Social Medicine Manager

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, PH 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). 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: Social Medicine Manager
Department: Primary Health Care and Program Department
Reports to: Primary Health Care and Programs Director
Second Line Reporting: Chief Medical Officer
Commitment: Full Time (Monday-Friday)
Working Hours: Regular Office Hours (40Hrs/Week)
Location: Neno

POSITION SUMMARY

The Social Medicine Manager provides strategic leadership to integrate social determinants of health into APZU’s clinical programs. This role ensures that social medicine is systematically embedded across all departments, programs and service delivery platforms to improve patient outcomes and advance health equity.

The Manager leads the design, implementation and management of integrated social medicine programs that address social determinants of health and improve patient outcomes across community, primary health care and secondary health care across Neno and other APZU-supported districts

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Systems Integration of Social Medicine

• Leads the integration of social determinants of health across all APZU programs (HIV/TB, NCDs, MCH, Mental Health, PHC), ensuring they are embedded in program design, implementation and evaluation.
• Collaborates with clinical and program leads to incorporate social risk screening. referral systems and socioeconomic support into routine care pathways.
• Positions social medicine as a core pillar of APZU’s health systems strengthening approach, ensuring alignment with integrated service delivery models.
• Strengthens linkages between community, facility and hospital levels to ensure continuity of social medicine across the continuum of care.

Program Design and Management of Social Medicine Systems

• Provides strategic and operational oversight of APZU’s social medicine programming, including Social Medicine and livelihood initiatives.
• Designs and maintain scalable models for identifying, targeting and supporting vulnerable patients and households across Neno and other districts Ensures social medicine interventions are prioritized based on their impact on treatment adherence, retention, and health outcomes.
• Oversees quality implementation to ensure that interventions are responsive, equitable, and adapted to patient and community needs.

Interdisciplinary Leadership and Care Coordination

• Facilitates coordinated, team-based care by strengthening collaboration between clinicians, social workers, community health workers and program teams.
• Supports integration of social care into multidisciplinary case management, particularly for high-risk and complex patients.
• Builds awareness and capacity of clinical and non-clinical teams to understand and address social determinants within their scope of work.

Case Management Systems and Patient Advocacy

• Oversees systems that support patient-level identification, referral and follow-up for social medicine services.
• Strengthens case management approaches to ensure patients can navigate health and social systems and overcome barriers to care.
• Ensures effective use of data systems (including EMR and community tracking platforms) to identify vulnerable patients and support follow-up.
• Promotes patient-centered approaches that uphold dignity, equity and responsiveness to individual needs.

Stakeholder Engagement, Partnerships and Community Systems Coordination

• Leads engagement and collaboration with government institutions (MoH, Social Welfare, District Council) to align APZU’s work with national social protection and health policies.
• Builds and maintain partnerships with NGOs, community-based organizations and private sector actors to expand access to social and economic support for patients
• Represents APZU in district and national multi-sectoral platforms (e.g., nutrition, social protection, food security, disaster response).
• Contributes to policy dialogue and advocacy to advance integration of social medicine into health systems in Malawi.

Data, Research and Learning

• Establishes and oversees monitoring and evaluation systems that measure the impact of social support interventions on patient outcomes.
• Uses data to inform program improvements, resource allocation and strategic decision-making.
• Leads or supports operational research and quality improvement initiatives to generate evidence on social medicine and integrated care.
• Ensures high-quality reporting for internal and external stakeholders, including donors and government partners.

Resource Mobilization and Operational Oversight

• Supports development of funding proposals and strategic investments for social medicine programming.
• Oversees budget planning and utilization for social support interventions, ensuring alignment with program priorities and accountability standards.
• Ensures operational systems (logistics, procurement, partnerships) support timely and effective delivery of social support services.

Team Leadership and Capacity Building

• Provides supervision, mentorship and professional development for social medicine team.
• Builds a high-performing team culture grounded in innovation, accountability, collaboration and commitment to serving vulnerable populations.
• Strengthens institutional capacity for social medicine across APZU through training, mentorship and knowledge sharing.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Social Sciences or Global Health.
• Master’s Degree in the above disciplines will be an added advantage.
• 5-7 years’ experience in Social Medicine and/or public health
• 5-7 years’ experience in program management and health systems strengthening
• Experience working with govemment systems and multi-sectoral partnerships
• Demonstrated understanding of social determinants of health and social protection systems

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic thinking and systems design
• Strong coordination and partnership management
• Data use for decision-making
• Program design and implementation
• Knowledge of Malawi’s health and social protection systems

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Strong problem-solving skills
• High level of integrity and accountability
• Commitment to equity and service to vulnerable populations
• Effective communication and supportive supervision

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 (including direct supervisors) with valid telephone numbers and email. addresses not later than 15th May 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

NB: Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU) is is an equal opportunity employer, so, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, tribe, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment.

The ideal candidate must be willing to be based in a rural district and travel regularly to facilities and communities.

Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU) is committed to safeguarding staff, children and communities with whom we work with. We are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work-including our patients, families and community members -as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and are protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. Therefore, any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of applicable background checks.

The Organisation does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are asked to make a payment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact apzuhr@pih.org and speakup@pih.org.