Strengthening Human Resources Management in Malawi

Feb 20, 2012
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CapacityPlus is helping the Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) strengthen human resources management (HRM) in affiliated health facilities, starting with the creation of HRM policy guidelines. Previously, CapacityPlus provided technical support for a week-long consultation with the Christian Health Association of Kenya on the development of its well-received HRM policy document.

In January, CapacityPlus’s Doris Mwarey traveled to Malawi to advance this work. During her trip, she worked with CHAM representatives to develop a framework for the guidelines, and begin drafting the guidelines based on current needs, local laws, and health sector plans.

To understand needs at the facility level, Mwarey visited four CHAM facilities. She held focus group discussions with managers to identify current HRM processes and issues they would like the guidelines to address. These included:

  • Clarification of recruitment and deployment procedures
  • Streamlining of the payment process to ensure staff receive paychecks on time
  • Management of training programs
  • Disciplinary guidelines and procedures
  • Clarification of local labor laws
  • Staff recognition awards
  • Streamlining of low-cost retention strategies
  • A method for the routine updating and tracking of staff numbers, including new hires and departures
  • Tools to support HRM.

The guidelines will help ensure quality service delivery by defining responsibilities and obligations of employees, and clarifying personnel policies and procedures for senior management staff. The guidelines are expected to be finalized and disseminated by June 2012, followed by the training of facility managers.

Doris Mwarey is the regional human resources technical advisor with the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform, a position supported by CapacityPlus. She is based in Kenya.

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Photo by Alice Kadango. (Health professionals in Malawi)