Project Officer

With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life.

We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Key Responsibilities

• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & CAPACITY BUILDING
• Develop the process of involving at various levels of participation, empowerment and capacity of groups of communities to address issues affecting child well‑being.
• Assess and build capacity of communities to take action that produces positive and sustainable changes locally.
• Facilitate community participation in the implementation of disability interventions to foster agency, empowerment and transformational development.
• Build relationships with communities and stakeholders to foster disability inclusion.
• Conduct awareness campaigns and community sensitization on disability issues.
• Identify capacity gaps for community partners.
• Develop training plan to address identified gaps for staff and community partners.
• Provide GESI and disability awareness and technical assistance for accessibility improvements.
• Promote inclusive education through teacher/parents training.
• Mentor and coach community groups (volunteers, committees and stakeholders, parents with children with disabilities) on disability inclusion.
• Build capacity of volunteers/parents/community members on case management for children with disabilities.
• DISABILITY PROGRAMMING AND CHILD‑WELL BEING
• Ensure access and participation to quality education for children with disabilities in mainstream schools and appropriate healthcare services, including specialized care.
• Provide support from an early age, including assessments and therapies.
• Address dietary needs and feeding challenges of children with disabilities by linking with relevant TP sectors.
• Offer caregiver/parent training for better understanding and care and create support networks.
• Conduct campaigns to reduce stigma and increase understanding.
• Advocate for and create physically accessible environments.
• Gather data and conduct research on disability issues.
• Train staff, communities, and local organizations on disability inclusion.
• Establish and maintain functionality of child‑friendly spaces such as Children’s Clubs, Bible Clubs, IMPACT+ Clubs, Child Parliament.
• Facilitate case management implementation for assessments, individualized plans, service coordination, continuous improvement.
• PROGRAM PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING & LEARNING
• Develop inclusive program design, with detailed implementation strategies and budget.
• Promote accessible services and infrastructure using social‑ecological model.
• Facilitate data and knowledge generation to produce valuable insights into the experiences, challenges, and successes of individuals with disabilities within the project.
• Facilitate capacity building and training for programs for staff, community members, and stakeholders.
• Facilitate iterative learning processes and adaptations to foster improvement in project strategies.
• Facilitate efficient and timely implementation of planned activities with more focus on community engagement, child participation, child protection, advocacy, spiritual nurture of children.
• Report child sponsorship‑related high‑risk incidents that may significantly threaten the life of a child.
• COLLABORATION & PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
• Facilitate the establishment of community networks, coalitions and partnerships for children with disabilities.
• Empower individuals with disabilities through leadership, project planning and advocacy training.
• Establish partnerships with disability‑focused organizations and government agencies.
• Advocate for policy changes with advocacy groups and government agencies.
• Engage in cross‑sector collaborations, learning, networking, resources for accessibility and inclusion.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to leverage expertise and resources for disability inclusion initiatives.
• CHILD PROTECTION, DISABILITY, ADVOCACY & POLICY ENGAGEMENT
• Facilitate compliance with GESI, DEI, disability, child and adult safeguarding and related policies.
• Facilitate and support implementation of local‑level advocacy efforts for child well‑being through CPA/CVA.
• Advocate for the rights and well‑being of individuals with disabilities at local and national levels.
• Monitor changes in disability‑related policies and regulations.
• Engage with government agencies and stakeholders to influence policy changes and promote inclusive practices.
• Engage with key stakeholders at community, district and national levels on matters of disabilities, child protection and well‑being (including youth groups, faith groups).
• Ensure that the national advocacy agenda on GESI (disability) and child protection is prioritized and achieved.
• Represent WVM at appropriate national/district TWGs for coordination, advocacy coalitions on issues related to GESI (disability) or child protection.
• Participate in global and regional child protection/GESI communities of practice, regional child protection and GESI initiatives.

Minimum qualification required

Degree in Education, Inclusive or Special Needs Education, Social Sciences, Disability Studies, Development Studies or any other relevant field.

Experience

At least 3 years of broad and deep experience in community engagement, disability programming, education, child protection and advocacy.

Skills

Excellent facilitation, collaboration, communication, project management and critical analysis skills.

Previous experience of working with grassroots development structures including Village Development Committee, Area Development Committee and school‑based structures such as Parents and Teachers Association, School Management Committee and Disabled People Organizations.

Experience of working with children with disabilities is desirable.

• Basic understanding of transformational approaches in development.
• Excellent written and presentation skills in English and any one local language in Malawi.
• Basic understanding of community‑based development/Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) approaches.
• Strong leadership skills including the ability to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing child‑focused development projects.
• Professional level of specialized knowledge to manage complex tasks, programs or projects.
• Proven sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively, analyze and be innovative, set priorities, manage work plans and.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

NOTE* Qualified persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicant Types Accepted

• Local Applicants Only
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