Self Help Africa Malawi seeks a young woman to join its Malawi Advisory Committee

Background

Self Help Africa’s 2023-2027 strategy focuses on promoting sustainable livelihoods, resilience, and economic empowerment across rural Africa. The organization’s core mission is to tackle poverty and improve food security through agricultural and enterprise development.

In Malawi our long-term vision is sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives for all in a changing climate. Our mission is to alleviate hunger, poverty, social inequality, and the impact of climate change through community-led, market-based, and enterprise-focused approaches, so that people have access to nutritious food, clean water, decent employment, and incomes, while sustaining natural resources. We want to see all people in Malawi determining their own lives, supported by strong and accountable government services, and effective local markets and value chains.

This is recognised in Malawi’s Vision 2063, with systems of strong and accountable government, effective local markets, and the private sector at the core of moving from poverty reduction to resilience. To achieve our mission, over the next five years, we will work with the Government of Malawi to eliminate poverty and end the recurrent cycle of hunger and humanitarian assistance in Malawi through four Strategic Objectives.

SO1: Sustainable landscapes, resilient food systems, and healthy communities; SO2: Sustainable businesses, decent employment, and a thriving economy; SO3: Crisis response and resilience; SO4: System strengthening and an enabling policy environment.

The overall purpose of the Malawi Advisory Committee (MAC) is: to provide SHA Malawi’s Senior Management with strategic advice and guidance to the current and future relevance and effectiveness of our Country Strategy and to suggest ways in which we can maximise the impact of our work to the benefit of Malawians.

Purpose

To provide strategic  and governance input and youth perspective on the activities of Self Help

Africa as a member of its  Malawi Advisory Committee (MAC). The SHA Malawi Country Programme strategy 23-27 puts an increased emphasis on working with young people in line with Malawi Vision 2063, which emphasizes youth involvement in transforming communities and livelihoods. The organisation is therefore looking for a young woman to join its Advisory Committee on a voluntary basis.  

Key Responsibilities – Advisory Role:  

• Offer insights on youth-related issues, trends, and opportunities to inform the committee’s strategies and actions.
• Represent the voice of Malawian youth, contributing to discussions and decisions that impact young people and the organisation.
• Engage with local youth networks to gather input and feedback, represent the organisation when requested and report back to the committee.

Qualifications

• Age & gender: A woman aged between 18-35 years (to ensure a gender balance on the committee)
• Education: Minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience: Demonstrated involvement in youth leadership, community development, or advocacy initiatives.
• Skills: Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Passion for youth empowerment and community transformation.
• Commitment: Ability to commit to quarterly MAC meetings and active participation.
• Values: To sign SHA code of conduct, comply with the Adult and Child SafeguardingPolicy and undergo safeguarding training

Benefits

• Professional Development: Gain valuable experience in strategic decision-making and governance.
• Networking: Connect with influential leaders and organisations working towards the development of Malawi.
• Impact: Contribute to shaping policies and strategies that directly affect the lives of young Malawians.

How to apply

Qualified and interested candidates who meet the stated requirements must submit a Cover letter and Curriculum Vitae saved in your name to: hr.malawi@selfhelpafrica.org 

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

Closing date for the receipt of completed application forms is 12:00 Midnight of 27^th September 2024. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

Self Help Africa is an international development charity, and is committed to the safeguarding of all those who we come into contact with or through our work. We are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour relating to our work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and we are committed to promoting the welfare of children and the people we aim to assist with whom Self Help Africa engages. Self Help Africa expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviours outlined in the Code of Conduct and Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy, inside and outside of work hours. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Recruitment to all roles in Self Help Africa may include, and be subject to, a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other preemployment checks, which may include police and qualifications checking. Self Help Africa is committed to the principles of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms her/his understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Research shows that women and those from marginalised ethnic groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align with every criteria described, we encourage you to apply anyway, you could be exactly what we need!

For more information about SHA, please visit our website at http://www.selfhelpafrica.org.  

SHA is an equal opportunity employer.