Programmes Manager

PROGRAMMES MANAGER – SKIN CANCER PREVENTION

Beyond Suncare – Malawi

Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Position: Programmes Manager
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports to: Country Director
Direct Reports: Two Project Officers
Application Deadline: 31 August 2026

About Beyond Suncare

In Malawi, Beyond Suncare is implementing a comprehensive skin cancer prevention programme for persons with albinism, working to reduce preventable skin cancer morbidity and mortality. We achieve this through increased access to sun protection, targeted health education, early detection of suspicious lesions, quality dermatological care, effective referral pathways, and strengthened capacity of the national health system.

Our work is driven by a commitment to the health, wellbeing, dignity, and social inclusion of people with albinism. We collaborate closely with government structures, communities, organisations of persons with albinism, health facilities, and development partners to ensure that our interventions are sustainable and deeply integrated into existing health systems.

As we expand our impact in Malawi, we are seeking an exceptional Programmes Manager who is not just a programme administrator, but a passionate leader ready to spearhead this vital skin cancer prevention initiative.

Position Overview

The Programmes Manager will provide overall strategic, technical, and operational leadership for BSC Malawi’s skin cancer prevention programme for persons with albinism. This is the core of our work in Malawi.

The role is responsible for the full programme cycle: from designing and implementing evidence-informed interventions, to strengthening health systems, building partnerships, and ensuring rigorous monitoring, learning, and sustainability. You will lead a dedicated team and work with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that our programmes are effective, responsive, and deliver measurable improvements in the health and wellbeing of persons with albinism.

Your core purpose is to lead this flagship programme, reducing preventable skin cancer and improving long-term health outcomes for persons with albinism in Malawi.

Key Responsibilities

1. Skin Cancer Prevention Programme Leadership

• Provide overall technical and programme leadership for BSC’s skin cancer prevention programme for persons with albinism.
• Ensure the implementation of evidence-informed interventions addressing sun exposure, skin cancer prevention, early identification of suspicious lesions, referral, dermatological care, and appropriate follow-up.
• Oversee strategies to improve access to and appropriate use of sun protection products, including health education and behaviour-change approaches.
• Strengthen the capacity of health workers to identify, manage, and refer dermatological conditions and suspected skin cancers among persons with albinism.
• Ensure programme approaches are responsive to the lived realities and unique needs of persons with albinism.
• Work with government and health-system partners to integrate skin cancer prevention and dermatological services into routine health services.
• Use programme data to monitor coverage, quality, access, early detection, referrals, treatment, and prevention outcomes.
• Ensure lessons from implementation are documented and used to improve the programme and inform its scale-up.

2. Programme Management & Quality Oversight

• Translate BSC’s strategic priorities into clear annual work plans, milestones, and deliverables.
• Lead the planning, implementation, and overall management of the programme portfolio, ensuring activities are on time, within budget, and of the highest quality.
• Establish effective programme management systems, including regular planning and review meetings, progress tracking, and problem-solving mechanisms.
• Promote a culture of learning, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement across the programme team.

3. Health-System Strengthening & Sustainability

• Lead efforts to integrate BSC interventions into existing health-system structures and government programmes.
• Strengthen the capacity of health workers, district health teams, and other relevant stakeholders to sustain interventions.
• Identify and develop strategies that reduce long-term dependence on project-based delivery and strengthen sustainable local systems for dermatological care.

4. Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the Ministry of Health, District Councils, health facilities, organisations of persons with albinism, partners, and donors.
• Represent BSC in relevant technical working groups, coordination meetings, and stakeholder forums.
• Coordinate programme implementation with partners to ensure clarity of roles and alignment with BSC’s objectives.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Reporting

• Ensure effective programme monitoring and use of data for decision-making.
• Track programme indicators, outputs, outcomes, and impact.
• Ensure the timely preparation and submission of high-quality donor, partner, and internal reports.
• Analyse data to identify trends, challenges, opportunities, and areas for corrective action.
• Promote documentation of programme learning, innovations, success stories, and impact.

