Background
Since 1964, UNDP has been active in Malawi, aiding the Government in its development agenda by supporting policies, establishing partnerships, and enhancing institutional capacities to achieve national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDP Malawiโs Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2024-2028 aligns with the Malawi Vision 2063 and its first 10-Year Implementation Plan, aiming to support Malawi in meeting the SDGs by 2030. This comprehensive programme addresses the interconnected challenges of poverty, inequality, and vulnerability to shocks, organized within two principal portfolios:
1. Governance: This portfolio focuses on strengthening effective, accountable, and inclusive governance. It promotes civic engagement, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and democracy, alongside improving data generation and analysis.
2. Resilience and Sustainable Growth (RSG): This portfolio focuses on economic innovation, inclusive business, job creation, and renewable energy access. It also aims to help Malawi adapt to climate change and build resilience to disasters.
Resilience and Sustainable Growth (RSG) Portfolio
The RSG Portfolio adopts a multifaceted approach combining inclusive growth, sustainability, climate adaptation, resilience to shocks, and agricultural development. It integrates natural resource management, poverty-environment linkages, disaster risk management, and agricultural value chain commercialization. The portfolio engages a broad range of stakeholders, including government entities, development partners, and multilateral agencies. UNDP's resilience programming within the RSG Portfolio specifically targets the mitigation of threats, risks, and impacts of climate change and related economic and social shocks. The RSG Portfolio also includes a dynamic private sector development programme that employs various de-risking financial instruments to support private sector investments in the country. This programme is designed to assist entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, from business incubation to acceleration and growth across different economic sectors.
The resilience programming takes a holistic approach, addressing interconnected issues such as governance, public services, inclusive economic opportunities, natural resource management, and agricultural development. The primary outcomes target enhancing socio-economic resilience, equitable access to economic opportunities, sustainable natural resource management, and increased agricultural productivity and income for smallholder farmers. This is achieved through collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including government, UN partners, civil society, the private sector, and academia.
Agriculture and Commercialization
Agriculture is the backbone of Malawi's economy, employing over 70% of the population and significantly contributing to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at 24.7%. While subsistence farming has predominated, there is a growing emphasis on commercialization to unlock the sector's full potential. This transition from traditional, subsistence-oriented farming to market-oriented, profit-driven activities aligns with the Governmentโs Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) growth strategy. This shift is crucial for enhancing food security, increasing farmers' incomes, promoting rural development, and achieving broader economic growth objectives. Achieving meaningful commercialization requires targeted interventions, supportive policies, and a solid anchorage for the private sector. Since 2014, UNDP has actively supported the private sector in advancing sustainable development through diverse initiatives and partnerships in agriculture, collaborating closely with mainstream Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).ย
Through collaboration with private sector entities and leveraging relevant past experiences, the UCHI Strengthening Agricultural Commercialization Project will provide the technical expertise, resources, and networks necessary to tackle challenges related to agricultural commercialization and generate market and financial opportunities for smallholder farmers (SHFs). The project advocates market-oriented business practices and stimulates market and financial opportunities within priority value chains.ย
One of the UCHI Project Outputs is โImproved Financial Access for FOs and Women-Led Agricultural MSMEsโ. This output aims to improve financial access for FOs and SMEs, with a particular focus on empowering women-led agribusinesses such that FOs and SMEs can obtain the funding necessary to enter the commercial market. The programme will provide financial management training, facilitate access to loans, and establish a matching grant facility to support productive investments. FOs and SMEs will be equipped to improve their financial literacy, record-keeping, and investment planning, allowing them to secure funding for commercialization and value addition. The matching grant mechanism will be used to support the targeted FOs and SMEs as a bridge to commercial credit and/or investment, fostering financially sustainable business models by prioritizing productivity enhancement, resilience, and commercialization efforts, with a focus on women-owned enterprises to promote inclusive growth.ย
It is on this note that UNDP is seeking to recruit a Financing Specialist to design, roll-out and oversee the management and implementation of the UCHI Commercialization Matching Grant Facility and to lead on the financial access stream of work under the UCHI Strengthening Agricultural Commercialization Project.
Position Purpose
The Financing Specialist, working under the direct supervision of the UCHI Project Manager, will play a pivotal role inย facilitating the achievement of project objectives by ensuring the efficient use of financial resources, and providing technical expertise on innovative financing and business development opportunities for FOs and MSMEs.ย The specialist will lead the financial access stream of the Project by designing, rolling out, and overseeing the implementation of the UHCI Commercialization Matching Grant Facility. This includes ensuring a transparent and competitive grant allocation process that fosters business growth for Farmer Organizations (FOs) and MSMEs while maintaining rigorous financial oversight and accountability. Additionally, the Specialist will drive engagement with financial service providers, establishing strategic partnerships to enhance access to finance through tailored financial solutions, including risk-sharing approaches. Beyond financing, the Specialist will support the development and delivery of financial literacy programs and other capacity-building initiatives, equipping project beneficiaries with essential skills in financial management, investment readiness, and business sustainability.ย The Financing Specialist will collaborate closely with the project team and other stakeholders to ensure the attainment of project objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
Fiduciary Management
Design the UCHI Commercialization Matching Grant Facility; Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and matching contribution metrics for the matching grant facility in consultation with the Project Manager and Project Specialist; Facilitate development of milestones for each of the grantees (FOs/SMEs) in consultation with the project team and the grantees and align the same with disbursement amounts;ย Facilitate development of matching grant facility milestone verification tools;ย Lead the review of disbursement request against milestone achievements; Oversee a portfolio of grants under the UCHI โ Agriculture Commercialization Programme, ensuring adherence to financial agreements and monitoring progress against milestones; Ensure that payments are linked to milestones outlined in the contractually binding grant agreements, of which a due diligence and a monitoring plan have been established prior to disbursement; Track and verify expenditures, ensuring that funds are used efficiently and as intended by grantees; Maintain detailed records of payments, disbursements, and financial reports, ensuring transparency and accountability for all grants; Provide regular financial updates to the Project Manager, Project Specialist and UNDP management on grant disbursements, financial status, and compliance; Monitor the disbursement of funds to grantees and prepare detailed records, with all the documentary evidence ofย howย funds areย utilized based onย the contractual agreements; Participate in due diligence exercises on the selected FO/SMEs.Monitoring and Reporting
Develop and implement a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system to track grant progress, measuring results and impacts relative to the projectโs objectives; Monitor grantee progress, identifying any risks or delays and ensuring that corrective actions are taken to stay on track with project goals; Prepare quarterly and annual progress reports on the performance of funded projects, detailing achievements, challenges, and lessons learned; Work closely with the UNDP Malawi M&E team to integrate grants data into the Project's overall performance tracking system; Submit milestone verification reports and impact assessments to the Project Steering Committee, ensuring that all deliverables are met according to the timeline; Work closely with the M&E Specialist to maintain the implemented Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system that measures the results and impacts of UCHI Commercialization Matching Grant Facility;ย Monitor the progress of grantee projects against the baseline and the implementation agreement or any agreed revisions thereof, and in the event that the project departs from the original plan or other difficulties arise, work with the grantee to address and resolve the shortcomings, seeking the advice and guidance of the Project Manager and Project Specialist as necessary; Continuously monitor grantee performance and alert the Project Manager at the earliest possible of any existing or possible unsatisfactory grantee performance; Work with the M&E Specialist and ensure preparation of a baseline report at the start of the grant implementation and end-line impact reports for each of the contracted grantees that will complete their contractual obligations and conclude all the milestones;ย Contribute to the presentations on progress during monthly meetings and other scheduled meetings including Project Technical and Steering Committee meetings organized with the funding partners and other stakeholders.Financial Access and Partnerships
Lead engagement with financial service providers to facilitate access to finance for project beneficiaries;ย Design and implement financial solutions tailored to the needs of FOs and MSMEs, including e.g. blended finance mechanisms and risk-sharing approaches;ย Build strategic partnerships with banks, microfinance institutions, and other funding entities to enhance financing opportunities and technical assistance for the UCHI Project;ย Advocate for financial products that align with the commercialization needs of FOs and MSMEs; Research and facilitate development of other relevant financial instruments that would be relevant for the UCHI Project and advise the project team as appropriate;ย Advise FOs and SMEs with grants on how climate-smart agriculture practices can be integrated in FOs/SMEs agricultural commercialization for maximum impact and achievement of project objectives.Financial Literacy and Capacity Building
Develop and oversee the financial literacy training program, ensuring beneficiaries gain essential financial management skills;ย Support the implementation of other relevant capacity-building initiatives to enhance financial planning, investment readiness, and business sustainability;ย In collaboration with other actors including financial institutions, provide ongoing technical expertise to project beneficiaries on innovative financing, financial and grant management skills, and business development and management strategies;ย Where applicable, support the Business Development Specialist in offering business advisory services to grantees, including assistance with business planning, market access, and scaling up their operations; Facilitate knowledge-sharing and learning among grantees; Strengthen financial management and record-keeping systems for grant recipients; Provide technical assistance to Fos and MSMEs to ensure proper budgeting and financial sustainability.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Financing Specialist will be based at the UNDP Malawiโs UCHI โ Agriculture Commercialization Project Office in Lilongwe, with frequent in-country travel to support grantees in various districts. The Specialist will report to the UCHI Project Manager,ย and work in close collaboration with the UCHI Project Specialist and other relevant Project staff. The role will also require regular interaction with external stakeholders, including grantees, financial institutions, other UCHI implementing partners and the donor.
Competencies
CORE
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactย Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsย Act with Determination: ย LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityCross functional & Technical competenciesย
Business Direction & Strategy:ย Strategic Thinkingย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPโs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;ย Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.Business Direction & Strategy:ย System Thinkingย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the systemBusiness Development: Knowledge Facilitation ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externallyBusiness Management: Project Managementย ย
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.ยBusiness Managementย : Communicationย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audienceย Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channelsPartnership Management: Relationship Managementย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understandingRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Masterโs degree in Economics, Development Studies, Accounting or related field. A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Minimum 7ย years (with masterโs degree) orย 9 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience in providing financial management advisory services, and/or managing staff and operational systems is required.ยRequired Skills
Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP financials;ย Experience in Programme/Project management and good communication skills;Desired Skills
Experience in management of grant portfolio, matching grant schemes, impact investing, blended finance mechanisms and/or venture capital vehicles;ย Experience with enterprise and/or Innovation Challenge Fund management services for private and international organizations; Sector knowledge in agriculture and financial innovation including an up to date understanding of market access frontiers for FOs/SMEs and how they may be shifted through small scale agricultural commercialization; Proven experience working on financing for private sector-driven agriculture development working in Africa context. Experience with Malawi is an added advantage; Strong ability to assess business models, financial sustainability, and risk mitigation strategies; Experience in working with UN Agencies or International Organizations would be an advantage.Required Language
Fluency inย Englishย is required.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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