Institutional Strengthening Advisor 345 views0 applications

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department

Program Delivery (PDEL) – Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Program Delivery Team, contributes to realizing this purpose by: Forging smart partnerships and treating all people with dignity and respect; Applying organizational policies and regulatory compliance appropriately and consistently; Facilitating team spirit among colleagues and promoting the organization through communications; Influencing decision makers through focused, relevant communications; Continually striving to learn and share knowledge and find small ways to make the workplace more enjoyable for all; Cultivating and harvesting innovation; Contributing to the organization’s ability to think and act strategically at all times; Inspiring and spreading our desired organizational culture across the global enterprise.

Position Overview

The purpose of the REFRESH activity is to conserve the freshwater biodiversity of Lake Malawi to restore the natural fisheries productivity, which largely underpins the food and nutrition security of the rural and urban populations by targeting the lakeshore districts of Karonga, Rumphi, Likoma, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Salima, Dedza and Mangochi. Its sub-purposes are a) the targeted Lake Malawi’s aquatic habitats are healthy and well-managed b) the endemic fish populations of targeted parts of Lake Malawi are healthy and self-sustaining and c) the fisheries in the targeted parts of Lake Malawi are managed sustainably by 2024.

Primarily, the REFRESH activity will aim to achieve the following outcomes;

1. Fisheries governance and regulatory framework strengthened
2. Fisheries ecosystem-based management improved
3. Decentralization of fisheries management strengthened
4. Commercialization of conservation enterprises to counter unsustainable fishing catalyzed and supported
5. CDCS priorities for integration advanced

Please note that the position will be contingent upon award of funding.

Pact seeks an Institutional Strengthening Advisor to support the project implementation, for a USAID Malawi flagship biodiversity/fisheries project: REFRESH. The successful applicant will be responsible for the quality of, the design, and the delivery of the program’s institutional strengthening activities at the national level and must ensure that such activities are implemented in compliance with all donor, consortium, Pact, and project-specific policies and goals. This position holder will lead all Capacity Development (CD) and Institutional Strengthening activities for the project specifically working with relevant ministries and departments to ensure ownership and sustainability of project outcomes at the national level. S/he will develop context specific support for each of the targets based on assessments of the capacities and needs. S/he will support organizational improvements of all targets and the strengthening of political will towards positive reforms with key national level stakeholders. The post holder will supervise and provide support to the Institutional Strengthening Officer(s)/Cluster Team leader(s) at the Malawi offices. This position reports directly to the Chief of Party.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Pact Malawi’s contribution to institutional capacity strengthening activities for the national level Government of Malawi institutions including relevant departments and ministries.
• Conduct integrated technical and organizational capacity assessments (ITOCA), network analysis (ONA), and Organizational Performance Index (OPI) processes with government partners.
• Work with other project officers, government officials, and influential leaders to develop and implement capacity building activities for government partners to improve their work and performance.
• Designing training interventions with relevant modules on advocacy, political will, transparency, accountability, legal frameworks, and organizational capacity development for targeted teams.
• Ensure the ownership and sustainability of project outcomes at the national level through developing the capacity of teams and champions with major influence in the larger system.
• Contribute to the development and execution of , annual workplans, performance monitoring systems, tools, analyses, and writing of program and research reports.
• Remain up-to-date with latest methodologies, best practices, and donor requirements and ensure that the project results are consistent with the best practices of the capacity development industry.
• Relationship management of key stakeholders.

Basic Requirements

• MA or MSc in Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity, Education, Sociology, Law, Development, Business/Public Administration or another related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in capacity development, specifically related to government strengthening an advantage.
• Deep knowledge of Malawian government systems, departments, ministries, and decentralization and the influential people and groups within these to successfully enact institutional change.
• Excellent grasp of participatory CD methodologies.
• Extensive knowledge of Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Experience in facilitating and leading trainings as well as production of training and capacity assessment reports and materials.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills
• Ability to live, work, and travel within Malawi.

Pact provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.