Recruitment of Community Liaison Officer — Shire Valley Transformation Programme

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

SHIRE VALLEY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME (SVTP)

Request for Expressions of Interest

Community Liaison Officer 2

MW-MOAIWD-524647-CS-INDV

• Introduction

The Government of Malawi, with support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, is implementing the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP). The Programme Development Objective (PDO) is to increase agricultural productivity and commercialization for targeted households in the Shire Valley and to improve the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources.

The SVTP is a 14-year programme (2018–2031) targeting the development of about 40,000 ha, abstracting water from the Shire River at Kapichira and conveying it by gravity to irrigable areas in Chikwawa and Nsanje districts mainly through canals. The programme is structured around three coordinated pillars:

i. Providing reliable, professionally managed, and sustainably financed irrigation services to irrigators in a phased construction of the scheme, including multiple services such as water supply.

ii. Supporting farmer organizations within a comprehensive land use plan; strengthening and consolidating land tenure; and promoting natural resources management.

iii. Establishing smallholder-owned commercial farm enterprises, transitioning from subsistence to commercial agriculture, and integrating them into commercial value chains.

SVTP will be implemented in three sequential but partially overlapping phases, which involve the following key activities: (1) irrigation service provision; (2) land tenure and natural resources management support; (3) agricultural development and commercialization; and (4) project management and coordination.

The Ministry of Agriculture now invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of Community Liaison Officer (CLO). The main responsibility of the CLO is to support the organization, coordination, and implementation of community engagement aspects under the Programme.

• The Position

The Community Liaison Officer is part of the Project Management Team (PMT), which comprises the Coordinator and other technical specialists. He/she will provide support to the Senior Social Safeguards Specialist in ensuring effective compliance with the Programme’s Environmental and Social Safeguards frameworks, policy guidelines, and requirements.

• Tasks and Responsibilities

The major function of the CLO is to engage continuously with communities and stakeholders impacted by the implementation of the SVTP. He/she will be required to understand the local context and community dynamics to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders and deal sensitively within local and national contexts. The CLO will facilitate community engagement, communication, advocacy, needs assessment, collaboration, conflict resolution, referrals, and coordination of community events.

3.1 Scope of Services

• Conduct regular consultations with stakeholders in the Project area including project-affected communities, local leaders, influential people and organizations.

• Advocate for community needs and concerns with the Contractor, PMT and other stakeholders to ensure inclusion in decision-making.

• Conduct training, sensitization and awareness campaigns to stakeholders with a focus on community members on key issues including community health and safety, social and environmental safeguards including but not limited to resettlement, livelihood restoration, community-worker interactions, contractor behaviors etc associated with project implementation.

• Facilitate constructive partnerships between contractors and communities on safeguard issues.

• Ensure effective communication between communities and contractors by providing information in a clear and accessible manner.

• Support grievance redress mechanisms, including collecting, recording, and following up on issues raised by communities.

• Act as the key point of contact for grievance redress in protected areas and the Elephant Marsh.

• Provide timely and accurate feedback to communities on project implementation and monitoring.

• Contribute to preparation of community engagement and safeguards reports for PMT.

• Build capacity of local leaders, grievance committees, and community representatives on safeguards and grievance management.

• Ensure inclusion of gender and vulnerable groups in all community engagement activities.

• Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences (Sociology, Community Development, Social Work, Anthropology, or related fields). A Diploma in Social Sciences with at least 7 years of relevant experience may be considered.

• At least five (5) years of progressive, relevant experience in community engagement, resettlement, social safeguards, rural development, or large-scale infrastructure projects.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse community members and present information effectively.

• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and familiarity with data collection and management tools (e.g., KoboCollect, ODK, SPSS).

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to develop practical solutions to community challenges.

• Effective organizational and time management skills to plan and execute community events and initiatives.

• Self-motivated, result-oriented, with a high level of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.

• Sensitivity to cultural diversity and socio-economic dynamics in Malawi.

• Experience working on complex construction or donor-funded projects will be an added advantage.

• Performance Assessment Criteria

• Timely implementation of planned community engagement activities.

• Effective coordination with stakeholders, including contractors and consultants.

• Integration of social safeguards in SVTP implementation.

• Submission of structured monthly and quarterly community engagement/safeguards reports.

• Measurable outputs such as: number of community meetings held, number/percentage of grievances resolved within timelines, and number of vulnerable groups supported.

• Location of Employment

The Community Liaison Officer will be based in Chikwawa, with frequent travel to project sites across Chikwawa and Nsanje.

• Duration of Employment

The contract will be for an initial period of one (1) year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and project needs.

• Reporting Requirements

As a member of the PMT, the CLO shall report directly to the Senior Social Safeguards Specialist.

• Services and Facilities to be Provided by the Client

The Client will provide the CLO with:

• Office space

• Office equipment

• Communication facilities

• Logistics support for fieldwork

10.0 Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 7:30hrs to 12:00hrs and from 13:00hrs to 17:00hrs except on Weekends and Public Holidays.

11.0 Applications including detailed updated curriculum vitae and copies of academic qualifications must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 11th December, 2025.

The Director of Irrigation Services,

Department of Irrigation,

Off Paul Kagame Road,

P.O. Box 30797,

Lilongwe

Malawi.

(Attention: The Principal Human Resources Management Officer)

Alternatively, applications may be emailed to: [email protected]

cc: [email protected]