Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Opportunity International Malawi – Dowa, Central Region, Malawi – Full Time

The Project Officer has the overall responsibility of facilitating and implementing activities leading to strengthening and enhancing the Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) including identification of existing, and formation of new VSLAs within the project areas. The Project Officer is responsible for selling the vision of Opportunity, building relationships, and bringing more people toward financial inclusion and economic empowerment.

Responsibilities or duties

RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Technical Tasks

• Facilitate and ensure identification and establishment of VSLAs in the project areas.
• Identify technical capacity and challenges for beneficiaries and Farmer Support Agents (FSAs).
• Oversee and regularly monitor when the VSLAs are conducting the share purchase, social contributions, borrowing, and repayment of loans to ensure proper documentation in the VSLA field cash box.
• Train beneficiaries and FSAs on VSLA methodology, governance, leadership, and business development, etc.
• Coach, supervise, and mentor the FSAs for effective facilitation and support of VSLAs.
• Facilitate and organize exposure or exchange visits and any other events for the beneficiaries to foster learning and experience sharing.
• Ensure timely procurement of and delivery of the right quality and quantity of VSLA kits/tools required by the beneficiaries and ensure these are used appropriately.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Documentation and Reporting

• Conduct regular follow-up visits to VSLAs to see if they are applying the recommended practices and provide technical assistance where there are gaps.
• Monitoring and supervision of FSA performance in the project areas.
• Consolidate/compile monthly, quarterly, and annual activity reports and special events showing achievements, lessons, constraints, and recommendations, which should be submitted to the relevant authority at the agreed time.
• Participate in field-level assessment and/or evaluation of project performance.

Stakeholder Coordination & Relationship Building

• Build relationships and coordinate with stakeholders (local leaders, district authorities, microfinance institutions, etc.), and relevant government Ministries/departments.
• Identify challenges and opportunities within the communities, tailor deliveries and/or seek new resources to meet needs.
• Act as a liaison between the communities and Opportunity.
• Identify opportunities for the expansion of Opportunity’s programs.
• Ethically champion and model the core values of Opportunity in the communities.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Diploma in relevant rural or community development field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in rural, community, agricultural, or economic development.
• Strong understanding of the target market and the value of community trust.
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and consensus-building abilities.
• A team player with excellent interpersonal, writing, speaking, and presentation skills.
• Computer literacy, including spreadsheets, word processing, data entry programs, tablets, and other mobile technology.
• Must hold a motorcycle driving license or be willing to acquire one.
• Passionate about Opportunity’s mission. Able to promote and communicate the organization’s goals and objectives to external and internal stakeholders.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Written and verbal fluency in English and Chichewa, additional 1 or 2 local languages required.
• Must be able to attend & fully participate in meetings conducted in English.

CONTRACT TYPE

Three (3) Year Fixed Term

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel to the community almost 70% of the time to deliver projects and interact with the communities, investigate expansion opportunities, and respond to community requests.
• Travel to other districts within Malawi for cross-learning activities, workshops, conferences, and other meetings as and when required.

• Facilitate and ensure identification and establishment of VSLAs in the project areas.
• Identify technical capacity and challenges for beneficiaries and Farmer Support Agents (FSAs).
• Oversee and regularly monitor when the VSLAs are conducting the share purchase, social contributions, borrowing, and repayment of loans to ensure proper documentation in the VSLA field cash box.
• Train beneficiaries and FSAs on VSLA methodology, governance, leadership, and business development, etc.
• Coach, supervise, and mentor the FSAs for effective facilitation and support of VSLAs.
• Facilitate and organize exposure or exchange visits and any other events for the beneficiaries to foster learning and experience sharing.
• Ensure timely procurement of and delivery of the right quality and quantity of VSLA kits/tools required by the beneficiaries and ensure these are used appropriately.
• Conduct regular follow-up visits to VSLAs to see if they are applying the recommended practices and provide technical assistance where there are gaps.
• Monitoring and supervision of FSA performance in the project areas.
• Consolidate/compile monthly, quarterly, and annual activity reports and special events showing achievements, lessons, constraints, and recommendations, which should be submitted to the relevant authority at the agreed time.
• Participate in field-level assessment and/or evaluation of project performance.
• Build relationships and coordinate with stakeholders (local leaders, district authorities, microfinance institutions, etc.), and relevant government Ministries/departments.
• Identify challenges and opportunities within the communities, tailor deliveries and/or seek new resources to meet needs.
• Act as a liaison between the communities and Opportunity.
• Identify opportunities for the expansion of Opportunity’s programs.
• Ethically champion and model the core values of Opportunity in the communities.

• Strong understanding of the target market and the value of community trust.
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and consensus-building abilities.
• A team player with excellent interpersonal, writing, speaking, and presentation skills.
• Computer literacy, including spreadsheets, word processing, data entry programs, tablets, and other mobile technology.
• Must hold a motorcycle driving license or be willing to acquire one.
• Passionate about Opportunity’s mission. Able to promote and communicate the organization’s goals and objectives to external and internal stakeholders.
• Written and verbal fluency in English and Chichewa, additional 1 or 2 local languages required.
• Must be able to attend & fully participate in meetings conducted in English.

• A Diploma in relevant rural or community development field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in rural, community, agricultural, or economic development.