Infrastructure Engineer

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Ministry of Local Government Unity and Culture is the lead implementing agency of a six-year programme known as Transforming Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE) Programme. TRADE is a successor programme of Rural Livelihoods and Economic Enhancement Programme (RLEEP) and it is being co-funded by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) whose overall goal is to contribute to improved sustainable livelihoods of rural people in Malawi through Value Chain commercialisation and resilience of rural poor and smallholder’s producers”. TRADE Programme specifically seeks to: (i) increase production and productivity by smallholder farmers; (ii) functionally upgrade smallholder farmers and the rural poor to undertake new functions such as processing, storage, packaging to capture more value; (iii) improve horizontal linkages by strengthening the capacities of cooperatives to provide market access functions to smallholder farmers; and, (iv) improve vertical linkages between stakeholders at different functional levels of the commodity chain, including private sector.

TRADE supports rural entrepreneurs, focusing on youths and women to develop and sustain their agribusiness enterprise opportunities and ensuring that commodities are nutrition sensitive. The objective is achieved through targeted support to smallholder farmers and non-farm actors to benefit from commodity markets, improved access to rural financial services, market and business development services and partnerships with the private sector.

The programme directly contributes to Pillar 1 and 3 of MW 2063. and Strategic objective 2 of the Malawi Country Strategic Opportunity (COSOP 2016-2021). Under the Ministry of Local Government as lead agency, TRADE is being implemented under 3 interlinked components namely: sustainable producer-private partnerships; enabling environment for smallholder commercialization and component; and, institutional support and programme management. With a total target of 300,000 households, TRADE covers Eleven (11) Districts of Mchinji, Ntchisi, Dedza, Blantyre, Kasungu, Nkhata-Bay, Rumphi, Karonga, Lilongwe Rural, Thyolo and Chitipa, focusing on Seven (7) commodities namely Groundnuts, Soybean, Sunflower, Potato, Dairy, Beef and Honey).

The Ministry of Local Government Unity and Culture, therefore, invites experienced candidates to fill various positions existing under the TRADE Programme as follows:

INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER

Number of Positions: 1
Recruitment : National
Reporting to: Infrastructure Specialist

Job Purpose

The Infrastructure Engineer will provide technical support for the planning, design, and implementation of TRADE Programme infrastructure projects. This role includes supervision of construction works, contract management, and collaboration with district councils to ensure adherence to project specifications.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Assist in developing work plans, tender documents, and project budgets.
• Provide technical backstopping and supervision of TRADE-supported infrastructure works.
• Participate in road and bridge surveys, including the design and preparation of technical drawings and tender documents.
• Assist in contract management to ensure quality assurance and compliance with engineering standards.
• Verify work completion and certify payments for contractors.
• Maintain accurate records of project activities and infrastructure development progress.
• Compile quarterly progress reports, consolidating feedback from district councils.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• A BSc in Civil Engineering from a recognized university.
• At least five years of experience in rural infrastructure development and maintenance.
• At least 3 years’ Experience in donor-funded projects, contract management, and site supervision is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, MS Project, and other engineering software.

All applications, with attached copies of professional and academic certificates, National ID, Curriculum Vitae and evidence of membership to a relevant professional body, should be hand delivered to the following address, not later than 14th June, 2025:

The Secretary for Local Government, Unity and Culture,
Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture,
Post Office Box 30312,
LILONGWE 3.
(Room 12)