Oxfam in Malawi
VACANCY
PROJECT COORDINATOR – AGROBIODIVERISTY
With financial support from NORAD, Oxfam is implementing the Project “Rooted in Diversity: Partnerships for Food Security and Livelihoods in partnership with local partners. Its overall objective is ‘Increased food and nutrition security for small-scale food producers and their communities in Malawi. At the local level, the project will target Dowa and Nkhotakota Districts while also influencing national level policy around recognition of local food systems. The project will be implemented over a period of 5 years.
Oxfam, therefore, seeks to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced Project Coordinator to be based in Lilongwe, Malawi, based on the terms below:
Job Purpose
To coordinate the implementation of the Rooted in Diversity: Partnerships for Food Security and Livelihoods project.
Key Responsibilities
Project Development, Management and Implementation
- The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the planning and implementation of the “Rooted in Diversity: Partnerships for Food Security and Livelihoods project with partners.
- Support NGO partners, networks and National Agriculture Research Stations (NARS) in programme/ project development through technical advice on participatory community engagement, district level consultation and project design.
- Coordinate with internal and extemal advisors and staff for required input into supporting partners programme development.
- Relationship and team building with the different govemment and non-govemment partners.
- Responsible for effective use and control of project resources such as vehicles.
- Ensure that women’s rights are at the centre of our Just Economies work.
Partnership Management
- Facilitate setting up of systems and procedures for better management of partner organisations, especially for monitoring and reporting.
- Closely work with partners to mutually agree on detailed operational plans, budgets, indicators for measuring achievements as well as monitoring, evaluation and leaming framework in line with Oxfam Southem Africa Cluster Strategy Framework and plans.
- Identify any emerging opportunities for wider partnerships in the food system sector especially agrobiodiversity sector, and Just Economies thematic area
- Undertake regular and mutually agreed review visits to partners and provide guidance on enhancing the quality of programmes.
- Work with internal staff and external staff to identify capacity building and training needs of partners and take initiatives to get them addressed.
- Be proactive in linking organisational development advisors to partners and vice versa in supporting partners programme implementation.
Bring up major concems about partners’ operations to the notice of the Program Manager – Just Economies for remedial action. - Draw up and implement partner capacity enhancement plans in a consultative manner.
Resource Management
- Manage Oxfam in Malawi’s various resources under custody of the Project Coordinator.
Reporting and Work Programming
- Make regular monitoring visits to partner organisations, institutions and project implementation sites to review progress of work and provide strategic inputs and in particular to help to ensure that programme obligations for annual and monthly planning and reporting are property met.
- Provide regular updates to the Programme Manager – Just Economies on interal and extemal environment affecting the projects / programmes.
- Collaborate with the Gender team to develop the use of gender analysis using relevant methodologies, problem solving, non-directive, rights sensitive and practical responses to improve the impact of Oxfam’s work with the marginalised groups, especially women.
Programme Quality and Learning
- Work with the MEAL team to ensure that the MEAL functions are effectively adopted in the delivery of the project.
- Ensure participation of partners in programme review and learning exercises led by Oxfam or jointly undertaken by partners.
Representation Network and Alliance Building
- Represent the Just Economies Team at various extemal fora as directed by the Programme Manager- Just Economies
- Actively participate in programme meetings as a member of the programme team.
- Build and foster national alliances and networks that enhance sharing, leaming and collaboration among relevant organisations and individuals;
- Adopt a proactive approach to undertaking relevant lobbying, campaigning and advocacy work to increase other peoples’ understanding of programme issues and to influence their approach and decisions in support of Oxfam’s work.
Funding and Donor Management
- Ensure compliance with back donor requirements especially, timely submission of quality descriptive and financial reports.
- Participate in relevant fundraising activities, monitoring funding opportunities and support response to these opportunities with approved concept notes/proposals.
- Assist in the development of sector related donor proposals, budget submissions and other necessary activities to secure funding for Just Economies thematic area objectives.
- Facilitate compliance with donor grant requirements, provide input into donor reports and support the management of donor visits as appropriate.
- Take lead role in drafting high quality reports according to donor contract agreements.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCE
Education
A Master’s Degree in Agriculture, Social Development & Sustainable Livelihoods, Agriculture economics, Crop Sciences, Nutrition, or other relevant field.
Experience
- 10+ years of experience in development work, preferably within a large development or humanitarian organisation; experiences in promoting agrobiodiversity and nutrition in food system programming preferred.
- Be knowledgeable on promoting local food systems initiatives in Malawi
- Be knowledgeable of status of nutrition policy and food system transformation policy frameworks in Malawi
- Experienced in Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approaches.
- Knowledge of programme development and delivery approaches, tools, methodologies and best practices.
- Proven knowledge of and experience with donor funding environment and good financial and project management skills.
- Experience in development and management of a monitoring system that ably deliver a livelihood project.
- Strong experiences in advocacy and policy influencing, preferably within the nutrition and food system sector.
Our offer
At Oxfam, we believe that every aspect of our work can lead to a positive outcome. If you have the same opinion, together with the ability to meet the challenges involved, these roles offer scope for immense personal fulfilment – as well as outstanding opportunities to develop your career.
Oxfam is committed to providing a competitive compensation package based on a 40-hour work week.
How to apply
If your qualifications meet the requirements, and believe in Oxfam values please apply by visiting our website at: http://www.oxfam.org.uk using the number and Link below;
INT10524
https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/vacancy/22340/description – – Project Coordinator
The closing date is 26th July, 2024
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Oxfam is an equal opportunities employer; we are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation.