Progressio (formerly known as CIIR) has been leading the way on practical international development issues for more than forty years. Whether through placing development workers overseas, or in our policy and advocacy achievements, Progressio has a track record of making a difference. We work with people of all faiths and none.

Programme Development and Funding Officer (Malawi and Zimbabwe)

Based Lilongwe, Malawi

Contract Full time, six-month contract (with possible extension to a total of two years)

Salary Between US$1,500 and US$2,000 per month (depending on skills and experience)

Reports to Programme Funding Manager, London (with day to day support from Country Representative, Malawi)

Key relations Progressio Malawi and Zimbabwe Offices, Development Workers, local partner organisations and Progressio Programme Funding and Finance Teams in London

Travelling The post holder will be required to make regular trips to Zimbabwe

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to speak and write fluent English.

We are looking for a highly motivated and resourceful individual with a genuine commitment to development, seeking to work in a cutting edge development agency. The Programme Development and Funding Officer will be responsible for increasing income from new and existing donors and the coordination of grants for Progressio projects in Malawi and Zimbabwe. S/he will also contribute to programme development, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of existing programmes.

BACKGROUND

Progressio is an international development agency working in eleven countries around the world, including Malawi and Zimbabwe, through sharing skills and advocacy. Progressio has been working with community and non-governmental organisations, trade unions, farmers’ associations, women’s groups and, in some cases, government ministries since 1965. Progressio forms partnerships with Southern organisations at their request, striving to ensure that all projects: (a) benefit the poor; (b) address gender equality and women’s needs; (c) promote self-reliance; (d) transfer skills; and (e) challenge the causes of poverty.

Progressio has been placing experienced professionals (development workers – DWs) to share their skills in developing countries for over 25 years. The majority of DWs work with partner organisations on projects which empower and benefit society’s poorest and marginalised sectors. Progressio also works to secure and manage funding from international donor agencies which is used to support the work of development workers and our partner organisations.

Progressio’s funding comes in part through a Programme Partnership Agreement signed with the British government’s Department for International Development (DFID). Other donors include the European Commission, Irish Aid, the Big Lottery Fund, Comic Relief, other British development agencies, trusts and foundations and individual donations from members of the public.

Our skillshare work goes hand in hand with the international advocacy work carried out in the UK and/or in the various countries we work in.

PROGRESSIO’S PROGRAMMES IN THE AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST AND ASIA (AMEA) REGION

The AMEA region comprises five country programmes (Yemen, Somaliland, Malawi, Zimbabwe and East Timor) managed by a Country Representative (CR) in each country, and the London-based Regional Programme Manager (RPM), and with the assistance of a Programme Coordinator (PC) and a Policy and Advocacy Officer also based at Progressio’s London office.

Progressio’s work is framed within three strategic themes:

- Sustainable Environment – ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources, influencing policies that impact on the environment and strengthening the participation of women.

- HIV and AIDS – enabling communities to respond effectively to HIV, influencing policy and practice on HIV, strengthening gender perspectives and building greater understanding and involvement on the part of faith-based organisations and religious leaders.

- Effective Governance and Participation – strengthening the capacity of partners so that they are better placed to organise, influence and participate in local, national and international structures to secure results in poverty eradication, social justice, gender equity, transparency and accountability.

Progressio also conducts international advocacy work on these themes.

PROGRESSIO IN MALAWI

Progressio opened a country office in Malawi in July 2007 and has established a skill-share and advocacy programme focusing on the three thematic areas of the organisation: effective governance and participation, HIV and AIDS, and ensuring a sustainable environment. Gender is mainstreamed throughout our programme and is incorporated in our policies and procedures. A country strategy for Malawi has been developed, and the programme currently has five DWs (we are in the process of placing further DWs).

Progressio’s office is located in Lilongwe and is managed by local staff, including a CR and other programme support staff.

PROGRESSIO IN ZIMBABWE

Progressio has had an international advocacy programme on Zimbabwe since the early 1970s that has worked with secular and faith-based partners on relevant issues. Recently this has focussed on the crisis facing Zimbabwe, and working with international networks to raise awareness and press governments to respond. In particular, it has highlighted how the peoples of the region can influence their governments to change southern African policies to show more solidarity to the population of Zimbabwe. This advocacy work has involved analysis, publishing, media interviews and lobbying policy makers.

Progressio has had a skill-share programme in Zimbabwe since the early 1980s and currently has five development workers (DWs) with plans to expand this by several more DWs over the coming months.

Progressio’s office is located in Harare and is managed by local staff, including a CR and other programme support staff.

THE POST

The post holder will report to the Programme Funding Manager in London, with day to day support from the CR in Malawi, and will work in five main areas:

Increasing income from new and existing donors for the Malawi and Zimbabwe programmes

Coordination of existing grants for Progressio projects in the Malawi and Zimbabwe programmes

Programme and project development

Programme and project monitoring and evaluation

Budgeting and financial reporting.

The successful candidate will be based in the Malawi office. The responsibilities associated with the post will also require frequent travel to Zimbabwe. Progressio will cover travel and accommodation expenses while in Harare.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Specific responsibilities and duties include:

I. Increasing income from new and existing donors in Malawi and Zimbabwe (30%)

 To research potential new donors in Malawi, Zimbabwe and the region, and in coordination with the London office, to assist the CRs in preparing for meetings with new donors.

 To keep up-to-date with the interests of existing donors and increase income from them where possible.

 To contribute to the development of new funding proposals for the Malawi and Zimbabwe programmes (for work on all three of Progressio’s themes).

 To coordinate with DWs and partners in agreeing content of new funding proposals.

