The Association of Social Workers in Malawi (ASWiM) is a legally registered professional association established in May 2019 to promote and protect the social work profession and the well-being of the people it serves. ASWiM is governed by a National Executive Committee, Secretariat and Board of Trustees, with regional chapters in the Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern Regions. Its membership includes student and practising social workers from both the public and private sectors.
BACKGROUND
ASWiM is anticipating an award for a child development, care, and protection project. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen national systems that protect vulnerable children, support families, and improve early childhood development through locally led and sustainable approaches. The project will improve outcomes for vulnerable children by strengthening child protection systems, supporting families and caregivers, advancing integrated early childhood development and health services, strengthening referrals and case management, promoting family-based care, and reducing reliance on residential care. Recruitment for all candidates is contingent upon successful award of the project and confirmation of project funding.
JOB SUMMARY
As a member of the project team, the Program Manager will provide overall technical and operational leadership for project implementation. The position will coordinate project planning, implementation, partner engagement, monitoring, reporting and learning in collaboration with Government of Malawi counterparts, local partners, community structures and other stakeholders.
Reporting to the National Coordinator and ASWIM General Secretary, the Program Manager will ensure that project activities are implemented in accordance with approved workplans, program quality principles and standards, donor requirements and relevant Government of Malawi policies and standards.
Job Summary
- Employer: Association of Social Workers in Malawi – ASWiM
- Job Type: Full-time
- Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
- Category: Project Management
- Closing Date: 2026-10-19
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the overall coordination and implementation of assigned project activities in accordance with the approved workplan and implementation plan.
- Develop and monitor annual, quarterly and monthly implementation plans.
- Coordinate with Government of Malawi institutions, district councils, local partners, community structures and other stakeholders.
- Provide technical leadership on child protection, social work, case management, family strengthening, referrals, family-based care and related interventions.
- Ensure quality and timely delivery of project activities in accordance with donor requirements.
- Coordinate partner engagement, technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities.
- Monitor project implementation, identify challenges and facilitate timely corrective action.
- Work closely with the MEAL Officer to track project performance, results and learning.
- Lead preparation and review of project reports and other donor deliverables.
- Support development and review of technical tools, guidelines, training materials and implementation approaches.
- Ensure effective integration of safeguarding, gender, disability inclusion, accountability and other cross-cutting priorities.
- Represent ASWiM in relevant technical meetings, coordination platforms and stakeholder engagements.
- Promote documentation and sharing of lessons learned, promising practices and project innovations.
- Support project budget planning and ensure implementation remains aligned with approved budgets.
- Provide leadership and supervision to project staff.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Development Studies or Community Development
- A Master’s degree in Social Work will be an added advantage.
- Active registration with ASWIM as a paid-up member is a MUST
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in child protection, social work, community development or related programming.
- Demonstrated experience in programme/project management and coordination.
- Experience working with Government of Malawi institutions and district structures.
- Experience working with NGOs and/or donor-funded programmes.
- Strong knowledge of child protection, social welfare and social work systems in Malawi.
- Strong programme planning, coordination and management skills.
- Good understanding of child protection and social work systems.
- Knowledge of Malawian and International legislations and policies for children
- Excellent report writing and communication skills.
- Strong partnership and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to analyse programme performance and identify implementation challenges.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and communities.
- Proficient in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Fluency in English and Chichewa.
How to Apply
Apply by email: aswimsecretariat@gmail.com
About the Company
The Association of Social Workers in Malawi (ASWiM) is the professional membership organization representing social workers across Malawi. Established to regulate and promote the social work profession, ASWiM sets standards for practice, advocates for ethical conduct, and supports the professional development of its members working in communities throughout the country. The association engages with government ministries, non-governmental organizations, and international bodies to strengthen social welfare systems and address social challenges facing Malawian society. ASWiM operates from its headquarters in Lilongwe, providing training, certification, and networking opportunities for social work practitioners serving vulnerable populations in both urban and rural areas of Malawi.
Professional body advancing social work practice in Malawi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Program Manager role at an association like ASWiM in Malawi?
Most employers expect a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Development Studies, or Project Management, with a Master's being advantageous. Professional certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2 are increasingly valued, though hands-on experience in NGO program management often carries equal weight. Membership with the Malawi Association of Social Workers strengthens your credibility for this specific sector.
What does a typical day involve for a Program Manager working with a social workers' association in Malawi?
Your day usually starts with stakeholder meetings with government ministries or donor partners, followed by reviewing field reports from district coordinators. You will spend significant time on grant compliance documentation, budget monitoring, and mentoring junior staff. Evening hours often involve responding to urgent partner communications or preparing proposals for international funding bodies.
How does workplace culture in Malawian NGOs and professional associations typically operate?
Hierarchical respect is important—decisions often require consultation with senior leadership and board members before implementation. Relationships matter deeply, so expect to invest time in personal rapport-building with colleagues and external partners. Punctuality for meetings is appreciated, though flexibility around community fieldwork is common and understood.
What career progression opportunities exist for Program Managers in Malawi's social development sector?
Strong performers typically advance to Country Director or Regional Program Coordinator roles within 5-7 years. Some transition into specialized consultancies serving multiple NGOs, while others move into government advisory positions or academic lecturing at institutions like Chancellor College. Pursuing further qualifications in monitoring and evaluation or resource mobilization significantly accelerates upward mobility.
What benefits are standard for Program Manager positions with Malawian professional associations and NGOs?
Most established organizations provide medical aid through schemes like MASM or Liberty Health, though coverage levels vary considerably. Annual leave typically ranges from 21-30 days, with pension contributions often following the National Pension Scheme Authority requirements. Housing and transport allowances are sometimes offered for senior roles, but this depends heavily on donor funding stability.
What do Malawian employers in the social work and development sector prioritize when hiring Program Managers?
Demonstrated success in securing and managing donor funds—particularly from USAID, EU, or UN agencies—is frequently the deciding factor. Employers scrutinize your track record with government partnerships and community mobilization in rural districts like Machinga or Nkhata Bay. Strong written English for proposal development and verifiable references from previous supervisors are non-negotiable requirements.