The Grants Management Specialist will lead the operationalization and management of the Farmer Challenge Fund. The objective is to establish and maintain robust, transparent, and efficient grant management systems that ensure all FCF grants are awarded and utilized in full compliance with the SAPP II FCF Guidelines, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act, and IFAD’s fiduciary requirements.

4.0.SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

4.1. Strategic Leadership and Coordination

• Provide technical leadership for the end-to-end implementation of the FCF, ensuring adherence to Fo Guidelines.
• Act as the primary liaison between the SAPP II PMU, the external Fund Manager, District Councils, and the Ministry of Agriculture’s technical departments (DAES, DCD, DAHLD, etc.) on all grant-related matters.
• Coordinate the development and dissemination of all FCF calls for proposals (Expression of Interest) on a bi-annual basis, ensuring they are inclusive and reach women, youth, and vulnerable groups as per the 50% women, 30% youth target.

4.2. Management of the Production Window (E-Voucher System)

• Oversee the entire process for the Production Window, from Eol screening to grant closure.
• Coordinate with the Department of Agriculture Extension Services (DAES) and District Councils to facilitate coaching and proposal development for applicant groups
• Assist in the process of procurement and contracting process for reputable input suppliers (agro-dealers).
• Oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of the e-voucher redemption system, ensuring accountability, traceability, and timely delivery of inputs to farmer groups Ensure that matching contributions (5% cash. 15% in-kind) from farmer groups are verified and documented before grant activation.

4.3.Oversight of the Agro-processing Window (Fund Manager)

• Serve as the primary point of contact and contract manager for the external Fund Manager responsible for the Agro-processing and Value Addition Window.
• Monitor the performance of the Fund Manager to ensure compliance with the service-level agreement, including timely review of business plans, due diligence, and disbursements.
• Review and consolidate reports from the Fund Manager for submission to the PMU and IFAD.
• Facilitate technical backstopping from Ministry of Agriculture departments to the Fund Manager and grantees.

4.4. Grant Cycle Management, Compliance, and Oversight

• Oversee the work of the District Council Independent Grant
• Review Committees (IGRCs) to ensure objective and transparent evaluation of Eols and proposals.
• Maintain a comprehensive FCF grants database and tracking system for all applications, approved grants, disbursements, and reporting.
• Ensure that all grant agreements are prepared, signed, and filed in accordance with the FCF Guidelines.
• Critically analyze financial and technical reports submitted by grantees (Production Window) and the Fund Manager (Agro-processing Window), identifying shortcomings and recommending corrective actions.
• Conduct regular field monitoring and support visits to verify implementation progress, financial compliance with grant agreements. management, and
• Ensure that all grant-funded investments adhere to the approved Environmental and Social Management Plans (ÉSMPs) and promote climate-smart agriculture practices

4.5. Capacity Building and Technical Support

• In coordination with DAES and District Councils, design and facilitate training for frontline staff and farmer groups on proposal development, financial management, procurement procedures, and reporting requirements
• Work with District Councils to strengthen coaching and mentoring systems.
• Ensure grant recipients understand and comply with grant conditions
• Build the capacity of District Council staff to effectively support handlieipients in implementation, monitoring, and grievance

4.6. Risk Management, Audit, and Reporting

• Proactively identify and mitigate fiduciary and implementation risks within the FĆF portfolio.
• Coordinate with internal and external audit teams, facilitating their access to records and supporting the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Prepare and submit regular progress reports on the FCF to tereramme Coordinator, IFAD, and other stakeholders as
• Manage the FCF Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) in accordance with the SAPP |I GRM Handbook, ensuring complaints are logged, investigated, and resolved in a timely and transparent manner.
• Alert the Programme Coordinator and IFAD immediately of any signs of fraud, corruption, or mismanagement by any actor in the grant process.

5.0 QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Advanced Degrees and Certifications:

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration.
• Professional certifications such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CMA (Certified Management Accountant), or CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant).

Specialized Training:

• Training in grants management, financial compliance, and auditing.
• Training in risk management and internal controls.

Experience with Development Partners:

• 7 years extensive experience working with international development organizations beyond IFAD, such as the World Bank, USAID or the UN
• 5 years experience in managing grants in multi-donor environments

Project Management Skills:

• Certification in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2).
• Experience in managing large-scale agricultural or rural development projects.

Technical Proficiency:

• Advanced proficiency in financial management software and systems.
• Familiarity with electronic grant management systems
• Demonstrated experience in managing e-voucher or input redemption systems for agricultural inputs
• Experience in managing or overseeing the work of an external fund manager or financial intermediary.
• Experience in building the capacity of farmer organizations, cooperatives, and local government structures
• In-depth knowledge of agricultural value chains (crops and livestock) in Malawi.
• Strong understanding of public financial management and procurement procedures (Malawi Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and operational reports.
• Proficiency in the use of database management systems and Microsoft Office applications
• Familiarity with environmental and social safeguards, particularly in an agricultural context.

