ABOUT AGRI IMPACT MALAWI (AIM)

Agri-Impact Malawi (AIM), established in 2018, is a hybrid organization dedicated to transforming rural livelihoods by expanding income opportunities through inclusive markets, trade, and improved access to finance. We believe farming should move beyond subsistence and become a pathway to dignity, better nutrition, resilience, and sustainable Livelihood for rural households in Malawi.

Our approach is firmly market-driven and responsive, starting from real market demand and working backward to equip farmers with climate-smart inputs, practical knowledge, and enabling systems that align with viable economic opportunities. Through strengthened participation in value chains and improved access to financial services, we support smallholder farmers to evolve into productive, resilient, and market-oriented enterprises capable of sustaining long-term growth.

PROJECT OVERVIEW – NEVAM-MARKETS

The Building Resilient and Market-Oriented Livelihoods in Malawi pilot project, implemented by Agri-Impact Malawi in Chiwamba EPA, seeks to transform the livelihoods of 100 vulnerable smallholder households by strengthening their food security, nutrition, incomes, and overall resilience. Targeting vulnerable households organized into producer groups, the project applies the CLiMB Model to integrate capacity building, climate-smart production, livelihood diversification, improved market access, and nutrition-sensitive practices. Through skills development, home gardening, poultry production, financial literacy, and stronger market linkages, households will be empowered to move from subsistence farming toward more productive and market-oriented systems.

The underlying theory of change of the project is that when vulnerable households are equipped with knowledge, productive assets, and access to markets, they will increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, diversify incomes, and improve dietary outcomes, ultimately achieving sustainable resilience and demonstrating a scalable model for rural transformation in Malawi.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Officer will support the implementation of the Building Resilient and Market-Oriented Livelihoods in Malawi pilot project in Chiwamba EPA and surrounding areas. The role is responsible for coordinating day-to-day field activities, including beneficiary mobilisation, delivery of training and extension services, facilitation of production and market systems interventions, data collection, and supporting monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes.

Working closely with producer groups, community-based volunteers, and local stakeholders, the Project Officer will ensure effective implementation of the CLiMB Model, which integrates Capacity Building, Livelihood Diversification, Innovation Adoption, Market Linkages, and Behavioural & Nutritional Change. The role requires a proactive, community-driven, and results-oriented professional with strong technical knowledge in agriculture, livelihoods, and market systems development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Project Implementation and Field Coordination

• Lead day-to-day implementation of project activities within assigned clusters.
• Mobilise and support 100 beneficiary households to ensure active participation.
• Support rollout of seed revolving schemes, including input distribution and recovery.
• Promote climate-smart and commercial production of high-value crops using irrigation and improved practices.
• Facilitate goat pass-on and small livestock interventions, including beneficiary tracking and mentorship.
• Support establishment of home gardens, post-harvest management systems, and nutrition interventions.
• Strengthen community ownership through engagement with local leadership and structures.

2. Capacity Building and Training

• Facilitate mindset change, life skills, and entrepreneurship training.
• Deliver practical training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), irrigation, seed systems, livestock management, and value addition.
• Support formation and strengthening of producer groups and Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs).
• Promote behavioural change in nutrition, financial management, and household decision-making.

3. Market Linkages and Enterprise Development

• Facilitate buyer-seller meetings, market forums, and exposure visits.
• Collect and share market price and demand information with farmers.
• Support agribusiness development and value-added enterprise activities.
• Strengthen linkages between producer groups and structured markets.

4. Financial Management and Accountability (Field Level)

• Prepare and manage field-level activity budgets in line with work plans.
• Ensure proper utilisation and accountability of funds for field activities.
• Maintain accurate financial records, including receipts, vouchers, and reconciliations.
• Support VSLA financial management, savings discipline, and microfinance linkages.
• Ensure compliance with Agri-Impact Malawi financial policies, donor requirements, and anti-fraud measures.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Participate in data collection, entry, and analysis using digital tools (ODK/Kobo Toolbox).
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess progress and identify gaps.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports.
• Document success stories, case studies, and lessons learned.
• Support baseline, midline, and endline assessments and impact tracking.

6. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Liaise with government departments (Agriculture, Health, Nutrition), NGOs, and community-based organisations.
• Participate in joint field reviews, coordination meetings, and learning events.
• Strengthen collaboration between producer groups, extension services, and partners.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Agribusiness, Development Studies, Community Development, or related field.
• 2–3 years’ experience in field-based agriculture or livelihoods programming.
• Strong knowledge of climate-smart agriculture, market systems, and rural development approaches.
• Experience working with vulnerable households is an added advantage.
• Familiarity with VSLA systems, livestock programming, seed systems, or irrigation farming is desirable.
• Proficiency in digital data collection tools (ODK/Kobo Toolbox).
• Strong facilitation, communication, and community engagement skills.
• Ability to ride a motorbike with a valid license is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills.
• High integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Results-oriented with a strong focus on impact and learning.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Fluency in Chichewa and working knowledge of English.
• Strong commitment to rural transformation and inclusive development.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The incumbent will be field based in Chiwamba EPA and surrounding areas, with frequent travel across project communities. The role operates under the supervision of the Project Manager and works closely with community structures, producer groups, and technical partners at the grassroots level to ensure effective implementation.

• Lead day-to-day implementation of project activities within assigned clusters.
• Mobilise and support 100 beneficiary households to ensure active participation.
• Support rollout of seed revolving schemes, including input distribution and recovery.
• Promote climate-smart and commercial production of high-value crops using irrigation and improved practices.
• Facilitate goat pass-on and small livestock interventions, including beneficiary tracking and mentorship.
• Support establishment of home gardens, post-harvest management systems, and nutrition interventions.
• Strengthen community ownership through engagement with local leadership and structures.
• Facilitate mindset change, life skills, and entrepreneurship training.
• Deliver practical training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), irrigation, seed systems, livestock management, and value addition.
• Support formation and strengthening of producer groups and Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs).
• Promote behavioural change in nutrition, financial management, and household decision-making.
• Facilitate buyer-seller meetings, market forums, and exposure visits.
• Collect and share market price and demand information with farmers.
• Support agribusiness development and value-added enterprise activities.
• Strengthen linkages between producer groups and structured markets.
• Prepare and manage field-level activity budgets in line with work plans.
• Ensure proper utilisation and accountability of funds for field activities.
• Maintain accurate financial records, including receipts, vouchers, and reconciliations.
• Support VSLA financial management, savings discipline, and microfinance linkages.
• Ensure compliance with Agri-Impact Malawi financial policies, donor requirements, and anti-fraud measures.
• Participate in data collection, entry, and analysis using digital tools (ODK/Kobo Toolbox).
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess progress and identify gaps.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports.
• Document success stories, case studies, and lessons learned.
• Support baseline, midline, and endline assessments and impact tracking.
• Liaise with government departments (Agriculture, Health, Nutrition), NGOs, and community-based organisations.
• Participate in joint field reviews, coordination meetings, and learning events.
• Strengthen collaboration between producer groups, extension services, and partners.

• Strong knowledge of climate-smart agriculture, market systems, and rural development approaches.
• Proficiency in digital data collection tools (ODK/Kobo Toolbox).
• Strong facilitation, communication, and community engagement skills.
• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Fluency in Chichewa and working knowledge of English.
• Strong commitment to rural transformation and inclusive development.

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Agribusiness, Development Studies, Community Development, or related field.
• 2–3 years’ experience in field-based agriculture or livelihoods programming.
• Experience working with vulnerable households is an added advantage.
• Familiarity with VSLA systems, livestock programming, seed systems, or irrigation farming is desirable.
• Ability to ride a motorbike with a valid license is an advantage.