The Health Program Technical Advisor will provide overall technical and operational leadership for the design, implementation, and scale-up of the Health Leaders program in Malawi. The role coordinates end-to-end program delivery, including planning, training, digital health systems, monitoring and evaluation, budget stewardship, safeguarding, and partner engagement, to ensure high-quality, compliant, and timely results.
The role will work closely with government health systems, community structures, and Opportunity’s global health teams to strengthen primary health care outcomes, with a strong focus on RMNCAH, NCD prevention, nutrition, telehealth, and gender equality.
Job Summary
- Employer: Opportunity International
- Job Type: Full-time
- Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
- Category: Healthcare
- Closing Date: 2026-10-12
Key Responsibilities
- Lead annual work planning and district-level micro-plans aligned to the program Logic Model and Performance Management Framework (PMF).
- Coordinate recruitment, training, deployment, and supportive supervision of Health Leaders and Community Health Workers in collaboration with Health Supervisors, HSAs, and district health teams.
- Ensure effective delivery of community health education, household visits, group sessions, school outreach, and community campaigns.
- Operationalize telemedicine pathways and referral networks with health facilities, ensuring feedback loops and follow-through.
- Oversee rollout and functionality of the electronic Health Information System (eHIS), including devices, user access, offline use, data validation, privacy, and SOP adherence.
- Ensure implementation fidelity while adapting program approaches to the Malawi context.
- Serve as the primary day-to-day liaison with the Ministry of Health, District Health Management Teams, Zonal Health Offices, CHAM, local authorities, and civil society partners.
- Support development and management of MoUs, joint workplans, review meetings, and coordination platforms.
- Ensure alignment of Health Leaders’ activities with national and district community health, RMNCAH, nutrition, NCD, and health promotion strategies.
- Coordinate participation in national and district campaigns (e.g., EPI, Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, HPV).
- Facilitate community scorecards, client feedback mechanisms, and social accountability processes.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with community leadership structures and local institutions.
- Lead delivery of PMF-aligned baseline, routine monitoring, midline, and endline assessments (quantitative and qualitative).
- Conduct monthly data reviews and quarterly reflection and learning meetings.
- Contribute to organizational learning products, including Stories of Change, learning briefs, and adaptive management recommendations.
- Ensure timely, accurate, and disaggregated data reporting (sex, age, disability).
- Support continuous course correction based on data insights and field learning.
- Manage program activity budgets, ensuring value for money, compliant procurement, and accurate financial coding.
- Oversee Health Leader stipends and performance-based incentives in line with approved SOPs.
- Review and reconcile field advances to support complete and accurate documentation.
- Ensure donor compliance, audit readiness, asset management, and ethical procurement practices.
- Coordinate with finance and operations teams to ensure smooth program operations.
- Implement safeguarding, child protection, and PSEA standards across all program activities.
- Ensure training, reporting, and response mechanisms for safeguarding incidents are in place and functional.
- Integrate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles, including male engagement, adolescent girls’ safe spaces, disability inclusion, and norm-change SBCC.
- Support linkages between Health Leaders and livelihoods or financial literacy initiatives in collaboration with microfinance partners.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Nursing/Midwifery, Health Management, Social Sciences, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience coordinating community or primary health care programs in Malawi.
- Strong experience in RMNCAH, NCD prevention, nutrition, SRHR, and community health systems.
- Demonstrated experience in CHW supervision, mentoring, and performance management.
- Proven capacity in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including PMFs, routine data reviews, and surveys.
- Experience deploying or managing digital health systems (eHIS, DHIS2, or similar).
- Strong experience working with MoH, DHMTs, CHAM, health facilities, and community leadership structures.
- Experience managing donor-funded programs, budgets, and compliance requirements.
- An understanding of and a commitment to advancing the mission and core values of Opportunity International.
How to Apply
To apply, please visit: opportunityinternational.applytojob.com
About the Company
Opportunity International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization chartered in the United States. Through a network of 47 program and support partners, Opportunity International provides small business loans, savings, insurance and training to more than 14 million people in the developing world. It has clients in more than 20 countries and works with fundraising partners in the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Opportunity International has 501(c)(3) status as a tax-exempt charitable organization in the United States under the US Internal Revenue Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Health Program Technical Advisor role in Malawi?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in public health, nursing, or a related health field, with a master's degree preferred for senior positions. Relevant certifications in project management, monitoring and evaluation, or health systems strengthening are highly valued. Experience working with international NGOs or donor-funded health programs is often essential.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a Health Program Technical Advisor in Malawi?
Daily tasks include providing technical guidance to field teams, reviewing program data and reports, coordinating with Ministry of Health officials, and ensuring compliance with donor regulations. Advisors also conduct site visits to health facilities, facilitate training sessions, and support strategic planning for health interventions.
How does local work culture in Malawi affect expectations for this role?
Malawian workplaces emphasize respect for hierarchy and relationship-building, so patience and diplomatic communication with government partners are crucial. Punctuality is valued in formal settings, though flexibility is often needed when coordinating with rural health facilities. Understanding local languages like Chichewa can significantly strengthen community engagement.
What career progression opportunities exist for Health Program Technical Advisors in Malawi?
Advisors typically advance to senior technical roles, program management positions, or country director-level responsibilities within international NGOs. Some transition into Ministry of Health advisory positions or pursue specialized consulting in health systems strengthening. Further specialization in areas like HIV/AIDS, maternal health, or digital health can accelerate advancement.
What benefits are commonly offered for this type of position in Malawi?
Benefits typically include medical aid coverage, pension contributions compliant with Malawi's pension regulations, and annual leave entitlements. Many international organizations also provide housing allowances, travel insurance, and professional development funds. Specific packages vary considerably by employer and funding source.
How should I apply for a Health Program Technical Advisor position, and what do employers in Malawi prioritize?
Apply through official organization websites, job portals like Jobs in Malawi, or professional networks in the health sector. Employers prioritize demonstrated experience with donor-funded programs, strong analytical skills, and proven ability to work across diverse stakeholders. Tailor your application to highlight specific health program achievements and knowledge of Malawi's health system context.