REPUBLIC OF MALAWI
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
SHIRE VALLEY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME (SVTP)-2
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR YOUNG OFFICERS
Country: MALAWI
Name of Project: SHIRE VALLEY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME-2
Credit No: 71350-MW

1.0 Introduction
The Programme development objective for the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP) is to increase agricultural productivity and commercialization for targeted households in the Shire Valley; and to improve the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources. The project development objective of SVTP is to provide access to reliable gravity fed irrigation and drainage services, secure land tenure for smallholder farmers, and strengthen management of wetlands and protected areas in the Shire Valley.

The SVTP is a 14-year programme (2017-2031) structured around three coordinated pillars: (i) Providing reliable, professionally managed and sustainably financed irrigation service to a large number of irrigators in a phased construction of the Shire Valley Irrigation Project scheme and providing multiple services including water supply (ii) Support farmer organization within a comprehensive land use plan; supporting land tenure strengthening and consolidation; as well as natural resources management; and iii) establishment of smallholder owned commercial farm enterprises transitioning into commercial agriculture from subsistence farming and integrating them into commercial value chains. These pillars all contribute to the overarching goals of the programme and build on each other in a phased approach. There are three Phases to the SVTP:

• Phase I (SVTP-I) initiated the process on all pillars, with a major focus on irrigation service provision to the SVIP-I area, land tenure, farmer organization and natural resource management;
• SVTP-II shifts investment focus to agricultural investment, private sector and value chain support, as well as investments in bulk infrastructure for the SVIP-II area;
• SVTP-III is the scale-up phase of investments to the SVIP-II area.

The SVTP is managed by a Project Management Team (PMT) consisting of various technical specialists headed by a Project Coordinator. The Ministry of Agriculture intends to recruit young officers to join the PMT for a period of one year with possibility of contract renewal.

The recruitment will be on an individual consultancy basis. Facilities to be provided by the client shall include office space, furniture, and office equipment, communication, and internet facilities. For all field related assignments, the Project shall provide transport and costs and other expenses (per Diems etc.) related to the field work. All officers will be based at the PMT Office in Blantyre.

The Ministry now invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill the positions of young officers to be recruited as individual consultants.

ASSISTANT COMMUNICATION OFFICER

i. The Objectives of this Assignment

The Shire Valley Transformation Programme is seeking the services of an Assistant Communications Officer to support the Communications Officer increase of the overall visibility of the project and its achievements through defined communication channels in preparation for the project’s closing ceremony. The Assistant Communications Officer will provide support to the Communication Officer in implementing different communication and visibility activities including content creation, production of communication tools, social media management, and event organizing, in addition to providing administrative and operational support, if needed.

ii. The Position

The Assistant Communications Officer is part of SVTP Project Management and Coordination Team, which comprises the Project Coordinator, other specialists and support staff. The Assistant Communications Officer will be a competitively recruited individual consultant. He/she shall work in liaison with other Specialists and stakeholders managing publicity and visibility of the Shire Valley Transformation Programme.

iii. Scope of the Assignment

Specifically, the scope of services of the Assistant Communications Officer shall comprise, but not limited to, the following functions:

1. Support in the development of the project’s promotional material and publications;
2. Assist in the development of Audio-Visual Media such as the project’s documentaries and radio programs;
3. Support monitoring and analysis of print and social media;
4. Support in preparation of the project’s events;
5. Support drafting and follow up on the production of the communication and advocacy instruments and materials, including briefing materials, press releases, newsletters, and articles;
6. Contributing to the content of the SVTP website by providing text, photographs, and audio-visual material;
7. Monitoring external media coverage of the SVTP;
8. Assisting with the planning, organising and setting up of media arrangements for public events hosted by the SVTP;
9. Undertake any other related tasks as directed by the Project Coordinator and Communications Officer.

iv. Performance Criteria

The following performance criteria will be used to assess the performance of the Assistant Communications Officer annually based on but not limited to the following criteria:

1. Production of communications materials including reports, articles, ads, strategies, etc. within agreed timeframes, within budgets and to standard.
2. Maintenance of a positive image of the Programme
3. Provision of accurate, timely, courteous, clear and precise information at all times.
4. Provision of leading-edge communications across all information channels and platforms – online,
   print, radio, etc.

v. Reporting Requirements
The Assistant Communications Officer will be directly reporting to the Communications Officer with overall supervision from the Project Coordinator.

vi. Qualifications and Experience
The Assistant Communications Officer should meet the following qualifications:

1. Must be a holder of Bachelor of Mass Communication, Marketing or Digital Communications obtained between 2020 and 2024
2. At least 2 years of experience communications, marketing, digital communication or related fields.
3. A solid experience in the areas of communications, marketing, and digital communication.
4. Excellent writing, editorial, and presentation skills.
5. Excellent record of accomplishment in producing communication material including social media posts and brochures, flyers, etc.
6. Knowledge of multimedia to develop a range of communication and information products.
7. Knowledge of social media platforms.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section Ill, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 7:30hrs to 12:00hrs and from 13:00hrs to 17:00hrs except on Weekends and Public Holidays.

Expressions of interest including detailed updated Curriculum Vitae and copies of professional and academic qualifications must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 14th March, 2025.

The Director of Irrigation Services,
Department of Irrigation,
Off Paul Kagame Road,
P.O. Box 30797,
Lilongwe
Malawi

(Attention: The Principal Human Resources Management Officer)

Alternatively, applications may be emailed to: enakoma@yahoo.com; cc: mmaoni.doi@svtp.gov.mw; mtewete.doi@svtp.gov.mw; mwalabu2005@yahoo.co.uk;