Partnerships and Advocacy Manager

Partners in Health (PIH)

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:
Partners in Health (PIH) is a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through service delivery, training, advocacy and research, PIH works globally to bring the benefits of modern science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to despair. PIH has programs in Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kazakhstan and Boston.

PIH began working in Malawi in 2007, where today we support the Ministry of Health (MOH) to serve a catchment area of 165,000 through 12 health centers and two hospitals in partnership with our sister organizations. Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (APZU) has its headquarters in Neno District with operations across the country.

We therefore seek to recruit suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the following positions;

Position: Partnerships and Advocacy Manager
Department: Policy, Partnerships, and Advocacy
Reports to: Director of Strategic Partnerships and Grants Acquisition
Second Line Reporting: Chief Health Systems Policy Advisor
Commitment: Full Time (Monday-Friday)
Working Hours: Regular Office Hours (40Hrs/Week)
Location: Lilongwe

POSITION SUMMARY
The Partnerships and Advocacy Manager is a core member of the Partnerships, Policy, and Advocacy (PPA) Department responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing all departmental activities in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals and national health priorities.

This senior position provides technical and operational leadership in strategic partnerships and advocacy,
including opportunity identification, positioning, and development for consortium building within the context of grant acquisition, advocacy, and policy influence. S/he will work with national and international partners to identify shared interests, activities, and potential strategic directions, building relationship bridges and coalitions for PIH/APZU. Similarly, with significant crossover, the position will also work closely with PIH/APZU partners (i.e., Universal Health Coverage Coalition, Community Health Impact Coalition, Nursing and other Professional Organizations, NCD Alliance etc.), the government of Malawi, development partners, and other international campaign members to advocate for universal health coverage and for care to reach the most vulnerable populations.

This position will be critical for interdepartmental coordination and mentoring staff in strategic partnership and advocacy development, maintenance, and coalition building, with a focus on identifying cross-departmental synergies and ensuring coordination. He/she will support and work closely with officers, managers and directors in integrating partnerships and advocacy – a crosscutting function – into all APZU work. He/she will be asked to utilize partnerships in activity and strategic planning as well as resource mobilization.

This position collaborates closely with internal teams and external partners, including the Ministry of Health, to ensure effective service, delivery, data-driven programming, and alignment of activities with government and institutional priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

A. Advocacy

  • Position PIH/APZU in civil society non-state actor advocacy coordination, alliances and coalitions, representing and ensuring the work, mission, and vision of APZU/PIH is included and showcased with leadership and formal roles in these forms.
  • Lead/focal point the development and utilization of advocacy networks for the organization to achieve relevant advocacy goals
  • Work with technical teams, donors, and advocacy groups to organize advocacy initiatives and priorities using SWOT analysis and Power mapping
  • Utilize information and experience from that national level to support OnePI advocacy campaigns across the PIH/APZU organization and engage in regional and international advocacy work.
  • Support and work closely with officers and managers in integrating advocacy —a cross-cutting function into all APZU work.

B. Strategic Partnership Building, Maintenance and External Relations

  • Focal point and lead for day-to-day planning and
    operational oversight of the national and local partnerships and advocacy planning and programs.
  • Lead and coordinate a consistent and meaningful representation of PIH/APZU’s work in all relevant partner forums at the national level to ensure ongoing coordination with relevant government ministries, donor organizations, and other implementing partners, pulling in PIH/APZU’s PPA department and technical staff where necessary.
  • Lead in building and maintaining strong relationships, information sharing, and organizational visibility with
    all key partners and stakeholders at the national level through consistent, accurate, and persuasive presentation of relevant aspects/areas of PIH/APZU work in the country.
  • Lead consortium planning by formalizing key strategic areas, priorities, and interests in collaboration with specific partners and programs.
  • Maintain an updated national stakeholder contact database and a mapping system for the exchange of vital information and analysis on funding opportunities, trends, and possible partnerships with the Strategic Partnerships and Grants Acquisition Director and the Partnership and Operations Officer.

