Background

As a way of operationalizing the recommendations of the 2016 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) of the UN system operational activities, the Government of Malawi and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) have established the Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund (onwards the Fund). Considering the UNDS Reform note of 31st May 2018, this emphasizes adequate, predictable and sustainable funding to be made available for a coherent, effective, efficient and accountable response in accordance with national needs and priorities. The Fund aims at improving the quality of non-core resources which would help the UN system support the Government of Malawi to achieve the SDGs. 

The Fund’s Theory of Change is anchored in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the strategic framework guiding the collective contributions of the UN Country Team to Malawi’s national development priorities. Originally aligned to the 2019–2023 cycle, the UNSDCF was subsequently updated to ensure continued relevance to the priorities of the new Cooperation Framework covering 2024–2028. The UNSDCF reflects the goals and principles of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, and it provides coherence for UN agency programming. It also reinforces strong collaboration with the Government of Malawi’s development agenda as articulated in Malawi 2063 and its first 10-Year Implementation Plan.

The objective of the Fund is to support the achievement of results consistent with the current and any future UNSDCF. It supports coherent resource mobilization, allocation and disbursement to under-funded cross-sectoral areas where the UN has a comparative advantage in implementing together. 

The main focus of the Fund is the mobilization, financing coordination and co-financing of catalytic interventions in support of the SDGs. By catalytic is understood to be investments that aim at supporting strategic UNSDCF components, to fill strategic financial gaps when there are no other resources available, that unlock or allow key investments for SDGs, and /or financial resources that support innovative or high-risk approaches that other partners cannot support. The Fund supports partnerships and communications among all stakeholders involved in Malawi’s development initiatives led by the Government of Malawi. The Fund was initially established for a five-year period, from December 2018 to December 2023. However, its duration was extended to December 2027 to allow for the natural completion of strategic joint programmes whose implementation timelines went beyond 2023.

The Fund is overseen by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by the Government’s Secretary to the Treasury and the United Nations Resident Coordinator. The Steering Committee defines the priorities of the Fund, depending on needs related to the SDGs agenda. 

A Secretariat will be established, under the auspices of UNDP as per endorsement by the project steering committee, to facilitate the management of the Fund, entailing the following main tasks: 1) Advise the Steering Committee and the Operational Committee whenever on determining strategic priorities and program/financial allocations; 2) Follow up the formulation and development of programmes/projects, providing feedback to proponent organizations in order to ensure consistency, quality and risk management, and supervising the application of Fund’s cross-cutting approaches before they are circulated to the Operational Committee; 3) Organize or facilitate calls for proposals and appraisal processes; 4) Monitor the balance of funding between Windows and report to the Steering Committee; 5) Consolidate monitoring and evaluating information from approved programmes/projects, and periodically inform Fund stakeholders of progress in the implementation; 6) Carry out the Fund’s knowledge analysis and management, including knowledge systematization, collection of good practices, lessons learned and proposed recommendations; 7) Support resource mobilization activities; and 8) fulfilling the secretariat function to the Steering Committee.

The Secretariat falls under the supervision of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Malawi, and it sits in the RCO. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Coordinator reports to UN Resident Coordinator for substantive and strategic guidance, and to UNDP Resident Representative administratively. The coordinator will be responsible for the overall management of the Fund.

1.Ensure effective coordination of the Fund’s Secretariat and provide advice to the Steering and Operations Committees to achieve Fund objectives:

  • Ensure effective support and follow-up of all Fund´s Steering and Operational Committee processes and decisions; 
  • Liaise and ensure close coordination with the UN MPTF Office in New York; 
  • Design, launch and process Calls for Proposals in line with the Fund’s Terms of Reference, including: drafting the guidance note for Calls for Proposal inviting organizations to present project proposals, prepare recommendations and necessary documentation for approval of projects ensuring prioritizations, identify complementarity and avoiding overlaps following the Fund TOR/results framework; 
  • Ensure quality control of Fund’s funded projects by reviewing reports prepared by participating organizations, ensure implementation of the Fund’s M&E plan, monitor fund level indicators and milestones, and advise on requests of financial and substantial project revisions in coordination with the Steering and Operational Committee; 
  • Prepare consolidated updates and coordinate the production of annual reports highlighting key achievements, obstacles and challenges of the Fund and participating organizations;
  • Commission studies/reviews based on the Steering Committee’s decisions and needs for guiding the Fund programming/fund allocation;
  • Guide and oversee the Fund’s support to improve and develop the M&E capacity of participating organizations;
  • Coordinate with the MPTF Office the timely preparation of financial reports for the Steering Committee.

2. Support Resource Mobilization for the Fund

  • Support ongoing fundraising efforts for the Fund and identify new resource mobilization opportunities with both traditional and non-traditional partners, including development partners, international financial institutions (IFIs), and private sector actors in Malawi;
  • Develop and implement a resource mobilization strategy aimed at supporting SDG acceleration and program outcomes;
  • Explore and propose innovative financing approaches such as blended finance, private public partnerships (PPPs), and other alternative financing instruments to expand the Fund’s resource base;
  • Provide technical and coordination support to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in the development and implementation of context specific resource mobilization strategies and initiatives;
  • Identify relevant data, benchmarks, and performance indicators to monitor progress, assess effectiveness, and strengthen accountability in resource mobilization efforts.

3. Develop strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including Government, CSOs, UN agencies, Development Partners, international and national NGOs, private sector, and other relevant organizations: 

  • Develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships with Government entities, CSOs, NGOs, and private organizations relevant to the Fund interests;
  • Support donor coordination from the RCO, in pursuit of efficient and effective development cooperation;
  • Raise visibility of the Fund by improving communications with the development partners and marketing strategically about the Fund;
  • Coordinate preparation of strategic initiatives with other UN and NGO partners.

4. Facilitate knowledge management relating to UN and civil society support to SDG acceleration, focusing on achievement of the following results: 

  • Ensure that lessons learned and good practice from the Fund funded projects are systematically recorded for sharing within and beyond Malawi; 
  • Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals;
  • Contribute to strategic and policy discussions Fund’s stakeholders, including government entities, UN agencies, and development partners.

5. Ensure day-to-day management of the Fund Secretariat, including M&E, administrative and financial oversight 

  • Ensure performance planning, monitoring and coaching of staff concerned;
  • Manage the programme budget and facilitate budget approvals and revision processes as per UNDP policies and procedures;
  • Ensure appropriate M&E and Administrative frameworks that guarantee proper daily Fund’s operations and information flow to the Steering Committee;
  • Ensure appropriate recording and accounting documentation as required by UNDP and preparation of required financial reports. Facilitate transparent financial management of the programme that can stand up to regular audits and evaluation;
  • Approve requisitions and follow up on purchase orders and payment requests in UNDP Quantum and other relevant systems and ensure delivery of programme outputs;
  • Prepare work plans, produce timely reports – financial and progress reports – as required by the Steering Committee;
  • Ensure that UNDP rules and regulations concerning finance, procurement and human resources are adhered to.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the success of the Fund programme. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities and creation of strategic partnerships

Competencies

CORE

Achieve Results:    LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.  
Think Innovatively:    LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems. 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 demands.  
Act with Determination:     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 inclusivity. 
 

Cross Functional & Technical Competencies 

2030 Agenda: Partnerships: SDG Finance   

  • Innovative finance

Partnership management:  Resource Mobilization 

  • Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements

Partnership management:  Strategic Engagement    

  • Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives

Business management: Communication    

  • 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 audience

Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking    

  • 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 system
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Political Science, Social Sciences or related field; 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in managing staff and/or programmes and establishing inter-agency relationships among international organizations and national governments.

Required Skills

  • Experience in designing communication strategies and products;
  • Experience of full cycle of programme/project management (planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting in a results-based manner);
  • Excellent written and verbal communication. 

Desired Skills

  • Experience working in Africa, and in Malawi in particular; 
  • Experience with resource mobilization and donor coordination;
  • Experience in the implementation and management of pooled funds (in coordination and/or programmatic roles;
  • Graphic design skills; 
  • Experience with strategic communication of development project results; 
  • Experience in the usage of computers, office software packages, and handling of web-based management systems. 

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English is required;
  • Working knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

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. 

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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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