Head of Programme Delivery

Head of Programme Delivery

Location: Lilongwe, Central Region, Malawi.

Contract: 3 years Fixed-term contract

Salary: MWK 54,672,091 - 80,480,773 per year with excellent benefits

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the Team:

The Programme Team is part of the WaterAid UK International Programmes Department and provides strategic leadership for country programmes development and delivery. The programme team sets the overall strategic direction of programmes at country level relating to the different geographical contexts and creating spaces to support the delivery of large grants, contributing to innovation and WaterAid global commitments. The team also ensures effective management and overall performance of country programmes in liaison with other units/departments. The Programmes team comprises project staff under the two programmes, technical, sanitation, hygiene, learning and monitoring teams.  The team has dotted oversight by the Southern Africa Regional Programmes Manager and shares ties with the programme teams in the other Country Programs (CPs) in the Southern Africa Region.

About the Role:

The Head of Programmes (HOP) role is to provide strategic programme direction, managerial and programme leadership, and oversight on all aspects of strategy development, programme development and management in water, sanitation and hygiene including significant component of delivery of WASH & Health and universality programmes.

They is responsible for strategic programme leadership, programme design, management, quality assurance and partner support. S/he will provide an oversight of the quality of the programmes that reflect adherence to WaterAid Quality Standards and donor guidelines, while fostering innovation to improve effectiveness and impact ensuring the delivery and overall success of WaterAid’s Country Programme Strategy (2023-2028). The role enhances WaterAid’s existing portfolio of programmes and partnerships, working closely with Policy and Advocacy and diverse expertise to design and showcase WaterAid’s service delivery models, and innovation with the aim of influencing for wider and transformational change in support of WaterAid’s vision and strategy.

In the role, you will;

Strategic Programme Leadership

• Contribute to the development of the overall strategic plan and business plan for the Country Programme.
• Facilitate the development and implementation of CP’s programme plans, annual plans and budgets
• As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), contribute to strategic direction, decision making, corporate governance and WaterAid brand maintenance in the Malawi development issues and other management related issues

Programme Development and Management

• Lead in the operationalization of the CP strategy through the development of integrated programmes that ensure maximum impact, effectiveness and transformational change at scale both at practice and policy levels
• Collaborate closely with the health sector to empower them to prioritise Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives and embed hygiene practices as fundamental pillars of public health.
• Integrate gender responsive and Climate Resilient WASH principles into project design and implementation strategies to enhance the resilience of WASH systems and infrastructure to climate change impacts approach into all aspects of our work.

Fundraising, Grants and Donor Management

• Ensures the design of quality projects and proposals that are in line with the Country Programme’s strategic priorities and responsive to grant funders requirements
• Ensure quality implementation of all programmes and compliance with donor requirements by all programme teams and partners
• Supervise programme managers and budget holders to ensure donor compliance and timely programme implementation. Inform management of team progress and performance.

Networking and Representation

• Represent WaterAid in national CSO, donor, and government (national and international) forums related to WASH and continuously build and sustain WaterAid’s reputation as a sector leader
• Engage with the media and ensure targeted delivery of materials for the media including speeches, articles, statements, press releases, blogs and other social media content, developed with strong collaboration and input from the Communications team

Leadership, people and team management

• Encourage and promote empowering and collaborative leadership, effective management, and a culture of openness, innovation and accountability in line with WaterAid’s values. Manage team dynamics effectively and prioritise staff welfare.
• Ensure the recruitment, management and development of high-quality staff in line with the demands of the CP strateg

Safeguarding

• Ensure all Programmes, partners and other stakeholders are compliant with WaterAid’s safeguarding protocols and policy.

Essential skills

• Minimum of master’s degree in development studies, Water Resources Management, Engineering, Sanitation and Hygiene or comparable qualifications.

• Minimum of 10 years proven managerial experience at increasing level of seniority and responsibility, 5 of which should have been in the design and implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene programmes.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in strengthening elements of WASH systems with an understanding of WASH interaction with other systems such as health, education, nutrition, climate change, and economic development.
• Experience of project and programme management cycle, with significant financial and budget management responsibility
• Proven experience of leading, developing and implementing a WASH strategy.
• Strategic and operational planning experience, experience in developing country and programme strategies and multi-sectoral development programmes
• Experience in developing project / programme proposals for raising resources from institutional donors
• Experience of managing and building high performing team
• Proven experience of leading programmes that deliver transformational change through the integration of evidence-based learning to inform advocacy and policy influencing in the sector.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing systems strengthening in WASH.

Desirable skills

• Good knowledge of Malawi Government’s development policies and strategies, especially as they relate to water, sanitation and hygiene
• Knowledge of programme design, development and implementation processes
• Stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Policy analysis and development skills
• Extensive management experience at a senior level and capable of leading and managing a team of technical and professional staff.

View full job description here

Closing date: Applications will close at 12:00 PM (UK time) on 12th September 2025.

How to Apply: Click ‘Apply’ to upload your CV and cover letter. 

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application? At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre-employment screening: To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to the applicable laws in the respective countries to comply with our Safer Recruitment policy.

As an organisation WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. So, in addition to our inspiring global mission and engaging work environment, we have a generous benefit package to help you take care of your health, happiness and wellbeing.

Our Commitment

Our People Promise:
We will work with passion and focus to ensure safe and sustainable water, toilets and hygiene are available to everyone, everywhere. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have.  We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to put the wellbeing of our people first, to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.     

Equal opportunities:
We are an equal opportunity, disability-confident employer and are dedicated to achieving the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions and ways of life. This includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or social origin, health status, and economic or social situation.

Safeguarding:
We are also committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change!