Job Description

NURSING PRACTICE & QUALITY LEAD

Job Description

1.0 Job Information

Title

Nursing Practice & Quality Lead

Department

Clinical

Duty Station

Neno District

Reports to

Chief Medical Officer

Second Line Reporting

Executive Director

Commitment

Full-time

Working Hours

40 hours per week

2.0 Role Summary

The Nursing Practice and Quality Lead is a senior member of the Clinical Leadership Team. The Nursing Practice and Quality Lead will play a central role in the implementation of PIH’s core mission and values, clinical strategic planning, priority setting, and implementation. He/she will be responsible for working with nurses and midwives across clinical areas to strengthen nursing practice, identify gaps in clinical care, and accompany ministry of health nursing leadership to embed a culture of quality and safety in alignment with PIH’s mission, APZU’s strategic priorities, and Malawi’s national health policies.

The role works closely with APZU and Ministry of Health clinical leadership, district and facility-based teams, and internal departments including Policy and Advocacy, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Programs. The Lead also collaborates with the OnePIH nursing leadership network, national regulatory and professional bodies—particularly the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi—and external partners to strengthen nursing systems, clinical quality, and training outcomes in Neno District and beyond.

The incumbent will provide technical and professional oversight of nursing practice; strengthen patient safety and quality-of-care systems; and support operational and workforce development. The role is expected to identify care delivery gaps, propose evidence-based and innovative solutions, and advise district and national stakeholders on nursing and clinical capacity building.

In addition, the Nursing Practice and Quality Lead will oversee relevant grant-supported activities, support partnership engagement, and ensure alignment between funded programs and institutional priorities.

3.0 Core Responsibilities

3.1 Nursing Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership as a member of the clinical leadership team, participating in clinical strategy setting, major operational and resourcing decisions that impact patient care, and translating into implementation
• Serves as the primary lead with APZU leadership on nursing and midwifery practice and nurse/midwife-led care delivery, providing strategic direction for nursing and midwifery across community, primary, and secondary levels of care
• Ensure nursing perspective is embedded in clinical planning and decision-making processes, including service expansion, budgeting, staffing models, and new program design
• Act as the central coordinating lead for nursing and midwifery within APZU, facilitating effective communication, integration, and collaboration across departments, facilities, and clinical specialties.
• Serve as key liaison with cross-site (OnePIH) nursing leadership to share best practices and stay connected to broader onePIH nursing and midwifery community to leverage opportunities for learning, knowledge sharing and collaboration, and thought partnership.

3.2 Regulatory & Government Partnership

• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory and professional bodies, including the District Nursing and Midwifery Office, hospital matrons, and national councils to ensure alignment of national and local policies, standards, scopes of practice, and professional guidelines.
• Establish and sustain relationships with Ministry of Health hospital nursing leadership at Neno District and Lisungwi Community Hospitals to understand priorities, gaps, and support needs.
• Provide accompaniment to Ministry of Health hospital and facility nursing leadership in managing increasing service complexity, including strengthening handovers, supervision systems, interdisciplinary teamwork, and continuity of care in decentralized service delivery models.
• Represent APZU in national, regional, and international forums

3.2 Clinical Practice, Nursing Quality and Patient Safety

• Work with a multidisciplinary team, including APZU and Ministry of Health colleagues, to establish unit-specific quality and safety indicators, and pilot both the indicators and supporting clinical systems such as; bedside management, acuity assessment, staffing models, triage processes, standard operating procedures, and documentation standards in one to two clinical areas.
• Partner with frontline clinical staff, APZU and Ministry leadership, and District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) to identify quality care gaps and priority issues, understand root causes, and work in a multidisciplinary team to develop targeted, high-impact actions that improve patient care and outcomes.
• Lead the shift from fragmented quality improvement efforts toward a coordinated, system-level approach to quality and safety, integrating QI into existing systems — such as supervision, mentorship, and performance management — in coordination with Ministry of Health nursing leadership.
• Establish relationships with Ministry of Health hospital nursing leadership at Neno District and Lisungwi Community Hospitals, and support nursing managers, frontline staff, and senior nurse and midwife mentors to strengthen workflows, unit organization, care coordination, and a culture of data-driven decision-making, continuous learning, and evidence-based practice.
• Collaborate with primary and community health clinical and nursing leadership, including RMNCAH (reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health) programs, as key areas for integrating quality and workforce priorities consistently across hospital, primary, and community levels of care.
• Identify workforce capacity gaps and coordinate with APZU clinical leadership, the Nursing & Clinical Education Lead, and cross-site (OnePIH) nursing and clinical leadership to secure the technical support needed to address gaps and design future quality and safety systems.

4.0 Expected Competencies, Attributes, and Behaviors

4.1 Core Competencies

• Program Leadership and Coordination: Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and coordinate complex nursing, clinical education, and capacity-building programs across community, primary, and secondary levels.
• Technical and Professional Expertise: Strong knowledge of clinical education systems, training and development program management, nursing practice standards, and health workforce development.
• Data-Informed Management: Proven capacity to use routine service, education, and program data to monitor performance, guide decision-making, and drive continuous improvement.
• Mentorship and Workforce Development: Strong ability to mentor, coach, and develop staff, fostering professional growth, clinical competence, and leadership capacity at all levels.

4.2 Behavioral Attributes

• Collaborative and Partnership-Oriented: Demonstrates strong teamwork and relationship-building skills, working effectively with internal teams, government counterparts, and external partners.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Thrives in rural, resource-constrained, and high-pressure environments, maintaining effectiveness and professionalism in the face of change and complexity.
• Service and Patient-Centered Orientation: Consistently prioritizes dignity, safety, equity, and quality of care for patients, communities, and colleagues.
• Integrity and Accountability: Upholds high ethical standards, transparency, and responsibility in all professional and managerial functions.

4.3 Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Execution and Accountability: Translates plans and priorities into action, ensures timely delivery of results, and maintains strong follow-through on commitments.
• Analytical Problem-Solving: Anticipates risks and operational challenges, uses evidence and consultation to develop practical and sustainable solutions.
• Effective Communication and Influence: Communicates vision, expectations, and results clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including frontline staff, senior leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Supportive and Performance-Oriented Supervision: Provides structured supervision, feedback, and coaching that motivates teams, strengthens performance, and promotes professional development.

5.0 Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Nursing Education or Nursing and Midwifery with demonstrated experience in Nursing Leadership and Clinical education.
• Registered with Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi and in Good standing
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Nurse Leadership position and 3 years in nurse teaching or academic position at a recognized institution.
• Demonstrated experience in training and development strategy formulation, curriculum design and adult learning methodology implementation.
• Proven leadership and stakeholder management experience within a health or academic institution.
• Experience in technology-enhanced learning platforms and simulation-based education is an asset.

6.0 Additional Notes

• Willingness to live and work in rural settings
• The position requires flexibility to work during evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Strong advocate in social medicine, health equity and social justice.

7.0 Method of application

All interested and qualified candidates based in Malawi should apply strictly through https://www.pih.org/employment on or before 13th September 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.

8.0 Safeguarding Commitment

Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU) is committed to safeguarding staff, children and communities with whom we work from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. Therefore, any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of applicable background checks.

The Organisation does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are asked to make a payment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact bmsowoya@pih.org and speakup@pih.org.