Executive Director Standing Voice Malawi

About Standing Voice

Standing Voice (SV) is an international NGO working to protect and promote the rights, wellbeing, and inclusion of people with albinism across East and Southern Africa. In Malawi, SV delivers holistic, community-led programmes spanning health, education, mental health, human rights and livelihoods.

Holding Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), SV has earned the trust of major donors including the European Union, United Nations, Wellcome Trust, and World Bank, alongside a growing network of foundations, philanthropists, and individual supporters. Through these partnerships, over the last 15 years SV has played a key role in strengthening the global albinism movement.

Albinism is a genetic condition that results in melanin deficiency, leading to significant visual impairment and extreme vulnerability to skin cancer, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where few people with albinism live beyond the age of 40. In addition to these health challenges, people with albinism face widespread discrimination, social exclusion, and violent attacks, with hundreds of human rights violations documented since 2006.

SV exists to dismantle these barriers and build systems of support equipped to deliver life-saving healthcare, education, protection, and opportunity, empowering people with albinism to thrive, participate fully, and realise their potential.

As the organisation continues to grow, Standing Voice Malawi seeks an experienced and inspiring leader to drive strategic direction, strengthen influence, and ensure high-quality programme delivery.

The Role

Standing Voice (SV) is seeking an experienced Executive Director (ED) to lead its operations in Malawi. This senior role requires significant NGO leadership experience, ideally within public health, human rights, or disability sectors.

The ED will provide overall strategic, operational, financial, and governance leadership, shaping the organisation’s vision in Malawi, strengthening partnerships, ensuring financial sustainability, enhancing programme quality, and safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of persons with albinism.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead strategic planning and organisational growth in line with Standing Voice’s mission.

• Strengthen governance, systems, and policies to ensure compliance and sustainability.

• Represent Standing Voice Malawi with government, donors, partners, and external stakeholders.

• Advocate for policy change and provide thought leadership on albinism, disability, inclusion,  and human rights.

2. Programme Management & Impact

• Oversee programme delivery, quality, and alignment with global strategy and national priorities.

• Ensure robust monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems.

• Promote evidence-based practice, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Foster accountability, inclusion, and rights-based approaches across programmes.

3. Financial Leadership & Resource Mobilisation

• Provide strategic financial oversight, including budgeting, forecasting, and risk management.

• Lead fundraising, donor engagement, and grant development efforts.

• Ensure transparent financial systems and accurate reporting.

• Expand and diversify funding to support long-term sustainability.

4. Press & Media Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists and media outlets in Africa and internationally.

• Secure media coverage through press releases, op-eds, interviews, and features.

• Develop media toolkits to support partners and frontline staff with key messages and media training.

5. Team Leadership & Organisational Culture

• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing and values-driven team.

• Oversee recruitment, performance management, and staff development.

• Promote staff wellbeing, inclusion, and ethical practice.

• Build a positive, professional, and collaborative organisational culture.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• At least 10 years of senior management or leadership experience within NGOs, INGOs, or human rights organisations.

• Experience in human rights, disability rights, public health, or social justice, ideally in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• University degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Public Health, Management, or a related field.

• Proven ability to lead teams, shape organisational strategy, and manage multi-year programmes.

• Strong experience in governance, budgeting, financial oversight, and fundraising.

• Demonstrated ability to influence policy and lead advocacy at national or regional levels.

• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships, including government, donors, and community groups.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences in reports, strategic documents, donor materials, and public statements.

• Strong public speaking skills and experience representing an organisation at high-level meetings.Desirable:

• Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa or with African communities.

• Knowledge of safeguarding and ethical storytelling standards.

• Established network of journalists or global media contacts

• Familiarity with analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics, Meta Insights).

Desirable:

• Familiarity with issues facing persons with albinism in Malawi or the region.

• Familiarity with issues facing persons with albinism in Malawi or the region.

• Strong networks across disability rights, human rights, global health, or social development sectors.

• Advanced degree in human rights, international development, management, public health, or related field

How to Apply

To apply for the position of Communications and Media Manager, please submit the following documents by 23:30 (BST) on Friday 16th Jan 2026:

1. Your CV (maximum 2 pages)

2. A one-page cover letter outlining:

• Why you are interested in this role at Standing Voice

• What makes you a strong candidate, with reference to relevant experience and skills

3. Contact details for two referees, who you have known you professionally for more than six months (e.g. current or former employer, lecturer or supervisor)

Please email your application as a single PDF to Ruth Ayarza, Head of Programmes and Partnerships, at: 📧 info@standingvoice.org

We encourage early applications and reserve the right to close the vacancy ahead of the deadline if a high volume of suitable applications is received.

Equal Opportunities Statement

Standing Voice is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially individuals with lived experience of the issues we address or who come from communities historically underrepresented in the charity and communications sectors.

We do not discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, or any other protected characteristic. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please let us know.

Safeguarding & Child Protection

Standing Voice is committed to safeguarding the communities we serve. The successful candidate will be required to comply with Standing Voice’s safeguarding policies and undergo background checks.