Deputy Director - Scaling Impact Sustainably (Malawi Franchise)
Prevail Fund · Africa
About the organization
Prevail Fund is sponsoring a new implementation-focused organization currently being established in Malawi, to help education program achieve stronger results at scale. In Malawi, many promising interventions struggle because implementation is often weak, inconsistent, or too costly to sustain. While strong program models exist, there are very few local organizations with the operational capacity, systems, and discipline required to deliver large-scale program effectively.
The organization is being created to help close this gap by strengthening program delivery, building practical systems, and supporting high-quality implementation at scale. The model is being tested in Tanzania, which is outperforming other implementing partners on key delivery metrics such as program usage, school monitoring, and operational responsiveness.
Building on these lessons, the organization will support large-scale education program in Malawi and respond to a clear need expressed by partners for stronger local implementation capacity.
About the role
The Deputy Director is the engine of the organization. This is an execution-first role: your job in Year 1 is to prove that the organization can implement program to the highest standard – reliably, on time, and with measurable impact on children's learning outcomes.
You will work with program partners to understand what needs doing, build the systems and tools to deliver it, and then get it done on the ground. You are as comfortable building a work plan as you are troubleshooting a fuel crisis in the field (yes this happens too!).
This is an opportunity for a builder at heart. You will recruit and build a team of ~20 people, set up the organization’s operational infrastructure from scratch, and play a leading role in shaping what this organization becomes. For the right person – someone who wants to be based in Malawi, who cares deeply about implementation quality, and who is energized by building – this role is theirs to make.
What you will do
Operations excellence
Own end-to-end delivery of the organization's program
Design and manage detailed work plans for every program activity, with clear timelines and accountabilities
Ensure implementation is completed to high quality standard – reliably and on schedule
Adapt rapidly to on-the-ground realities (fuel crises, inflation, logistics gaps) with creative, practical solutions
Systems & Data
Build the monitoring, reporting, and operational systems from scratch and maintain those systems
Develop practical tools – trackers, templates, field guides, dashboards – to manage delivery and measure children's outcomes
Create standard operating procedures that can eventually be shared with partner organizations
Team leadership and management
Lead the recruitment of 5 – 6 office-based staff and up to 15 field agents, targeting a team of ~20 by April 2027
Manage, develop, and hold accountable a growing team, building a culture of quality and ownership from day one
Finance, Administration & Support Services Management
Build and support functions including finance, administration, HR, and logistics
Ensure timely budgeting, cash flow planning, procurement, and financial reporting
Strengthen internal controls, compliance, and accountability systems
Ensure support teams are responsive to program implementation needs
Coordinate external service providers, consultants, and vendors when needed
Strategic operations and compliance
Coordinate closely with program partners to align on delivery expectations and resolve issues quickly
Represent professionally to external stakeholders including government, contributing to its credibility and reputation
Serve as a thought partner and right hand to the Managing Director, helping drive organizational strategy, simplify complexity, and identify the highest-value opportunities.
What you will need
These are qualifications we will look for in your application. You don't need to have all of them – but the more boxes you tick, the stronger your application will be.
5+ years of hands-on operations experience – ideally in the weeds building or running a program, not just advising from the outside
Demonstrated experience working on the ground in program delivery in a low-resource setting, preferably sub-Saharan Africa
Track record of recruiting, managing, and developing a team – you know how to hire well and hold people accountable
Strong technical skills: ability to build solid Excel tools (trackers, work plans, dashboards) without relying on a specialist
Experience building systems or SOPs from scratch – you have started things, not just maintained them
Bachelors degree required; Masters degree in a relevant field (Business Administration, Development Studies, Organizational Leadership, or similar) is a strong plus
Based in Malawi or willingness to relocate to Malawi
In addition to the role-specific skills above, we value a set of shared capabilities that define how we work:
Execution Excellence: You deliver high-quality work on time, track your own progress, and stay focused on what matters most. You do not need someone to chase you.
Systems Thinking: You can design a process, spot where it will break, and build in the right checks. You love operational detail and are energized by making things run smoothly.
Communication: You share information clearly and honestly – upward, downward, and across. You give and receive feedback well.
People Management: You build high-performing, motivated teams. You care about people's development and know how to hold them to a high bar with care and respect.
Adaptability: You thrive in ambiguity and respond to change with curiosity rather than resistance. In a start-up environment, things will shift – you are comfortable with that.
About you
You hold yourself to high standards – not for perfection's sake, but because you believe that quality implementation is what actually changes outcomes for children. You take ownership without being asked, you solve problems creatively and proactively, and you finish what you start. When something isn't working, you try a different approach.
You are energized by building. You see the blank page as an opportunity, not a problem. You want to be somewhere you can shape – not just deliver within a structure someone else built.
Relentless Execution: You bring energy and commitment to getting things done. You do not wait to be asked.
High Standards: You believe that only high-quality implementation creates real impact. You care about the work.
Integrity: You do what is right, even when it is harder. You are honest about what is working and what is not.
Humility: You listen, you learn from the field, and you believe you do not have all the answers before you start.
Growth Mindset: You see this role as an opportunity to build something and to grow with it – for the long term.
Location: This position is Malawi based, with preference for someone already based in the region.
Start date: 1 Feb 2027. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Application process Successful candidates will go through:
Initial conversation with the people team (45 minutes)
Take-home exercise (~3hrs)
Hiring Manager interview (90 minutes) and
1:1 conversations with others in the team
Through the process, we’ll share feedback on the assessments, and invite candidates to incorporate it. This mirrors how we work day to day: collaboratively, with openness to feedback and iteration.
Ready to join us? If you’re excited to help us scale, apply using the link below. We review every application and aim to invite successful candidates for an informational call within 3 weeks.