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:

• Strong analytical skills to assess financial reports and identify discrepancies
• Proactive problem-solving abilities to address and resolve grant management issues effectively.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Excellent communication skills to effectively liaise with various stakeholders, including government officials, donors, and local communities.
• Strong negotiation skills to manage grant agreements and resolve conflicts.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E):

• Experience in designing and implementing M&E frameworks
• Skills in using ME tools to track progress and impact of grant activities

Leadership and Team Management:

• Proven leadership experience in managing teams and coordinating with multiple departments
• Ability to mentor and build capacity among grant recipients and staff.

6.0 Location of Employment

The Grants Management Specialist will be based at the Project Management Unit (PMU) for Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II (SAPP II) in Lilongwe, and will be required to travel regularly and extensively to the project implementation areas and work closely with the district staff and communities to ensure that progress follows project plans, and that appropriate support is provided for project implementation.

7.0 Duration of Employment
The assignment is for a period of four (4) years with an initial contract period of 12 months. The appointment will be subject to annual renewal based on satisfactory performance.

• Provide technical leadership for the end-to-end implementation of the FCF, ensuring adherence to Fo Guidelines.
• Act as the primary liaison between the SAPP II PMU, the external Fund Manager, District Councils, and the Ministry of Agriculture’s technical departments (DAES, DCD, DAHLD, etc.) on all grant-related matters.
• Coordinate the development and dissemination of all FCF calls for proposals (Expression of Interest) on a bi-annual basis, ensuring they are inclusive and reach women, youth, and vulnerable groups as per the 50% women, 30% youth target.
• Oversee the entire process for the Production Window, from Eol screening to grant closure.
• Coordinate with the Department of Agriculture Extension Services (DAES) and District Councils to facilitate coaching and proposal development for applicant groups
• Assist in the process of procurement and contracting process for reputable input suppliers (agro-dealers).
• Oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of the e-voucher redemption system, ensuring accountability, traceability, and timely delivery of inputs to farmer groups Ensure that matching contributions (5% cash. 15% in-kind) from farmer groups are verified and documented before grant activation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and contract manager for the external Fund Manager responsible for the Agro-processing and Value Addition Window.
• Monitor the performance of the Fund Manager to ensure compliance with the service-level agreement, including timely review of business plans, due diligence, and disbursements.
• Review and consolidate reports from the Fund Manager for submission to the PMU and IFAD.
• Facilitate technical backstopping from Ministry of Agriculture departments to the Fund Manager and grantees.
• Oversee the work of the District Council Independent Grant Review Committees (IGRCs) to ensure objective and transparent evaluation of Eols and proposals.
• Maintain a comprehensive FCF grants database and tracking system for all applications, approved grants, disbursements, and reporting.
• Ensure that all grant agreements are prepared, signed, and filed in accordance with the FCF Guidelines.
• Critically analyze financial and technical reports submitted by grantees (Production Window) and the Fund Manager (Agro-processing Window), identifying shortcomings and recommending corrective actions.
• Conduct regular field monitoring and support visits to verify implementation progress, financial compliance with grant agreements. management, and
• Ensure that all grant-funded investments adhere to the approved Environmental and Social Management Plans (ÉSMPs) and promote climate-smart agriculture practices
• In coordination with DAES and District Councils, design and facilitate training for frontline staff and farmer groups on proposal development, financial management, procurement procedures, and reporting requirements
• Work with District Councils to strengthen coaching and mentoring systems.
• Ensure grant recipients understand and comply with grant conditions
• Build the capacity of District Council staff to effectively support handlieipients in implementation, monitoring, and grievance
• Proactively identify and mitigate fiduciary and implementation risks within the FĆF portfolio.
• Coordinate with internal and external audit teams, facilitating their access to records and supporting the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Prepare and submit regular progress reports on the FCF to tereramme Coordinator, IFAD, and other stakeholders as
• Manage the FCF Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) in accordance with the SAPP |I GRM Handbook, ensuring complaints are logged, investigated, and resolved in a timely and transparent manner.
• Alert the Programme Coordi

• Grant management
• Financial management
• Procurement procedures
• Reporting
• Risk management
• Coordination
• Technical leadership
• Communication
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Capacity building

• Experience in grant management, particularly in agricultural or rural development programs.
• Knowledge of IFAD's fiduciary requirements and Malawian procurement laws.
• Experience with e-voucher systems and fund management.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in relevant software (e.g., MS Office Suite).