Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP)
REPUBLIC OF MALAWI
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
SHIRE VALLEY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME (SVTP)-2
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR YOUNG OFFICERS
Country: MALAWI
Name of Project: SHIRE VALLEY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME-2
Credit No: 71350-MW
1.0 Introduction
The Programme development objective for the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP) is to increase agricultural productivity and commercialization for targeted households in the Shire Valley; and to improve the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources. The project development objective of SVTP is to provide access to reliable gravity fed irrigation and drainage services, secure land tenure for smallholder farmers, and strengthen management of wetlands and protected areas in the Shire Valley.
The SVTP is a 14-year programme (2017-2031) structured around three coordinated pillars: (i) Providing reliable, professionally managed and sustainably financed irrigation service to a large number of irrigators in a phased construction of the Shire Valley Irrigation Project scheme and providing multiple services including water supply (ii) Support farmer organization within a comprehensive land use plan; supporting land tenure strengthening and consolidation; as well as natural resources management; and iii) establishment of smallholder owned commercial farm enterprises transitioning into commercial agriculture from subsistence farming and integrating them into commercial value chains. These pillars all contribute to the overarching goals of the programme and build on each other in a phased approach. There are three Phases to the SVTP:
- Phase I (SVTP-I) initiated the process on all pillars, with a major focus on irrigation service provision to the SVIP-I area, land tenure, farmer organization and natural resource management;
- SVTP-II shifts investment focus to agricultural investment, private sector and value chain support, as well as investments in bulk infrastructure for the SVIP-II area;
- SVTP-III is the scale-up phase of investments to the SVIP-II area.
The SVTP is managed by a Project Management Team (PMT) consisting of various technical specialists headed by a Project Coordinator. The Ministry of Agriculture intends to recruit young officers to join the PMT for a period of one year with possibility of contract renewal.
The recruitment will be on an individual consultancy basis. Facilities to be provided by the client shall include office space, furniture, and office equipment, communication, and internet facilities. For all field related assignments, the Project shall provide transport and costs and other expenses (per Diems etc.) related to the field work. All officers will be based at the PMT Office in Blantyre.
The Ministry now invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill the positions of young officers to be recruited as individual consultants.
ASSISTANT FINANCE OFFICER
i. The Objective of this Assignment:
The Shire Valley Transformation Programme is seeking the services of Assistant Finance Officer to assist the Financial Management Specialist (FMS) and Assistant Financial Management Specialists (AFMSs) in managing finance activities for SVTP in line with Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP) financial management manual.
ii. The Position
The Assistant Finance Officer is part of SVTP Project Management and Coordination Team, which comprises the Project Coordinator, Specialists and support staff.
The Assistant Finace Officer will have the following responsibilities:
- Capturing financial data into Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVRTP) financial management accounting system, and
- Maintaining Shire Valley Transformation Programme accounting records
iii. Scope of the Assignment
Specifically, the Assistant Finance Officer will be performing the following duties:
- Ensure safe and proper custody of financial accounting records, payment vouchers and supporting documentations, under generally accepted accounting principles to provide a basis for adequate financial control and timely preparation for both internal and external audits
- Capturing of accounting data into the SVTP financial management accounting system
- Ensure that transactions are processed daily in the SVTP financial management accounting system and that they are accurate and complete.
- Ensure completeness of supporting documentations vendors/suppliers before making payments to
- Complying with SVTP Financial Management procedures and systems at all times to achieve
SVTP goals and objectives - Management of allowances and reimbursements payments during fuel meetings, workshops and other activities organized by SVTP
- Liquidations of activities advances after the end of each workshop, meeting and other events organised by SVTP specialists and officers
- Ensure that all government taxes are correctly deducted from suppliers/vendors and remitted to Malawi Revenue Authority before the due dates
- Preparation of SVTP monthly cash controls
- Preparation of monthly bank reconciliations
- Any other duties as assigned from time to time
iv. Performance Criteria
The following performance criteria will be used to assess the performance of the Assistant Finance Officer annually and based upon these assessments, the contract with the Project may be continued or terminated:
- Accuracy, completeness and timeliness data capturing in the SVTP financial management accounting system
- Cash controls preparation according to the set time-line as stipulated in the SVTP financial management manual
- Bank reconciliations preparation in line with set time-line as stipulated in the SVTP Financial management manual
- Completeness of accounting records kept in readiness for both internal and external audits assignments
v. Reporting Requirements
The Assistant Finance Officer will be directly reporting to the Assistant Financial Management Specialist in financial activities management under the Programme to ensure adherence with SVTP Financial Management manual.
vi. Qualifications and Experience
The Assistant Procurement Officer should meet the following minimum qualifications:
- A minimum of a first degree in accounting and/or finance obtained between 2020 and 2024
- Two years’ experience working in a busy accounting office managing Malawi government donor funded programs or any other donor funded project
- Good computer skills and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint, etc.);
- Experience/ skills working in teams and in a multi-cultural/sectoral environment;
- Highly motivated with excellent planning, analytical, communications and interpersonal skills as well as a high level of diplomacy; and
- Upholding of anti-corruption and anti-bribery
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section Ill, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 7:30hrs to 12:00hrs and from 13:00hrs to 17:00hrs except on Weekends and Public Holidays.
Expressions of interest including detailed updated Curriculum Vitae and copies of professional and academic qualifications must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 14th March, 2025.
The Director of Irrigation Services,
Department of Irrigation,
Off Paul Kagame Road,
P.O. Box 30797,
Lilongwe
Malawi
(Attention: The Principal Human Resources Management Officer)
Alternatively, applications may be emailed to: enakoma@yahoo.com; cc: mmaoni.doi@svtp.gov.mw; mtewete.doi@svtp.gov.mw; mwalabu2005@yahoo.co.uk;