Programme Officer – Livelihoods (2)

Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries

Founded in 1968, Concern Worldwide works in 25 countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean with its headquarters in Ireland. Active in Malawi since 2002, Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression. Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Concern invites applications from interested candidates qualified for the following temporary positions:

Programme Officer – Livelihoods (2 Vacancies)

Contract Type: Five (5) to Six (6) Months Temporary Contract

Duty Station: Chikwawa (1 Vacancy) and Nsanje (1 Vacancy)

 Job Summary

Reporting to the Programme Manager, the job holder will be responsible for managing Distribution Assistants engaged in beneficiary targeting, food distribution and community engagement, while providing ongoing capacity building to ensure staff performance aligns with project objectives in the assigned district. S/he will also engage with the district council, village development committees and other local stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and that community needs are addressed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the food distribution team, including Distribution Support Officers and work closely with the other Programme Officers, ensuring activities are implemented as outlined in the Detailed Implementation Plan.
• Coordinate with district authorities, donor and local community structures (e.g., Food Distribution Committees, Village Disaster Risk Management Committees) to ensure timely execution of food distributions.
• Oversee the scheduling and management of Food Distribution Points (FDPs) to ensure safe, efficient, and effective delivery of food to beneficiaries.
• Prepare and submit comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports.
• Organize the implementation process of all set targets planned for the project with respective supervisors, experts and other concerned staff working within program departments.
• Continuously assess project’s context, assumptions and changes in the working environment to ensure that the programme focus, strategies and activities remain relevant and propose adjustments when needed
• Supervise the identification and setup of distribution sites, ensuring accessibility and safety for all beneficiaries, including women, elderly, and people with disabilities.
• Ensure that distribution activities are implemented according to Concern and donor guidelines, including compliance with approved ration scales.
• Proactively identify ways in which to improve monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment activities.
• Ensure the transparency and efficiency of project interventions, through the appropriate use of all resources and inputs according to policies and selection criteria.
• Monitor food distribution processes at all FDPs to ensure proper crowd control, fair distribution and adherence to safety and security standards.
• Coordinate post-distribution monitoring activities to assess impact and gather beneficiary feedback.
• Ensure that project requirements and supplies are planned for and ordered in a timely and coordinated manner. Ensure that all complaints related to distribution are reported, documented and escalated as appropriate.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of distribution activities, including the number of beneficiaries served, food quantities distributed, and any issues encountered.
• Develop detailed monthly and weekly work plans in collaboration with the Programme Manager and the donor.
• Prepare data and information as and when required by Concern, donors or partners.
• Document lessons learned and share with the Programme Manager.
• Ensure that all food distributions are conducted in line with Concern’s Protection and Safeguarding policies, with special attention to the prevention of exploitation and abuse.
• Ensure that vulnerable groups, particularly women, children, and people with disabilities, are prioritized and protected during distributions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Concern policies and procedures and donor rules & regulations including familiarizing all direct reports with these

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, community development, disaster risk reduction, project management or relevant field or a diploma in relevant field with significant experience including some line management experience.
• At least three years of experience in humanitarian assistance, food distribution or community mobilization, with a focus on leading teams.
• Demonstrated experience in managing food distribution projects or similar emergency response programs.
• Strong leadership, planning, and organizational skills with the ability to manage a team and coordinate with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills in Chichewa and English, with the ability to engage with community members, local leaders, and government officials.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in challenging environments.
• Commitment to gender equity, protection and inclusion.

How To Apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should send their CV (Maximum 3 pages and including three professional referees) and Cover Letter to malawi.hr@concern.net with the subject of the email as “Programme Officer – Livelihoods – Chikwawa or “Programme Officer – Livelihoods – Nsanje” depending on the location being applied for. The deadline for applications is Sunday, 7^th September 2025. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

Due to the urgency to fill these positions, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis, interviews conducted on a rolling basis and we may offer the position before the closing date. Any offers shall be subject to donor funding confirmation.

Concern is an equal opportunities employer. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Concern does not charge for any kind of recruitment.