Job ID: 97908

Job Title: Meal Intern

Company: Self Help Africa

Location: Malawi

Contract type: Short Term Contract

Reports to: Deputy Wash Programme Manager

Organisation Overview:

About Self Help Africa:

Established in 1984, Self Help Africa is an international development organisation that works through agriculture and agri-enterprise development to address hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impacts of climate change.

We believe that equitable economic development is key to lifting communities out of long-term poverty, empowering them to take control of their futures and improving their quality of life.

Our current five-year organisation strategy, defines our mission as the alleviation of hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impact of climate change through community led, market-based and enterprise-focused approaches, so that people can have access to nutritious food, clean water, decent employment and incomes, while sustaining natural resources.

Our three core values are:

• Impact: We are accountable, ambitious and committed to systemic change.
• Innovation: We are agile, creative and enterprising in an ever-changing World.
• Community: We are inclusive, honest and have integrity in our relationships.

About the Project

This project aims to strengthen the sustainability of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in 45 primary schools with P-Class learners across Nsanje, Dedza, and Salima districts in Malawi by piloting a contextualised Three Star Approach for WASH in Schools. Building on existing WASH infrastructure, the project will improve daily hygiene practices, establish sustainable operation and maintenance (O&M) systems, strengthen school and community ownership, and enhance district-level monitoring and accountability. Implemented by Self Help Africa in partnership with UNICEF, WASHTED, district authorities, and government ministries, the project will support schools to progressively achieve One Star, Two Star, and Three Star WASH standards through supervised handwashing, improved sanitation and menstrual hygiene management, school-led O&M financing, and institutional capacity building. By embedding the approach within existing government and community structures, the project seeks to improve children’s health, attendance, and learning outcomes while generating evidence for scaling up sustainable school WASH management across Malawi.

Job Purpose:

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Intern will support the implementation of monitoring systems and tools that promote evidence-based decision-making and effective programme management. The intern will assist with data collection, data quality checks, reporting, and knowledge management to support WASH and climate resilience projects. Working under the supervision of the WASH Project Manager and in close collaboration with the Deputy WASH Programme Manager and National MEAL Manager, the intern will contribute to monitoring programme performance, documenting lessons learned, and strengthening accountability and learning processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop tools/methods/database to capture research, monitoring and evaluation, together with WASH Project Manager, National M & E Manager, and Key WASH member at national and global level.
• Undertaking specific research and data collection on aspects specific to School WASH and supervision of the Project Manager.
• Supporting data collection, ensuring all data are gender disaggregated, appropriately captured and stored in a timely manner, including regular field visits to monitor processes and outputs.
• Analysing data and collaborate with the rest of the WASH team – and stakeholders – to discuss orientation of the intervention and to evolve approaches
• Responsible for updating, implementation and oversight of the “Rural Water maintenance projects” frameworks with project stakeholders and WASH teams.
• Responsible for Harvesting and documenting key learning points from pilot activities coordinating knowledge capture, as well as appropriate dissemination. This includes facilitating learning reviews and document lessons for internal/external sharing and cross-learning, contribute to sectoral learning events with global advisors and consultants.
• Support the process of baseline, end line surveys, service’s satisfaction surveys and final evaluations and management responses.
• Monitor reports deadlines and support management with the preparation of donor reports to ensure compliance with key programme indicators and objectives, contribute to accountability to communities and stakeholders.
• Support in the development of improved information management systems and photo gallery within the program
• Through the national MEAL working group ensure that project learning is shared.

Key Relationships:

Internal:

WASH Project Manager

Deputy /WASH Program Manager

WASH Filed Facilitators

Project Accountant

Stores and Administration Officer

MEAL coordinator

National MEAL Manager

External:

Local Partner District Council

Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degrees in fields like Statistics, social science, International Development, M & E or any related field.

Knowledge, Experience and Other Requirements:

• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative methods; this should include survey development
• Practical knowledge and experience in use of a wide range of M&E tools including participatory methodologies and use of statistical packages like Water, Kobo, GIS platforms, SPSS, ACCESS, STATA.
• Analytical thinking, problem solving and decision-making ability
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, in English and Chichewa,
• Demonstrable understanding of safeguarding risks and mitigating actions.
• Proven ability to work under pressure and meet tight and competing deadlines.
• Good planner and ability to deliver results
• Strong respect and empathy for rural communities, and an affinity to SHA’s mission and values of integrity, dignity and environmental respect.

How to Apply:

Full Job Description here.

Please upload your CV and Cover Letter outlining your suitability for the role here.

The Deadline for Receiving applications is Friday 28th August 2026 at 5pm

Self Help Africa is an Equal Opportunities Employer:

All candidates offered a job with Self Help Africa will be expected to sign Self Help Africa’s Safeguarding Policies and Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. Specific roles may require Police/DBS/ vetting.

Important information:

Self Help Africa is an international development charity and is committed to the safeguarding of all those who we come into contact with or through our work. We are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour relating to our work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and we are committed to promoting the welfare of children and the people we aim to assist with whom Self Help Africa engages. Self Help Africa expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviours outlined in the Code of Conduct and Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Recruitment to all roles in Self Help Africa will include, and be subject to, a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checking. Self Help Africa is committed to the principles of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms her/his understanding of these recruitment procedures. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Self Help Africa is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

To apply for this job please visit selfhelpafrica.org.