Climate Finance Special Projects Specialist

Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II (SAPP II)

Ministry of Agriculture
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES-INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)
Country: Malawi
Project Name: Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II
Assignment title: Climate Finance Special Projects Specialist.
Reference no.: 019/SAPP 11/CFSPS/INDCO_1/2025/26

1.0 Background
The Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II (SAPP II) is a 7 years programme with a start date of 13th March, 2024 and an end date of 30th March, 2030 The programme is financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), European Union (EU), Adaptation Fund, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Malawi Government, Private Sector and Beneficiaries. The total programme cost is US$53.336 million. IFAD finances USD 18.083 million (34%) of the total programme cost through a grant. The Government of Malawi (GOM) finances USD 8 million (15%) of the total programme cost through taxes, office spaces and staff salaries.

SAPP II builds on the lessons and achievements of the first phase, and will promote increased production and productivity of climate smart and nutrition sensitive smallholder farming systems (both crops and livestock), sustainable use of natural resources, and effective marketing through private sector engagement. SAPP Il will focus on increasing productivity beyond subsistence levels with a commercialization drive. The programme will be implemented in Mzimba North and South, Dowa East and West, Lilongwe East and West and Balaka districts.

The Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II intends to apply part of the proceeds to procure the services of a highly motivated and experienced Targeting, Gender, Nutrition and Social Inclusion Specialist.

2. Job Purpose.
SAPP II is inviting applications for the position of Climate Finance Special Projects Specialist tenable at the PMU in Lilongwe. The Climate Finance Special Projects Specialist will be responsible for the overall implementation of European Union financed sustainable and resilient agriculture in Malawi under Investing in Livelihoods, resilient and Soil Health in ACP countries (ILSA), Adaptation Fund, and Vision for Adapted Crops (VACS) projects and other climate finance subprojects within SAPP II, performing a variety of standard technical support to programme stakeholders and facilitate implementation of capacity building, coordination, and reporting activities within the programme framework, ensuring high quality and accuracy of work.

3. Key Responsibilities and duties.
The responsibilities of the Climate Finance Special Projects Specialist will include:

  1. Facilitate Planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of interventions of climate finance subprojects within SAPP II
  2. Assist in supervision of implemented agricultural research activities
  3. In collaboration with the M&E Specialist, set up a performance-based M&E system which would include setting up of overall project framework, clarifying core implementation needs for climate finance subprojects’ stakeholders, establishing baselines on indicators, their targets and timelines for their achievement against project indicators
  4. Facilitating implementation of climate finance subprojects’ activities by ensuring participation of key stakeholders, determination of execution of capacity building requirements, coordinating or joining supervision missions
  5. Establishing linkages and synergies among climate finance subprojects’ stakeholders in implementation of activities in the project to ensure complementarity of outputs and resources
  6. In collaboration with the M&E Specialist, monitor and review physical implementation progress for climate finance subprojects’ activities and tracking project input supplies
  7. Provide inputs for project’s annual and other reports with sound quantifiable data, segregated by
    gender.
  8. Prepare and disseminate yearly climate finance subprojects’ reports to stakeholders ix.
  9. Participate in implementation of yearly project impact studies across a range of climate finance subprojects activities
  10. Participate in project mid-term reviews and preparation of project completion reports
  11. Coordinate dissemination of climate finance subprojects’ outputs in the project e.g. demonstrations, field days, conferences e.t.c
  12. Provide inputs for drafting knowledge management products and outreach materials, including fact sheets, info graphics and other information related to climate finance subprojects within SAPP II
  13. Facilitate pre-implementation meetings with various stakeholders to clarify roles, establish commitments and develop action plans.
  14. Support SAPP Il National Programme Coordinator in managing and processing funds for climate finance subprojects within SAPP II
  15. Support the targeting of activities under climate finance sub projects to avoid overlaps
  16. Work with the Programme Financial Management specialist to coordinate financial reporting and annual budgets in line with the specific financing channels of the climate finance sub projects financiers), where relevant, to avoid mingling
  17. Ensure that the overall M&E framework allows for disaggregated reporting of indicators for each of the climate finance sub projects for individual donor reporting needs.
  18. Any other duties appropriate to the post as may be required

Core Competencies
The ideal candidate should demonstrate the following core competencies:

  1. Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to detail, delivers quality work by deadline
  2. Open to creative ideas/known risks, pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
  3. Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  4. Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
  5. Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in the face of adversity, confident
  6. Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  7. Appreciate/respect differences, aware of subconscious bias, confront discrimination
  8. Team player

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

  1. Ability to research and turn data into useful information and knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need
  2. Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner, both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  3. Ability to manage communications internally and externally through various media and other
    appropriate channels
  4. Ability to provide regular feedback to managers and key stakeholders on programme performance
    and results.

4. QUALIFICATION and Experience

Education

A minimum of Master’s degree (or equivalent) in economics or finance or social sciences., or other relevant fields

Experience

  1. A minimum of five years’ experience in national and/sub-national budget analysis
  2. A minimum of five years’ experience in designing financing plans/strategies, roadmaps, preferably within the climate or environmental sector.
  3. A minimum of five years’ experience in working with donor supported projects, government of Malawi projects/programme, preferably within the climate or environmental sector.
  4. A minimum of five years’ experience in planning and facilitating dialogue processes within committees and workshops.
  5. Relevant experience in the field of climate change, agriculture development, environmental management, climate smart agriculture, agroecology
  6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds
  7. Experience in the use of computers and Microsoft office software packages (MS Word, Excel, power point etc.)
  8. Strong teamwork abilities with a commitment to integrity, transparency, and proactiveness.
  9. Demonstrated gender sensitivity
  10. A proven experience in project management is a key requirement for this post
  11. Those familiar with the objectives and operations of global climate funds such as GCF, GEF, AF and other sources of climate finance will have an added advantage.

5. SELECTION METHODS.
A consultant will be selected in accordance with the individual consultant selection (ICS) method set out in Module F2 section 7 of the IFAD Project Procurement Handbook.

6. Method of application
Expression of Interest with detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) and copies of supporting qualification documents including names of three traceable references must be delivered in written form to the address below (in person or be email or by mail NOT later than 26th May 2025.
Address for submission by email is rexbaluwa@sapp.mw/saleemdimas@gmail.com

The Chairperson
Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee
The Ministry Agriculture
Capital Hill
Box 30134
LILONGWE 3