Chief Operating Officer

About MCA

The Government of Malawi signed a five-year agreement (“Compact”) with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (“MCC”) to fund specific programs targeted at reducing poverty and stimulating economic growth. MCC is a U.S. government agency focused on assisting countries dedicated to good governance, economic freedom, and investing in people. An Accountable Entity called the Millennium Challenge Account-Malawi II (“MCA-Malawi II”) has been created and designated by the Government of Malawi to implement the Compact.

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Malawi compact

The Compact consists of three projects, namely;

1. The Accelerated Growth Corridors Project (AGC) will focus on reducing transport costs in targeted rural areas. Under the AGC Project, the Road Corridor Improvement (RCI) Activity will target investment in physical upgrades and improvements across different classes of roads within four selected Accelerated Growth Corridors (AGCs) to improve rural access by addressing road conditions and reducing transport costs. The Policy and Institutional Reform and Capacity Building (PIR) Activity will focus on assisting the Government to address policy, legislative, institutional, and funding issues to ensure that road transport in AGC areas is well-maintained and managed.
2. The Increased Land Productivity Project will focus on improving land services, strengthening conditions for increased investment in land and better-functioning land markets through two main activities: the Land Administration Resourcing and Institutions Activity – which will support development, adoption, and implementation of reforms to expand national land-based revenues and address institutional change – and the City Council Land-Based Revenue Modernization Activity, which will expand coverage and collection of land-based revenues, to increase resources for key services and increase investment in land and finally.
3. The American Catalyst Facility for Development Project will focus on facilitating U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) investment in Malawi to catalyze increased private investment consistent with Compact objectives and increase the scale and impact of the Compact.

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Position Objective

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative, operating, and technical functions of MCA-Malawi II’s implementation of the Compact and directs the MCA-Malawi II’s Management Advisory Unit, the project management unit for the Compact. The COO supports the CEO by assisting in the management of the compact set-up, implementation and closeout through efficient integration and effective operation of the MCA-Malawi II core projects and related operational and program support functions. The COO is also responsible for ensuring that projects are implemented in accordance with the Compact and MCC guidance and standards, and follow all procedures outlined in MCC guidance to the MCA-Malawi II. The COO will lead development of the appropriate procedures and culture to continuously monitor and control the integration of the projects, Finance, Procurement, HR and Administration. The COO develops and maintains the needed project controls and processes to ensure that the information reaching the CEO has been verified through procedures to ensure proper and timely decision making and communication.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide operational and strategic advice and support to the CEO.
• Lead the overall coordination of project implementation, ensuring projects across the Compact are aligned and that cross-cutting frameworks (e.g., Gender and Social Inclusion, Environmental and Social Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation) are implemented, and that these projects can deliver the established targets within the five-year compact term.
• Evaluate the Compact and MCC’s programmatic, statutory, and operational requirements, determine the appropriateness/relevance of project designs and results, and develop necessary operations, program frameworks, budgets, and resource plans to ensure MCA-Malawi II’s ability to appropriately deliver the Compact’s results within the defined timeframe and costs.
• Formulate implementation plans, including the preparation of budgets, disbursement request packages, work plans, procurement plans, and Monitoring & Evaluation plans, for the CEO to submit to the Board of Directors and to MCC.
• Represent the MCA-Malawi II program to project stakeholders (e.g., with National/Local Government counterparts, Regulatory Agencies, Civil Society, Project Beneficiaries, etc.) and expand the MCA’s collaborative network into new partnerships that will sustain it throughout compact implementation and closeout.
• Report on the Compact to MCC, the MCA-Malawi II Board of Directors, management, and other stakeholders, to ensure that overall progress is shared and that significant changes to project design, issues with resources and collaborative relationships are communicated along with risks and mitigation strategies.
• Build the project teams through the recruitment of Project Directors and other staff and technical resources (e.g., external consultants) that are aligned to the programmatic and strategic needs of the MCA-Malawi II.
• Oversee the development, implementation and periodic update of the Compact’s Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, in accordance with MCC and key stakeholder requirements.
• Ensure that the operations of MCA-Malawi II are in full compliance with local regulations and with MCA and MCC policies and procedures.
• Ensure continuous improvement of operational efficiency in compact implementation using information produced by MCA-Malawi II, to provide recommendations, mid-course corrections, and lessons learned.
• Supervise various Project Directors, in order to ensure effective program/project management, timely exchange of relevant information, risk identification and management, and compliance with MCC policies and procedures.
• Manage the work of MCA-Malawi II employees using standard results-oriented evaluation methods and performance-based awards and make recommendations to the CEO on staff retention and related issues.

Required Competencies

• MBA or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in International Development, Development Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, Public Administration, Construction Management, or relevant field.
• Professional certification in Project Management, Road Construction or Public Works is a plus.
• A minimum of 15 years of relevant operational experience in a senior management and/or program management in reputable public and/or private organizations (preferably in Road infrastructure or Construction sectors), large-scale Donor funded entity and/or Government agency handling fast-paced, complex, and multi-disciplinary business processes, including electrical engineering or cross-sector technical activities (gender and social inclusion, monitoring and evaluation), in the implementation of programs of similar size and complexity.
• Demonstrated experience and proven management skills in leading multi-disciplinary teams with at least fifteen (15) personnel.
• Extended experience in Program Design and Project Management, including the integration of multiple disciplines required for effective project delivery.
• Proven experience in the management of Public Finances and/or procurements with bilateral or multilateral technical and financial partners.
• Solid experience in operational and productive collaboration with at least two of the following stakeholders: Government (at national and local levels), Civil Society, Non-Governmental Organizations, private sector, and international technical and financial partners.
• Familiarity with Public Financial Management and/or Donor Project Management Systems is a plus.
• Capability of building and maintaining productive relationships with a range of Actors, including National and Local Government Officials, Civil Society Organizations, and International Donors.
• Experience implementing programs and projects involving Development-Partner assistance and knowledge of international competitive bidding rules.
• Experience with results-focused Project Management.
• Familiarity with MCC, USAID, AfDB, World Bank, and/or other International Development Organizations’ policies and procedures is an advantage.
• Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, Internet, and familiarity with project management tools, Management Information Systems, and Geographic Information Systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

How to apply

To access positions’ profile requirements and submit applications, please visit https://malawi-jobs.tenderwell.app/. Applications should be accompanied by the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae containing detailed work experience;
2. Cover letter confirming interest and availability;
3. Soft copies of higher education and professional certificates (if available).

If you meet challenges in applying online, please contact 098 923 5904 for assistance. The closing date for receiving applications is 2 October 2023. Please note that only applications received through the online (Tenderwell) portal will be considered. Any applications received through other channels will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.