Director of Irrigation Operations

Greenbelt Authority (GBA)

EXECUTIVE PLACEMENT

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Greenbelt Authority (GBA) —a Statutory Corporation established under the Greenbelt Authority Act No. 23 of 2017—is the engine driving the nation’s agricultural and economic transformation.

Our core mandate is bold: to unlock the country’s vast land and water resources through large-scale commercial irrigation, moving beyond subsistence farming to create a resilient, food-secure, and export-driven economy that accelerates Malawi’s socio-economic transformation. To achieve this vision, we are not simply filling positions. We are assembling a powerhouse executive leadership team-visionary strategists, operational experts, and financial architects—who will spearhead the next phase of our evolution.

This is not a job; it is a national mandate. We are transitioning from a subvention-dependent entity into a fully self-sustaining. commercially vibrant authority. This requires leaders who are not just qualified, but passionate about building systems, driving profitability, and creating lasting socio-economic impact.

The Opportunity

To bolster our executive leadership, we are seeking applications for the following critical positions from highly qualified, experienced and results-oriented Malawian professionals who will be mandated to:

  • Shape National Policy: Influence the strategic direction of Malawi’s agricultural sector at the highest level.
  • Build Legacy Infrastructure: Lead the development of dams irrigation networks, and agro-processing facilities that will serve generations.
  • Drive Commercial Success: Transform large-scale farming nto a profitable, investment-ready industry that attracts both local and international capital.
  • Lead High-Impact Teams: Inspire and mentor multidisciplinary experts in engineering, finance, law, and agribusiness.

DIRECTOR OF IRRIGATION OPERATIONS

Role Purpose

This role provides overarching technical leadership operational oversight for all irrigation infrastructure, and scheme operations, agricultural production, land management, and commercial agro-processing. The Director is pivotal in transitioning the GBA from a subvention-dependent entity to a fully self-sustaining, commercially viable authority.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Strategic Leadership: Develop, implement, and enforce operational policies and SOPs. Partner with Planning and Investment divisions to execute business turnaround strategies to achieve full commercial autonomy. Formulate multi-year technical master plans and annual budgets.
  2. Operational Division Oversight: Lead and manage the performance of four core divisions:
  3. Infrastructure Development: Oversee design, construction, and maintenance of hydraulic infrastructure (dams, pump stations, pipelines, networks).
  4. Land Administration: Direct land acquisition, surveying, allocation, and titling in compliance with statutory frameworks.
  5. Agricultural Production & Business Development: Drive modern agronomic practices, yield optimization, and high-efficiency farming.
  6. Agro-Processing & Marketing: Lead value-addition,_ post-harvest technology, and market linkage strategies.
  7. Governance & Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure all activities comply with Board directives and government policy. Serve as the primary technical authority representing GBA to Government, development partners, investors, and communities.

Qualifications and Experience

Academic & Professional:

  1. A Bachelor’s Degree in Irrigation Engineering, Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Land Management, or a related field.
  2. A Master’s Degree in a related field.
  3. Strongly Preferred: Full registration with a recognized professional body.

Work Experience:

  • A minimum of eight (8) years of post-qualification experience at a senior management level in the public or private sector.
  • A distinct advantage: Hands-on experience in the agricultural irrigation sector, major hydraulic infrastructure
  • development, or managing large-scale commercial irrigation projects.

Core Competencies & Knowledge Base

  1. Demonstrable ability to lead multidisciplinary teams (engineers, agronomists, land experts) to achieve unified strategic targets.
  2. Strong commercial acumen with a proven track record of shifting operations toward revenue-generating models.
  3. Exceptional skills in negotiation, stakeholder management, and Board-level reporting.
  4. Technical proficiency with modern management systems (e.g., GIS, AutoCAD, project management software, ERPs).
  5. Uncompromising ethics with zero tolerance for corruption or procedural non-compliance.

APPOINTMENT AND REMUNERATION

Successful candidates will be offered a three (3) year renewable performance-related contract, accompanied by an attractive salary and benefits package commensurate with the seniority of the role.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Interested persons should submit their applications, under confidential cover, with a detailed Curriculum Vitae, copies of academic certificates, contact details, and names of three (3) traceable referees. Applications must be sent by post or hand-delivered to:

The Comptroller of Statutory Corporations
P.O. Box 30061
LILONGWE 3
Physical Address: Capital Hill, GOCH-7, Ground Floor
Closing Date: 4th September 2026

Note: The Greenbelt Authority is an equal opportunity employer.

Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged and invited for interviews.