Project Officer – Community Housing Development

Company: Habitat for Humanity Malawi
Location: Mulanje
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Project Management & Community Development
Reports To: Habitability and HDRR Manager
Experience Required: Minimum 5 Years
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Salary: MWK 1,200,000 – MWK 1,500,000 per month (depending on qualifications, experience, and donor project scale)
Industry: Non-Profit, Community Development, Housing & Shelter Programs

Project Officer – Community Housing Development

Job Overview

Habitat for Humanity Malawi (HFHM) is seeking a dedicated and experienced Project Officer to coordinate, implement, monitor, and report on community housing and resilience projects in Mulanje. The successful candidate will support the implementation of the Shifting Identities and Rebuilding Communities Project while ensuring compliance with donor requirements, organizational standards, and community development principles.

This position offers an opportunity to contribute to sustainable housing solutions, community empowerment, disaster resilience, and social development initiatives that positively impact vulnerable households across Malawi.

Job seekers interested in development-sector opportunities can explore additional resources through project officer jobs in Malawi

Key Responsibilities

Project Implementation and Coordination

• Lead the implementation of community housing and shelter projects.
• Coordinate project activities according to approved work plans and timelines.
• Ensure project delivery aligns with donor objectives and organizational goals.
• Facilitate beneficiary identification, mobilization, and verification processes.
• Support construction and housing development activities within project communities.
• Coordinate training activities for artisans and community beneficiaries.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong partnerships with local authorities, government departments, and community leaders.
• Coordinate with Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Area Development Committees (ADCs).
• Facilitate collaboration between project stakeholders and beneficiaries.
• Promote community participation and ownership of project activities.
• Support advocacy and awareness initiatives related to housing and land rights.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Lead Monitoring and Evaluation activities.
• Collect, analyze, and report project performance data.
• Conduct field visits and project assessments.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual project reports.
• Document project achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Ensure accountability and learning processes are integrated into project implementation.

Financial and Resource Management

• Support effective utilization of project resources.
• Monitor project expenditures and budget performance.
• Ensure compliance with donor and organizational financial procedures.
• Collaborate with finance teams to maintain accurate project records.
• Support procurement and resource allocation processes.

Core Duties

Community Development

• Strengthen Community Development initiatives.
• Facilitate beneficiary engagement activities.
• Promote inclusive participation in project interventions.
• Support sustainable development outcomes.

Housing and Shelter Programming

• Coordinate Housing Development activities.
• Support safe construction practices and housing standards.
• Facilitate training on shelter resilience and property rights.
• Promote access to safe and decent housing.

Project Management

• Apply strong Project Management methodologies.
• Manage project timelines, risks, and deliverables.
• Ensure project objectives are achieved effectively.
• Monitor implementation progress and outcomes.

Partnership Building

• Strengthen Stakeholder Engagement processes.
• Build strategic relationships with local partners.
• Support collaborative project implementation.
• Facilitate community and government coordination.

Required Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate expertise in:

• Project Management
• Community Development
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Housing Development
• Program Coordination
• Budget Management
• Data Collection
• Project Reporting
• Risk Management
• Capacity Building
• Community Mobilization
• Donor Compliance
• Strategic Planning
• Partnership Development
• Social Development
• Leadership Skills
• Problem Solving
• Communication Skills
• Field Operations

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Community Development, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Humanities, or a related field from a recognized institution.
• Additional qualifications in development management, monitoring and evaluation, or humanitarian programming will be advantageous.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management and community development.
• Experience in housing, shelter, humanitarian, disaster resilience, or development programs is highly preferred.
• Proven experience coordinating donor-funded projects.
• Strong background in community mobilization and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience managing project budgets and reporting requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates possessing any of the following will have an added advantage:

• MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) experience.
• Housing and shelter sector expertise.
• Disaster risk reduction and resilience programming experience.
• Grant management knowledge.
• Community participation and safeguarding experience.
• Government and NGO partnership management experience.

Training and Development

Habitat for Humanity Malawi supports employee growth through:

• Advanced project management training.
• Community development and mobilization workshops.
• Monitoring and evaluation certification programs.
• Leadership and supervisory development.
• Safeguarding and protection training.
• Financial management and donor compliance workshops.
• Disaster resilience and housing sector capacity-building programs.
• Career development and mentorship opportunities.

Professionals interested in regional employment opportunities may also explore project officer jobs in Rwanda

Salary and Benefits

Compensation Package

• Monthly salary ranging from MWK 1,200,000 – MWK 1,500,000.
• Annual performance reviews.
• Project-related allowances where applicable.
• Professional development support.

Employee Benefits

• Paid annual leave.
• Health and wellness benefits.
• Professional training opportunities.
• Career advancement pathways.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Inclusive and collaborative workplace culture.
• Participation in impactful community development initiatives.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

Habitat for Humanity Malawi maintains a strong commitment to safeguarding, protection, dignity, and respect for all stakeholders. Any form of harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or abuse is strictly prohibited.

The organization promotes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fair and transparent recruitment practices.

For additional African employment resources and career opportunities, candidates may also visit project officer jobs in Eswatini

Working Environment

The Project Officer will work closely with communities, local authorities, donor representatives, technical teams, and development partners. The role involves regular field visits, stakeholder engagement, project monitoring, and active participation in community development initiatives aimed at improving housing conditions and resilience among vulnerable populations.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Detailed Cover Letter.
• Copies of academic qualifications.
• Names and contact details of three traceable referees.

Applications should be addressed to:

The Human Resources & Learning and Organizational Development Manager
Habitat for Humanity Malawi
P.O. Box 1638
Lilongwe, Malawi

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to participate in competency-based interviews, technical assessments, reference checks, and safeguarding screening processes.

Join Habitat for Humanity Malawi and contribute to community transformation through housing development, project management, stakeholder engagement, community resilience, social impact, and sustainable development initiatives that help create a Malawi where everyone has a decent place to live.