6. Financial & Operational Management

• Work with the Country Director and finance team to develop programme budgets, monitor expenditure, and manage burn rates.
• Ensure programme activities are implemented in accordance with approved budgets and organisational policies.
• Promote value for money and the efficient use of programme resources.

7. Resource Mobilisation & Programme Development

• Contribute to the development of new concepts, proposals, and funding opportunities.
• Provide technical input into donor proposals, concept notes, and budgets.
• Support the Country Director in maintaining strong relationships with existing and prospective donors.

8. Team Leadership

• Provide effective supervision, coaching, and mentorship to the two Project Officers.
• Set clear expectations and performance objectives for direct reports.
• Build a collaborative, accountable, and results-oriented programme team.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Social Sciences, or any other relevant discipline.
• A Master’s degree in Public Health, Global Health, Health Systems, Project Management, or another relevant field will be an added advantage.

Professional Experience:

• A minimum of eight 5 years of relevant professional experience in programme or project management, preferably within the health, development, or NGO sector.
• Demonstrated experience in designing, managing, and delivering health or development programmes, including programme planning, implementation, budgeting, monitoring, reporting, evaluation, and learning.
• Demonstrated experience managing and supervising teams, including setting performance expectations, mentoring staff, managing performance, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to develop and manage programme work plans, budgets, implementation schedules, and performance frameworks, and to monitor delivery against agreed objectives, indicators, and targets.
• Demonstrated understanding of health systems and health service delivery in Malawi, with experience working with government health structures at national, district, and/or facility level.
• Experience in health-system strengthening, including integrating programmes into existing government systems, building institutional capacity, and supporting sustainability and scale-up.
• Strong knowledge of and practical experience in skin cancer prevention and dermatological health, with a demonstrated understanding of the specific skin-health risks and needs of persons with albinism.
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, and evidence generation, with the ability to use programme data to identify challenges, improve implementation, and demonstrate impact.
• Experience developing and managing partnerships with government, civil society organisations, organisations of persons with albinism, communities, donors, and other implementing partners.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to communicate technical and complex information to different audiences.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to translate programme evidence into practical actions and strategic recommendations.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and deliver results within tight deadlines.
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and familiarity with digital programme management and reporting tools.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, dignity, and improved health outcomes for persons with albinism and other underserved populations.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required. Knowledge of local Malawian languages will be an added advantage.

The following experience will be considered a significant added advantage:

• Experience in designing or implementing programmes specifically for persons with albinism.
• A clinical qualification or substantial professional experience in dermatology or a related clinical field.
• Experience in proposal development, programme design, resource mobilisation, or fundraising.
• Experience working for or with international NGOs, development organisations, or donor-funded programmes, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience working with disability inclusion, vulnerable populations, non-communicable diseases, or related health and social programmes.

Key Competencies

• Passionate Leadership: A genuine commitment to improving the lives and health of persons with albinism.
• Strategic Programme Leadership: Ability to translate strategy into practical programmes and measurable results.
• Technical Expertise: A strong command of skin cancer prevention and dermatological health principles.
• People Leadership: Ability to develop, motivate, and hold teams accountable.
• Partnership Management: Ability to build productive relationships with government, communities, and partners.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret data and evidence to inform decisions.
• Results Orientation: A strong focus on outcomes, impact, quality, and sustainability.
• Integrity and Accountability: A commitment to ethical and responsible programme management.

What We Are Looking For

Beyond Suncare is looking for a hands-on programme leader, not simply an administrator. The ideal candidate will be just as comfortable developing a programme strategy as they are troubleshooting an implementation challenge at the district level. You will be the driving force behind our mission in Malawi.

We are seeking a leader whose professional experience and personal commitment align with the core purpose of this role: to lead a life-saving skin cancer prevention programme.

How to Apply

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit the following documents as ONE PDF document.

1. Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Application/Cover Letter (clearly demonstrating how your qualifications and experience meet the requirements of the position)
3. Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates

To: projects@beyondsuncare.org.

Application Deadline: 31 August 2026

Applications received after the deadline may not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Beyond Suncare is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity and encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds.