UNCDF leverages digital finance in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve the vision of promoting inclusive digital economies. On that basis, the Inclusive Digital Economies Practice Area (IDE) of UNCDF adopted the strategy of ‘Leave No One Behind in the Digital Era’, which is based on over a decade of experience in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. The goal of UNCDF is to empower millions of people by 2024 to use digital services, which improve their quality of life and accelerate our progress towards sustainable development goals (SDGs) and offer partnerships in innovative financing.

Recently, UNCDF has formulated its strategy ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ based on over a decade of experience in digital finance in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. UNCDF recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital financial inclusion in support of the Sustainable Development Goals aligns with the vision of promoting digital economies that leave no one behind. The vision of UNCDF is to empower millions of people by 2024 to use services daily that leverage innovation and technology and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. For further details on UNCDF strategy, refer to; https://www.uncdf.org/article/4931/global-strategy-leaving-no-one-behind-in-the-digital-era. 

Putting Energy to Work- Promotion of productive use of energy in Malawi

UNCDF is present in Malawi and is active in promoting Inclusive Digital Economies and other market development initiatives. UNCDF will increase resilience in LDCs by supporting an energy transition agenda that emphasizes decentralized, renewable and clean energy projects and products that drive green growth. Net-zero emissions energy solutions that expand energy access and value addition are key elements of this approach. UNCDF promotes access to finance across energy value chains, from customer to enterprise to larger investments.

UNCDF helps fill the energy SME financing gap through its financial instruments. It increasingly supports both solar and improved cooking business models with digital and other technologies to increase their bankability and reach excluded populations. By 2025, UNCDF aims to support investments that allow 6 million people in at least 10 countries to access and benefit from clean energy. UNCDF investments will also contribute to wider energy market development, with an increased focus on productive use and local economic resilience and with strong connections to other key sectors.

UNCDF in partnership with GIZ – Energizing Development (EnDev) is to implement a Results Based Finance (RBF) facility and provide business development services (BDS) to energy service companies under the project – Putting Energy to Work!. The Putting Energy to Work (PEW) is a multi-donor action jointly co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

As part of UNCDF’s Inclusive Digital Economy (IDE), UNCDF is co-implementing with GIZ/EnDev the Putting Energy to Work – Promotion of Productive Use of Energy project with the main objective of facilitating the growth of the productive use of energy market by providing incentives and capacity-building to improve livelihoods and economic development of local off-grid energy companies in Malawi. Specifically, UNCDF will contribute to improving access to needs-based, climate-friendly PUE technologies and services, with increased participation of women, youth, and people with disabilities. The project will have two main outputs:

• Output 1: Strengthened and expanded private sector-driven market for PUE.
• Output 2: Strengthened participation of women, youth, and people with disabilities in the PUE market.

At the end of the implementation period of the project, it is expected that the number of companies with sustainable business models to commercialize PUE technologies will have increased and will have the necessary capacities to continue penetrating the targeted market segments.

The PSA Holder will support the achievement of these goals as a Project Coordinator based in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Effectively Manage the implementation of project activities in Malawi:

• Manages all aspects of the supply side of the Putting Energy to Work project according to the annual work plan. Monitors both activity and financial disbursement progress against the work plan;
• Coordinates implementation of supply-side activities with demand-side activities implemented by EnDev Malawi;
• Ensures timely procurement of goods and services for the implementation of project activities;
• Represents UNCDF in meetings and events that are relevant to promoting agenda relevant to the Project;
• Coordinates with EnDEv to ensure alignment of plans and implementation of the demand side activities;
• Ensures progress reporting obligations to donors and IDE Energy are met with high standards and promptly.

Ensure provision of technical guidance to project activities:

• Manages RBF scheme process from call for applications to disbursement of incentives. Manages contracts with PUE companies, and regularly monitors performance of partner companies to ensure a high-performing investment portfolio;
• Provides technical assistance to a portfolio of companies to improve RBF readiness, boost achievement of contract obligations, and become more investable to other funders;
• Support the GESI Advisor in the planning and implementation of the RBF scheme and BDS facility’s gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) interventions;
• Provides technical advice and implementation support to other UNCDF initiatives that have energy access as components of their activities.

Contributes to monitoring, knowledge sharing, and reporting activities:

• Supports the development and implementation of the projects’ results measurement framework in Malawi;
• Works closely with the results measurement associate on portfolio reporting, monitoring, and impact measurement to ensure a high-performing investment portfolio;
• Works closely with Communications Associate to share Project results and lessons learned as well as ideas/positions on relevant topics including GESI with a wider group of stakeholders in Malawi;
• Organizes learning and experience-sharing opportunities for government officials, private sector representatives, national associations, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Manages and verifies achievement of milestones and targets and works closely with the results measurement associate and administrative and finance assistance to ensure disbursements are made to partners promptly;
• Regularly reports to the Digital Finance specialist about the status of the implementation of the Results-Based Finance (RBF) scheme and Business development services facility activities.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The National Project Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the Digital Finance Country Specialist in Malawi.

Business Management: Communication

• 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.
•  Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Programme and Policy

• Engagement & Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance.

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Nature, Climate and Energy: Energy: Energy planning, De-risking energy investment and financial appraisal.

• Experience with the design and/or implementation of development projects to promote energy access and productive use of energy;
• Experience with the design and/or implementation of Business Development support services to the private sector;
• Experience in partnership building and management.

• Familiarity with principles of Results-Based Financing mechanisms;
• Proven experience and strong knowledge and understanding of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion;
• Familiarity with the deployment of financing instruments for the private sector;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment, with a willingness to travel.

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in Chichewa (national language of the duty station) is also required.