Deputy Project Coordinator

NATIONAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE COMMITTEE

Integrated Social Protection for Resilience and Opportunity (INSPIRE-O)
Credit /Grant No: P512324
Date of Issue: 6th November 2026

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR POSITIONS UNDER THE INTEGRATED SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR RESILIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY (INSPIRE-O)

The Government of Malawi (GoM) through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NGFC) has received financing from the World Bank Group and the Malawi Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund supported by the European Union, Ireland, the United Kingdom through FCDO, Germany through KIW, Iceland, and Norway towards the cost of Integrated Social Protection for Resilience and Opportunity (INSPIRE-O). The NGFC intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract to recruit various specialists and/officers on a three – year contract, renewable annually based on performance and availability of financial resources or as mutually agreed by both parties.

NGFC, therefore, invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill various positions available at the NGFC Offices:

Deputy Project Coordinator (1 position)

Position Overview

The Deputy Project Coordinator (DPC) is the most senior technical position within the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC). The primary purpose of the role is to support the Project Coordinator in providing strategic leadership and managing the day-to-day operations of the INSPIRE-O Project. The Deputy Project Coordinator will have a specific focus on operational coordination, technical oversight of project sub-components, and field-level monitoring to ensure the timely, effective, and compliant delivery of project activities across all implementing partners. This role is critical to achieving the INSPIRE-O Project Development Objective (PDO) by ensuring that the complex, multi-component activities under the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), Public Works Programme (PWP), and Micro-Entrepreneurship Program (MEP) are implemented in a coordinated and synergistic manner. The Deputy Project Coordinator will serve as a key bridge between the central PIU and district-level structures, ensuring that activities are aligned with national policies and World Bank requirements. The DPC acts for the Project Coordinator during absences and delegated periods and manages the operational coordination of technical specialists, while the PC retains overall supervisory authority and strategic leadership of the PIU.

Objective of the Assignment

The Deputy Project Coordinator supports the Project Coordinator in managing and coordinating the project’s day-to-day implementation to ensure activities are delivered on time and contribute to the achievement of project objectives. The role coordinates assigned work plans and activities, follows up on implementation progress, supports financial, procurement, contract, safeguard, and stakeholder engagement processes, and helps ensure compliance with Government and donor requirements. The Deputy also acts for the Project Coordinator when delegated.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Deputy Project Coordinator’s responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Operational Coordination and Planning

1. Support the development, consolidation, and monitoring of Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs), ensuring alignment with project objectives, financing agreements, and the Project Implementation Manual (PIM).
2. Facilitate cross-component implementation by facilitating information sharing and joint planning among technical specialists responsible for SCTP, PWP, Ultra-Poor Graduation and MEP activities.
3. Facilitate field operations across all project districts, ensuring that activities are synchronized and resources are efficiently utilized.
4. Prepare and update detailed implementation schedules for all project components, tracking progress against milestones and identifying potential bottlenecks.
5. Support the preparation and maintenance implementation dashboards, district performance reviews, mission follow-up matrices, and bottleneck tracking reports to support real-time decision-making and adaptive management.
6. Support the strengthening of adaptive social protection and shock-responsive delivery mechanisms, ensuring lessons from the Scalable Safety Nets component are systematically addressed in operational planning and coordination.
7. Coordinate operational aspects of digital delivery systems, including MIS oversight, beneficiary management, and data quality assurance, in collaboration with relevant technical specialists.

Technical Oversight of Project Components

1. Provide technical oversight and backstopping for the implementation of all three core components of the project:
2. Component 1 (SCTP): Support coordination with the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare to ensure effective delivery of cash transfers and Ultra-poor Graduation.
3. Component 2 (PWP): Provide technical guidance on the implementation of public works activities, including catchment restoration, in collaboration with the Public Works Specialist and district technical teams.
4. Component 3 (MEP): Coordinate and oversee the work of Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs), ensuring quality service delivery, beneficiary targeting, and market linkages.
5. Facilitate the integration of cross-cutting themes, including Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), climate resilience, and safeguards compliance, across all project activities.
6. Provide technical support for the achievement of project results and PDO indicators, ensuring that operational activities are contributing to overall project performance.
7. Review and update the components implementation guidelines in collaboration with the specialists.

Stakeholder Engagement and Governance

1. Support in organizing key governance meetings, including the Project Technical Coordination Group (PTCG) meetings, in coordination with the Project Coordinator.
2. Maintain collaboration platforms with all project stakeholders, including government ministries, local authorities (District, and City Councils), development partners, and community-based organizations.
3. Support multi-sector coordination and district-level implementation oversight.

Staff Management and Team Support

1. Provide supervision and technical guidance to PIU technical specialists in ensuring effective time commitment and high performance.
2. Facilitate capacity building for district-level technical teams and partners on project procedures, safeguards, and reporting requirements.
3. Manage the operational coordination of technical specialists, ensuring effective workflow and synergy across all project components.

Risk Management

1. Support the Project Coordinator in implementing the project’s risk management framework, ensuring systematic identification, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring of risks across all components and implementation levels.
2. Ensure that risk management is integrated into district-level implementation, with appropriate mitigation measures and escalation protocols.

