Program Officer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT@ RAYS OF HOPE MINISTRIES

POSITION: PROGRAM OFFICER 

Location: Blantyre

BACKGROUND 

Rays of Hope Ministries is a local Christian organization in Malawi, operating in 12 education districts and implementing education interventions. The organization continues to grow and is driven by its vision of ensuring that every child and youth has access to transformative education.

In pursuit of this vision, the organization is inviting applications from competent and experienced individuals to fill the position below

Position Details

Position: Program Officer  

Reports To: Programs Coordinator

Role Purpose  

The Programs Officer will support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the organization’s program initiatives, including Academic Innovation, Academic Inclusion, and Economic Integration, as well as any other duties assigned by the supervisor. The core purpose of this role is to lead and support the delivery of program activities within assigned schools and communities to ensure effective implementation and achievement of program objectives.

Key Responsibilities  

The Programs Officer will support the Programs Coordinator in implementing program activities with quality and impact. In collaboration with the Coordinator, the officer will allocate time as follows: 60% to Academic Innovation, 20% to Academic Inclusion, and 20% to Economic Integration. The officer will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Programme Implementation

VIA Safe Mobility Programme

Coordinate the deployment of the VIA Safe Mobility Program in designated schools and surrounding communities.

Lead activities that promote safe mobility for children and youth in schools and communities.

Train teachers, Safe Mobility Ambassadors, educators, and local partners on the VIA Programme approaches and methodologies.

Assist ambassadors in analyzing local mobility conditions, developing prevention posters, and formulating safety recommendations.

Academic Innovation

Support the Programs Coordinator in the design, implementation, monitoring, and documentation of Academic Innovation activities, specifically with the Teacher Skill Strengthening initiative (TSSP), Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL, Remedial Initiatives, and other related program activities as assigned to you.

Assist TSSP officers in conducting training interventions with teachers and government partners.

Support the administration of baseline, midline, and endline assessments for Teaching at the Right Level and other TaRL interventions.

Support remedial initiatives (Afterschool) and contribute to the monitoring and documentation of interventions.

Academic Inclusion

Work with the Programs Coordinator to support the provision of secondary school bursaries.

Facilitate coaching and mentorship sessions with secondary school students in our Academic Inclusion Program.

Support the operation of tech hub activities to ensure quality delivery and achievement of program objectives.

Economic Integration

Collaborate with the Programs Coordinator and other Programs Field Officers in the implementation of the Economic Integration Program.

Assist the coordinator in training youth in business development, running and entrepreneurship.

Support the running of Village Savings and Loan (VSL) groups making sure that they are functional and are contributing towards the economic independence of the youth involved.

Assist in youth leadership and job skills training providing youth in the afterschool initiatives with job skills, computer training with integration of faith.

Support the monitoring and documentation of program data and success stories.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships  

The Programs Officer will support the Programs Coordinator in building and strengthening Rays of Hope’s relationships with key programs stakeholders through the following responsibilities:

Build and maintain collaborative relationships with school leadership, community structures, TotalEnergies Malawi, government authorities, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure buy-in, active participation, and successful implementation of the VIA Safe Mobility Programme.

Organize safe mobility interventions and stakeholder meetings, including volunteering activities, safety walks, awareness campaigns, and community engagements with parents and community members to promote advocacy and safer travel habits.

Build and maintain cordial relationships with program stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and youth.

Support the coordination of termly meetings with teachers and with parents and guardians, including home visits under the remedial initiatives, to strengthen stakeholder relationships and program engagement.

Collaborate with Economic Integration Program staff to build good working relationships with youth and government partners, including facilitation of youth trainings.

Support the Coordinator’s efforts to strengthen the organization’s relationships with government institutions and other partners.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

Monitor the implementation of key programs against key performance indicators, including the collection of success stories.

Collect and analyze data to measure the impact of awareness-raising activities and safety improvements around schools.

Submit timely, accurate, and high-quality activity and monthly reports to the Programs Coordinator on Academic Innovation, Academic Inclusion, and Economic Integration.

Qualifications

Applicants should have a degree-level qualification in education with experience in the implementation of numeracy and literacy education programs.

Other Essential Attributes

At least three (3) to five (5) years’ experience in the field of Education, specifically, teaching in public primary schools.

Skills in community mobilization, especially involvement of parents in supporting learning for their children, capacity building, and group facilitation.

Experience working with Nongovernmental organizations and government officials will be an added advantage.

Willing and committed to work in challenging conditions especially in the hardest to reach areas.

Good personal and organizational skills, including time management, and the ability to meet deadlines under pressure.

Excellent communication (written and oral communication) and interpersonal skills.

Ability and flexibility to work with a team.

Motorcycle license is a must.

Mode of Application  

Through Email, interested persons meeting the above specifications should submit applications with a detailed Curriculum Vitae as one document, naming 3 traceable referees to recruitment@raysofhopemalawi.org, addressing:

The Human Resource and Administration Officer  

Rays of Hope Ministries,  

P.O. Box E365, Post Dot Net,  

Blantyre, Malawi

Please, send your emails with a subject line that corresponds to the specific position you are applying for, e.g., Basic Education field officer.

Closing date for receiving applications is Friday, 28th April, 2026. Rays of Hope Ministries is an equal opportunity employer. Due to anticipated large volumes of applications, only short-listed candidates will be acknowledged.