Institution Development Officer (12 Positions) at Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM) Project

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
RECRUITMENT OF PROJECT STAFF
COUNTRY: MALAWI
NAME OF PROJECT: FOOD SECURITY AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM (FSRP)
GRANT NUMBER: IDA-E1840
DATE OF ISSUE: 18TH APRIL, 2024

BACKGROUND
The Government of the Republic of Malawi has received financing in the amount of US$250 Million equivalent from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank toward the cost of the Food Systems and Resilience Program (FSRP) and it intends to apply part of the proceeds for recruitment of Project Implementation Unit (PIU) staff.

The objective of the Project is to Increase commercialization of agriculture value chain products selected under the Project, and consists of six main components namely: (i) (Re-) Building Resilient Agricultural
Production Capacity; (11 Sustainable Development of Natural Resources for Resilient Agricultural Landscapes; (iii) Getting to Market; (iv) Promoting a Greater Focus on Food Security Resilience in National and Regional Policymaking and Response (v) Contingency Emergency Component (CERC) and; (vi) Project Management and Coordination.

It is, therefore, regarding the constituting of the MFSRP Project Implementation Unit that Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) as a lead implementing agency, would like to engage the services of Monitoring and Evaluation Institutional Officers, Agribusiness Officers, Development Officers, Assistant Accountants, and Assistant Project Engineer as set out below:

Institution Development Officer (12 Positions):

Reference No. MW-MOA-376182-CS-INDV

Under the overall and direct supervision of the Institutional Development Specialist (IDS) for the Project, the Institutional Development Officer is responsible for carrying out beneficiary sensitization, mobilization and capacity-building functions to Productive Alliances. The incumbent of this position supports the IDS to work in close collaboration and daily contact with the implementing institutions in particular relevant departments under the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Local Government and District Councils, Technical Implementation Support (TIS) brokers, Producer Organizations, off-takers and other organizations supporting the project implementation in all tasks and activities related to the project. All tasks will have to be conducted promptly according to the approved project implementation manual and task-specific guidelines. The key objective of this position is to support IDS systematically and effectively coordinate Technical Implementation

Support Services that ensures effective and efficient execution of approved PA sub-projects by strictly following the signed matching grants agreements.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

Working closely with the IDS the incumbent shall be expected (but not limited) to do the following:

1. Assist in beneficiary sensitization, mobilization, and capacity building of TIS Brokers, Producer Organizations, and off-takers in all the opportunities offered by MFSRP including, the Matching Grant Windows, Partial Credit Guarantee (PCG), Last-Mile Infrastructure, irrigation subprojects, and land registration.
2. Prepare accurate and reliable initial basic information for newly approved POs and off-takers and timely submit it to IDS for allocation to TIS Brokers.
3. Assist IDS in preparing technical messages and execution of field arrangements for the handover of newly approved POs and off-takers to TIS Brokers and district field teams.
4. Coordinate initial business plan review meetings with POs, and PO capacity assessments and ensure participation of business plan consultants, and off-takers.
5. Support and coordinate systematic and timely execution of all TIS Broker deliverables to ensure effective and transformative technical implementation support services.
6. Under the guidance of IDS, execute supervision of TIS Brokers, assessment of PO monthly/ annual progress reports and review of fees calculators for all zones and submit to IDS for final review and recommendation for approval by the NPC.
7. Work with POs, off-takers, TIS Brokers, and zone supervisors to ensure timely preparation, verification and submission of matching grant tranche requests to ABS, in line with the approved grant agreements.
8. Coordinate timely feedback and resolution of all issues arising from the grant request submissions to ensure a short time lag between the submission of requests and the actual disbursement of funds.
9. Track and maintain a real-time electronic and paper-based database of all the deliverable-based technical implementation support services provided to each productive alliance approved by the project.
10. Manage the Online Technical Implementation Support System (OLTISMIS) and ensure timely loading of documents and updates by TIS Brokers and all system users. Ensure that all the technical glitches of the system are timely reported and resolved with support from the IT Specialist.
11. Prepare and submit system-generated summary reports on specific and/or overall performance of the TIS Services.
12. Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned directly linked to project country goals and activities.

Qualifications and Experience 

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Rural Development, General Agriculture, Development Economics, Agribusiness, Development Studies, Public Administration from an accredited institution.
2. At least three (3) years’ working experience, preferably in the agriculture sector.
3. At least One (1) year work experience in facilitating institutional development for farmer organizations supported by donor-funded Projects,
4. Experience in management and supervision of a large team of field-based frontline extension staff.
5. Experience in quality control, coordination and management of performance-based extension and advisory services.
6. Experience in working with staff from district assemblies and local government structures.
7. Knowledge and skills in project management databases and software will be an added advantage.
8. Experience in coordinating Training of Trainers (ToT) capacity building of frontline extension staff (TIS-Brokers) and other project stakeholders involved in supporting Producer Farmer Organisations.
9. Good facilitation, communication and writing skills.
10. Good verbal and written communication skills, including ICT skills.

Location of Employment
The Institutional Development Officer will be based at MFSRP/AGCOM 2 PIU in Lilongwe but will be required to travel regularly and extensively to the project sites.

Duration of Employment
The assignment is for six years subject to annual renewal based on satisfactory performance.

Submission of Applications
Interested Candidates should submit applications including detailed CVs in English with a minimum of three traceable referees NOT later than 3rd May, 2024.

Address for submission of applications by email is [email protected] and be addressed to the following:

The Chairperson
Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee
Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM) Project,
Off Paul Kagame Road – Opposite MRA
Domestic Taxes Offices,
P.O. Box 727, Lilongwe