Director of Operations

National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA)

EXECUTIVE VACANCIES: DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Strengthening Malawi’s Fuel Security Leadership

Introduction and Background

The National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) is a wholly owned Government of Malawi company, established under the Companies Act of 1984 on 10 December 2010 and operational since 2012. Our core mandate is to guarantee the security of fuel supply for the nation. As the Government’s designated agent, NOCMA is responsible for importing petroleum products and managing the country’s Strategic Fuel Reserves (SFRs) across Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, as well as depots in Chilumba, Chipoka, and Mchinji.

Over the past fourteen years, NOCMA’s national strategic importance has grown exponentially. Our fuel importation market share has risen from just 10% in 2015 to an average of 77% in the 2025/2026 financial year. This remarkable expansion demands exceptional leadership to sustain performance, maintain supply continuity, uphold corporate governance, and drive operational

To continue delivering on our vital mandate, NOCMA is seeking exceptional leaders for the following Executive Management positions. are critical to maintaining national energy security, ensuring statutory compliance, strengthening institutional integrity, and safeguarding public accountability.

POSITION : DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS (GRADE NOC03)
Reporting Line: Chief Executive Officer
Department: Operations

Role Purpose

The Director of Operations is a strategic executive responsible for ensuring the continuous, secure, and efficient supply of petroleum products in Malawi through effective management of the country’s Strategic Fuel Reserves (SFRs), NOCMA fuel depots, logistics operations, and operational business development. The role ensures operational excellence while safeguarding national energy security, regulatory compliance, public accountability, and stakeholder confidence.

1. Key Accountabilities

A. National Energy Security & Strategic Operations

  1. Maintain minimum strategic fuel stock levels as required by national policy (e.g., 30/60/90-day coverage)
  2. Oversee receipt, storage, distribution, and quality assurance of all petroleum products under NOCMA management
  3. Lead operational planning to mitigate supply disruptions and fuel shortages
  4. Ensure national energy security contingency plans are in place and tested regularly

B. Strategic Leadership & Executive Management

  1. Provide visionary leadership to all operational units and drive a high-performance culture
  2. Translate corporate strategy into actionable operational objectives and measurable KPIs
  3. Advise the CEO and Board on operational risks, opportunities, and strategic investments
  4. Lead and mentor senior operations managers, ensuring succession planning and talent development

C. Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement

  1. Serve as primary executive liaison to regulators, fuel off-takers, logistics partners, and government agencies
  2. Maintain strong collaboration with Ministries of Energy, Finance, and Transport to support national fuel policy objectives
  3. Engage with regional and international petroleum organizations to adopt best-in-class practices

D. Risk Management & Compliance

  1. Ensure full compliance with national petroleum laws, safety regulations, environmental standards, and internal governance policies
  2. Implement rigorous HSE, security, and loss-prevention frameworks
  3. Oversee operational audits and ensure timely implementation of recommendations
  4. Develop and maintain emergency response and crisis management plans, including fuel supply disruptions or depot incidents.

E. Commercial & Operational Efficiency

  1. Optimize depot and SFR utilization to maximize efficiency, minimize losses, and control operational costs
  2. Lead fuel acquisition support, logistics optimization, and product movement strategies
  3. Drive operational digitization and adoption of advanced inventory management systems
  4. Monitor and improve operational KPls such as throughput efficiency, stock variance, and service level delivery

F. Planning, Budgeting & Performance

  1. Prepare annual and multi-year operational plans and budgets aligned with NOCMA’s Strategic Plan
  2. Define, monitor, and report on departmental and individual KPIs, linking performance to strategic outcomes
  3. Accountable for capital projects, operational expenditures, and resource allocation within delegated authority.

2. Qualifications & Experience

i. Academic Qualifications

  • Master’s Degree in Leadership, Management, or Administration, or equivalent
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Energy/Fuel Studies, Operations Management, or equivalent.

ii. Professional Certifications (Advantageous)

  • Fuel supply, logistics, transportation, or petroleum management certifications.

3. Experience

  • 10+ years of general operational experience
  • 6+ years in a senior operations management role within a petroleum company or comparable organization
  • Proven experience managing strategic fuel reserves, logistics operations, or bulk petroleum supply chains
  • Demonstrated ability to lead operations under high-risk and public accountability environments.

4. Key Competencies

  • Strategic & Leadership: Visionary leadership, executive decision-making, national energy policy understanding, crisis management, stakeholder engagement
  • Technical: Petroleum storage and logistics management, supply chain optimization, regulatory compliance and HSE management, budgeting and performance monitoring
  • Personal Attributes: Integrity, judiciousness, transparency, strong communication, innovative and forward-thinking.

CONTRACT TERMS

Successful candidates will be offered a three (3) year performance-based contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance. An attractive executive remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience will be provided

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications and experience for the position should submit the following:

  • Cover letter clearly indicating the position applied for (Director of Operations)
  • Evidence of membership to the relevant professional body (relevant petroleum/logistics certifications)
  • Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) with names and contact details of three traceable referees

Applications must be sent to:

The Comptroller of Statutory Corporations
Department of Statutory Corporations
P.O. Box 30061
LILONGWE 3.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 25th April 2026

NOCMA is committed to gender equality. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply in line with the provisions of the Malawi Gender Equality Act, 2013.