Access to Finance and Grants Specialist (Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants)

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Since 1964, UNDP has been active in Malawi, aiding the government in its development agenda by supporting policies, establishing partnerships, and enhancing institutional capacities to achieve national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDP Malawi’s Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2024-2028 aligns with the Malawi Vision 2063 and its first 10-Year Implementation Plan, aiming to support Malawi in meeting the SDGs by 2030. This comprehensive program addresses the interconnected challenges of poverty, inequality, and vulnerability to shocks, organized within two principal portfolios:

Resilience and Sustainable Growth (RSG) Portfolio

The RSG Portfolio adopts a multifaceted approach combining inclusive growth, sustainability, climate adaptation, resilience to shocks, and agricultural development. It integrates natural resource management, poverty-environment linkages, disaster risk management, and agricultural value chain commercialization. The portfolio engages a broad range of stakeholders, including government entities, development partners, and multilateral agencies. UNDP's resilience programming within the RSG Portfolio specifically targets the mitigation of threats, risks, and impacts of climate change and related economic and social shocks. The RSG Portfolio also includes a dynamic private sector development program that employs various de-risking financial instruments to support private sector investments in the country. This program is designed to assist entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, from business incubation to acceleration and growth across different economic sectors.

The resilience programming takes a holistic approach, addressing interconnected issues such as governance, public services, inclusive economic opportunities, natural resource management, and agricultural development. The primary outcomes target enhancing socio-economic resilience, equitable access to economic opportunities, sustainable natural resource management, and increased agricultural productivity and income for smallholder farmers. This is achieved through collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including government, UN partners, civil society, the private sector, and academia.

Agriculture and Commercialization

Agriculture is the backbone of Malawi's economy, employing over 70% of the population and significantly contributing to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at 24.7%. Women contribute over 70% of the agricultural labour force, yet they face persistent gender barriers, including limited land ownership and reduced access to extension and climate-smart technologies, and significantly lower access to finance. Fewer than 10% of women-owned MSMEs access formal credit, largely due to collateral limitations, gender norms, and inequitable financial products. These disparities undermine commercialization potential for women-led agribusinesses and limit inclusive growth. While subsistence farming has predominated, there is a growing emphasis on commercialization to unlock the sector's full potential

This transition from traditional, subsistence-oriented farming to market-oriented, profit-driven activities aligns with the government's Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) growth strategy. This shift is crucial for enhancing food security, increasing farmers' incomes, promoting rural development, and achieving broader economic growth objectives. Achieving meaningful commercialization requires targeted interventions, supportive policies, and a solid anchorage for the private sector. Since 2014, UNDP has actively supported the private sector in advancing sustainable development through diverse initiatives and partnerships in agriculture, collaborating closely with mainstream government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

Networks collaboration with private sector entities and leveraging relevant past experiences, the UCHI Strengthening Agricultural Commercialization Project will provide the technical expertise, resources, and networks necessary to tackle challenges related to agricultural commercialization and generate market and financial opportunities for smallholder farmers (SHFs). The project advocates market-oriented business practices and stimulates market and financial opportunities within priority value chains.

One of the UCHI Project Outputs is “Improved Financial Access for FOs and Women-Led Agricultural MSMEs”. This output aims to improve financial access for FOs and SMEs, with a particular focus on empowering women-led agribusinesses such that FOs and SMEs can obtain the funding necessary to enter the commercial market. The program will provide financial management training, facilitate access to loans, and establish an UCHI Commercialization Facility (matching grant and blended finance solutions, etc.,) to support productive investments. FOs and SMEs will be equipped to improve their financial literacy, record-keeping, and investment planning, allowing them to secure funding for commercialization and value addition. The UCHI Commercialization Facility will be used to support the targeted FOs and SMEs as a bridge to commercial credit and/or investment, fostering financially sustainable business models by prioritizing productivity enhancement, resilience, and commercialization efforts, with a focus on women-owned enterprises to promote inclusive growth. 

It is on this note that UNDP is seeking to recruit an Access to Finance and Grants Specialist to design, roll-out and oversee the management and implementation of the UCHI Commercialization Facility and to lead on the financial access and investment stream of work under the UCHI Strengthening Agricultural Commercialization Project.

Scope of Work

Advised on Fiduciary Management 

Ensure Monitoring and Reporting 

Lead Financial Access and Partnerships

Advise and support Financial Literacy and Capacity Building

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Project.

Institutional Arrangement

The Access to Finance and Grants Specialist will be based at the UNDP Malawi’s UCHI – Agriculture Commercialization Project Office in Lilongwe, with frequent in-country travel to support grantees in various districts. The Specialist will report to the UCHI Project Manager, and work in close collaboration with the UCHI Project Specialist and other relevant Project staff. The role will also require regular interaction with external stakeholders, including grantees, financial institutions, other UCHI implementing partners and the donor.

Competencies

Core Competencies

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site [link removed].

Cross-Functional/Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

Partnership Management

Business Development

Business Management

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Education requirements:

Minimum years of relevant work experience

Required skills

Desired experience/skills/competencies

Required Language(s)

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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