Director of Standards and Quality Audits

National Council for Higher Education

VACANCY: DIRECTOR OF STANDARDS AND QUALITY AUDITS

The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) is Malawi’s higher education regulator, established by the NCHE Act No. 15 of 2011 (CAP 30:12). Its mandates include promoting and coordinating higher education institutions; registering and de-registering higher education institutions; harmonizing student selection for public universities; regulating, determining, and maintaining standards for teaching, examinations, academic qualifications, and academic facilities; developing a national qualifications framework compatible with regional and international standards; determining minimum criteria and procedures for the registration and deregistration of higher education institutions; accrediting both public and private higher education institutions; and designing and recommending to the Minister institutional quality assurance standards for the establishment, standardization, and accreditation of higher education institutions, including standards for teaching and learning, infrastructure, physical plant and equipment, curriculum development, libraries and learning resource centers, the safety of teaching and learning facilities, and student transfer between programs and higher education institutions. The Council is inviting applications from suitably qualified, experienced and distinguished Malawian professionals to be considered for the position of Director of Standards and Quality Audits, which has fallen vacant.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and serving in Grade NC2, the Director of Standards and Quality Audits will provide strategic leadership and oversight in the development, implementation, monitoring and review of quality assurance standards, regulatory frameworks and quality audit systems for higher education institutions in Malawi.

The ideal candidate will provide strategic direction to the Department, supervise and allocate duties to the heads of divisions, oversee quality assurance audits and promote continuous improvement in the quality of higher education. The duties and responsibilities shall include:

• Providing strategic leadership and direction to the Department of Standards and Quality Audits;
• Developing, implementing and reviewing minimum quality assurance standards, guidelines and regulatory frameworks for higher education institutions;
• Spearheading the harmonisation of quality assurance systems and practices across higher education institutions;
• Monitoring and evaluating compliance by higher education institutions with approved minimum standards and quality assurance requirements;
• Developing and reviewing frameworks for conducting institutional and programme quality audits;
• Providing leadership and oversight in the planning, coordination and execution of institutional and programme quality audits in higher education institutions;
• Ensuring the effective establishment and implementation of appropriate conditions of service and minimum requirements for the recruitment and engagement of professional, technical and administrative staff in higher education institutions;
• Developing, monitoring and evaluating standards and minimum requirements for the engagement of staff by higher education institutions;
• Evaluating, recognising and equating qualifications obtained from local and international higher education institutions in accordance with applicable standards and regulations;
• Ensuring that the Council’s internal quality assurance mechanisms are aligned with relevant national, regional and international standards and good practices;
• Coordinating the development and review of regulations and frameworks for licensing student recruitment agencies;
• Coordinating, supervising and validating standards, guidelines, quality audit reports and related quality assurance processes;
• Providing technical advice to management and higher education institutions on quality assurance standards, requirements and compliance;
• Promoting continuous professional development and quality improvement within higher education institutions;
• Promoting networking, partnerships, linkages and benchmarking with relevant national, regional and international bodies for the exchange of good practices in quality assurance;
• Monitoring the implementation of international agreements, partnerships and collaborations relating to higher education quality assurance;
• Coordinating the organisation of stakeholder forums, conferences, workshops and other engagements on quality assurance in higher education;
• Developing and monitoring the implementation of departmental work plans and budgets;
• Preparing and submitting consolidated departmental reports to management and the Council; and
• Providing standards and quality assurance information to the Council Secretariat to support policy advice to the Minister.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES OF THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate should possess the following qualifications and attributes:

1. A Doctorate degree from an accredited and recognised institution;
2. At least eight (8) years’ experience in senior academic leadership and management position(s) in higher education institutions, or has served as a Deputy Director of Standards or Quality Audits for at least three (3) years;
3. A proven track record in research, development and management;
4. Evidence of published articles in peer-reviewed journals and/or books in higher education or a
   related field;
5. Thorough knowledge of legal and regulatory instruments relating to quality assurance and quality audits in higher education;
6. Competence and ability to represent the higher education sector at high levels nationally, regionally and internationally;
7. Ability to manage diverse teams and build effective working relationships;
8. Excellent leadership, management and strategic planning skills;
9. Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision;
10. Ability to set strategic direction and make strategic decisions for the Department;
11. A broad understanding of the factors and conditions shaping the development of higher education;
12. Thorough understanding of national, regional and international development agendas;
13. Ability to mentor, coach and develop staff;
14. Strong understanding of quality assurance systems and practices in higher education;
15. Strong communication, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills; and
16. Ability to demonstrate high ethical standards, integrity, accountability and professionalism.

TENURE OF THE POST AND REMUNERATION PACKAGE
The successful candidate shall hold office for a period of three (3) years on a renewable performance-related contract.

The successful candidate shall be offered an attractive salary and benefits package commensurate with the seniority of the position, qualifications and experience.

MODE OF APPLICATION
Eligible candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience should submit their applications, which should include an application letter, detailed curriculum vitae (CV) giving the names and addresses of three traceable referees, including that of the immediate past employer where applicable, and certified copies of relevant academic and professional qualifications.

Applications should be submitted under confidential cover on or before 10th November, 2026 to:

VAC: NCHE DAQA (Director of Standards and Quality Audits)
The Comptroller of Statutory Corporations
P. O. Box 30061
LILONGWE 3
MALAWI.

The job advert is also available on www.nche.ac.mw.

Only shortlisted applicants shall be acknowledged and invited for interviews.