Health Programming and Training Specialist

US PEACE CORPS MALAWI

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

FULL ANOUNCEMENT

Health Programming and Training Specialist

(Personal Services Contractor)

BACKGROUND

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Health Program Manager (HPM), the PTS performs duties to ensure that the Programming and Training Team effectively trains, supports, and facilitates the work of Health Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) in Malawi. The PTS, working with the HPM, is responsible for key elements in the overall management of the Health Program in Malawi, including responding to partner organizations, preparing reports and correspondence, documenting PCV activities, building the capacity of Health PCVs and Malawian counterparts to achieve the objectives of the Health Program with high impact development activities and strong cross – cultural relationships. The PTS travels across Malawi to support Volunteers. While performing their duties and responsibilities, the PTS will regularly consult the Peace Corps Manual, Peace Corps Malawi Staff Handbook, Peace Corps Malawi Trainee Handbook, and Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook.

Country Program Information:

At the invitation of the Government of Malawi, the Peace Corps began work in Malawi in 1963. Since then, more than 3,000 Volunteers have served in communities across the country, partnering with Malawians to address locally identified priorities in the Education and Health sectors, with climate and HIV activities integrated throughout. Peace Corps Malawi is part of an independent U.S. Government agency established in 1961. Staff and Volunteers work closely together in a practical, mission-driven environment that values partnership, adaptability, and respect for local context to support Volunteers and community relationships across Malawi.

Reference Materials:

While performing their duties and responsibilities, the PTS will regularly consult the Peace Corps Manual, Peace Corps Malawi Staff Handbook, Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook, Overseas Financial Management Handbook, and Overseas Contracting Handbook.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PROGRAM SUPPORT

· Takes an active role in site identification including managing all site development documentation and ensuring housing readiness and final preparations.

· Develops and maintains a resource database of institutions/professionals who can provide PCV communities and their projects with technical assistance and resources.

· Documents successful PCV activities at the community level and in PC Systems (VIDA) to disseminate/circulate among Program staff, PCVs and the VEC/Communications team.

· Uses strong learning agility and creativity to incorporate meaningful Environmental activities into the core Health work

· Coordinates housing upgrades for PCVs.

· Backup support for the HPM, to include performing all functions in the absence of the HPM or as requested.

· Prepares official program documents as required by headquarters or PC Malawi.

· Provides status reports to the HPM on work assigned.

· Develops and actively maintains organized filing systems for program activities, including site history files

· Provides general administrative support to HPM and PC Malawi as requested

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT

· Manages PCV requests for assistance in a timely manner and tracks issues until resolved

· Responds to PCV requests for technical resources

· Tracks PCV secondary projects and maintains database to share with others

· Conducts site visits as agreed by HPM using PC’s site visit guidance and documentation process

· Sends the Volunteering Reporting & Grants (VRG) system resources to PCVs and ensures that VRG reports are received from all Volunteers and uploaded into the system in a timely manner

· Maintains the Volunteer (VIDA) database by updating sites for the Trainees & PCVs, movements of PCVs, entering the site locator form data, and Volunteer contact information

· Following the Volunteer Competency Model, evaluates and provides coaching and feedback to Health Volunteers and their community hosts to improve work quality and to mediate issues that arise between Volunteers, placement sites, or others.

· Enforce policy directly or through appropriate staff as determined by Peace Corps Malawi Volunteer Handbook or Peace Corps Manual.

· Offers support and serves as a key technical advisor for trainees

· Process and track volunteer leave requests in consultation with other staff members.

· Serves as primary back up to PCVs when HPM is not available

TRAINING

· The Health PTS is responsible for designing PC health technical trainings ensuring that all Health Volunteer training fulfills PC Global and PC Malawi training requirements in line with PC’s Volunteer Competency Model as well as the needs of the Health sector program.

· In coordination with Training Unit, assists in planning and coordinating a comprehensive training program, including the pre-departure environment (Journey to Service), online learning communities, pre-service training (PST), mid-service training (MST), and in-service training (ISTs), which provide Trainees and Volunteers (T/Vs) with knowledge, skills and attitudes to successfully fulfill their assignments.

· Identifies and revises technical sessions, resources and materials ensuring timely compilation of all technical session plans including printing and mobilization of all training materials and resources.

· Facilitates Health technical training sessions using Peace Corps standard trainings, post developed trainings, and other materials as needed. Varies the instructional method and activities to best meet different learning styles and the objectives of the session.

