Country Lead

BICM Group

SENSE (IMAGRI) MALAWI ADVERTISEMENT

A. INTRODUCTION

BICM Group’s client, Sense Malawi, is a key partner in the transformative Ireland-Malawi Agri-Food Systems Strategy (IMAGRI) Programme. They are dedicated to strengthening Malawi’s food systems by empowering enterprises, farmers, and communities to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development. To efficiently and strategically lead this critical work, we are seeking three highly motivated and experienced professionals to join our leadership and technical teams at the Malawi Country Office. Therefore, Sense (IMAGRI) invites applications for the following positions: (i) Country Lead, (ii) Food Safety Lead, and (iii) Finance and Administration Officer. These roles are essential for providing the strategic direction and technical expertise needed to drive lasting socio-economic change in the Agri-Food sector. The detailed descriptions for these vacancies are provided below:

Advertisement 1: Country Lead

Employment Type: Fixed Term Employment Contract, renewable subject to CL performance, annual performance review, and annual renewal of IMAGRI by the Embassy of Ireland.
Reporting to: SFSI Programme Director.
Liaison with: Sense Programme Lead; Embassy of Ireland.

1. Position Purpose Overview

Based in Lilongwe, the Country Lead is the senior in-country representative and programme leader for the Ireland-Malawi Agri-Food Systems Programme (IMAGRI). The role combines systems leadership, practical execution, and coalition –

building to drive delivery across food safety systems strengthening, enterprise development, and food systems transformation. Beyond coordination and compliance, the Country Lead is expected to mobilise people, institutions, and partners around a shared vision for safer, more competitive, and more inclusive food systems in Malawi, while leveraging relevant Irish expertise and experience.

2. Key Outcomes and Performance Expectations

The Country Lead will be assessed on results achieved, quality of leadership, and effectiveness of partnerships. Over the first 12-24 months, success in this role will include:

  1. Consistent progress against approved annual work plans and programme milestones;
  2. Strong, trust-based relationships with government and agency counterparts, implementing partners, and the Embassy of Ireland;
  3. Effective coordination across work packages, resulting in coherent and mutually reinforcing interventions;
  4. High-quality, timely narrative and financial reporting and full compliance with governance and safeguarding requirements;
  5. Evidence of active coalition-building around food safety and food systems priorities; and
  6. Provision of on-the-ground support and troubleshooting for team activities and specialists on field missions.

The Performance of the CL will be reviewed annually against agreed objectives and programme Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

3. Key Duties and Responsibilities

The CD shall be responsible for the following multifaceted key performance areas encompassing strategic, operational, and external leadership:

a) Strategic Leadership and Delivery

  1. Provide overall leadership and direction to the IMAGRI programme at the country level;
  2. Translate programme objectives into actionable, sequenced work plans and ensure delivery momentum; and
  3. Balance strategic oversight with hands-on problem-solving in a dynamic implementation environment.

b) Systems Thinking and Integration

  1. Ensure coherence across policy, regulatory, enterprise, and consumer-facing interventions;
  2. Identify system bottlenecks and opportunities where coordinated action can unlock progress;
  3. Support adaptive management informed by evidence, learning, and stakeholder feedback.

c) Influence, Partnership and Coalition-Building

  1. Build and sustain trusted relationships with government ministries, agencies, enterprises, and development partners;
  2. Convene and support coalitions of the willing around food safety and food systems priorities;
  3. Represent the programme credibly in policy dialogue, coordination platforms, and sector fora;
  4. Act to address issues encountered by IMAGRI specialists in working with counterparts and beneficiaries.

d) Governance, Risk and Accountability

  1. Ensure strong governance, safeguarding, and compliance with grant agreements and organisational policies;
  2. Anticipate and manage political, operational, and reputational risks;
  3. Uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.

e) Learning, Reporting, and Communication

  1. Ensure high-quality narrative and financial reporting;
  2. Promote a learning-oriented, performance-focused culture within the Programme Implementation Unit (PIU);
  3. Support joint reviews, learning events, and field visits.

f) Financial Management

  1. Oversee budget development and financial management for all projects and proposals for Sense Malawi.
  2. Ensure compliance with financial policies, donor requirements, and local regulations.
  3. Effectively determine the strategic allocation of the country’s financial resources.
  4. Ensure regional compliance with relevant financial laws, policies, and practices, and ensure best practices, including good financial management and regular financial audits as required.
  5. Set, monitor, manage, and regularly report on project budgets and expenditures.

g) Team Leadership, Human Resources, and Administration Management

  1. Develop a relevant organisational structure, HRA terms and conditions of services, performance frameworks, performance-related policies and regulations, and recruit and onboard three core staff.
  2. Manage the staff return and ensure performance is managed and talent nurtured.
  3. Lead and mentor a diverse team of professionals, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
  4. Provide guidance and support to ensure the team’s success in meeting project objectives.
  5. Model and instil values, promoting a culture of respect, integrity, professionalism, and high performance.
  6. Effectively managing the recruitment & selection, development, and retention of a competent and experienced team of local and expatriate staff and implementing a succession plan.
  7. Provide for the safety, security, and welfare of all employees and ensure security protocols are in place and adhered to at all times.

4. Core Competencies

IMAGRI is a delivery-oriented programme operating in a complex food systems environment. All staff are expected to combine systems thinking with practical execution and to work in ways that mobilise others. The Country Lead must demonstrate:

  1. Strong systems thinking, seeing connections across institutions, incentives, and behaviours;
  2. A clear bias to action and delivery, translating strategy into results;
  3. Advanced influencing and coalition-building skills, leading without formal authority;
  4. Warm, credible leadership, able to inspire confidence across diverse stakeholders;
  5. A connector mindset, linking Malawian priorities to relevant Irish expertise and resources;
  6. Proactivity in foreseeing issues and supporting the implementers.

5. Required Qualifications and Experience

  1. Preferably a Master’s Degree/ Postgraduate qualification in development studies, public policy, agriculture, agribusiness, food science or innovation, economics, or a related field.
  2. At least 10 years’ experience in senior programme leadership roles.
  3. Demonstrated experience working with government institutions and donor-funded programmes.
  4. Strong facilitation, communication, and diplomatic skills.

B. APPOINTMENTS AND REMUNERATION

The successful candidates are assured of leading a start-up opportunity with the backing of an established pan-African organisation and international partners; drive meaningful change in one of Africa’s most critical Agri-Food systems; and work with a range of stakeholders to shape Malawi’s food future. The successful candidates shall also be offered negotiable performance-related contracts with attractive salaries, employee
benefits, and packages commensurate with the seniority of the position, qualifications, and work experience.

C. METHOD OF APPLICATION

All interested candidates with the requisite qualifications, experience, and competencies are advised to submit their application letters, enclosing copies of the certificates and a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) with names and contact details of three (3) traceable referees not later than 17th February 2026 to bicmhrconsultants@gmail.com OR send to:

The Chairperson,
Sense Malawi Placement Team,
BICM Group,
M1 Road opposite Maula Filling Station,
P.O. Box 31328,
Lilongwe.
MALAWI.

D. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND SAFEGUARDING
IMAGRI is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and to the highest standards of safeguarding and protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH). All appointments are subject to appropriate background and reference checks.