the Award.

Stakeholder Communication and Collaboration

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with the donor, government counterparts, and local partners, facilitating effective collaboration, joint planning and implementation.
• Provide regular updates to Jhpiego’s Global Advisory Committee on programmatic and technical implementation of activities.
• Lead work planning processes with the project team, and in close collaboration with USG, MoH, local government authorities, key stakeholders, partners, and ensure effective resource planning and utilization
• Oversee the preparation and timely submission of quality project reports to the donor.  

New Program Development

• Identify strategic opportunities for the project and potential areas.
  
• Facilitate the development of innovative project interventions and approaches
• Support the development / review of strategies, including technical direction for achieving project goals as well as management effectiveness.

All staff irrespective of their positions are expected to comply with and follow Jhpiego operational procedures and policies, and codes of conduct.

• Advanced degree (MHS, MPH, PhD) in Public Health, Medicine, Nutrition, or a related field. 
• Minimum of 9 years of progressively responsible technical experience in large-scale international health programs, with a significant focus on MNCH and Nutrition. 
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in Malawi or other resource constrained settings is highly preferred, ideally in Malawi or similar low-resource, complex environments. 
• Proven track record of designing, implementing, and monitoring integrated public health interventions, including overseeing project start-up and close-out
• Extensive experience in technical leadership, program integration, technology use and on the job training for health programs in challenging operational environments. 
• Familiarity with USG donor policies, procedures, and reporting requirements is a distinct advantage. 

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of the continuum of MNCH care, including antenatal, delivery, postnatal, newborn care, IMCI, and immunization.
• Expertise in nutrition programming, including essential infant and young child feeding practices, CMAM, and micronutrient supplementation.
• Strong understanding of essential health system functions including Health Information Systems (HIS) and quality improvement.
• Expertise in outbreak response strategies specifically related to maintaining and protecting MNCH-N services and vulnerable populations. 

Core Competencies

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a strong systems thinking approach, especially for navigating complex operational challenges in resource limited settings. 
• High level of diplomacy, cultural sensitivity, and interpersonal skills, crucial for effective engagement with key stakeholders and partners
• Proven ability to manage complex technical challenges and foster innovation. 
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and facilitation skills are important, including the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in sensitive environments. 
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a diverse, fast-paced team. 
• Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Professional proficiency in Chichewa is required. Other local Malawian languages are desirable.
• Willingness and ability to travel to all project implementation areas across the three regions of Malawi

                                 All staff irrespective of their position are expected to comply with and follow Jhpiego operational procedures and policies, and codes of conduct. 

                                       Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

                                                                     Please apply at www.jhpiego.org/careers

Applicants must submit a single document for upload, including a cover letter, resume, and references.

                       For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to tough international child safeguarding standards.

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.

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