Qualifications and Experience

1. Master’s Degree in Project Management; Development Studies; Economics; engineering; Environmental Science; or a related field from an accredited institution.
2. A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant working experience in senior project management or coordination positions, with a strong focus on planning, budget management, and execution in the public or development sector.
3. Experience in management and coordination of large-scale, adaptive social protection programs in Malawi.
4. Demonstrated experience in field-level coordination and monitoring of development interventions at the district or community level.
5. Experience with decentralization and local government systems in Malawi.
6. Demonstrated experience in managing multi-sector coordination and district-level implementation oversight.

Essential Skills and Competencies

1. Technical: Demonstrated proficiency in the use of project and budget management software/tracking tools (e.g., MS Office). In-depth knowledge of World Bank procurement and financial management procedures, as well as Government of Malawi financial and procurement regulations. Demonstrated experience with digital delivery systems, MIS oversight, beneficiary management, and data quality assurance.
2. Leadership: Proven ability to lead and manage multi-disciplinary, cross-sectoral teams effectively, with excellent problem-solving and strategic thinking skills. Demonstrated capacity to manage multi-stakeholder coordination and district-level implementation oversight.
3. Communication: Excellent written and spoken English, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, and high-quality technical reports. Exceptional interpersonal and diplomatic skills for engaging with high-level government officials and development partners.
4. Personal Attributes: Highly motivated, self-starter, result-oriented and capable of working under pressure to meet tight deadlines. Must demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and a commitment to anti-corruption and anti-bribery ethics.

Deliverables and Performance Management

The Deputy Project Coordinator’s performance will be assessed against the timeliness, quality, and completeness of the following deliverables:

1. Timeliness, completeness and quality of all plans and reports.
2. Implementation performance against approved annual work plan and budget.
3. Procurement performance against approved timelines.
4. Compliance with fiduciary, environmental, and social requirements (e.g., no significant red flags).
5. Timely facilitating of governance meetings and supervision missions.
6. Implementation dashboards, district performance reviews, mission follow-up matrices, and bottleneck tracking reports.
7. Reports on adaptive social protection and shock-responsive delivery mechanisms.
8. Reports on digital delivery systems, MIS oversight, beneficiary management, and data quality assurance.

Key Performance Indicators

KPIs will include:

1. Timely submission and quality of all reports and deliverables.
2. Effective coordination of cross-component activities.
3. Compliance with fiduciary, environmental, and social requirements.
4. Timely organization of governance meetings and supervision missions.
5. Achievement of project results and PDO indicators.
6. Quality of implementation and delivery system strengthening.
7. Effectiveness of risk management, including district-level risk mitigation.
8. Quality of support for adaptive social protection and shock-responsive delivery mechanisms.
9. Quality of support for digital delivery systems, MIS oversight, beneficiary management, and data quality assurance.

Reporting and Supervision

The Deputy Project Coordinator will report directly to the Project Coordinator. S/he will assume and act as the primary point of contact for project operations; and technically work closely with the NLGFC’s Director of Social and Economic Services. The Deputy Project Coordinator shall promptly disclose any matter that may materially affect procurement integrity, compliance, schedule, cost, contract performance, or achievement of the assignment objective and shall recommend practical corrective action for consideration by the authorized Client representatives.

Facilities and Client Inputs

NLGFC will provide reasonable facilities necessary for performance of the services, including:

1. Office space, furniture, and office equipment;
2. Communication and internet facilities;
3. Access to relevant project documents, reports, systems, and designated counterpart staff, subject to applicable access controls. Official travel outside the duty station shall require prior written authorization. NLGFC will provide or pay for authorized transport and applicable subsistence allowances (per diems, etc.) in accordance with the contract and applicable Government rates. The contract shall clarify whether each eligible cost is paid directly by NLGFC or reimbursed against supporting documentation.

Ownership, Confidentiality and Records

All reports, registers, tools, training materials, databases, records, and other products prepared specifically under the assignment will be the property of NLGFC, subject to the terms of the contract. The Deputy Project Coordinator shall maintain confidentiality of non-public information received or generated during the assignment and shall use it only for performance of the services. At completion or termination of the assignment, the Specialist shall return or hand over all Client records, access devices, working files, and final outputs in an organized and usable form and shall not retain confidential copies except where required by law or expressly authorized in writing by the Client.

Location of Employment

The Deputy Project Coordinator will be based at the NLGFC offices in Lilongwe. The position will require regular and extensive travel to all project implementation areas for INSPIRE-O.

Duration of Assignment

The assignment is for a period of three (3) years, with annual contract renewal subject to satisfactory performance and availability of project resources.

Selection and Remuneration

1. Selection Method: The applicant will be selected on the basis of the method of Individual Consultant in accordance with the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers,” Sixth Edition, February 2025.
2. Remuneration: The remuneration package will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

Interested applicants who meet the specified requirements are encouraged to submit their application letters together with a concise Curriculum Vitae (CV), National ID, and copies of relevant original certificates to the address below not later than 17.00 hours on 13th November, 2026.

The National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversifying Gender equality in its operations and strongly encourages women to apply for the above vacant positions.

The Executive Director
National Local Government Finance Committee
Area 14, Red Cross Building
Presidential Way
P.O Box 31162
LILONGWE 3
Or through the following email address: recruitment@nlgfc.gov.mw

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments.