VSL/Microenterprise Advisor - Blantyre , Malawi

VSL/Microenterprise Advisor

Tracking Code

165-566

Job Description

Founded in 1961, Project Concern International (PCI) is a non-profit health and humanitarian aid organization dedicated to preventing disease, improving community health, and promoting sustainable development worldwide (in Malawi since 2007).  PCI, with funding from USAID, is implementing a new five year holistic food security program “Njira Project – Pathways to Sustainable Food Security” (Njira) in the Balaka and Machinga Districts of Malawi, with a central PCI office located in Blantyre. Njira program seeks to reduce food insecurity through increased access and availability of diverse and nutritious foods to vulnerable households, improved health and nutrition of pregnant and lactating women and children under five, and improved resilience of vulnerable households to shocks and stresses. PCI Malawi invites motivated and experienced professionals to apply for the position listed below.

 Job Summary:

Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Party, develop detailed VSL strategy, approaches and relevant tools based on (Njira strategy, theory of change, pathways, approaches) incorporating the GROW Methodology from PCI’s Women Empowered (WE) Initiative.

Develop mobilization approach to promote VSL based on PCI’s WE Initiative and best practices for a rapid start up of VSL groups. Collaborate with the SII lead, in-country M&E lead to develop a road map for VSL sector constituting of targets such as number of members; money saved and invested in business; number of linkages with financial institutions, # of high performing VSL groups, # of investment advisors etc., including linking with the WE indicators that have been developed and updated by SII. Develop a concept note on “wealth generation plans” for women through participation in VSL and micro enterprises and standard operating guidelines on all aspects of VSL implementation based on PCI’s GROW Field Operations Manual and best practices. Train and build the capacity of field team members and

collaborate with SII lead and in-country M&E lead in setting up the online VSL MIS, updating data collection forms and group level record keeping forms and working with the team to get the forms translated and field tested for accuracy and consistency. 

Required Skills

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree, preferably with a Masters, in a field related to VSL/Microenterprise such as: business, agronomy, finance/accounting, public health, or community development;
• Minimum of 5 years extensive experience in design, management, support, and monitoring and evaluation  of community based VSL programming;
• Experience working with Title II programs;
• Experience in developing and providing training in VSL/Microenterprise and use of participatory training approaches;
• Ability to work with communities and collaborate with government and other stakeholders;
• Experience working with a complex multi-sectoral program;
• Excellent planning skills, must be well organized and capable of completing multiple tasks on deadline, results oriented;
• Excellent English and Chichewa speaking, reading and writing skills required;
• Excellent report writing and computer skills required;
• Good supervisory and teamwork skills;
• Heavy local travel and overnight stays in rural areas expected.

Job Location

Blantyre, , Malawi

VSL/Microenterprise Advisor