 To support the CRs in maintaining regular contact and developing productive relationships with all new and existing donors based in the region.

 To support CRs in the updating and implementation of respective country funding strategies.

II. Coordination of existing grants for Progressio projects in Malawi and Zimbabwe (20%)

 In coordination with other programme staff to be responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of projects to help ensure that projects funded by restricted grants are implemented in a timely and correct manner.

 In coordination with the Programme Funding and Finance Teams in London, local partner organisations and DWs, to coordinate and consolidate the preparation of timely narrative and financial reports for donors.

III. Programme and project development (30%)

 To contribute to the planning of new projects, including the development of project plans and budgets.

 To support the CRs in the development of new DW placements.

 To support the CRs in the review, analysis and updating of the country programme strategies.

 To support CRs in identifying and exploiting opportunities for regional level programme interventions.

IV. Programme management and support (10%)

 To contribute to the country programme annual plans and reports.

 To assist the process of DW orientation programmes as necessary.

 To assist with the coordination of meetings of Progressio DWs and other local Progressio events/meetings.

 To review monitoring information before submission to the London office.

 To take on other tasks as necessary and agreed by the Programme Funding Manager and CRs.

V. Budgeting and financial reporting for projects (10%)

 To support the CRs in producing budgets for new projects.

 To support the CRs in producing financial reports for donors.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

This section outlines the skills and requirements we seek for this post, please read it carefully and ensure that your application addresses each of these requirements (giving clear examples).

Specification

Essential

Desirable

Education / training
1. Degree or appropriate qualifications in development studies or another relevant discipline

Relevant experience
2. Extensive experience in fundraising from institutional donors

3. Experience of international development, preferably with a non-governmental organisation

4. Proven experience of:

Project planning and budgeting

Report writing

Writing funding proposals

Monitoring budgets

Monitoring and evaluation of impact

5. Relevant experience of managing donor relationships and of maintaining grant management systems

21. Experience in relevant area (e.g. community development, environment, HIV and AIDS or similar)

22. Experience of working in or raising funds for the Southern Africa region

23. Experience of monitoring and reporting on projects funded by restricted donor funds

Special skills / knowledge
6. Sound knowledge of institutional regional and international funding sources

7. Sound organisational, coordination and project management skills

8. Excellent networking skills, including the ability to build relationships with current and new donors

9. Good skills in facilitating participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation

10. Good team-building skills and consensus led approach to work

11. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to liaise effectively with people at various levels

12. Good grasp of gender analysis and dynamics

13. Computer literacy – word processing skills, spreadsheets and ability to use Internet and email

14. Excellent oral and written skills in English

15. Excellent prioritising skills and ability to work on own initiative

16. Ability to carry out own administration and to take responsibility for own workload

17. A proven ability to think and act strategically in response to development issues

24. Language skills relevant to the region

Other

18. Willingness to undertake road travel in the region

19. Cultural sensitivity and ability to work as a member of a multicultural team

20. An active interest in the Southern Africa region
25. Driving licence

THE LOCATION – LILONGWE

Malawi is a peaceful country with a relatively stable government in a multiparty democracy system. In terms of security, residential areas and city streets are fairly secure for anyone whether indigenous or foreign. However, it is not encouraged for anyone to travel on foot at night. In order to ensure the security of the post holder, Progressio will carefully choose residential sites that are safe and secure and will monitor the security situation at all times.

In terms of health facilities, there are both government hospitals and clinics where services are free and private hospitals where services are provided for a fee. Lilongwe has a few international schools, which follow the British system of education. Education at primary level in Malawi is free (with the exception of private schools).

Lilongwe is politically stable, safe, and quiet. Many European and South African expatriates live in Lilongwe, and many NGOs and international organisations operate out of the city. Lilongwe is served by a railway, Shire Bus Lines, and numerous local buses and minibuses which connect different parts of the city and connect with other parts of the country. Lilongwe has some western-style shopping centres located in different parts of the city convenient for all residential areas. Pharmacies, bureaux de change and banks (including Standard Bank, NedBank, Ecobank, Malawi National Bank, etc) are located throughout the city. ATMs which accept VISA cards are available.

When travelling outside Lilongwe, the post holder will either use public transport or Progressio will provide an institutional vehicle for their use. The post holder will have an office and a computer, and will be able to use/share Progressio’s other facilities.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Full time, six-month contract (with possible extension to two years)

Pre-departure grant of GBP £500 (for non-residents of Malawi).

The selected candidate will have a one-month probationary period. If this period is successfully completed s/he will be confirmed in post for remainder of the six-month contract.

Normal office hours in Malawi are from 08.00 am to 16.30 pm, five days per week. Some additional hours may be needed during field trips and other specific activities. Time off in lieu of overtime worked can be taken with agreement.

The salary paid will between US$1,500 to US$2,000 per month (depending on skills and experience), and from which the post holder is responsible for paying their own tax (as applicable in Malawi).

Progressio will pay, and make the arrangements, for air travel (in economy class) to Malawi on an agreed date. You will receive a single flight back to your country of permanent residence at the end of your post (for non residents of Malawi).

Accommodation will be provided (for non-residents of Malawi).

Comprehensive accident and emergency insurance cover (for non-residents of Malawi).

Please note for this contract Progressio is unable to make provisions for candidates with accompanying dependants.

HOW TO APPLY

It is essential that you complete Progressio’s application form in full, as very specific information is required and will be used to decide whether or not you will be short-listed for an interview.

For further information click here DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM HERE

Closing date: 17 September 2009 Interviews: End of September 2009

Please return the completed application form to: [email protected]