Technical Project Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Adam Smith International (ASI) is an organization that implements various development programs globally, with a focus on improving economic growth and reducing poverty. Established to provide innovative solutions to complex development challenges, ASI has a mission to help governments, businesses, and communities achieve sustainable growth. The organization operates in multiple countries, leveraging expertise in areas such as trade, investment, and governance. ASI is known for its commitment to delivering impactful results through collaboration and stakeholder engagement, particularly in sectors that drive economic development.

Job Overview:
The Technical Project Manager (TPM) will play a crucial role in supporting the Agribusiness & Competitiveness (AC) Lead in executing the team's strategic workplan. This position is designed for an individual who can effectively manage project delivery, ensuring that all activities align with the AC strategy and meet established targets and deliverables. The TPM will be responsible for coordinating various initiatives, monitoring progress, and adapting plans based on performance data. This role requires strong stakeholder engagement skills, as the TPM will facilitate communication between partner businesses, farmer organizations, and public sector stakeholders. The TPM will also ensure that internal team coordination is maintained, facilitating smooth communication and collaboration among team members. Reporting and learning are key components of this role, as the TPM will contribute to quarterly and annual work plans and help capture and disseminate learning from project activities. The position is intended to continue through the implementation period of the Malawi Value Chains project until March 2028, with an initial term lasting until March 2026, subject to performance-based contract extensions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Project Manager will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including: 1. Supporting the AC Lead in designing and implementing workplans that meet all targets and deliverables within established timeframes. 2. Monitoring initiative progress and recommending adaptations based on performance observations and data analysis. 3. Leading fieldwork scheduling, including organizing partner visits, training sessions, and outreach activities. 4. Coordinating administrative and logistical support for AC activities, ensuring all trip requests are populated and submitted for management approval. 5. Identifying key risks to the delivery of initiatives and developing appropriate mitigating actions. 6. Regularly updating the MVC database and directory to ensure accurate information is maintained. 7. Engaging effectively with partner businesses and stakeholders to communicate MVC messages and plan activities. 8. Developing and managing strong relationships with stakeholders across the private sector, farmer organizations, and public sector to facilitate support for target value chains. 9. Facilitating complex dialogues and negotiations among multiple stakeholders. 10. Ensuring smooth internal communications within the AC team and coordinating with other MVC functional teams. 11. Leading meeting management, including scheduling, agenda setting, note-taking, and action circulation. 12. Collaborating with the Programme Manager and Finance & Operations team on internal monthly forecasting cycles. 13. Contributing to the AC team’s quarterly and annual work plans, milestones, and reports as required. 14. Enabling the MVC team to capture and disseminate learning from their activities effectively.

Required Qualifications:
The essential qualifications for the Technical Project Manager position include: 1. A Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Economics, Business, Agribusiness Management, or a related field. A Master's degree will be considered an added advantage. 2. Proven experience in managing projects with a track record of timely and high-quality delivery of workplans and reporting. 3. Strong knowledge of agri-business, particularly in areas related to productivity, quality, and production aspects. 4. Skills in designing agri-business initiatives that support improvements in productivity, quality, production, exports, and market access. 5. Ability to facilitate dialogues between various stakeholders, including private-private and private-public interactions. 6. A high degree of motivation, energy, and teamwork capability to deliver initiative workplans on time and to a high standard. 7. Willingness to learn and adapt based on results and feedback. 8. Excellent written and oral communication skills for effective interaction with colleagues and external parties. 9. Well-organized working practices and methods to ensure efficient project management. 10. Familiarity with budget preparation and budget reporting/reconciliations is also essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Technical Project Manager role should possess a Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Economics, Business, Agribusiness Management, or a related field. A Master's degree in a relevant discipline will be considered an advantage, as it demonstrates a higher level of expertise and understanding of complex project management and agribusiness concepts. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of project management and agribusiness, equipping the candidate with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges of the role effectively.

Experience:
The ideal candidate for the Technical Project Manager position should have substantial experience in project management, particularly within the agribusiness sector. This includes a successful track record of managing projects that involve timely and high-quality delivery of workplans and reporting. Candidates should demonstrate their ability to handle complex projects, engage with diverse stakeholders, and adapt to changing circumstances. Experience in facilitating dialogues between stakeholders and managing relationships across various sectors is crucial. Additionally, familiarity with the agricultural landscape, including knowledge of productivity, quality, and production aspects, will be highly beneficial.

Languages:
The position requires proficiency in English, as it is essential for effective communication with colleagues, stakeholders, and external parties. Strong written and oral communication skills in English are mandatory. While not explicitly required, knowledge of local languages spoken in Malawi may be considered an advantage, as it can enhance stakeholder engagement and facilitate better communication with local farmers and businesses.

Additional Notes:
The Technical Project Manager position is intended to continue through the implementation period of the Malawi Value Chains project, which is set to last until the end of March 2028. The initial term of the contract will begin as soon as possible and will extend until March 31, 2026. Extensions of the contract will be based on performance evaluations. This position is full-time and requires a commitment to delivering high-quality results in a dynamic and collaborative environment. Candidates should be prepared to submit their CV, a covering letter that includes compensation expectations, and references by the application deadline of Friday, 3rd October 2025.