National Grant Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Malawi is a key player in the country's development landscape, focusing on sustainable economic growth and resilience. Established to support the Government of Malawi's agenda for private-sector-led growth, UNDP operates in various sectors, including agriculture, industrialization, and renewable energy. The organization aims to foster entrepreneurship, promote environmentally responsible practices, and create an enabling environment for business growth. UNDP Malawi is committed to addressing systemic challenges that hinder private sector development and has a significant presence in the country, working closely with local and international partners to implement transformative projects like the CATALYZE Malawi Project, which runs from 2025 to 2028.

Job Overview:
The National Grant Officer will play a crucial role in the CATALYZE Malawi Project, which aims to drive the country's green transition and foster entrepreneurship growth. This position involves providing grant management support services across various facilities, including the Growth Accelerator Malawi (GA), the Green Economic Transition Facility (GETF), and the Export Growth and Competitiveness Facility (EGCF). The officer will work under the guidance of the Programme Coordinator for Green/Inclusive Growth and collaborate closely with the UNDP Programme Analyst for Private Sector Development. The role requires a strong focus on fiduciary management, monitoring and reporting, technical advisory, and knowledge sharing to ensure the successful implementation of the project and its objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Grant Officer will be responsible for several key duties, including: 1) Ensuring Fiduciary Management: This involves monitoring contracted projects, managing milestones, ensuring payments are linked to progress, and preparing milestone verification reports. The officer will also manage the disbursement of funds and maintain detailed records of fund utilization. 2) Monitoring and Reporting: The officer will maintain the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system, monitor project progress, address any deviations from the original plan, and prepare regular reports for UNDP and funding partners. 3) Provision of Technical Advisory: The officer will support the development of additional financial instruments, conduct research in emerging areas, and provide grant management expertise to enhance the enabling environment for entrepreneurs. 4) Knowledge and Capacity Building: The officer will document best practices, contribute to knowledge networks, and facilitate knowledge sharing among project partners. 5) Other Duties: The officer may perform additional tasks as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, International Development Studies, Organizational Development, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience will be considered. The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in grant management, with a sound track record in Enterprise Challenge Fund management services. Candidates should also have experience in program/project management, performance management plans, and the use of grants to trigger innovation.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Economics, International Development Studies, or Organizational Development is required. A first-level university degree in these areas, combined with additional qualifying experience, will also be considered.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience with a master's degree or 4 years with a bachelor's degree in grant management at the national or international level. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in managing enterprise challenge funds and program/project management, as well as specialist knowledge in areas such as economic, social, and environmental impact assessment.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Chichewa is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is based at the UNDP Malawi Country Office in Lilongwe and may require frequent in-country travel to support beneficiary companies. The role is full-time and involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Programme Coordinator for Inclusive/Green Business and the Programme Analyst for Private Sector Development. UNDP is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. The organization does not tolerate harassment or discrimination and reserves the right to select multiple candidates from this vacancy announcement.