Change Champions Program Manager

Job Description

The 5-year, USAID-funded Transforming Higher Education Systems project, implemented by Michigan State University (MSU), is seeking a Change Champions (CC) Program Manager to join our Malawi-based project team. The successful candidate will support the Chief of Party (COP) to carry out the Change Champions Program (CCP). The CCP is an institutional and individual capacity strengthening program consisting of an initial period of institutional assessments and CC selection across Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), a series of technical training workshops to support the development of Malawi-led innovation projects, and a coaching program to mentor Malawians as they develop these projects. The MSU-based CC program team will oversee the design and ongoing advising of the program.

The CC Program Manager will be charged with managing in-country operations of the CC Program, particularly with the participating HEIs and individuals associated with these HEIs (I.e., CCs) namely, Malawian professors, staff, and practitioners. The CC Manager will support a capacity strengthening approach that utilizes human-centered design (HCD) to guide the development of innovations in teaching, research, and student support services to address challenges in the Malawian HE system. In addition, this individual will support recruiting, monitoring, and training coaches of CCs. Finally, the CC Program Manager will develop material to support and manage effective coaching both in-person and remotely

The CC Program Manager will directly report to the Chief of Party (COP) and work in close coordination with the MSU-based CC program team. They will be responsible for ensuring effective communication and coordination between the in-country office team and the MSU-based regarding CC program specifically. This individual will also provide administrative backstopping to support the COP and other in-country staff, for the USAID-funded THES project. The CC Program Manager will cultivate and manage relationships with HEIs, as well as other institutions. Including polytechnics, technical training institutes, colleagues, and vocational training centers, senior Government of Malawi officials, and development partners.

Key roles include:

• Managing day-to-day project implementation in Malawi regarding the mentoring of innovators via design thinking processes Supporting the development of a mentoring program for the CCP as well as a training program for coaches
• In coordination with COP and Fiscal Officer (FO), guiding and monitoring programmatic and operational implementation to ensure compliance with all USAID, MSU, and project policies.
• Working with COP and the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to assess progress on project objectives and maintain regular contact with partners, key staff, and consultants;
• Ensuring CC workplans address Malawi HE issues in specified timelines.
• Contributing content to quarterly and annual reports.
• In coordination with the COP, representing the project in public and professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations
• Representing the project during donor and high-level visits, especially those from United State Government and private agencies
• Supporting written correspondence to the donor as needed.

Required qualifications

• A Bachelors’ degree in a relevant field, such as higher education, educational administration, project management, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), adult and lifelong education, teacher education, international development, or other social/behavioral sciences.
• 2-3 years of experience in a leadership position involved in implementing a complex, donor-funded project.
• Competencies in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (for monitoring project progress)
• Strong understanding of HEIs in Malawi.
• Strong familiarity with design thinking. Ideal candidate has experience applying design thinking in projects and/or teaching design thinking principles
• Demonstrated track record of working in teams, ensuring clear communications and expectations among team members, and fostering partnerships.
• Experience working with senior HE officials, university leadership, ministries, development partners, and international organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to increasing access for marginalized groups to further education/training and/or higher education opportunities.
• Strong command of written and spoken English.

Desired qualifications

• Experience working with USAID or similar donors.
• Graduate degree in relevant field.

Required application materials

• Cover letter
• Resume
• 3 Professional References

Submit application materials to: MalawiTHESjobs@gmail.com with the following in the subject line: CC Program Manager Posting.

Applications due by Thursday, February 16, 2023 by 17:00 EST.

About the Organization

Michigan State University has been intentionally global for more than 60 years, and is known worldwide as a top research university. It is home to renowned scholars and scientists from around the globe and a vibrant and diverse community of undergraduates and graduate students. MSU leverages international partnerships with scientists and practitioners from academia, the government, private sector, and strategically chosen research and development organizations to create new knowledge and explore innovative and practical solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.