Finance, Administration, and Grants Director

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 to recruit a highly qualified Finance, Administration, and Grants Director to provide strategic oversight and management of financial, administrative, and operational functions across the Jhpiego Malawi Country Program. This includes ensuring compliance with Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins University, donor, and Government of Malawi regulations, maintaining financial integrity, and overseeing finance, administration, procurement, IT, and operations teams. The Director will also manage the grants and contracts portfolio, including sub-agreements and sub-recipient monitoring. Working closely with senior management and program teams, the Director will support budgeting, financial reporting, and expenditure tracking while strengthening internal controls, minimizing risk, and serving as the primary financial liaison with Jhpiego headquarters. Additionally, the Director will provide guidance, training, and oversight in financial management, compliance, procurement, and operational systems.

The Finance, Administration, and Grants Director will be based in Lilongwe, Malawi, reporting directly to the Country Director, and will supervise the Senior Finance and Admin Manager, Grants Manager, and Compliance Manager.

Financial Leadership & Strategic Oversight

• Provide strategic direction and oversight of financial, administrative, and operational functions across the Malawi country program.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, ensuring compliance with Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins University, donor (e.g., USG), and Government of Malawi regulations.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Country Director and Senior Management Team (SMT) on financial and operational matters, identifying risks and opportunities to strengthen program performance.
• Supervise finance and operations teams, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture through coaching, mentorship, and performance management.

 Financial Management & Reporting

• Oversee financial systems, including accounting, payroll, cash flow, and internal controls, to ensure accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual statements, budget vs. actual analyses, and donor-specific reporting.
• Maintain financial integrity through regular transaction reviews, allowability checks, and oversight of financial software (e.g., QuickBooks).
• Lead preparation for internal and external audits and implement corrective actions based on audit findings.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including tax filings, payroll, VAT, and business licenses.
  

 Grants & Sub-award Management

• Oversee the full lifecycle of grants and contracts, including negotiation, execution, monitoring, and close-out.
• Conduct financial and administrative capacity assessments of sub-awardees and provide targeted technical assistance to strengthen systems.
• Ensure sub-award compliance with donor regulations, including financial reporting, procurement, and asset management.
• Review and approve sub-awardee financial reports and invoices, ensuring accuracy and proper documentation.
• Manage a risk-based sub-award monitoring plan, including site visits and desk reviews.
  

Compliance & Capacity Building

• Ensure financial and grants management practices align with donor and institutional standards, maintaining zero tolerance for fiduciary risk.
• Develop and implement financial and administrative policies and procedures to ensure compliance and operational efficiency.
• Stay current on changes in donor regulations, local laws, and Jhpiego policies, and provide regular updates and training to staff and partners.
• Build capacity of finance and non-finance staff through training, mentoring, and day-to-day support in financial and grants management.
  

Administration, Procurement & Operations

• Oversee procurement processes, ensuring adherence to donor and internal policies, including waivers and prior approvals.
• Review lease agreements, vendor contracts, asset management, and inventory control.
• Supervise IT and security functions, ensuring adequate support and compliance with organizational policies.
• Monitor operational tools and systems for efficiency and compliance.

Program Support & Business Development

• Support development of annual project budgets and new program proposals, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and organizational standards.
• Track expenditures against budgets, report variances, and propose timely corrective actions.
• Contribute to strategic planning and identify opportunities for program expansion and operational innovation.

New Program Development

• Identify strategic opportunities for the country program and potential areas for expansion of existing projects in Jhpiego’s portfolios and make recommendations to pursue opportunities;
• Facilitate the development of innovative project approaches and interventions;
• Support the development/review of strategies, including strategic direction to achieve program goals as well as management effectiveness.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Country Director to support Jhpiego’s mission and operational success.

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Professional certification, such as ACCA, CIMA, or an equivalent, is a must.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in senior financial and administrative leadership roles within large-scale international development programs.
• Deep understanding of financial management principles, donor regulations (especially US Government), and host country laws governing finance, contracts, and procurement.
• Proven expertise in budgeting, fiscal procedures, and financial reporting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook) and accounting software; experience with QuickBooks preferred.
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• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with fluency in English (spoken and written).
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with government agencies, donors, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, with a results-oriented approach.
• Skilled in team leadership, facilitation, and coordination, with the ability to motivate and develop staff.
• Ability to work independently and proactively in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks and meeting tight deadlines.
•  Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Professional proficiency in Chichewa and local Malawian languages is desirable.

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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