· Spends time with Trainees and training staff during PST in formal and informal sessions to accurately assess trainees’ abilities for successful site placement.

· Supports training staff with needs assessments and training evaluations to improve trainings from year to year.

· Compiles and analyzes findings from trainings to inform training design

· Prepares and distributes training event announcements, needs assessments, and logistical details to participants and partners.

· Works with HPM to ensure the participation of appropriate host country participants and other in-country resources for training events

· Maintains accurate and complete records of all training materials used during each training event

· Provides general administrative support to HPM and Training Team as requested

MONITORING, REPORTING, EVALUATION, AND GRANTS SUPPORT

· Supports the review of grant proposals and provides technical input and feedback during the grant review meetings and throughout project implementation

· In consultation with HPM and Grants Coordinator provides guidance and support to Volunteers to implement grant activities in line with Peace Corps Malawi policies and procedures.

· Provide necessary support to Volunteers to ensure successful monitoring and evaluation of their activities

· Supports the HPM in reviewing and analyzing volunteer reports in PC System/VRG.

· Creates and updates data collection tools for clear, accurate reporting.

· Identifies gaps in data collection and then works with the M&E Coordinator to correct the gaps/system.

SAFETY & SECURITY

· Immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns and issues to the Safety and Security Manager and Country Director.

· Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons, or articles.

· Participates in the design and implementation of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).

· Acts as duty officer as assigned.

· Addresses Volunteer safety and security by adhering to Peace Corps site development policies and procedures.

· Assists Program Managers to ensure that prospective sites meet established programmatic and safety/security criteria (e.g., safe housing, a clearly defined assignment with an organization that shows real interest in working with a Volunteer, etc.).

· Reviews and references site history files when evaluating potential sites and incorporates appropriate safety and security-related information into site history files.

· Monitors Volunteer Compliance with Peace Corps policies, especially related to safety and security.

· Ensures safety and security competencies are incorporated and actively integrated in PST and IST programs.

· Evaluates and documents effectiveness of training, including PCV/T progress on safety and security competencies.

· Working with CD, DPT, relevant PMs, and SSM, develops, assesses and redesigns competencies and training sessions as required.

· Ensures that safety and security systems for pre-service training are in place, including evaluation of homestay sites and the orientation of host families.

· Provides training to trainers and other staff, practicum partners, local officials, and PCTs, regarding their roles and responsibilities related to PCV/T safety and security.

· Assists the Training Manager in developing, assessing and redesigning competencies and training sessions as required.

· Evaluates and reports Volunteer/Trainee acquisition of safety and security competencies.

· Supports the safety and security systems that are in-place for pre-service training, including reinforcing Trainee roles and responsibilities related to personal safety and security.

OTHER

· Limited supervisory responsibilities: May be designated limited supervisory responsibilities if assigned by the Country Director and with the approval of the Regional Director. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) may only supervise other PSCs. (See MS 732)

· Sub-cashier: May be designated a sub-cashier after approval by OCFO/GAP. Responsibilities as a sub-cashier include performing limited cash disbursements as directed by the Director of Management and Operations, proper disbursing and collecting of funds, proper accounting for funds advanced, safeguarding funds advanced, and accepting personal responsibility and financial liability for funds after successful completion of the requisite training for performing sub-cashier duties. (See MS 760 and OFMH 13)

· Occasional Money Handler/Holder: May be designated as an occasional money handler/holder (OMH) if assigned by the Director of Management and Operations. As an OMH, may be requested to courier cash and/or purchase orders to various vendors who furnish supplies and/or services to Pre-Service Training/In-Service Training site(s), or other locations as directed by the Overseas Contracting Officer (OCO). May also be requested to courier cash to Peace Corps Trainees or Volunteers. The Contractor will not be functioning as a procurement or disbursing official but will only be acting as an intermediary between the Contracting or Disbursing Officer and the recipient. In the case of dealing with vendors, the Contractor will not exercise any procurement discretion concerning the supplies or services to be purchased or the cost limits of these purchases; these will be determined by the OCO. (See OFMH 13)

· Receiving officer: May be designated as a receiving officer if assigned by the Country Director and with the approval of the Regional Director. Responsibilities as a receiving officer include accurate review of goods or services, their accompanying invoices, and the purchase order/contract to ensure that the specifications, quality, amounts, price, timeliness, etc. of the goods are consistent with the terms and conditions of the contract/purchase order after successful completion of the requisite training to perform receiving duties.

