Malawi: Technical Director, Citizen Engagement & Capacity Building, Malawi

World Learning seeks a Technical Director, Citizen Engagement & Capacity Building for an upcoming USAID-funded local government strengthening project. Duration: 5 years. Location: Lilongwe, Malawi Recruitment contingent upon successful award of the project. Please transmit: CV or resume; cover letter (in English) with the post title on the subject line explaining why you are best qualified for this position; and three references within the last 3 years with current contact information (phone, mail address and email address). Malawi nationals are highly encouraged to apply. To apply, go to http://www.worldlearning.org/connect/employment/. Open the job posting of your choice and click the “Apply” button. The system will guide you on how to register and submit your application. While World Learning would like to graciously thank all applicants for their interest and responses, only applicants who meet all requisite criteria and are shortlisted will be contacted. No phone calls please. Thank you.

Background: The project, if awarded, will improve the performance of local government in Malawi by improving capacity and accountability of local governments in the districts where it will work, strengthening citizen engagement and oversight, and improving the broader national policy and systems environment for decentralization.

The Technical Director will be responsible for implementing and overseeing citizen engagement and citizen oversight components of the project including strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations, private sector organizations, and local committees to more effectively engage with local government. These include activities aimed at more transparent local budgeting processes and advocacy with local government for improved service delivery.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the project Chief-of Party (COP) and oversee a small team of local and international staff and consultants
• Advise COP on overall strategy to improve citizen participation and demand for accountability at district and sub-district levels
• Lead implementation of the project’s citizen engagement component, working collaboratively with other project team members and other implementers
• Conduct a needs assessment and develop a social accountability approach
• Identify ways to engage the private sector, in order to identify ways to incorporate economic development in the local government planning process and service delivery
• Identify and work with non-governmental organization (including civil society, private sector, and media) to support and enhance citizen engagement

· Oversee development of trainings, guides, and information and communications materials which elaborate local government budgeting processes and mechanisms for monitoring service delivery

· Oversee provision of training, coaching, technical assistance, and mentoring to civil society organizations (including community based groups), village development councils, and area development councils

· Create peer learning and networking opportunities among community level groups

· Ensure citizen engagement activities are gender sensitive and fully include women, youth, and other often marginalized voices

· Contribute to project reporting, workplans, and deliverables

Required Qualifications

· A minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in citizen engagement and capacity building for civil society or local government agencies, including assessing needs and developing capacity building plans

· A minimum of five (5) or more years experience implementing programming related to participatory public planning and budgeting and/or citizen engagement/policy advocacy

· Demonstrated experience using social accountability methodologies (such as citizen report cards and public expenditure tracking) district or community levels preferred

· Proven experience designing and conducting training for adult learners

· Experience managing and supervising staff

· Team player able to work well with colleagues from diverse backgrounds

· Prior experience with USAID or international donor funded projects

· University degree in public administration, political science, community development, communications, or other relevant field

· Strong English language communication skills (written and oral), fluency in one or more local languages preffered

To apply, go to http://www.worldlearning.org/connect/employment/. Open the job posting of your choice and click the “Apply” button. The system will guide you on how to register and submit your application. While World Learning would like to graciously thank all applicants for their interest and responses, only applicants who meet all requisite criteria and are shortlisted will be contacted. No phone calls please. Thank you.