Chief of Party - Malawi Activity

The Opportunity

Under the supervision of the U.S.-based Project Management Director, the Chief of Party manages, and supervises the successful implementation of the Abt Global Central Mechanism in Malawi and acts as the primary liaison between the project and the local U.S. Department of State, the National Malaria Program (NMP), Ministry of Health, other government agencies, and various other malaria stakeholders in-country.  The COP provides overall strategic direction, operations management, technical leadership, and financial and administrative compliance for all project activities to assure milestones are completed on-time, and within budget.

The Abt Global Central Mechanism supports malaria vector control and HIV/AIDS service delivery in 14 partner countries, with the goal of improving health outcomes for target populations while strengthening the planning, data management, and implementation capacity of host-country governments and local institutions. The project sustains uninterrupted malaria vector control interventions, including insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution, indoor residual spraying (IRS), and spatial emanators, as well as HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services. In collaboration with government counterparts, the project identifies functions for transition and provides support to advance government memorandum of understanding (MOU) objectives.  In Malawi, the project will support ITN and spatial emanator distribution as well as supply chain assistance to support the availability and accountable management of malaria, maternal and child health, HIV, and other priority health commodities while advancing government-led systems and transition priorities. This activity runs for 9 months from October 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Core Responsibilities

• Represents Abt Global and the Project to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the NMP, the U.S. Embassy, and other key stakeholders.

• Carries full authority and accountability for project decisions, as delegated by the U.S.-based Project Director.

• Sets and pursues a results-oriented program strategy in coordination with the project team and in consultation with the MOH, NMP, U.S. Embassy, other partners and stakeholders.

• Lead day-to-day execution of the firm fixed-price, performance-based program, ensuring all project activities, contractual milestones, acceptance criteria, and payment triggers are achieved on schedule.

• Manage competing priorities while maintaining full compliance with the negotiated statement of work and other contract requirements.

• Establish country team milestone-progress reviews to confirm that performance is on track to meet milestones.

• Escalate potential milestone failures, scope growth, funding pressures, and other contract-impacting issues promptly.

• Control scope through disciplined management and formal authorization of any changes affecting milestones, schedule, resources, or budget.

• Leads the development, achievement and production of all milestones, including but not limited to reports (e.g. country work plans, vector control summary reports, forecasting and procurement plans, etc) and project activities (e.g. start-up activities, trainings, vector control tool deployment, etc).

• Develops and leads a country-specific transition discussion with NMP/government partners to determine priorities and identify gaps and develops a transition plan based on feedback and discussions.

• Ensures that safeguarding best practices are incorporated in all project activities from the design stage and that all staff are held accountable for enforcing safeguarding measures at every level.

• Supervises and mentors the project’s Senior Managers, such as the Supply Chain Advisor, Finance and Administration Manager, and others as applicable.

• Ensures that all country staff, subcontractors and consultants understand their roles and responsibilities to ensure compliance with contract requirements, Department of State and Abt policies and procedures.

• Ensures that project budget projections, expenditure, tracking and reporting are in accordance with the project milestones and Abt Global requirements, procedures and practices.

• Ensures that lessons learned and best practices are documented and shared.

• Maintains regular communication with Abt Headquarters team, regarding project updates, issues and general project management aspects.

• Uphold the highest ethical standards and an ability to handle sensitive information with the utmost discretion.

• Other duties included but not limited to:

• For ITN distributions:

  • Recommend and coordinate ITN product selection with all involved stakeholders – national, technical, and local – based on the latest knowledge, data, and trends
  • Lead targeting, household registrations, and technical approach for ITN mass campaigns
  • Recommend and coordinate channels and approaches for continuous distribution
  • Quantify ITNs, personnel, transportation needs, and all other supplies for distributions
  • Organize planning meetings, community mobilization, technical training, and lead all ITN field activities.
  • Coordinate with MEL project staff to design and manage robust ITN monitoring activities.

• For SE campaign:

  • Determine household registration and distribution operation labor requirements and oversee the recruitment, training, and management of seasonal personnel.
  • Quantify emanators and all other equipment and supplies,
  • Organize micro-planning meetings, training of trainers, and cascade training.
  • Lead pre distribution preparations and updates to the Global Support Team.
  • Coordinate with project staff to design and manage robust SE monitoring activities

• Oversee the supply chain transition support to Malawi MOH.

  • Work with the Supply chain Advisor on the planning, implementation, monitoring, and transition of activities spanning warehousing and distribution, logistics management information systems, product traceability and master data, quality management, and private-sector engagement.
  • Ensure that all the project supply chain scope is completed with the allocated timeline.

What We Value:

• Bachelor’s Degree + 12  years, or master’s degree + 10  years , or PhD+ 8 years

• Master’s degree (minimum), or a Doctorate Degree (desirable), in Public Health/Health Administration (or other relevant health specialization) or Business Administration.

• 8 years of relevant international health experience.

• Significant experience in malaria prevention and control desired.

• At least 3+ years of senior project management experience in large international health programs.

• Demonstrated experience delivering contractual milestones tied to client acceptance.

• Strong understanding of cost, schedule, scope, risk, and quality management.

• Experience managing firm fixed-price or milestone-based engagements desired.

• Demonstrated leadership in management skills and ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary, multicultural teams, ranging from 10 to 25 employees.

• Experience managing a fast paced, results-oriented, deadline-driven project.

• Significant ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with multiple stakeholders, including U.S. Department of State personnel, ministry officials, and other development partners.

• Experience developing and communicating a project vision, aligning key stakeholders around the vision, and assuring the vision is translated into efficiently implemented program activities.

• Strong ability to communicate and write reports and other professional documents in English.

• English professional fluency is required.

What We Offer

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.

Abt Global is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Global provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: Abt Global will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment. 

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Abt Global is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Global is regularly ranked as one of the top global research firms and one of the international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries.