Senior Programme Officer – Agrobiodiversity

Oxfam

OXFAM
VACANCY
SENIOR PROGRAMME OFFICER – AGROBIODIVERSITY
LOCATION: LILONGWE, MALAWI

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. That means we tackle the inequality that keeps people poor. Together we save, protect and rebuild lives. When disaster strikes, we help people build better lives for themselves, and for others. We take on issues like land rights, climate change and discrimination against women. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can enjoy life free from poverty.

We are an international confederation of 19 organizations (affiliates) working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

All our work is led by three core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness. To read more about our values please click here: https://www.oxfam.org/en/explore/how-oxfam-fight-poverty.

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

The Role

Oxfam in Malawi is looking for a result-oriented individual to fill out a position of Senior Programme Officer – Agrobiodiversity to coordinate, plan and implement the “Rooted in Diversity”: Partnerships for Food Security and Livelihoods project with partners.

The project is part of a multi country project, it is funded by Norad. At the local level, the project will target Dowa and Nkhotakota Districts while also influencing national level policy around recognition of local food systems. Its overall objective is ‘Increased food and nutrition security for small-scale food producers and their communities in Malawi.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY

Project Development, Management and Implementation:

  • The Senior Programme Officer will be responsible for the planning and implementation of the “Rooted in Diversity: Partnerships for Food Security and Livelihoods project with partners.
  • Support NGO partners, networks and National Agriculture Research Stations (NARS) in programme/project development through technical advice on participatory community engagement, district level consultation and project design.
  • Coordinate with internal and external advisors and staff for required input into supporting partners programme development.
  • Relationship and team building with the different government and non-government partners.
  • Responsible for effective use and control of project resources such as vehicles.
  • Ensure that women’s rights are at the centre of our Just Economies work.

Partnership Management:

  • Facilitate setting up of systems and procedures for better management of partner organisations, especially for monitoring and reporting.
  • Closely work with partners to mutually agree on detailed operational plans, budgets, indicators for measuring achievements as well as monitoring, evaluation and learning framework in line with Oxfam Southern Africa Cluster Strategy Framework and plans.
  • Identify any emerging opportunities for wider partnerships in the food system sector especially agrobiodiversity sector, and Just Economies thematic area
  • Undertake regular and mutually agreed review visits to partners and provide guidance on enhancing the quality of programmes.
  • Work with internal staff and external staff to identify capacity building and training needs of partners and take initiatives to get them addressed.
  • Be proactive in linking organisational development advisors to partners and vice versa in supporting partners programme implementation.
  • Bring up major concerns about partners’ operations to the notice of the Program Manager – Just Economies for remedial action.
  • Draw up and implement partner capacity enhancement plans in a consultative manner.

Resource Management:

  • Manage Oxfam in Malawi’s various resources under custody of the Senior Programme Officer.

Reporting and Work Programming:

  • Make regular monitoring visits to partner organisations, institutions and project implementation sites to review progress of work and provide strategic inputs and in particular to help to ensure that programme obligations for annual and monthly planning and reporting are properly met.
  • Provide regular updates to the Programme Manager – Just Economies on internal and external environment affecting the projects / programmes.
  • Collaborate with the Gender team to develop the use of gender analysis using relevant methodologies, problem solving, non-directive, rights sensitive and practical responses to improve the impact of Oxfam’s work with the marginalised groups, especially women.

Programme Quality and Learning:

  • Work with the MEAL team to ensure that the MEAL functions are effectively adopted in the delivery of the project.
  • Ensure participation of partners in programme review and learning exercises led by Oxfam or jointly undertaken by partners.

Representation Network and Alliance Building:

  • Represent the Just Economies Team at various external fora as directed by the Programme Manager – Just Economies
  • Actively participate in programme meetings as a member of the programme team.
  • Build and foster national alliances and networks that enhance sharing, learning and collaboration among relevant organisations and individuals;
  • Adopt a proactive approach to undertaking relevant lobbying, campaigning and advocacy work to increase other peoples’ understanding of programme issues and to influence their approach and decisions in support of Oxfam’s work.

Funding and Donor Management:

  • Ensure compliance with back donor requirements especially, timely submission of quality descriptive and financial reports;
  • Participate in relevant fund-raising activities, monitoring funding opportunities and support response to these opportunities with approved concept notes/proposals;
  • Assist in the development of sector related donor proposals, budget submissions and other necessary activities to secure funding for Just Economies thematic area objectives;
  • Facilitate compliance with donor grant requirements, provide input into donor reports and support the management of donor visits as appropriate;
  • Take lead role in drafting high quality reports according to donor contract agreements.

Applicants should at least have a minimum of:

Education:

  • A Master’s Degree in Agriculture, Social Development & Sustainable Livelihoods, Agriculture, economics, Crop Sciences, Nutrition, or other relevant field.

Experience & Skills

  • 10+ years of experience in development work, preferably within a large development or humanitarian organisation; experiences in promoting agrobiodiversity and nutrition in food system programming preferred.
  • Be knowledgeable on promoting local food systems initiatives in Malawi
  • Be knowledgeable of status of nutrition policy and food system transformation policy frameworks in Malawi
  • Experienced in Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approaches
  • Knowledge of programme development and delivery approaches, tools, methodologies and best practices;
  • Previous experience in handling donor funded especially with large grants  project
  • Understanding and appreciation of the impact of HIV & AIDS on the rural communities in Malawi as well as the importance of gender mainstreaming in all programming.
  • Excellent listening, communication and writing skills. Fluent in English and Chichewa.
  • Strong organisational and personal management skills, with ability to prioritise work issues to meet deadlines with minimal supervision and ability to adjust to constantly changing situations while maintaining focus on delivery and follow-through;
  • Experience of and thorough understanding of a “Rights Based Approach”;
  • Proven knowledge of and experience with donor funding environment and good financial and project management skills;
  • A high level of self-awareness, initiative, sound judgement, personal energy and flexibility;
  • Experience in development and management of a monitoring system that ably deliver a livelihood project
  • High level of independence, able to work and deliver results with minimum supervision
  • Strong experiences in advocacy and policy influencing, preferably within the nutrition and food system sector
  • Ability and willingness to travel and to work extra hours as necessary;

How to apply

If your qualifications meet the requirements, and believe in Oxfam values- please apply by visiting our website at : http://www.oxfam.org.uk using the following details: Senior Programme Officer: Ref No. INT10972

Search link: https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/jobs/vacancy/23232/description

The closing date is 4 April 2025

Only short-listed applicants will be acknowledged.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.