Country Director

COUNTRY DIRECTOR : ASCENT SOCCER 

(Location: Lilongwe, Malawi)

Target Start Date: January 2027 

Ascent Soccer is seeking an experienced, passionate and impact driven football leader, coach and mentor who believes in education and opportunity for under-served talent and promise.

ABOUT ASCENT SOCCER

Ascent Soccer unlocks the competitive advantages in Malawi and across Southeast Africa to identify and develop youth football talent, by delivering professional level soccer training, education, personal development and global pathways for youth of talent and promise. Ascent Soccer launched in 2015, and quickly became the region’s top full-time youth football academy and scholarship program.

In the past five years alone, Ascent Soccer has produced 50+ youth and senior internationals, which includes four starters for Malawi’s Senior Women’s National Team, who just reached the 2026 WAFCON Finals and qualified for the nation’s first (female or male) FIFA World Cup. Ascent graduates currently play professionally in France, Germany and Sweden, alongside 10 global scholars at world-class boarding schools and universities including Duke and Northeastern. 

Our squads and classrooms are formed following the most strategic talent search in Southeast African history, having assessed over 100,000 youth players.

In 2027, Ascent Soccer is further embracing its ethos through the region’s first purpose built full-time residential green school, education center and equitable youth soccer academy. Ascent is empowering talent, leveling the playing field and delivering opportunity through five pillars: Soccer. Scholarship. Girls. Green. Grassroots.

Learn more at www.ascentsoccer.org. 

THE ROLE

This brand new ‘Country Director’ position is an opportunity for an experienced football coach, leader, scout and program lead, to be the driving force behind a positive and impact-focused soccer, scholarship and character development program for the top athletic and academic talent of Malawi.

The main responsibilities of the ‘Country Director’ role will include (i) leading the football program, (ii) staff, scholar and organizational leadership, (iii) program culture, delivery and impact targets and (iv) human resource and financial management,  

The ideal candidate will be a team player who is willing to get involved with a variety of elements of academy life, along with being someone who understands the challenges of working in Southeast Africa while bringing a positive attitude and a solution-focused mindset.  

We are looking for a joyful, accountable and nurturing leader who puts people first.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

Our ideal candidate will bring the following qualifications to the ‘Country Director’ role:

• UEFA A or Pro Coaching Licence (or equivalent) 

• Bachelor’s Degree in either Soccer, Education, Management, International Development, Sports Administration or other relevant field;

• 3+ years experience in a leadership role that has included football, youth education and/or sport, program management and delivery, team/relationship building and financial management; 

• Strong communication skills, cross-cultural skills, staff youth coaching/mentorship tools and the ability to build a positive and brave staff and campus culture;

• Confident problem solver and multi-tasker, with the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines; 

• Experience in financial operations, managing budgets, cash flow and human resources; 

• Passionate about working with youth and setting the regional standard for a campus and leadership program that delivers the very best for soccer, scholarship, girls, green and people grassroots;

• Previous experience working or traveling within Africa is an advantage, though not essential; 

• Fluency in English, a confident and curious ‘digital native’ and holding a valid driving permit.

Ascent Soccer is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or disability status.

OFFER & BENEFITS 

This is a full-time contract opportunity in Malawi, which reports to the Exexutive Director of Soccer & Programs.

This contract opportunity offer as our ‘Country Director’ would include the following:

• Annual salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience

• One return flight (if applicable) annually between your home city & Lilongwe, Malawi

• Private room, shared lounge and bathroom in Ascent accommodations in Lilongwe, with high-speed internet 

• Private vehicle for work and personal use

• Work Visa & Health Insurance

APPLICATION & DEADLINE

We will review applications as they arrive and may fill this position before the deadline, so we encourage you to apply early.

The application process for this role will close on September 30th, 2026.

To apply for this position please send the following to the attention of George Maguire, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Soccer & Programs:

• Cover Letter & Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Personal Video (maximum 2 minutes, sharing your leadership philosophy and why you are interested in this ‘Country Director’ opportunity at Ascent Soccer in Malawi. Applciations without a video will not be considered.

Submit your application package via email (hr@ascentsoccer.org) or WhatsApp (+265 99 639 1727).