Job description
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT @ NATIONAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE COMMITTEE (NLGFC)
LOCATION: Lilongwe
POSITION: DEPUTY PROJECT COORDINATOR
PROJECT: Integrated Social Protection for Resilience and Opportunity (INSPIRE-O)
CREDIT / GRANT NO.: P512324
OVERVIEW
The Government of Malawi, through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), has received financing from the World Bank Group and the Malawi Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund. The funding is supported by the European Union, Ireland, the United Kingdom through FCDO, Germany through KIW, Iceland, and Norway.
The financing will support the implementation of the Integrated Social Protection for Resilience and Opportunity (INSPIRE-O) project.
NLGFC intends to use part of the proceeds to recruit qualified specialists and officers on three-year contracts, renewable annually based on performance and the availability of financial resources, or as mutually agreed by both parties.
NLGFC therefore invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates for the position of Deputy Project Coordinator.
JOB TYPE: Three-Year Contract, Renewable Annually
Date of Issue: Friday, 6th November 2026
Application Deadline: Friday, 13th November 2026, at 5:00 PM
Duty Station: NLGFC Offices, Lilongwe
Number of Positions: One (1)
POSITION: DEPUTY PROJECT COORDINATOR
JOB SUMMARY
The Deputy Project Coordinator (DPC) is the most senior technical position within the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the National Local Government Finance Committee.
The successful candidate will support the Project Coordinator in providing strategic leadership and managing the day-to-day implementation of the INSPIRE-O project.
The role will focus on operational coordination, technical oversight of project components, and field-level monitoring to ensure timely, effective, and compliant delivery of project activities across all implementing partners.
The Deputy Project Coordinator will help ensure that activities under the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), Public Works Programme (PWP), and Micro-Entrepreneurship Programme (MEP) are implemented in a coordinated and complementary manner.
The DPC will serve as a key link between the central PIU and district-level structures, ensuring alignment with national policies and World Bank requirements. The position will also act on behalf of the Project Coordinator during delegated periods, while the Project Coordinator retains overall supervisory authority and strategic leadership of the PIU.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Academic Qualifications and Professional Experience
Applicants must possess the following:
A Master's degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field from an accredited institution.
A minimum of eight (
years of relevant working experience in senior project management or coordination positions.
Strong experience in planning, budget management, and project execution in the public or development sector.
Experience in the management and coordination of large-scale adaptive social protection programmes in Malawi.
Demonstrated experience in field-level coordination and monitoring of development interventions at district or community level.
Experience working with decentralisation and local government systems in Malawi.
Demonstrated experience managing multi-sector coordination and district-level implementation oversight.
TECHNICAL AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
Proficiency in project and budget management software and tracking tools, including Microsoft Office.
In-depth knowledge of World Bank procurement and financial management procedures.
Knowledge of Government of Malawi financial and procurement regulations.
Experience with digital delivery systems, Management Information Systems (MIS), beneficiary management, and data quality assurance.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES
Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral teams.
Excellent problem-solving and strategic-thinking skills.
Demonstrated capacity to manage multi-stakeholder coordination and district-level implementation oversight.
COMMUNICATION AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
Excellent written and spoken English.
Ability to produce clear, concise, and high-quality technical reports.
Exceptional interpersonal and diplomatic skills when engaging with senior government officials and development partners.
High motivation, integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Commitment to anti-corruption and anti-bribery ethics.
DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Operational Coordination and Planning
Support the development, consolidation, and monitoring of Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs), ensuring alignment with project objectives, financing agreements, and the Project Implementation Manual (PIM).
Facilitate cross-component implementation by promoting information sharing and joint planning among technical specialists responsible for SCTP, PWP, Ultra-Poor Graduation, and MEP activities.
Facilitate field operations across all project districts, ensuring activities are synchronised and resources are efficiently utilised.
Prepare and update detailed implementation schedules for all project components, tracking progress against milestones and identifying potential bottlenecks.
Support the preparation and maintenance of implementation dashboards, district performance reviews, mission follow-up matrices, and bottleneck tracking reports.
Support the strengthening of adaptive social protection and shock-responsive delivery mechanisms.
Coordinate operational aspects of digital delivery systems, including MIS oversight, beneficiary management, and data quality assurance, in collaboration with relevant technical specialists.
2. Technical Oversight of Project Components
Provide technical oversight and backstopping for the implementation of all three core project components.
Component 1: Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP)
Support coordination with the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare to ensure effective delivery of cash transfers and Ultra-Poor Graduation activities.
Component 2: Public Works Programme (PWP)
Provide technical guidance on the implementation of public works activities, including catchment restoration, in collaboration with the Public Works Specialist and district technical teams.
