Background

Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM)

CADECOM-Zomba is a commission that functions as the reliet and development arm of the Church. With funding from the Embassy of Ireland, Norwegian Church Aid, and DanChurch Aid Malawi (NCA-DCA), in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (CEPA) and the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM), is implementing a Climate and Environmental Justice Accountability Project in Zomba and Mangochi districts.

This initiative responds to the urgent need to strengthen the capacity of faith actors, civil society organizations (CSOs), and community-based structures to effectively monitor, advocate, and hold stakeholders accountable for climate and environmental justice. The overall goal is to enhance climate and environmental justice for vulnerable communities in Malawi by strengthening local advocacy and accountability mechanisms.

Specifically, the project will empower faith actors and community groups on environmental and climate justice advocacy and ensure duty bearers are accountable and responsive to faith-led advocacy initiatives on environmental and climate justice. The project seeks to address two critical challenges: (1) the limited capacity of local actors to engage in climate justice advocacy, and (2) the lack of accountability among duty bearers and polluting companies in fulfilling environmental commitments. Through a holistic and inclusive approach, the project will empower faith leaders and community groups via targeted capacity building, coordinated advocacy, and interfaith dialogue platforms.

The Diocese of Zomba is looking for a suitably qualified person to fill the vacant position of Field Officer

Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of this position will include:

1. Project participant’s mobilization

• Conducting project sensitization meetings with stakeholders
• Community mobilization of project participants for project activity implementation
• Facilitating participatory field-level project activity plans

2. Capacity building

• Conducting capacity assessment of the participants at the district and community level
• Developing a capacity strengthening plan for the participants at the district and community level
• Facilitating formation of Community advocacy committees
• Capacity building on climate justice and advocacy

3. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Developing a monthly community project activity implementation plan in liaison with stakeholders
• Producing activity, monthly and quarterly project activity reports
• Documenting and sharing with stakeholder’s project successes, challenges, opportunities, and lessons.
• Facilitating participatory field-level project activity plans
• Documenting and sharing issues for advocacy throughout the project period
• Facilitating review and replanting meetings at the community level

4. Coordination

• Representing the project at various forums at the district and community level
• Liaising with CEPA, NCA-DCA, and CADECOM National Office Project Officers in activity implementation plans at the district and community level

5. Safeguarding and protection

• Sensitizing project participants on the organization’s Safeguarding and Protection policies
• Strengthening the existing Complaints Grievances Redress Mechanisms in relation to CADECOM’s Feedback Complaint and Handling Mechanism (FCHM)

Job requirements

Academic Qualifications

• Diploma in Natural Resources Management, Community Development, Environmental Management from an institution accredited by NCHE. Those with Bachelor’s Degrees will have an added advantage.

Work experience

• At least two years’ experience working with rural communities in Malawi.
• Minimum three years of experience working in advocacy work
• Work experience with religious groups
• Motorcycle Riding (Valid Driver’s License)
• Computer literacy in Word, Excel, PowerPoint presentations, and virtual meetings
• At least three years’ experience working with rural communities in Malawi on climate change-related projects

Other attributes

• Self-starter
• Team worker
• Ability to work within deadlines
• Flexibility

Our organization acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities.

• Conducting project sensitization meetings with stakeholders
• Community mobilization of project participants for project activity implementation
• Facilitating participatory field-level project activity plans
• Conducting capacity assessment of the participants at the district and community level
• Developing a capacity strengthening plan for the participants at the district and community level
• Facilitating formation of Community advocacy committees
• Capacity building on climate justice and advocacy
• Developing a monthly community project activity implementation plan in liaison with stakeholders
• Producing activity, monthly and quarterly project activity reports
• Documenting and sharing with stakeholder’s project successes, challenges, opportunities, and lessons.
• Facilitating participatory field-level project activity plans
• Documenting and sharing issues for advocacy throughout the project period
• Facilitating review and replanting meetings at the community level
• Representing the project at various forums at the district and community level
• Liaising with CEPA, NCA-DCA, and CADECOM National Office Project Officers in activity implementation plans at the district and community level
• Sensitizing project participants on the organization’s Safeguarding and Protection policies
• Strengthening the existing Complaints Grievances Redress Mechanisms in relation to CADECOM’s Feedback Complaint and Handling Mechanism (FCHM)

• Motorcycle Riding (Valid Driver’s License)
• Computer literacy in Word, Excel, PowerPoint presentations, and virtual meetings

• Diploma in Natural Resources Management, Community Development, Environmental Management from an institution accredited by NCHE.
• Those with Bachelor’s Degrees will have an added advantage.