ECHO Programme Manager, Malawi

Danish Red Cross (DRC) has been engaged in a long-term bilateral partnership with Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) since the 1980s. Today, DRC is coordinating various consortia consisting of Finnish-, Icelandic-, Italian-, Netherland-, Belgian Flanders Red Cross and the IFRC. DRC is also the lead agent for ECHO/EU supported programmes, all in the support of MRCS, a dynamic and professional partner in the Southern Africa.

Our main areas of support to MRCS cover Health, WASH, Youth Empowerment, National Society Development and Disaster Management, including Disaster Preparedness, Early Warning, Forecast based Action, Anticipatory Action and responses to natural and health-related disasters.

The Programme Manager will focus on ECHO-funded programmes primarily supporting MRCS in the planning, coordination, implementation, quality assurance and reporting of the Actions. The Manager will also support the integration of Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) and Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) components of the programme. The Manager will operate in the field/districts approximately 50% of the time, where living and working conditions can be challenging.

Main responsibilities of the ECHO Programme Manager include:

• Manage the ECHO funded programme and provide strong, technical guidance and lead the Red Cross and Red Crescent ECHO funded programmes in Malawi.
• Ensure high quality programme implementation and effectiveness, quality assurance (QA) and the compliance with regulations of DRC and ECHO.
• Coordination with MRSC and other partners implementing the ECHO programme
• Support the Country Manager (CM) in needs assessment and in developing future projects, particularly in the design of future ECHO programme(s), based on lessons learned.
• Support the CM’s responsibilities to ensure fruitful donor relations, taking a lead in the relationship with ECHO at country and regional level.
• The ECHO Programme Manager will receive technical support and advice for HQ and regional advisors, particularly from the ‘Health Matrix’ team in the ‘Technical Quality and Impact Unit’ and in the ‘ECHO Matrix’ team in the ‘Global Partnerships’ Unit.
• Coordination with and supporting the DRC Country Team and other relevant partners in building capacity in MRCS, particularly for donor compliance and project Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (PMEAL).

Coordination with and supporting the DRC Country Team and other relevant partners in building capacity in MRCS, particularly for donor compliance and project Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (PMEAL).

Experience and Qualifications

• A degree in project management, or a relevant technical field
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• 4 years project management and programming
• Experience in working abroad
• Partner (Donor) relation management
• Echo rules and regulations experience
• Financial Management
• Programme Development knowledge
• Development and maintenance of partnerships
• Self-management within a distance management setup
• Excellent English speaking and writing skills.
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office and as self-supporting with computers as possible.
• Documented experience of proposal and report writing.
• Experienced and dedicated leadership

Personal Skills:

• Cultural sensitivity
• Team Player
• Patience
• Result Oriented
• Good Communicator

Employment Conditions

This is a 12-month position, with possibility for extension and 3 months probationary period, all depending on approved funding. The duty station is Lilongwe in Malawi with frequent field travels. The ideal starting date is 1st of September 2023 or soonest thereafter.

The contract will be administered in accordance with the Danish Red Cross Terms and Conditions for Delegates. Attractive salary package.