Project Officer – Agroecology Productivity

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PROJECT OFFICER – AGROECOLOGY PRODUCTIVITY PROJECT, LILONGWE DISTRICT

CONTEXT

Inter Aide has been working in Malawi since 1992 with vulnerable rural communities. The NGO is present in 10 of the 28 districts of the country, in the Central and Southern regions.

In Lilongwe district, the agricultural development program started in 2016 and is targeting new villages every 2 years, supporting all families over a 4-year cycle. It aims to improve the agricultural production of smallholder families by promoting the dissemination and adoption of sustainable agricultural and agroforestry practices in and around degraded plots of agricultural land. The project team supports the creation and technical capacity building of grassroots farmers groups (46 groups gathering about 1000 families in 2024, in Chiputu EPA, TA Masumbankhunda) in the implementation of productive activities responding to the main needs identified: dissemination of agro-ecological practices (intensification of planting distances, agroforestry, fertility management, …), establishment of community seed banks allowing secure access to quality seeds (maize, groundnut and soybean) and management of natural resources (establishment of nurseries, reforestation of farms and villages).

MISSION OF THE PROJECT OFFICER

The Project Officer will be based in the trading center of Mitundu. His/her main mission will be to be in charge of the administrative, financial, human resources and logistical coordination of the project. It is expected that the tasks of the Project Officer will evolve over time to become increasingly involved in technical and strategic issues.

Assisted by an administrative officer already in place, the Project Officer will be the overall person in charge responsible for:

• The administrative and financial management of the project (budget planning, monthly funds request and funds management, stock management, administrative and financial audits, ensuring compliance with the purchasing procedure…), including the human resources management of 17 employees (contracts signing, filing and follow-up, payment of salaries, employees’ supervision, etc.)
• Directly supervising and strengthening the support team (8 employees): administrative officer, driver-logistician, security guards, cleaner and mechanic.
• The logistical coordination of the program (procurement planning, implementation and follow-up, vehicle fleet planning and management);
• Monthly financial and administrative reporting to the supervisors in charge of the program based in Lilongwe (monthly accounting, regular audits reports, etc.).

In close collaboration with a Technical Assistant, whose role is to coordinate field activities and the field team composed of 9 employees, the Project Officer will have to gradually be involved, over several years, in the following activities:

• Identify new catchment areas based on the needs of the communities;
• Guarantee the coherence and relevance of the activities implemented (in response to identified needs);
• Ensure the quality of technical training offered to farmers and the team;
  Ensure that the objective of supporting the most disadvantaged families is respected;
• Ensure the coherence of the monitoring and evaluation aspects of the program and conducting studies (diagnosis of needs, targeting of villages, etc.);
• Develop or/and maintain collaboration with the relevant authorities and other local actors.

As part of his/her duties, the Project Officer will conduct weekly visits, often by motorbike, to the villages of the intervention area located about 1 to 2 hours away from the office on dirt roads.

PROFILE

• A minimum of a BSc in agriculture with a first-hand experience in administration and management and/or BSc in business administration, or accounting and finance with a previous experience in the management of agriculture projects,
• At least 3 years of professional experience, including some in rural areas,
• Strong interest and ability in coordinating administration & finances, HR and logistics,
• Able to learn fast and apply strict administrative and audit procedures,
• Field oriented, dynamism and flexibility,
• Excellent communication skills and ability to operate in a multicultural working environment,
• Able to go frequently in the field by motorbike,
• Fluency in English and Chichewa is essential (oral and written)

Post to be filled by 15 November, 2024.

Please send your application (ML + CV) before October 15, 2024, under reference AGROLL/ PO24 to iamalawi.applications@gmail.com. Please note that only well summarized CV of not more than 2 pages will be considered for preselection.

Only preselected candidates will be contacted.