Component 3: Micro-Entrepreneurship Programme (MEP)
Coordinate and oversee the work of Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs), ensuring quality service delivery, beneficiary targeting, and market linkages.
Cross-Cutting Responsibilities
Facilitate the integration of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), climate resilience, and safeguards compliance across all project activities.
Provide technical support for achieving project results and PDO indicators.
Review and update component implementation guidelines in collaboration with the specialists.
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Governance
Support the organisation of key governance meetings, including Project Technical Coordination Group (PTCG) meetings, in coordination with the Project Coordinator.
Maintain collaboration platforms with project stakeholders, including government ministries, District and City Councils, development partners, and community-based organisations.
Support multi-sector coordination and district-level implementation oversight.
4. Staff Management and Team Support
Provide supervision and technical guidance to PIU technical specialists to ensure effective time commitment and high performance.
Facilitate capacity building for district-level technical teams and partners on project procedures, safeguards, and reporting requirements.
Manage the operational coordination of technical specialists, ensuring effective workflow and synergy across all project components.
5. Risk Management
Support the Project Coordinator in implementing the project's risk management framework.
Ensure systematic identification, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring of risks across all project components and implementation levels.
Ensure that risk management is integrated into district-level implementation, with appropriate mitigation measures and escalation protocols.
DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
The Deputy Project Coordinator's performance will be assessed against the timeliness, quality, and completeness of the following deliverables:
Timeliness, completeness, and quality of all plans and reports.
Implementation performance against approved annual work plans and budgets.
Procurement performance against approved timelines.
Compliance with fiduciary, environmental, and social requirements.
Timely facilitation of governance meetings and supervision missions.
Implementation dashboards, district performance reviews, mission follow-up matrices, and bottleneck tracking reports.
Reports on adaptive social protection and shock-responsive delivery mechanisms.
Reports on digital delivery systems, MIS oversight, beneficiary management, and data quality assurance.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
Performance will be assessed against the following indicators:
Timely submission and quality of all reports and deliverables.
Effective coordination of cross-component activities.
Compliance with fiduciary, environmental, and social requirements.
Timely organisation of governance meetings and supervision missions.
Achievement of project results and PDO indicators.
Quality of implementation and delivery system strengthening.
Effectiveness of risk management, including district-level risk mitigation.
Quality of support for adaptive social protection and shock-responsive delivery mechanisms.
Quality of support for digital delivery systems, MIS oversight, beneficiary management, and data quality assurance.
REPORTING AND SUPERVISION
The Deputy Project Coordinator will report directly to the Project Coordinator and serve as the primary point of contact for project operations when delegated. The DPC will also work technically with the NLGFC's Director of Social and Economic Services.
The Deputy Project Coordinator must promptly disclose any matter that may materially affect procurement integrity, compliance, schedule, cost, contract performance, or achievement of the assignment objectives, and recommend practical corrective action for consideration by authorised Client representatives.
FACILITIES AND CLIENT INPUTS
NLGFC will provide reasonable facilities necessary for the performance of the services, including:
Office space, furniture, and office equipment.
Communication and internet facilities.
Access to relevant project documents, reports, systems, and designated counterpart staff, subject to applicable access controls.
Official travel outside the duty station will require prior written authorisation. NLGFC will provide or pay for authorised transport and applicable subsistence allowances (per diems) in accordance with the contract and applicable Government rates.
The contract will clarify whether each eligible cost is paid directly by NLGFC or reimbursed against supporting documentation.
OWNERSHIP, CONFIDENTIALITY AND RECORDS
All reports, registers, tools, training materials, databases, records, and other products prepared specifically under the assignment will be the property of NLGFC, subject to the terms of the contract.
The Deputy Project Coordinator must maintain confidentiality of non-public information received or generated during the assignment and use it only for the performance of the services.
At completion or termination of the assignment, the successful candidate must return or hand over all Client records, access devices, working files, and final outputs in an organised and usable form.
DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT
The assignment will run for three (3) years, with annual contract renewal subject to satisfactory performance and availability of project resources.
SELECTION AND REMUNERATION
Selection Method: Individual Consultant selection in accordance with the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Sixth Edition, February 2025.
Remuneration: A competitive remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit the following documents:
An application letter.
A concise Curriculum Vitae (CV).
A copy of National ID.
Copies of relevant original academic and professional certificates.
Applications should be addressed to:
The Executive Director
National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC)
Area 14, Red Cross Building
Presidential Way
P.O. Box 31162
Lilongwe 3, Malawi
Email: recruitment@nlgfc.gov.mw
Closing Date: Friday, 13th November 2026, at 5:00 PM
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
NLGFC is an equal opportunity employer committed to gender equality and diversity in its operations. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.