NAME OF PROJECT: MALAWI ELECTRICITY ACCESS PROJECT

 

1.0 Background

The Government of Malawi with support from the World Bank is implementing Malawi Electricity Access Project (MEAP) through the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining and the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Limited (ESCOM). MEAP is a four year project which became effective in 2020 and is expected to end in 2024.

The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to increase access to electricity services in Malawi.

The main component is Grid densification/extension. This component will finance cost-effective, priority investments in grid electrification by providing electricity supply to beneficiaries/ consumers living close to an existing distribution infrastructure leveraging on a geospatial analysis (already undertaken under a separate assignment) to maximize the number of connections under the financing.

In addition, the project will support the use of energy-efficient appliances including the distribution of free energy-efficient light emitting diode (LED) bulbs to enhance affordability and reduce household electricity consumption.

Component 3: Technical assistance and capacity building
This will mainly finance activities to support ESCOM to effectively implement Component 1 including support for detailed project design, planning, and supervisory oversight. More specifically the sub-component will finance (i) capacity building and implementation support for the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in ESCOM related to core functions, including (Financial Management) FM, procurement, safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation; (ii) preparation of a Program Operations Manual informed by a least-cost geospatial roll-out plan; (ili) training at ESCOM’s Training facility of ESCOM front line construction supervision management personnel,
and private sector contractors for implementing a scaled up on-grid connections program; (iv) mainstreaming more broadly, selective high impact DSM measures; (v) GIS platform for network reticulation planning, design; (vi) System-wide MV feeder-specific upgrading Master Plan through 2030; including affordable new connections fee policy; and (vii) preparation and implementation of a gender capacity building plan and program, and designing a recruitment, mentoring and leadership development program targeting potential, new and existing female employees at ESCOM.

ESCOM is now inviting applications from suitably qualified individual to fill the following position

The Position: Gender Officer

The Gender Officer is expected to work in close coordination with MEAP PIU, Social and Gender Inclusion Department and other relevant officers in the Corporation.

Specific Tasks
The Gender Officer will provide both technical and coordination support on the following key deliverables:

• Develop various materials for the Information, Communication and Education (IEC) to publicize the messages targeting women and these should include posters, leaflets, cloth bags, T-Shirts, cloth material, banners etc.
• Conduct Consumer Awareness and consumer education programs targeting women in project areas
• Develop and implement Radio & TV adverts on Project related messages
• Engage NGOs (NICE) with successful consumer education models which focus on how to access and manage electricity.
• Develop a communication tool and undertake the social assessment exercise during the sensitization program to include issues on income generating activities for female households that could sustain payment of tariffs
• Assist in reviewing ESCOM’s current social and gender inclusion policy, strategies, gender action plans, gender capacity building plans and other related instruments.
• Develop and implement a gender and energy capacity building plan for internal and external stakeholders
• Produce a documentary on Women in STEM fields at ESCOM and other success stories
• Develop a scholarship program to sponsor female students studying STEM fields pertinent to the energy sector in University and Technical Colleges
• Develop and implement program to bridge skills gaps for women between graduation from college and employment
• Plan and implement various capacity building workshops in the Corporation in line with the Capacity Building Plan.

• Explore productive uses of electricity for women to address energy usage for domestic and business and implement such strategies
• Plan and implement strategies for local women groups economic involvement and benefit in the projects
• Identify and work with community-based organizations that could support project implementation
• Develop and implement stakeholder engagement with grassroot CBOs/NGO and other state and non-state actors.
• Design and implement programs that address and closes information gaps on Gender and STEM fields at precollege levels.
• Design and implement various programs with primary secondary and tertiary girls and stakeholders for the promotion and participation of girls in STEM course.
• Develop and implement professional training/ workshops/conference for gender focal persons and other stakeholders on the linkages between gender and energy
• Plan and implement various strategies to mitigate CBV, SEAH in the project impact areas.

Reporting
The Gender Officer will be reporting to the Social and Gender Inclusion Manager.

Qualifications

Interested applicants should provide the information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the functions of the role as follows:

• A minimum of undergraduate degree in Gender and Development studies, Sociology, Social Development, Law. Additional gender related trainings will be advantageous.
• At least 5 years’ postgraduate progressive experience in Gender transformative programming. Experience in Infrastructure Development Project will be an added advantage.
• Proven work experience in stakeholder engagement with development partners, project beneficiaries and Government agencies
• Should have demonstrated expertise in social and gender inclusion activities
• Full and fluent command of English, local languages and familiar with local culture and gender-based laws.
• Good working knowledge of Windows-based computing programs, and electronic communication.

Submission

Interested applicants for the above position are required to submit applications including a cover letter and detailed Curriculum Vitae to the address below by 22nd March 2024.

Director of Human Resources & Administration
Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi
ESCOM House
P O Box 2047
Blantyre

Location
All the Specialists will be based in Blantyre, but will be required to travel regularly and extensively to the project areas across the country and work closely with Project Implementation Unit members and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure that progress follows project plans and that appropriate support is provided for project activities.

ESCOM is an equal opportunity employer