Field Officer (2)

Job Title: Field Officer

Project: Acting Together for Responsive and Integrated Systems for children’s access to education in Emergencies 

Location: 1 in Balaka and1 Zomba
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Duration: 21 months
Reporting to: Technical Coordinator (AA / Child Protection & MHPSS)

Start Date: As soon as possible

Project Overview: ECHO ARISE

The Acting Together for Responsive and Integrated Systems for Children’s Access to Education in Emergencies (ARISE) is an ECHO HIP funded 2-year regional program that aims to enhance girls’ and boys’ access to safe, protective, inclusive and uninterrupted learning and supportive services for their well-being during crises in Malawi and Zimbabwe. The project specifically aims to strengthen the education and protection systems (at regional, national, district and community level) to proactively anticipate, prepare, adapt and respond to multi hazard shocks while utilizing an integrated approachthat brings together Education in Emergencies (EiE), Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPHA) and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to ensure there is comprehensive continuity of learning for girls and boys in safe, protective, supportive and inclusive environments during crisis, as part of addressing the SADCs 2024 Drought Appeal’s concern regarding education disruption and child wellbeing.

ARISE prioritizes inclusion through targeted support for vulnerable groups, especially girls, out of school children and children with disabilities, responding to ECHO HIP 2025 Pillar II on EiE as well as strengthening the priorities of Pillar 1 and 3.  ARISE has also prioritized comprehensive locally-led preparedness, anticipatory action and rapid response of multi-hazard shocks.

ARISE project is led by Save the Children, and in Malawi will be implemented in Zomba and Balaka districts by Girls Empowerment Network (GENET) in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

Purpose of the Role

Field Officers will be responsible for day-to-day implementation, community engagement, monitoring, and supportof education, child protection, MHPSS, and anticipatory action activities at community and school levels. They will serve as the critical link between the project team and local communities, schools, and government structures.

Key Responsibilities

1. Activity Implementation

• Support delivery of project activities across EiE, child protection, MHPSS, and anticipatory action components.
• Facilitate training sessions for learners, teachers, caregivers, community leaders, and youth groups.
• Monitor implementation of school safety plans, MHPSS initiatives, and early action protocols.

2. Community Mobilization and Engagement

• Mobilize community members, learners, teachers, and child protection committees to participate in project activities.
• Promote inclusive participation, especially of girls, women, and vulnerable groups.
• Support formation and strengthening of community-based child protection and early warning structures.

3. Early Warning and Preparedness

• Support communities and schools in identifying local hazards, mapping risks, and applying early warning indicators.
• Participate in the dissemination and activation of anticipatory action messages and triggers.

4. Case Identification and Referral

• Identify and refer children in need of protection, MHPSS support, or other services through established pathways.
• Work with community case workers, mentors, and frontline responders to monitor follow-ups.

5. Data Collection and Reporting

• Conduct regular monitoring visits and collect data using digital tools (e.g., Kobo, ODK).
• Provide accurate and timely reports to Technical Coordinators.
• Document lessons learned, success stories, and challenges from the field.

6. Coordination and Representation

• Represent the project at community-level meetings and interface platforms.
• Liaise with school committees, mother groups, traditional and faith leaders, and government extension workers to foster ownership and collaboration.

Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma or degree in Community Development, Social Work, Disaster Risk Management, or related field.
• At least 2 years’ experience in community-level project implementation (EiE, child protection, or resilience programming).
• Experience working in rural Malawian settings with schools, youth, and community structures.
• Basic knowledge of child safeguarding, MHPSS, and early warning systems.
• Fluent in Chichewa and English (spoken and written).
• Must be a resident of or familiar with Balaka or Zomba District.

Key Competencies

• Strong facilitation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Familiarity with participatory training and child-friendly communication methods.
• Proficiency in mobile data collection (Kobo, ODK) and Microsoft Office.
• Commitment to gender equality, child protection, and safeguarding.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3: the responsibility of this post requires the post holder to have regular contact with children especially adolescent girls and boys, children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups of children. This is expected to be done frequently and intensively during the implementation of this project in the impact areas in Malawi. As such, the post holder is expected to have a clean child safeguarding record as well as the required practical skills for level 3 of child safeguarding.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role to recruitment@genetmalawi.org by 11th July, 2025 5pm CAT. Please include Field Officer– ECHO ARISE in the subject line.