C. Business Development/Resource Mobilization

  • Lead Strategic Partnerships, Policy and Advocacy department in the cultivation of new relationships with national foundations and corporations to identify opportunities to expand revenue streams in Malawi.
  • Link partnerships and advocacy work to understanding, and provide a cogent analysis of available resource development with donors and partners. Understand the relative strengths and weaknesses of potential collaborators and competitors to inform the PIH/APZU proposal strategy.
  • In collaboration with the APZU/PIH team leadership, contribute to annual and multi-year business development strategies that leverage PIH capabilities to identify new partnerships.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

A. People & Performance Management

  • Supervise direct reports within the partnerships and advocacy space and lead performance management, including work planning, coaching, and evaluations.
  • Familiarize and stay up to date with APZU strategy, programmes, models and data while maintaining a good relationship with all staff regardless of geographical position.
  • Identify capacity gaps and support staff development, mentorship training, and cross-team collaboration to build partnerships and develop coalition building.
  • Deputize the Strategic Partnerships and Grants Acquisition Director as needed and other positions within the PPA department.
  • Promote a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and continuous learning.

B. Operational Oversight

  • Manage partnership and advocacy work plans, ensure logistical support, and troubleshoot challenges in collaboration with PPA and technical teams.
  • Liaise with procurement, communications and logistics teams to ensure timely availability of partnerships and advocacy activities.
  • Assist in the operations of the Lilongwe office and the PPA team with budget management and work plan review.

C. Research, Data & Quality Improvement

  • Collaborate with M&E, MEQ, and clinical teams to collect, analyze, and use data for decision-making and reporting in partnerships, advocacy and resource mobilization.
  • Lead or contribute to operational research, abstracts, presentations, and publications that guide and provide evidence to partnerships and advocacy projects or programs.
  • Organize and participate in data review meetings and strategic initiatives.

D. Resource Planning & Budget Oversight

  • Contribute to the development of program budgets and track expenditures in line with project work plans and grant conditions.
  • Support grant reporting by providing timely program data and activity updates for grants supporting partnerships, policy and advocacy.
  • Participate in donor visits and proposal development where required.

E. Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Maintain strong relationships with donor, technical, advocacy and implementing partners, civil society organizations, community-based advocacy groups, multilateral and bilateral donors and most importantly national and sub-national Government of Malawi and regional and international governments, organization and teams
  • Support vertical and horizontal integration of programs through partnerships and advocacy
  • Represent the program in relevant technical working groups and district coordination forums at national, regional and international.

EXPECTED COMPETENCIES, ATTRIBUTES, AND BEHAVIORS

Core Competencies

  • Strong foundational knowledge and practical experience in partnerships, advocacy and networking with background in health systems
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills, partner and power mapping, networking and ability to lead, strategize, and report on partnership development, campaign or coalition work plan, activities and outputs
  • Program implementation and coordination: strong ability to manage daily execution of programs across multiple partners and teams
  • Data-driven decision making using routine data to identify gaps, monitor performance, and inform program improvements.
  • Mentorship and capacity building: passion for developing others through coaching, on-the-job training, and support.
  • Teamwork and collaboration: builds trust, collaborates across departments, and fosters mutual accountability.
  • Flexibility and resilience: remains composed and productive in dynamic, rural, or resource-limited environments.
  • Service orientation: prioritizes client needs and ensures dignity and equity in all service delivery.
  • Integrity and accountability: upholds ethical standards, confidentiality, and organizational values.
  • Execution and follow-through: delivers on plans, monitors results, and adapts where needed to stay on track.
  • Problem solving: approaches challenges methodically and proactively.
  • Communication: clearly communicates goals, expectations, and feedback to teams and stakeholders.
  • Supportive supervision: leads by example, building a motivated and effective team.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Governmental Relations, Business Administration or health-related field. A Master’s Degree is an added advantage.
  • At least 8 years of progressive experience in partnerships, policy and advocacy positions
  • Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders, donors, local and international organizations, and government.
  • Demonstrated leadership with partnership coordination and analysis with proven communication, interpersonal and report-writing skills.
  • Familiarity with health systems, advocacy campaigns, strategic health plans, and stakeholders
  • Knowledgeable in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet applications.
  • Ability to navigate and work with complex government and donor processes with professionalism, integrity and diplomacy all with respectful in alignment with APZU’s mission, vision and values.
  • Commitment to rural healthcare delivery, health equity, and social justice.

BENEFITS AND REMUNERATION

An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidates commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Qualified and interested persons should apply strictly to the email address below, enclosing their cover letter; copies of relevant certificates and Curriculum Vitae indicating three names of traceable referees with valid telephone numbers and email addresses not later than 5th January 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Email: apzurecruitment@pih.org

with the title of the position indicated on the subject of the email addressing;

The Director of Human Resources and Administration
Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU)
P.O. Box 56
NENO