About Evidence Action
Evidence Action is dedicated to delivering data-driven interventions that transform lives on a large scale. The organization identifies neglected global health issues and implements proven solutions, aiming to create healthier futures. Their model integrates leading academic research, measures progress, and outcomes to ensure real impact for people in poverty and those suffering from preventable or treatable health issues. Operating in 11 countries with a team of over 900, they have reached more than 500 million people, working closely with governments. Key programs include 'Deworm the World' (over 2 billion treatments delivered) and 'Safe Water Now' (saving over 15,000 children's lives). The Accelerator program explores new low-cost interventions. Evidence Action fosters an environment of innovation, autonomy, and teamwork.
Role Overview
The Country Director (CD) for Malawi will lead Evidence Action's operations and programs in the country, inspired by the mission to measurably improve lives. This role involves significant engagement with government ministries and district authorities. In collaboration with global and regional technical leaders, the CD will oversee program implementation, including strategic planning, operations, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, and policy advocacy. The CD will also facilitate transparent communication with leadership, donors, and stakeholders, and play a key role in expanding Evidence Action's portfolio in Malawi by identifying new program opportunities and engaging prospective donors. The position is based in Lilongwe, reporting to the Regional Director, East and Southern Africa (ESA), and is a member of the Africa regional leadership team. This is a 1-year renewable contract.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy and Vision: Lead the development of Malawi's program strategy, contribute to regional/global strategies, set annual goals, identify risks, ensure compliance with laws and organizational policies, and manage country registrations.
- Program Performance: Manage all Evidence Action programs in Malawi, oversee program activities (field operations, research, information systems), lead the close-out of the Dispensers for Safe Water (DSW) program, support Deworm the World (DTW) and Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) projects, strengthen delivery systems, and coordinate with the MLE team for program improvement.
- Build Culture: Inspire staff, ensure organizational values are upheld, conduct field visits, monitor team sustainability, and oversee staff satisfaction surveys.
- Build Team: Recruit and retain talent, provide guidance to direct reports (Senior Program Manager, Manager Finance, Manager People and Culture, Manager Operations), ensure inter-departmental communication, and build training programs.
- Resource Allocation: Lead annual country budgeting, conduct quarterly budget reviews, monitor financial performance, ensure business controls, and support funding opportunities.
- Government and Partnership Engagement: Execute government and policy goals, manage strategic partner relationships, identify and assess partners for program implementation/scaling, and participate in in-country stakeholder forums.
- New Program Development Support: Support the testing, piloting, and scaling of new program initiatives, and assist with new program registration and expansion.
Key Performance Indicators
- Malawi Country Program achieves its KPIs within its current footprint.
- DSW scale-down milestones are met by 2026-2027.
- Management and leadership of In-line Chlorination (ILC) ensures measurable impact and cost-effectiveness by end of 2026.
- DtW/IFA Program is implemented according to its annual workplan and budgets.
- Annual country goals and budgets are drafted, including team priorities.
Qualifications
- Master's degree strongly preferred in public health, biomedical sciences, health management, social sciences, or related discipline; Bachelor's degree with exceptional experience considered.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive program leadership experience in East and Southern Africa, with direct management of field operations, government partnerships, and cross-cultural teams.
- Mandatory experience supporting large-scale public health programs, particularly in planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of DSW and DTW initiatives.
- Proven track record with mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns for neglected tropical diseases in resource-constrained settings (achieving high coverage, treatment adherence, compliance with national guidelines, managing medicine supply chains, team training, and collaboration with Ministries of Health).
- Demonstrated experience leading or managing a program close-out, scale-down, or structured transition.
- At least 2 years of hands-on M&E experience, including impact measurement and cost-effectiveness analysis.
- Proven track record managing donor-funded programs, including budget oversight, financial controls, and reporting.
- Experience with in-country board accountability and compliance with local regulatory requirements.
Desirable Attributes:
- Experience with research-to-implementation programs and evidence-based decision-making.
- Self-directed, organized, comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-changing environments.
- Analytical and process-oriented, adaptable to emerging evidence.
Working Conditions
The Country Director will be based in Lilongwe, Malawi, with approximately 30-40% travel to field offices. Regular domestic and occasional international travel is required, including to least developed rural areas.