Portfolio Officers (2 Positions) at Self Help Africa

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 Advert for 2 Portfolio Officers – EnDev Demand Side Subsidy Results Base Financing to be based in Lilongwe

Background

Self Help Africa (SHA – formerly United Purpose) Malawi is an international non-governmental organisation working to create opportunities for lasting improvement in peoples’ lives. We work in partnership with others to support a range of livelihoods and food security, WASH and health, sustainable energy and gender equality programmes reaching over 1,000,000 people a year across Malawi. Globally, we work in nine countries across Africa, Asia and South America, however our Malawi programme is by far and away our largest and most established country programme. SHA currently operates in 17 districts in Malawi, supporting 24 on-going projects. This is an exciting time to join us as we seek to tackle the global challenges in progressive and innovative ways.

SHA is seeking to recruit two talented and dynamic Portfolio Officers with experience in off-grid energy and/or cleaner cooking projects to join our innovative project to deliver a Results Based Financing Project for solar products and cleaner cooking technologies expected to start as soon as possible (contingent upon securing funding from the donor).

Job Purpose

The job holder’s core responsibility will be to undertake tasks as requested by Project Manager including supporting suppliers in reaching their targets, ensuring that a high level of awareness of the project is reached and maintained by all stakeholders, ensuring that the project strongly engages with District Councils at all stages of implementation, providing feedback on the effectiveness of the approach and performance of all project stakeholders. He/she will feed into project reporting and work with the Project Manager and M+E/Compliance Coordinator to ensure that all RBF stakeholders comply with the project’s Operations Manual.

The job holder will work as part of SHA’s portfolio of Energy projects contributing to the wider growth and development of Energy activities in Malawi.

Key Duties and responsibilities

1. Project implementation

• Assist the project manager in the development of workplans and completing necessary tasks on time and feeding into reports.
• Act as District focal point for the project, working alongside solar and cleaner cooking technology suppliers and Fund Manager staff to achieve verifiable RBF sales.
• Coordinate project activities with other SHA projects where relevant
• Ensure close collaboration and networking with all partners, including Government, private sector and communities, during all stages of project implementation.
• Travel to implementation districts as required to track project progress.

2. RBF activities

• Support the successful launching of the project, including recruitment, selection and contracting of Suppliers of solar products and cleaner cooking technologies and engagement with district stakeholders.
• Provide support to Suppliers in the implementation of RBF activities (sales of subsidised solar products and cleaner cookstoves), including the marketing and sales of products, compliance with monitoring and verification requirements, and claiming RBF payments from the Funds Manager, leveraging the expertise of the other team members.
• Provide support to the Funds Manager in servicing RBF claims and working with Suppliers and the Independent Verification Agency to ensure compliance with the Operations Manual and smooth processing of payments.

3. Reporting and data management

• Support the M+E/Contracts Coordinator to gather the required data from Suppliers for monitoring project implementation and Suppliers to compile and provide that data and reports.
• Maintain project activity records to feed into reports compiled by the Project Manager using regular SHA internal reporting procedures as well as those of the donor.

4. Other

• Share learning and knowledge across all SHA’s Energy and other programmes’ projects.
• Uphold and promote SHA’s safeguarding and reporting policy .

Experience and qualifications.

• Diploma in marketing, business management, community development or other relevant area
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar position including field-work and office-based activities, particularly those related to solar products and cleaner cooking technologies and/or results based finance projects.
• Appreciation the solar product and cleaner cooking sector and technologies
• Proven ability to deliver activities according to workplans and deadlines
• Good computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc) and using online meeting platforms (e.g. Zoom, google meet etc.).
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Excellent communication, coordination and facilitation skills.
• Strong respect and empathy for rural communities, and an affinity to SHA’s mission and values of integrity, dignity and environmental respect.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Chichewa.
• A full, clean driving license and ability to drive a four-wheel drive manual vehicle is essential. Able to, or willing to learn to, ride a motorbike would be an advantage.
• Graphic design/video editing skills would be an added advantage.

Method Of Application

Qualified and interested candidates who meet the stated requirements must submit a completed Application Form. Please visit https://gsha.box.com/v/applicationform to download the Application Form, and then submit the completed form via email only to: https://selfhelpafrica.org/ie/careers-apply/?jbcd=500QD000002tWB8%20-%20Advert%20for%202%20Portfolio%20Officers%20%E2%80%93

When submitting, please cite the position you are applying for in the subject title and the following should be included; Cover letter, CV, Copies Certificates and SHA Application form saved in your name. Any applications that do not include these will not be considered.

No hard copies / physical applications will be accepted. Please note zipped Folder will not be accessed.

 Closing date for the receipt of completed application forms is 12:00 Midnight of 3^rd November, 2023Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

 United Purpose/Self Help Africa takes the safety and well-being of all those we work with, and our staff, very seriously. We have a zero-tolerance policy on abuse. Our recruitment is safe, meaning that we recruit staff with the highest values and standards of ethical behavior. United Purpose has a Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy, which reflects our commitment to protecting the people with whom we work. All candidates will be expected to comply with this policy and its procedures.

For more information about the organisation, please visit our website at www.selfhelpafrica.net.

  SHA is an equal opportunity employer.