Project Manager – Inclusive Foundational Learning

The Opportunity

Save the Children International (SCI) is seeking to recruit a Project Manager – Inclusive Foundational Learning to lead the implementation of an Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Foundational Learning Project in Malawi. The position will be based in Mzimba, with regular travel to Mzuzu and Salima, and is offered on a 34-month contract.

Reporting to the Director – Programme Operations, the Project Manager will provide overall leadership, management, and technical direction for the project, ensuring high-quality delivery, strong government ownership, and alignment with Malawi’s national early learning and foundational learning reforms. The role requires strong technical expertise in inclusive pedagogy, disability screening and referral, early childhood learning systems, and school readiness.

The Project Manager will oversee planning, budgeting, partner coordination, evidence generation, and quality assurance across interventions in Community-Based Childcare Centres (CBCCs), P-Class transition support, disability inclusion, climate-resilient learning environments, and community engagement. A core responsibility of the role is strengthening inclusive teaching practices, early identification of children with disabilities, and effective transition pathways between CBCCs, P-Class, and primary school.

The role will maintain strategic relationships with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare (MoGCDSW), District Councils, St John of God, MACODA, and development partners, including UNICEF, the World Bank, and GPE-supported initiatives. The post holder will also ensure consistent application of Save the Children’s technical standards and Common Approaches to improve quality, safety, and inclusion in early learning environments.

The Project Manager will supervise project staff, ensure full compliance with donor (SCI Italy) and SCI policies, and lead high-quality reporting, learning, and accountability processes.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder may be required to work outside the normal role profile and adjust working hours accordingly.

To Be Successful, You Will Bring / Have Qualifications

Essential

• Master’s degree in education, Early Childhood Development, Inclusive Education, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Formal training in inclusive education, disability inclusion, or Early Childhood Development.

Desirable

• Training in climate-resilient education, education in emergencies, child protection, safeguarding, child rights programming, or systems strengthening.

Experience and Skills

Essential

• At least 7 years’ experience managing education, ECD, inclusive education, or foundational learning programmes.
• Strong technical grounding in inclusive pedagogy, disability screening and referral, early childhood learning systems, and school readiness.
• Proven experience working closely with MoEST, MoGCDSW, District Councils, and national Technical Working Groups.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-sectoral projects and systems-strengthening initiatives.
• Strong skills in MEAL, evidence generation, adaptive management, and donor reporting.
• Proven experience managing large budgets, procurement processes, donor compliance, and award management.
• Experience building capacity of government counterparts at district and national levels.
• Excellent communication, advocacy, coordination, and partnership management skills.
• Fluency in English (local language proficiency is an advantage).

Desirable

• Experience with World Bank PforR, UNICEF early learning programmes, or GPE-funded systems projects.
• Experience in climate-smart or climate-resilient education programming.
• Experience supporting community-based social and behaviour change (SBC) initiatives.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers.

Save the Children is committed to keeping children safe. Our recruitment process includes rigorous background checks to reflect our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding, Anti-Harassment, Equal Opportunities, and Health and Safety policies.

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