Agroecology Specialist

Ministry of Agriculture

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES-INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)
Country: Malawi
Project Name: Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II
Assignment title: Agroecology Specialist.
Reference no.: 19/SAPP 11/AGRECO/INDCO_3/2025/26
Date of Issue: 6th September 2025.

1. Background
The ILSA Malawi project is a three-year initiative scheduled to commence in September 2025. The project is financed by the European Union (EU), and the total project cost is € 2.8 million. The overarching goal is to contribute to improving food and nutrition security of farmers through sustainable food systems. The objective of the ILSA project is to enhance the resilience and productivity of smallholder farming systems by promoting sustainable agroecological practices. The ILSA Malawi project will be integrated into SAPP II sub-components (output), which include: 1.2 Enhanced capacity for climate-smart, nutrition-sensitive production systems and gender transformative approaches, and 1.3 Sustainable management of productive resources (soil, land and water).

The ILSA Malawi project has three outcome components:

Outcome Component 1: Increased adoption of bio inputs and climate-smart agricultural practices and water management approaches: This component focuses on enhancing the use of biological inputs and agroecological and climate-smart agricultural practices, alongside improved water management strategies.

Outcome Component 2: Increased market-driven agroecological production: This component aims to increase market-driven agroecological production through several key activities. Additionally, it establishes market linkages between Producers Groups and buyers, formulates business plans for necessary investments, and supports their implementation through a competitive process with close monitoring.

Outcome Component 3: Programme management and coordination: This component aims to strengthen the institutional capacity for promoting sustainable food systems and agroecological approaches through effective programme management and coordination.

ILSA will be implemented in close coordination with district agriculture offices across four of the SAPP-II target districts: Dowa, Mzimba, Lilongwe Rural and Balaka. The ILSA programme is expected to benefit at least 10,000 smallholder farming households.

The Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II intends to apply part of the proceeds to procure the services of a highly motivated and experienced Agroecology Specialist.

2. Job Purpose
SAPP II is inviting applications for the position of Agroecology Specialist tenable at the PMU in Lilongwe. The Agroecology Specialist will be responsible for the planning, technical oversight, and quality assurance of agroecology-related interventions under the ILSA grant, in support of SAPP II Outputs 1.2 and 1.3. The Specialist will provide technical support to technical departments, district-level staff, extension workers, and implementing partners.

3. Key Responsibilities and duties

The responsibilities of the Climate Finance Special Projects Specialist will include:

  1. Facilitate preparation of the annual work plans and budget.
  2. Facilitate technical design and oversight of on-farm trials, demonstration plots, farmer field schools (FFS’s) and communication and awareness campaigns.
  3. Support implementation of farmer-led Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA) in each FFS group supported under EU-ILSA.
  4. Provide technical support for the identification and selection of bio-input partners (private sector and farmer organizations), business plan selection, bio-input production protocols and training of private actors.
  5. Work closely with the Agribusiness Specialist to support market development and commercialization of agroecological products.
  6. Support development of agroecology-specific indicators and data collection tools for the annual outcome survey, in collaboration with the M&E Officer (including yield tracking, adoption of specific practices, and FFS graduation data) and ensure the interventions are gender responsive.
  7. Any other duties appropriate to the post as may be required

4. Qualification and Experience

Qualification

  • University degree in any of the following disciplines: Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Crop Science and Horticulture and Landscape.
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience working on sustainable agriculture programmes, with at least 2 years implementing agroecology or ISFM/IPM approaches in smallholder contexts.
  • Demonstrated experience in managing large-scale farmer training programmes (e.g. FFS), coordinating on-farm trials, or delivering integrated soil and pest management solutions.
  • Experience working with both public extension services and private sector actors in bio-input development, preferably within a grant or matching subsidy framework.
  • Proficiency in writing technical guidance and field documentation, and in facilitating participatory learning.

Desirable

  • Experience working in Malawi or similar Southern African agroecological contexts.
  • Experience in developing functional market-driven production alliances or increasing market access, preferably for organic or agroecological products.
  • Familiarity with IFAD or EU-funded projects, including environmental and social safeguards and M&E systems.
  • Experience in working with projects that provided grants to farmers is a plus.

5.0 Duration of the Assignment
The assignment is for the period of five (5) years subject to annual renewal based on satisfactory performance

6.0 Selection Method.
A consultant will be selected in accordance with the individual consultant selection (ICS) method set out in Module F2 section 7 of the IFAD Project Procurement Handbook.

7.0 Method of application
Expression of Interest with detailed updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and copies of academic qualifications including names of three traceable references must be delivered in written form to the address below in person or be email or by mail NOT later than 19th September 2025 at 4:30 pm

The Chairperson
Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee
The Ministry of Agriculture
Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II
Amina House
Chilambula Road
Box 30127
Lilongwe
Address for submission by email is procurement@sapp.mw