The Government of Malawi signed a five-year agreement (“Compact”) with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (“MCC”) to fund specific programs targeted at reducing poverty and stimulating economic growth. MCC is a U.S. government agency focused on assisting countries dedicated to good governance, economic
freedom, and investing in people. An Accountable Entity called the Millennium Challenge Account-Malawi II (“MCA-Malawi II”) has been created and designated by the Government of Malawi to implement the Compact. The compact has three projects: 1) the Accelerated Growth Corridors Project (AGC) will focus on reducing the
costs of transport in targeted rural areas; 2) the Increased Land Productivity Project will focus on improving land services, strengthening conditions for increased investment in land and better functioning land markets, including in Malawi’s largest cities; and (3) the American Catalyst Facility for Development Project to facilitate U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) investment in Malawi tocatalyze increased
private investment.

MCA – Malawi II invites applications from suitable qualified professionals to fill the following position:

Director, Accelerated Growth Corridors Project

Position Summary
The Director, Accelerated Growth Corridors (AGC) Project, under the supervision of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), is responsible for the successful implementation of the AGC Project, including initiation and execution of reforms, capacity building and infrastructure development, building collaborative relationships with project stakeholders, and oversight of project budgets. The Director, AGC Project, ensures the alignment of project execution with the overall objectives of the Compact and the judicious management of its resources.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the AGC Project and ensure that project goals are in line with the Compact requirements, ensuring that cross-cutting requirements (e.g. Gender and Social Inclusion, ESP, M&E) are implemented.
• Lead and coordinate MCA-Malawi II’s efforts to execute on key Compact reforms in coordination with relevant Government Ministries, the Private Sector and Civil Society.
• Further develop AGC project designs and utilize a workplan to ensure MCA-Malawi II’s ability to implement the program, managing risks and delays against established program schedules through data driven monitoring tools.
• Provide inputs, evaluate and approve all reports from the Management Advisory Unit team, the Project Management Unit for the compact program, on planning, scheduling, project controls and implementation progress and provide technical advice, support and facilitation to keep all project activities on-track and provide regular inputs to MCA-Malawi II reports.
• Ensure timely preparation of all MCA-Malawi II monthly, quarterly and other reports to MCC or other stakeholders.
• In coordination with the MCA-Malawi II Management Advisory Unit, develop a cohesive management framework, including tools, that integrate project technical and cross-cutting areas.
• Oversee recruitment of the AGC Project team as well as training, development, and performance management of staff to ensure capacity to deliver the Project’s objectives.
• Represent the AGC Project to MCC and the MCA Board of Directors to ensure a common understanding project progress with a focus on significant changes to project design, issues with resources and collaborative relationships are communicated and addressed.
• Represent the AGC project to Project Stakeholders (e.g. with National/Local Government Counterparts, Civil Society, Project Beneficiaries, etc.) and identify and develop potential partnerships that can advance MCA-Malawi II’s work.
• Integrate sustainability dimensions into the Life Cycle of a project, including capacity building, Social Inclusion and Equality between men and women, and environmental and economic aspects.
• Manage delivery of required products, take responsibility for overall progress and use of resources, and take corrective action if necessary.
• Guide external implementing entities on compliance with the Implementing Entity Agreement, MCC technical guidelines, local regulations, and reporting requirements to ensure compliance and transparency.
• In coordination with the MCA-Malawi II Management Advisory Unit, introduce tools to communicate the process and progress of the AGC Project milestones.
• Identify and anticipate potential risks and issues specific to delivery forecasts in a timely manner and advise on mitigation measures and solutions.
• Create and optimize approaches and build consistency in the quality of program outputs, implementation, and assessments of the AGC project.
• Ensure coordination with the Procurement Manager, Procurement Agent, Management Advisory Unit, and other relevant MCA-Malawi II Project Directors and Managers for the timely procurement of consultant services and contractors.
• Proactively review all potential and ongoing claims within the context of the full name (FIDIC) contracts, with the aim of expeditiously and fairly resolving these claims, in collaboration with the Management Advisory Unit team.
• Ensure the development, implementation and, where necessary, the amendment of budgets and organizational charts, ensuring synergies within the organization.
• Develop and establish Management Advisory Unit expenditure tracking systems, in addition to the organization’s online tools, to ensure effective planning, accurate forecasts and ongoing monitoring of project execution.

Required Competencies

• Masters degree in Civil Engineering, Public Works Engineering or Road Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Business Administration, Finance, or related field is required
• Minimum of 10 years relevant and progressive professional experience, especially in the field of project management with successful experience of implementation and / or monitoring of programs and projects.
• Experience in drafting, reviewing, and approving procurement documents to international standards.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with domestic and international stakeholders and counterparts
• Experience in one or more of the sectors like the AGC Project, such as road design and construction, transport planning and policy, and public administration of road infrastructure, is preferred.
• Experience in planning and organizing market outreach is preferred.
• Familiarity and/or experience with international donor institutions’ procurement guidelines and procedures, particularly those of the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank and/or knowledge and experience in administration / management of a MCC compact is an advantage.
• Experience managing project-based teams of professionals delivering high quality outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong computer skills with office productivity applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project) and familiarity with project management tools, Management Information Systems, and Geographic Information Systems.

How to apply
To access positions’ profile requirements and submit applications, please visit https://malawi-jobs.tenderwell.app/ Applications should be accompanied by the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae containing detailed work experience;
2. Cover letter confirming interest and availability;
3. Soft copies of higher education and professional certificates (if available).

If you meet challenges in applying online, please contact 0989235904 for assistance.

The closing date for receiving applications is 2nd October 2023

Please note that only applications received through the online (Tenderwell) portal will be considered. Any
applications received through other channels will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.