Country Director, Malawi at Save the Children

 Level 3 – the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people

As a member of the East and Southern Africa Senior Leadership team, you will have shared accountability for Save the Children’s international development and emergency programming in the region of approximately $420 million each year through an organisation of almost 5,000 people.

To achieve our ambitious goals and breakthroughs for children, the leadership team will, in collaboration with Save the Children Members and in conjunction with the other regional organisations, aim to drive growth globally to $2.7 billion.

The Country Director will lead the growth and transform program quality of the country to new standards, whilst also delivering Save the Children’s strategy within the country through:

• Delivering quality programmes, including advocacy, for children; and
• Ensuring world class stewardship of resources from Members and their donors
  • Developing and delivering improved outcomes for children through delivery of the Save the Children global programme strategy and global initiatives and growth targets as set for the country

Reports to:  Regional Director East and Southern Africa

Dimensions: Portfolio in 2024 was $17.5 Millon is expected to exceed $18Million in 2025.

Staff directly reporting to this post: Total in country staff is 208 The six direct reports to the Country Director include: Programmes Operations and Awards Management Director, Program Development and Quality Director, , Finance and Digital Solutions Director, HR, Safeguarding & Admin Director, & Head of Risk and Compliance and Senior ACCM Manager

As a member of the Regional Senior Leadership Team, contribute to strategic development and delivery of international programming, in both humanitarian and development contexts, in line with the Save the Children mandate, strategy and theory of change

Deliver transformational change in-country, including:

• Engaging Save the Children staff, partners and other stakeholders to create real shared ownership and collaboration
• Creating an environment of continuous learning, where staff are encouraged and supported to grow and develop and are willing to be held accountable for their commitments
• Ensuring that the focus of the organisation remains on the rights and needs of children

Be accountable, and develop the capacity of, mentor and hold staff accountable for:

• Developing strong country strategy and operational plans that identify and address significant issues facing children, and are in line with Save the Children’s overall strategy, its three breakthroughs, Global Themes and theory of change
  • Preparing for and implementing rapid and effective responses to major emergencies affecting children, including building relationships with key humanitarian and development decision makers and partners in-country
  • Delivering programmes and advocacy in line with the country strategy, operational plans, budgets and Member requirements that result in significant impact for children
  • Collaborating with colleagues in the region to deliver any regional programmes and advocacy, in line with global strategies,
  • Developing and maintaining good relations with members and their donors
  • Growing the country programme to become the leading NGO addressing children’s issues in the country
  • Developing and maintaining efficient and effective operating systems, and ensure compliance with all Save the Children Essential Standards, meeting global KPIs, with a particular focus on safety & security management
  • Developing and coaching staff to optimise their potential in pursuit of Save the Children’s objectives
  • Contributing to global knowledge and learning in Save the Children

Be accountable, and develop the capacity of, mentor and hold Senior Management Team accountable for:

• Role modelling and leading the way on our new values and ways of working
• Delivering on an ambitious country strategy and operational plans with and for children
• Preparing for and implementing rapid and effective responses to emergencies in-country affecting children
• Building relationships with key decision makers and partners
• Developing and coaching staff to optimise their potential in pursuit of Save the Children’s objectives
• Contributing to global knowledge and learning in Save the Children

Additional responsibilities 

Representation

• Lead on presenting SC’s activities and achievements to donors, government and other policy makers.
• Ensure that we have the right staff going to the right meetings to maximise our influence among donors and government departments as we work towards effective implementation of positive policy change.
• Maintain Save the Children’s reputation as a credible force working safely with and for children

Audit, Corporate Governance compliance and Fraud

• Ensure compliance with all host government requirements in relation to registration, taxation, labour law, auditing, fraud etc.
• Ensure that internal and external audits are undertaken in a timely and efficient manner in line with policy and back donor and host government requirements
• Ensure follow-up on recommendations arising out of audits of operations and take appropriate actions where necessary
• Ensure all incidents of fraud are rapidly investigated, with decisive action taken and lessons learnt applied immediately and sustainably.

Security Management

• Ensure the Country office has security plans and procedures in line with policies, systems and guidelines
• Maintain, document and communicate up to date analyses of the changing security context
• Ensure all staff adhere to security guidelines