Within the context of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS II), the United Nations’ collective objective is to assist Malawi achieve the Millennium Development Declaration and the MDGs and contribute to equitable economic growth and poverty reduction.
The private sector has been highlighted in the MGDS II document as the engine of economic growth and wealth creation. It is a sub-theme under the theme of ‘Sustainable Economic Growth’. The MGDS II document stipulates that increased industrial activities are critical for generating employment opportunities, expanded manufacturing base, enhancing value addition and diversifying exports. In addition to enhancing foreign exchange, trade promotion is expected to assist industries benefit from economies of scale through expanded markets.
The UNDP Country Office in Malawi has been expanding its work in Private Sector Development (PSD) and has formulated a new strategic programme for the next five years, in support of the MGDS which envisages private sector and export-led growth. The Programme comprises of two sub-projects. One project pertains to the development of the National Quality Infrastructure in Malawi whilst the other seeks to support innovative approaches to engage the private sector to improve opportunities for the poor to participate in markets as producers, employees, or consumers in strategic value chains and to engage financial service providers to improve financial access to the poor and marginalized including micro-entrepreneurs at the Bottom of the Pyramid.
The Programme will establish a Malawi Innovation Challenge Fund, under the leadership of the Export Development Fund - spinned-off from Reserve Bank of Malawi. The Fund is aimed at catalyzing innovative pro-poor business models that engage and benefit the underprivileged and at encouraging financial innovations amongst financial service providers that support financial inclusion and propel SMEs growth and micro-entrepreneurship.
Under the overall guidance of the Head of PADU (Policy Specialist and Development Unit) and in liaison with the Assistant Resident Representative responsible for Growth and MDG Achievement Cluster, the Program Specialist will provide expert advice to support the implementation, coordination and management of the new PSD programme, which consists of three projects, i.e. MICF, SQAM and Inclusive Finance. At the same time, the Specialist will lead in retailing innovative ideas and financial innovations, conceptualizing and spinning-off other export/PSD-related and Inclusive Finance projects, will institutionalize and maintain donor intelligence, will build strategic partnerships and engage in resource mobilization; and will undertake advocacy, information, communication and knowledge management. The Specialist will also work alongside UNDP staff to provide technical and policy advice to Government staff to ensure provision of technical and policy guidance in areas of competence.
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In summary the Program Specialist will provide specialist technical advice and expertise to UNDP and Government Implementing Agencies with regard to development of policy, methodologies, innovations, tools and working instruments in the fields of inclusive finance, private sector development, industrial development, trade and other related areas. S/he will ensure effective management of the PSD programme focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation, monitoring, implementation, and reviews. The Program Specialist will facilitate and maintain strategic partnerships and resource mobilization including undertaking advocacy and information, communication and knowledge management. In particular the Program Specialist is expected to: - Conduct a thorough analysis of the socio-economic situation of the country, esp. considering the current Government’s new Presidential Initiatives among which the PI on Hunger and Poverty Reduction and contribute to the development of poverty-orientated policies, national strategies and operational tools in the fields of financial innovation, agricultural diversification, industrial development and export in support of the Government`s vision and in partnership with strategic partners;
- Advise on the elaboration of guidelines, methodologies, manuals and supporting documentation relevant to the Malawi Innovation Challenge Fund (MICF), including technical backstopping on the development of methodologies and guidelines for the integration of cross-cutting issues in strategic operational plans and budgets;
- Provide technical inputs to the development and implementation of a performance monitoring system for the MICF;
- Provide technical support for the conceptualization and deployment of implementation platforms for the National Export Strategy and support the conceptualization of mechanisms for the deployment of a Trade, Industry and Private Sector Development Sector Working Group including serving as UNDP focal point for PSD and represent UNDP in Sectoral and Technical Working Groups and UN Meetings;
- Provide specialist advice on a timely basis to UNDP and the UN System on significant policy measures being considered or implemented by the Government of Malawi in the fields of financial innovation, private sector development, industry and trade;
- Provide leadership and technical guidance in the implementation of the PSD programme including the three sub-set projects pertaining to MICF, SQAM Infrastructure and inclusive finance;
- Provide technical support and application of effective application of corporate RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring and achievement of results;
- Provide technical advice to Government in assuming leadership and strategic oversight of the planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the programme;
- Provide strategic advice in the formulation, implementation, and revision of the operational planning and budgeting system for the programme ensuring its alignment with existing Government planning and budgeting instruments;
- Facilitate effective monitoring, measuring the impacts of the PSD programme on a regular basis. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, and guidance to Government in undertaking timely adjustments for the programme;
- Develop and maintain harmonious relationships and team work with government colleagues, as well with colleagues in the country office and the UN system level;
- Facilitate skills transfer and capacity development in Government through on-the-job coaching, briefings and technical study sessions, etc.
