Finance and Administration Manager

Reports to: Country Manager

Direct reports:  N/A

Start date: ASAP

Term:  Full-time, 12-month fixed term contract with possibility of extension, if further funding is secured

Based in:  Lilongwe, Malawi

Salary: £16-18k per annum dependent on experience, plus health insurance

Application deadline: Sunday 13th September, Midnight

Date of first round interview: Week commencing 21 September 2026

About DMI

Development Media International (DMI) delivers media campaigns aimed at changing behaviours, promoting health and saving lives in developing countries. We are the first organisation to scientifically demonstrate that mass media can increase life-saving behaviours (see the results of our RCT that proved our interventions can save thousands of children’s lives here).

DMI has two priorities: first, to continue to generate ground-breaking research, second, to take our proven strategies to scale, saving as many lives as possible. We work across a range of health issues, including child survival, reproductive health, nutrition, hygiene, and early childhood development. DMI works in close partnership with leading experts in health, including WHO, UNICEF and LSHTM and has been funded by some of the world’s most prestigious organisations including Wellcome, DFID/FCDO, Comic Relief, the Global Innovation Fund, UNICEF, Unorthodox Philanthropy, and the Mulago Foundation.

We are an innovative organisation, working at the nexus between science and creativity. DMI has demonstrated that knowledge is not only a human right but is also the key to saving lives in a cost-effective way. Our intellectual rigour, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn from both our successes and mistakes, makes us distinct. Our ethos is non-hierarchical: all our staff are intellectually high-powered, and we have a “best idea wins” culture. By working at DMI you will have a genuine, measurable impact on improving lives in low-income countries.

DMI has a permanent presence in Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia and has current or recent projects in Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mauritania, and Ghana. DMI’s headquarters overlooks the Regents Canal near Kings Cross in London and provides oversight and strategic direction for the organisation.

DMI is ranked as one of the most cost-effective non-profit organisations in the world by The Life You Can Save.

Job description

DMI is looking for a motivated Finance and Administration Manager to join our expanding team in Malawi. Working closely with the DMI Malawi and UK Teams, the successful candidate will play an important part in ensuring that DMI’s finances are managed effectively and in line with internal policies and statutory requirements.

More specifically, the Finance and Administration Manager role will include the following responsibilities:

1. Ensuring complete and accurate recording of all DMI Malawi’s transactions and reporting these in a timely manner, in line with DMI’s policies and processes. This includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash accounts, and payroll, with all transactions documented appropriately and relevant accounts reconciled each month.
2. Preparing monthly finance reports, including spending forecasts and reconciliations, as well as contributing to financial reporting to project donors.
3. Preparing and consolidating project budgets and other financial reports to support operational and strategic decision-making.
4. Assisting with cash management processes, including setting up payments for approval on the banking portal, managing mobile banking, having responsibility for the office cash float, and reconciling staff advances for project expenditure.
5. Ensuring that DMI Malawi complies with all relevant financial legislation and operates in line with DMI’s global policies and processes, particularly those related to financial management and procurement.
6. Undertaking administrative and logistics tasks to ensure the effective running of the DMI Malawi office, including sourcing suppliers, procurement, contract drafting, preparation of travel forms, arranging workshops and meetings, maintaining office supplies and services.
7. Supporting DMI project delivery, including maintaining databases of contractors and project outputs, as well as participating in research and monitoring field trips, and monitoring and analysing broadcast reports.
8. Supporting wider organisational priorities and carrying out other duties as reasonably required by DMI.

Person specification

Required knowledge, skills and experience

1. Professional qualification in ZICA, CPA, ACCA or other internationally recognized accounting qualification.
2. Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in finance or accounting role, ideally in the NGO sector.
3. Strong knowledge of donor reporting requirements and compliance procedures. Excellent organisational skills with attention to detail; able to manage complex documentation and filing systems.
4. Analytical skills with the ability to generate and present financial data and findings effectively.
5. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Office Suite applications; comfort with digital tools for procurement and data management.
6. Fluent English (written and spoken).

Desirable knowledge, skills and experience

1. Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Procurement, Business Administration or a related field.
2. Familiarity with safeguarding, anti-fraud, and risk mitigation policies in the NGO context.
3. Experience supporting external audits and preparing financial statements or donor reports.
4. Experience using QuickBooks or other accounting software.
5. Able to speak, read and write in other Malawian languages.

DMI is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

DMI operates a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and is committed to the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable individuals. Where appropriate, successful candidates will undergo background and reference checks. All DMI employees will be required to self-declare prior issues of sexual
or other misconduct, termination of past employment, criminal records, and concerns registered with government authorities regarding contact with children.