The Ministry is headed by a Minister, who is sometimes assisted by a Deputy Minister.  The Ministry is responsible for providing political guidance and advise.

At management level, the Ministry is headed by a Principal Secretary who is answerable to the Minister.  There are four departments, each headed by Director and 19 Diplomatic Missions including 2 Consulate Generals.  There is also the Legal Affairs Section which is responsible for Treaties and other international legal instruments which Malawi is party to ;

The Ministry’s Departments are;

• Administration and Finance
• International Cooperation
• Political Affairs
• Protocol

The Malawi Diplomatic Missions abroad also form part of the Ministry’s organizational structure.