- Conduct an analysis of the environmental scanning and donor intelligence in the areas of public sector development;
- Identify strategic and innovative areas of collaboration with interested development partners in supporting financial innovations and inclusion, private sector development, industry and trade;
- Develop, establish and coordinate partnerships for achieving effective resource mobilization to achieve programme outcomes and fill in the resource gap for the PSD programme with UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors, government institutions, private sector, CSOs and other stakeholders;
- Facilitate the preparation of technical briefings on possible areas of cooperation and identification of opportunities for cost-sharing agreements including providing support in the preparation and finalization of cost-sharing agreements achieved in resource mobilization efforts, in line with UNDP’s corporate cost-sharing policies and procedures;
- Liaise with the African Facility for Inclusive Markets (AFIM) in support for exchange of information and experience with other countries; and
- Provide technical support and expert advice in the implementation, monitoring, and reviews of the UNDAF and the UNDP country programme.
- Facilitate a process of creating and raising the level of awareness on issues emerging in the fields of financial innovation and inclusion, private sector development, industry and trade;
- Contribute to learning in the area of competence in government as well as in UNDP CO, including and contribute to the knowledge management initiate of the PSD programme; Promote and advocate for an integrated vision of private sector development that includes all relevant national institutions and stakeholders and seek dialogue and consensus building between partners for an holistic programmatic approach;
- Conceptualize and support the launch of Private Sector Sensitization Campaigns on Malawi Innovation Challenge Fund (MICF);
- Generate and communicate successes and best practices, with the aim of informing the national-level policy and political dialogue in the fields of financial innovation, private sector development, industry and trade;
- Create high-level advocacy on relevant development policies and programmes in relation to financial innovations, PSD and across the representatives of top echelon of the country’s stakeholders;
- Determine appropriate media for reaching out to the public and design strategies for reaching target groups in consultation with the CO communications unit;
- Support the development of guidelines and methodologies for the dissemination of information to the MICF and SQAM;
- Develop Knowledge Management products contributing to the corporate KM platform.
Impact of Results: The key results will have impact on the overall success of the PSDP on two fronts namely; the programming process and the improvement in policy and legal environment for poverty reduction. In particular, the key results will have impact on the definition, planning, budgeting and implementation of programming activities, programme monitoring and knowledge management and the creation of strategic partnerships with actual and potential programme partners. In specific terms, it has impacts on the following result areas: - Capacity development of public and private sector institutions involved in the implementation of the programme through the provision of specialist technical advice and expertise, training, and knowledge and information management.
- Development and management of strategic partnership with key national and international stakeholders in the field of financial inclusion, private sector development, industry and trade.
- Pro-poor private sector growth leading to the creation of decent employment and generation of income.
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Corporate Competencies: - Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies: Technical knowledge: - Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the issues and challenges related to private sector development and trade.
- Exhibits a good knowledge of institutional development and capacity building issues.
- Displays process, transparency and accountability in the country.
Development and Operational Effectiveness: - Ability to lead and contribute to strategic planning, change processes, results-based management, work planning, and reporting.
- Ability to formulate and manage budgets, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
- Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.
- Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.
- Ability to mobilise resources and undertake cost-recovery.
- Ability to implement new systems and effect behavioural and attitudinal change.
Knowledge and Information Management and Learning: - Facilitates knowledge and information sharing and learning culture.
- Has good knowledge on UNDP programme and operational issues.
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
- Has knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programme in decentralisation.
Management and Leadership: - Builds strong relationships with stakeholders and clients, focuses on impact and results for clients, and respond positively to feedback.
- Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates capacity to communicate effectively; resource management; capacity to plan and organize programmes effectively.
- Demonstrates resourcefulness, initiative and mature judgment.
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
- Patience to work under pressure and maintains positive outlook and humour.
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