18/12/2024
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) is the permanent institution of the Catholic Bishops of Malawi. It was established in 1961 with the approval of the Holy See. It is an assembly of two Archdioceses of Blantyre and Lilongwe, and six Dioceses of Chikwawa, Zomba, Mangochi, Dedza, Mzuzu and Karonga.
The ECM Vision Statement: “Family of God filled with the Holy Spirit living in harmony, peace and solidarity.”
The ECM Mission Statement: The Catholic Church is committed to providing holistic evangelisation through teaching the word of God, and facilitating development work.
The ECM Core Values:
The ECM is currently guided by the following core values:
The Dignity of the Human Person and Sanctity of Life, Common Good, Solidarity, Subsidiarity, Liberation and Preferential Option for the Poor, Integrity of creation/ Stewardship, Love and Justice, Justice as a Constitutive Dimension of Evangelisation, Peace, Moral integrity and accountability.
The Catholic Health Commission (CHC) is the health advocacy arm of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) working in health. CHCs Mission is to Continue the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Health Commission (CHC) was established to continue with the healing ministry of Jesus Christ through promotion of human life by coordinating and providing non-discriminatory, affordable and quality health services to rural and urban areas. CHC reaches out to all districts in the country through the Diocesan Offices.
CHC is partnering Save the Children International to implement a project in Climate Resilient Health with support from the Green Climate Fund. The project, Climate resilient health and well-being for rural communities in Southern Malawi, aims to directly benefit an estimated 1.7 million people - 22% of the population - across six districts in southern Malawi over the next five years. It will focus on women, children and other vulnerable groups who are most affected by climate shocks such as cyclones, floods and droughts.
The project will also strengthen the resilience of health centres, hospitals and water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure; support and train healthcare staff to improve the monitoring, treatment, prevention and public health messaging around disease; and support communities to manage a range of impacts of climate change on health, particularly focusing on marginalised groups, including pregnant women and households with children under two.
The Catholic Health Commission therefore invites applications from interested and qualified candidates to fill the following positions:
Job Title: Project Officer (6 Positions)
Reports to: Programmes Coordinator
Location: Ntcheu, Balaka, Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Phalombe.
ROLE PURPOSE
The primary function of the Project Officer is to ensure that all project activities implemented by CHC in the districts contribute significantly towards the Climate Resilient Health and Well-Being for Rural Communities. The responsible officer will work with other key stakeholders from the District Health office and the District Council. The incumbent will assist in the coordination of project activities and resources including Field Officers and volunteers and ensure achievement of project deliverables within agreed timeframes at the district and community level.
KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
i. Developing detailed district plans, budgets ,setting timelines, and ensuring that activities are implemented according to plan and budget. This includes coordinating with various stakeholders and managing resources effectively
ii. Working closely with rural communities to understand their needs and priorities. This involves organizing community meetings, workshops, and training sessions to engage and empower community members.
iii. Training and supporting local healthcare staff, community health workers, and volunteers on climate-resilient practices and emergency response protocols.
iv. Regularly monitoring project activities and evaluating their impact to ensure the project's goals are met.
v. Preparing detailed reports on project activities, challenges, and successes
vi. Working with local authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to climate resilience and health promotion.
vii. Identifying and addressing challenges that arise during the project implementation and finding ways of addressing them.
viii. Promoting the project's goals and advocating for policy changes that support climate resilience and health improvement.
ix. Managing teams of Field Officers and volunteers aligned to various interventions.
x. Coaching and mentoring of Field Officers, volunteers and beneficiaries to ensure that they achieve their targets and realize program goal.
And any other tasks that may be assigned in the course of the project.
QUALIFICATIONS
A Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health, or Nursing and Midwifery, Public Health, Social Science, or Community Development or equivalent qualifications.
REQUIREMENTS – SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND KNOWLEDGE
i. Strong computer literate skills
ii. Strong skills in planning, organizing, and overseeing project activities.
iii. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage with rural communities, build trust, and facilitate participation.
iv. Understanding of public health principles and climate change impacts on health.
v. Proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to monitor project progress and evaluate outcomes.
vi. Ability to train and support healthcare staff, community health workers, and volunteers on climate-resilient practices and emergency response.
vii. Able to prepare detailed reports, documenting activities, and communicating progress to stakeholders and donors.
viii. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address challenges and develop practical solutions.
ix. Experience in writing winning grant proposals.
x. Ability to work collaboratively with local authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach.
xi. Skills in advocating for policy changes and promoting the project's goals to external stakeholders.
xii. Understanding and respect for local cultures and traditions to ensure that interventions are culturally appropriate and effective.
xiii. Valid and Clean Motorcycle Driver’s License, those willing to learn using their own resources within three months of employment will be considered
Job Title: Field Officer (9 Positions)
Reports to: Programmes Coordinator
Location: Ntcheu, Balaka, Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Phalombe.
KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
i. Work directly with rural communities to raise awareness about climate change impacts on health and well-being.
ii. Organize workshops, training sessions, and community meetings to educate and empower beneficiaries
iii. Monitor climate-related health issues such as malaria, diarrheal diseases, and heat-related illnesses for early detection and timely intervention.
iv. Disseminate important health information and guidelines to help communities mitigate climate-related health risks. This includes promoting preventive measures and healthy practices.
v. Train beneficiaries on climate-resilient practices and emergency response protocols to manage climate-related health risks.
vi. Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports, document challenges and successes, and report back to the project officer to make necessary adjustments.
vii. Collaborate with local authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to climate resilience and health promotion.
viii. Any other duties assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
A minimum of a Diploma in Community Health, or Public Health, or Social science, or Community Development or equivalent qualifications.
REQUIREMENTS – SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND KNOWLEDGE
i. Strong computer literate skills
ii. Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with rural communities, build trust, and facilitate workshops and training sessions.
iii. Knowledge of public health principles and data collection methods to monitor and report climate-related health issues.
iv. Ability to create and deliver clear, culturally appropriate health messages to educate communities on preventive measures and healthy practices.
v. Skills in assessing and supporting the resilience of health, water, and sanitation infrastructure, including understanding climate-resilient construction practices.
vi. Training skills to educate community members on climate-resilient practices and emergency response protocols.
vii. Ability to work collaboratively with local authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to climate resilience and health promotion.
viii. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address challenges and adapt strategies as needed.
ix. Flexibility and adaptability to work in diverse and sometimes challenging rural environments.
x. Understanding and respect for local cultures and traditions to ensure that interventions are culturally appropriate and effective.
xi. Valid and Clean Motorcycle Driver’s License. Those willing to learn using their own resources within three months of employment will be considered.
Applicants should take note that ECM complies with international safeguarding standards and principles. Therefore, successful candidates will be required to sign the ECM Safeguarding Code of Conduct prior to engagement.
Only persons with relevant qualifications should apply enclosing CVs and photocopies of certificates with contacts of THREE traceable referees, and other relevant documents. Please indicate the district and position you are applying for on the subject.All applications should be sent to:
The Secretary General
Catholic Secretariat
P O Box 30384
Capital City
LILONGWE 3
Or
Email: ecm@ecmmw.org
The closing date to receive applications is 23rd December, 2024
