Country Implementation Lead at Healthy Learners

, , Malawi -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

05 Jun, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

07 Mar, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Government Engagement, Stakeholder Mapping, MOU Negotiation, Policy Integration, Political Economy Analysis, Systems Assessment, Program Transition, Fiscal Landscape Analysis, Risk Mitigation, Coordination Mechanisms, Program Design, Consultancy

Industry

Non-profit Organizations

Description

SHORT TERM ENGAGEMENT TERMS OF REFERENCE Title: Country Implementation Lead (Consultant) – Malawi Location: Malawi Duration: 6 months Start Date: APRIL 2026 Background Healthy Learners partners with governments to embed school-based healthcare within national health and education systems. Following national scale progress in Zambia, Healthy Learners is exploring disciplined, milestone-based expansion to Malawi as its first additional country. This engagement represents a structured pre-implementation phase focused on validating readiness, establishing government alignment, and defining a potential pilot pathway. This is not a program implementation role at this stage. Purpose of the Role The Country Implementation Lead will serve as Healthy Learners’ senior in-country representative during the pre-entry phase. The consultant will: Support structured government engagement with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education Conduct landscape analysis, including partner and stakeholder mapping, to inform entry feasibility and government alignment strategy Support development and negotiation of a potential Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Lay the groundwork for a government-led pilot This role may evolve into a longer-term country leadership position contingent on readiness milestones and mutual fit. Scope of Work 1. Government Engagement & Alignment Facilitate structured engagement with MOH and MOE leadership and technical teams Identify and cultivate focal points across ministries Support co-creation of a draft MOU outlining roles, responsibilities, and cost-sharing principles Advise on inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms Surface risks related to political transitions or bureaucratic constraints 2. Systems & Operational Assessment Assess existing school health policies and implementation structures Map supervision systems, referral pathways, training platforms, and commodity flows Identify alignment opportunities with existing government and donor-funded programs Recommend potential pilot districts or entry geographies if appropriate 3. Landscape & Political Economy Analysis Conduct landscape analysis, including structured partner and stakeholder mapping across government, donors, and implementing organizations Map influence, financing flows, and existing school health or child health initiatives Identify alignment opportunities and duplication risks Provide recommendations to guide positioning and engagement strategy Deliverables Within the consultancy period, the consultant will produce: Deliverable Timeline Description Key Components 1. Landscape & Partner Analysis Report within 45 days Comprehensive landscape report documenting Malawi’s readiness for a government-led School Health Program aligned to Healthy Learners’ mission and systems-embedded model. Policy & Systems Landscape • Status of school health policy and implementation structures • MOH/MOE coordination mechanisms • Supervision (at all levels), referral, commodity, and training systems Political & Fiscal Landscape • Budget cycles and fiscal space realities • Domestic financing pathways • Political economy considerations Partner & Donor Mapping • Government actors (formal & informal influence) • Implementing partners and NGOs • Multilateral and bilateral donors • Existing school health / child health initiatives • Alignment opportunities and duplication risks Entry Feasibility Assessment • Key risks and mitigation pathways • Clear summary of enabling conditions vs constraints 2. Stakeholder Engagement Strategy Within 45 days Structured stakeholder engagement roadmap directly informed by the Landscape & Partner Analysis. • Stakeholder prioritization (High / Medium / Monitor) • Engagement sequencing (who first, why, and when) • Engagement objectives per stakeholder • Messaging framework aligned to HL’s mission • Risk mitigation considerations • Proposed cadence of engagement over next 6–9 months 3. Early MOU Development As aligned with engagement progress Support initial alignment discussions and development of a draft MOU framework • Identification of government focal points • Agreement in principle on roles and responsibilities • Cost-sharing principles • Pilot scope parameters (if appropriate) • Governance and coordination structure outline 4. Engagement Closeout Memo End of consultancy Executive summary for Healthy Learners leadership. • Summary of landscape findings • Stakeholder alignment outlook • MOU readiness status • General Recommendations: Proceed / Extend Pre-Implementation / Pause / Exit Profile & Experience We are seeking a senior leader with: 10+ years experience in Malawi’s health and/or education sectors Strong working relationships within the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education Demonstrated experience negotiating, drafting, or operationalizing MOUs between governments and development partners Experience supporting public-sector programs through policy integration and budget alignment Deep understanding of Malawi’s political economy and fiscal landscape Experience working with donor-funded programs and navigating multi-stakeholder environments Strong written analytical skills and ability to produce structured decision memos High integrity, political neutrality, and systems orientation Preferred: Prior role as senior government official, advisor, or country director Experience transitioning programs from donor-supported to government-led models Experience leading or standing up new country operations Location Malawi (Remote) Department Programs Employment Type Contractor Minimum Experience Senior Manager/Supervisor

Responsibilities

The Country Implementation Lead will act as the senior in-country representative during the pre-entry phase, focusing on supporting structured government engagement with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education. Key tasks include conducting landscape analysis, mapping stakeholders, and supporting the development and negotiation of a potential Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).