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Reports to: Senior Campaigns Manager

Responsible for: N/A

Start date: 1st October 2025

Term: Full time, permanent

Based in: Lilongwe, Malawi

Salary: £12,000-14,000 per annum, plus health insurance

Application deadline: 11.59pm Malawi time, 31st August 2025

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 the Wellcome Trust, DFID, Comic Relief, the Global Innovation Fund, Unorthodox Philanthropy, and the Mulago Foundation.

We are an innovative and rapidly growing 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, Mozambique, and Tanzania and currently works in Mauritania, Uganda, Malawi and Zambia. DMI’s headquarters overlooks the Regents Canal near Kings Cross in London and provides the strategic direction for the whole organisation.

DMI is ranked as one of the most cost-effective non-profit organisations in the world by The Life You Can Save. Find out more on our website.

Background

DMI has been established in Malawi since 2019 and works in close partnership with the government to deliver campaigns in support of government priorities. To date we have run national radio, TV and social media campaigns addressing a range of issues including modern contraceptive uptake, Covid-19 prevention and vaccination and early childhood development. DMI Malawi continues to run an ambitious national radio campaign whilst pursuing several new funding opportunities.

DMI Malawi is setting up an in-house audio production studio to produce high-quality audio and video outputs to support project activities and communication objectives. The Studio Engineer will be responsible for the technical operation, maintenance and management of the studio, ensuring the production of professional, high-quality audio content in line with project requirements. Key working relationships include the Senior Campaigns Manager, DMI’s UK-based Creative team, script writers, voice actors and external studios.

Job Description

More specifically, the Studio Engineer role will include the following responsibilities:

1. Operate and manage all studio equipment, including mixing consoles, microphones, audio interfaces, and editing software.
2. Record, edit, mix, and master audio content (spots, programs, jingles, podcasts, etc.) to a high professional standard. This may involve direct recording, editing and post-production using in-house equipment or working with external contracted studios.
3. Provide technical support during recording sessions, ensuring optimal sound quality and troubleshooting any technical issues.
4. Maintain and regularly service studio equipment to ensure reliability and longevity.
5. Advise on studio setup, equipment upgrades, and best practices for audio production.
6. Train project staff and partners on basic audio recording and editing techniques as needed.
7. Ensure all audio content meets the required quality standards and is delivered on time.
8. Organisation and management of production records and files, including scripts, audio files and production logs.
9. Adhere to copyright and intellectual property regulations related to audio production.
10. Working closely with DMI's UK-based technical staff to relay local context and ensure that all campaign materials accurately represent local culture.
11. Other tasks as required.

Person Specifications

Required knowledge, skills and experience

1. Minimum three years of relevant professional experience in drama or narrative production (radio broadcast, journalism or documentary) as a sound engineer with experience working in local language production.
2. Proficiency with digital audio workstations (e.g., Pro Tools, Cubase, Adobe Audition, Logic Pro, Audacity).
3. Excellent organisational skills with the capacity to work with detailed production plans and meet deadlines.
4. High quality production skills, including recording and post-production.
5. Strong attention to detail, able to record and implement changes accurately and manage version control across multiple languages of production simultaneously.
6. Tertiary level education (college diploma or degree), ideally in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.
7. Fluent English (written and spoken), proficient in at least one other local language

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.