Program Manager at Vital Strategies

Job Description

Job Summary

The Program Manager will provide technical support in enhancing health systems’ capacity to reduce lead poisoning and to oversee our field research in Malawi. The manager will offer epidemiological and programmatic support, including supporting the design, implementation, and monitoring of blood lead surveillance in Malawi. The role involves collaborating with a team of environmental health scientists, epidemiologists, clinicians, public health professionals, and statisticians, and partnering with high-level government officials.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Technical and Programmatic Support
  • Collaborate with a team to provide technical support in designing and implementing the lead poisoning prevention program;
  • Assist in guiding and building the capacity of government and non-government staff to implement the lead poisoning prevention program;
  • Provide support in the development of a surveillance framework, standardizing surveillance procedures, and obtaining ethical approval;
  • Train and monitor activities of field surveillance teams;
  • Support organizing technical discussions, journalist training;
  • Provide support on policy analysis;
  • Facilitate training sessions for health officials, frontline workers, journalists, and other stakeholders.  
• Stakeholder Management
  • Assist in developing and maintaining partnerships with government and non-government stakeholders across various sectors, including health, environment, academic and research institutions, etc;
  • In collaboration with the supervisor, serve as the Vital Strategies focal point and representative for key stakeholders.
• Data Management
  • With designated personnel, monitor data collection, ensure data quality, and manage data sets;
  • Provide on-ground monitoring through regular visits to selected surveillance sites;
  • Work with senior epidemiologists to clean, analyze, and report surveillance data, ensuring the quality of surveillance data.
• Communication
  • Create presentations, technical reports, and non-technical summaries for varied audiences, including policy-makers and the general public;
  • Disseminate and present report findings to stakeholders and promote data use for policy and planning.
• Operations and Administration
  • Supervise and support a small, dispersed team;
  • Assist with program start-up, logistics, contracting, expense monitoring, activity reporting, and procurement;
  • Oversee payment processing for program team members and vendors, collaborating with the Finance and Operations teams of the Vital Strategies office;
  • Submit program and financial updates and project reports for Malawi;
  • Coordinate activities with the initiative’s partner organizations;
  • Assist with other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Educational Qualifications, Experience, & Skills Required

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, environmental science, or related public health field (e.g., biostatistics, demography) or public administration.
• Demonstrated familiarity with public health systems, health programs, disease surveillance programs, and health and environmental risk assessment;
• Understanding of advocacy for evidence-based interventions and how to navigate bureaucratic processes;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines;
• Ability to work independently while coordinating with diverse teams and stakeholders;
• Ability to be flexible with colleagues across time zones.
• Excellent communication skills to convey technical information to diverse audiences. Professional oral and written proficiency in native language and English;
• Proven ability to interpret public health data, generate actionable insights, and support policy recommendations;
• Ability to anticipate challenges, develop solutions, and adapt to evolving program needs;
• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office suite;
• Passion for addressing environmental health challenges and improving community well-being;
• Ability to build strong, ongoing, impactful relationships at all organizational levels and across a diverse range of cultural, generational, ethnic, racial, educational, and social backgrounds;
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Minimum of six to seven years of experience in epidemiology, environmental health, global health, and/or program implementation