Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) has been working together with strong partnerships in Malawi for over 20 years, and in 2021 NCA joined forces to create a Joint Country Programme (JCP) with Dan Church Aid (DCA). The joint strategy is an opportunity for both NCA and DCA to maximise the potential of our combined capacities and resources to further the rights of those in Malawi who are poor and marginalised, and in the current period it addresses programmes connected to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Fighting Inequality (FI) and Climate Smart Economic Empowerment (CSEE).  The country programme is funded by several donors, such as Norad, DANIDA (etc). The largest programme of the office, Transform, focuses on food security, sustainable livelihoods and market access for smallholder farmers. The program is funded by the Norwegian Government, through the embassy in Lilongwe.

As our new Country Director for NCA/DCA, you will be situated in Lilongwe, Malawi, where you will lead a well-functioning country office currently holding 50 enthusiastic and dedicated staff members. You will directly line manage the office’s senior management team and a few other staff members. As Country Director, your most important task is to ensure good strategic leadership and day to day management of the country office.

As our Country Director, you will skilfully represent programme priorities to donors, national and regional partners while providing effective leadership to the NCA/DCA senior management team. You will also be central in building relationships with the community of churches.  You will make use of your excellent communications skills in retaining and developing relations, internally and externally with the head office in Oslo, as well as nurturing relations with the DCA head office in Copenhagen, have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, and thrive in evolving and challenging environments.

In NCA/DCA, we seek leaders who are motivated by our vision, our work and our values, and who wish to take part in developing our organizational- and leadership culture. In order to reach our goals, we need leaders who are able to set direction, lead change, develop organizational culture and use our human and financial resources in the best possible way.

The position is a three-year contract, based in Lilongwe. NCA Malawi is a family duty station, meaning that you can bring your family to share this exciting career opportunity. NCA will provide you with housing, spouse- and children allowance and comprehensive insurance for you and your family.
Start date: Apr 2023

Duties and responsibilities

Ensure quality development of the Transform consortium/programme, including programme planning, reporting and cooperation between the consortium’s actors
Fundraise, network, maintain and further develop relations with faith-based actors, government representatives, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Lilongwe, donors and potential new donors, relevant civil society networks and private sector actors especially those engaging in human rights, inequality, natural resource governance and green energy solutions
Anti corruption work
Commit to maintain a positive team environment and build excellent people management.

Qualifications

Proven strong management skills
Minimum 7 years management experience, preferably within international relief and development programs, including demonstrable success in managing (large, complex, transitional) development programs
Experience from working with church-based organizations/societies and religious leaders is an advantage
Experience with institutional donors and fundraising
Demonstrated experience multi-tasking and success in securing funding for country programs.
Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant subject including but not limited to development, social sciences, natural resources governance and management. Extended relevant experience may compensate for an academic degree

Personal qualities

You’re a constructive and diplomatic relationship builder, with excellent interpersonal skills
Your structured and action oriented in your work
In your communication with staff, you manage to motivate, support and engage, but you’re also able to be clear and timely in your feedback when needed
Culturally sensitive with excellent communication and decision-making skills
Motivated by managing and developing personnel towards achieving common goals
Comfortable in participating in church- and multi-religious networks
Good at networking and maintaining professional relationships
Strong analytical skills and capacity to think strategically
Innovative and solution-oriented, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills

We offer

Exciting and meaningful position in a well-run office with one of Norway’s largest humanitarian organizations.
A work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility
Competitive terms and conditions, possibilities to bring family along, and a comprehensive insurance and pension plan

We encourage all qualified persons to apply for a job with us, regardless of gender, age, disability or cultural background. Through our recruitment portal,  you can register and submit your CV, write an application / cover letter and attach relevant certificates. Only applicants using this electronic portal will be considered for the position.

How to apply: 

Apply via NCA’s webpage at:  Country Director Malawi  | Kirkens Nødhjelp/Norwegian Church Aid (recman.no)

Before you apply:

We kindly ask you to carefully read the   ACT Code of Conduct for the prevention of misconduct, including corruption, fraud, exploitation and abuse, including sexual; and to ensure child safeguarding  and the   Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding policy  before you submit your application. If you are the selected candidate for this position you will be asked to complete and sign our  Code of Conduct and Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse, and Child Safeguarding Policy.

In accordance with core humanitarian principles, NCA implements a range of safeguards to prevent or reduce the possibility of humanitarian aid falling into the wrong hands. This includes those individuals and groups who are subject to sanctions by the United Nations Security Council. As part of this process, NCA will screen the details of the successful candidates for this post against the sanctions lists maintained by the UN and by some of NCAs governmental donors.