Programme Officer

Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries

Founded in 1968, Concern works in 25 countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean with its headquarters in Ireland.

Concern started working in Malawi in 2002. Our Country Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 focuses on climate and environment, social protection, gender and social inclusion, sustainable food systems for food security and partnerships. For sustainable and lasting change, our advocacy and influence, people centred, and evidence-based approaches focus on system strengthening and resilience building as we seek to address the root causes of poverty.

Concern Worldwide, in collaboration with the Nsanje District Council and with funding from the European Union, will implement a five-year Masenjere and Kalulu Land and Ecosystem Project under the broader Greening and Growing Malawi: Ulimi and Chilengedwe m’Malawi Initiative (UCHI). The project aims to promote ecological restoration, sustainable energy supply, and enhanced livelihoods. It envisions that the sustainable use of renewable energy sources and improved livelihoods through community-based enterprises will significantly reduce pressure on forests and natural resources. Concern therefore invites applications from interested candidates qualified for the following position:

Job Title: Programme Officer

Contract Duration: One (1) Year – Fixed Term Contract

Duty Station: Nsanje

The Programme Officer – Forestry will support the implementation of activities related to community forestry development and management. The role is focused on promoting active community participation and collaboration with key stakeholders in sustainable forest resource management, agroforestry, and sustainable land-use practices in Nsanje District. S/he will play a key role in supporting communities to sustainably manage their forestry resources and work in close partnership with relevant departments such as Agriculture, Forestry, Lands, Local Authorities, and other organizations involved in sustainable land use initiatives.

Reporting to the Programme Manager, the Programme Officer will be responsible for leading community engagement efforts and coordinating with government and non-government stakeholders at the local level to ensure effective implementation of the restoration project. S/he will engage directly with community structures to ensure that local needs and priorities are reflected in the project’s interventions. The Officer will also be responsible for monitoring activities, ensuring accurate data collection and analysis, and preparing regular progress reports to track implementation progress and inform learning.

Duties and Responsibilities

Activities Management: Planning & Implementation (70% of time)

• Facilitate establishment of sustainable forest management practices anchored on ecosystem and landscape approaches to enhance ecosystem resilience and sustainable livelihood.
• Establish individual and communal woodlots, natural regeneration and potential sustainable forest-based enterprises on customary land supported with community tree nurseries.
• Train communities and other stakeholders to enforce forest legislation, shared management of forest reserves, and customary land Village Forestry Agents.
• Conduct environmental outreach education in schools and local governance institutions through media engagement for instance media tours and community radio jingles.
• Raise awareness on the significance of compliance to land use plans on agricultural landscape restoration and conservation.
• Establish homestead with fast growing tree of high calorific value species as source of energy.
• Facilitate use of fuel-efficient climate-smart energy technologies among local communities
• Restore and conserve degraded agricultural landscapes of the area through sustainable land management technologies.
• Build community capacity to monitor land degradation and implementation of sustainable land management technologies.
• Facilitate the development of District State of Environment and Outlook Report (DSOER) and Contingency Plans.
• Create customary estates in communities surrounding the forest reserve and escarpment.
• Establish and revive structures (Customary land Committees, Customary Land Tribunal, and the District Land Tribunal) for land governance.
• Facilitate preparation of Village Land use plans for all the Group Village Headmen.
• Facilitate issuing of customary land certificates.
• Initiate payment for ecosystem service mechanism to sustain management of the natural resources in Nsanje beyond the project.

Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation (15% of time)

• Organise and facilitate meetings, trainings, workshops, exchange visits and other events.
• Develop monthly, and annual work plans for restoration project.
• Regularly update the progress of project activities on monitoring and evaluation system
• Produce comprehensive and analytical monthly and quarterly donor reports and provide inputs for technical progress reports including documenting and writing success stories and submit to the Programme Manager
• Coordinate with district authorities, local community structures (e.g., Area Development Committee, Area Agriculture Stakeholder Panel, Village Natural Resources Management Committees, Area Disaster Risk Management Committees, Village Disaster Risk Management Committees and Village Agriculture Stakeholder Panel) and Civil Society Organizations and a local Non-Governmental Organisations.

Gender Mainstreaming (5% of time)

• Ensure that all project activities prioritize gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, especially in beneficiary selection, and community engagement.
• Promote the participation of women in decision-making processes within community structures.

Feedback and Complaints Response Handling and Accountability (5% of time)

• Oversee the establishment and management of Complaints and Feedback Response Mechanisms (CFRMs) at community level and ensuring timely resolution of complaints.
• Ensure that all complaints related to project implementation are documented and escalated appropriately if unresolved at the site level.

Other Duties (5% of time)  

• Participate and contribute towards Concern’s Emergency response and Comply with Concern’s health, safety and security guidelines during emergencies.
• Adhere to, support and promote the standards of conduct outlined in the Concern Code of Conduct & its Associated Policies and be committed to providing a safe working environment.
• Contribute to the establishment of preventive measures to reduce the potential for abuse and exploitation in Concern’s programmes.
• Uphold and promote Concern’s values, including our workplace equality, diversity and inclusion values.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Line Manager

 Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental management, natural resources management, community development or other related fields or a Diploma in relevant field with significant experience including some line management experience.
• At least three years of work experience in a similar position in community-based restoration, agroforestry and sustainable land use practices
• Demonstrated experience in providing training and coaching to community forestry groups on catchment conservation and sustainable financing mechanisms.
• Experience in community engagement and community empowerment
• Strong knowledge of community context and biodiversity in the forest and land escarpment in Nsanje District is an added advantage.
• Strong leadership, planning, and organizational skills with the ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills in Chichewa and English, with the ability to engage with community members, local leaders, and government officials.
• Commitment to gender equity, protection, and inclusion.
• Strong attention to detail and accountability in managing resources.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to handle high-pressure situations.
• A proactive and problem-solving mindset with a focus on community engagement.

How to Apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should send their CV (3 pages maximum including contacts of 3 professional referees) and a Cover Letter to malawi.hr@concern.net with the subject of the email as “Programme Officer – Forestry‘’. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 9^th July 2025. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

 Concern is an equal opportunities employer