· Performs other duties or assignments, when deemed necessary by the Country Director and/or Supervisor for the successful implementation of Peace Corps program(s) and/or operations in Malawi.

· Serve as back-up support for and/or carries out the duties and responsibilities of other Programming and Training staff when deemed necessary by the Country Director and/or Supervisor for the successful implementation of Peace Corps program(s) and/or operations in Malawi.

· Other Flexibilities: If there is a time at post, due to a pandemic or for any other reason, when there are limited or no Peace Corps Trainees and/or Volunteers (jointly referred to as “Volunteers”) at Peace Corps/[Malawi], the PSC may be temporarily assigned during that period, as determined by the Peace Corps Country Director, to carry out additional duties and responsibilities in furtherance of the goals of the Peace Corps in order to enhance the ability of Peace Corps Volunteers to perform functions under the Peace Corps Act, including facilitating a safe environment in order for the successful return or increase of Volunteers.

· This temporary assignment may require the PSC to provide services and/or support beyond what is listed in their current Statement of Work (SOW). The services and/or support may take many forms, examples of which may include but are not limited to, training, providing administrative, technical, medical, and/or operational assistance, building on host country programs, etc. This temporary assignment also may require the PSC to provide these services and/or support to individuals/organizations other than those listed in their current SOW such as host country government, partner organization(s), community member(s), staff, and/or contractors.

LOGISTICS

The position is based at the Peace Corps office in Lilongwe, with extended periods of work at the pre-service training site and other locations around the country. Travel in official vehicles is required.

The normal hours of work are 7:30am – 5:00pm, M-TH, and 7:30am – 12:30pm F. Occasional extended hours (nights, weekends, holidays) are required, especially during pre-service and other training events. The position may also be included in the duty officer phone rotation to receive after-hours Volunteer emergency calls.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s degree in environmental health, public health or any health-related field

· 5 years’ experience in managing/implementing/training community-based development programs

· 5 years’ experience in designing and facilitating health technical training including curriculum development.

· 2 years’ experience coaching/mentoring youth or subordinates

· 2 years’ experience coaching/influencing peers, partners, or counterparts

· 2 years’ experience working in an internationally multicultural setting

· 5 years’ experience working in HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Nutrition or WASH projects

· 3 years’ experience in building relationships and gaining stakeholder alignment with district and community level stakeholders

· Demonstrated effectiveness working in a team setting

· Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with demonstrated experience in managing complex conversations to achieve positive outcomes

· Able to read, write, and speak English and Chichewa fluently

· Intermediate level Monitoring and Evaluation skills to include data collection and analysis

· Intermediate level proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive) or related platforms such as Google Drive or Zoom

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Driving License with willingness to be a Peace Corps Occasional Driver

• Experience in managing Event Logistics

• Experience managing volunteer programming or internships.

• Experience working with ministry level government officials

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DATES/LENGTH OF CONTRACT:

· The anticipated contract will be for a period of 12 months and may be renewed for multiple years.

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COMPENSATION:

Based on salary history and experience. The Salary Range of the Position is USD $15,553 – $31,520

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ADDITIONAL

· Peace Corps reserves the right to not evaluate or withhold an offer of a personal services contract to an individual that has a history of poor past performance or

· Conduct as a Peace Corps Trainee, Volunteer, or staff member (USDH, PSC, or FSN).

· Peace Corps reserves the right to withhold an offer of a personal services contract to an individual that is a relative or household member of a current Peace Corps staff member.

· The contract is contingent on the availability of funds and reference and background checks.

· Individuals who have current or prior connections with intelligence activities or agencies through employment, related work, or even family relations may be ineligible for a personal services contract.

· The successful candidate will be required to follow any workplace health and/or safety rules indicated for their position – including complying with any medical and/or training requirements specified for their position in accordance with public health and/or occupational health or safety policies.

· Peace Corps will not discriminate against an applicant because of that person’s race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

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HOW TO APPLY:

Candidates who meet the required minimum qualifications listed above should send the following to mw-jobs@peacecorps.gov

· Current curriculum vitae

· Cover letter

· Application Form on this link PSC Application Form-PTS Health

· The title of the position FY26 PTS Health must be clearly marked in the subject line of the email message

To be considered, the documentation submitted must clearly demonstrate how the candidate has met the stated minimum qualifications.

Applications must be received no later than 5pm on March 6, 2026. Only candidates invited to an interview will be contacted.

Deadline: March 6, 2026