Background
The Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) is an umbrella body of Civil Society Organizations working in Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management in Malawi. The Network’s mission is to provide a platform for engagement between government and CSOs on climate change and related fields for improved adaptation and mitigation to climate change impacts, with an overall objective of building community resilience to the impacts of climate change. CISONECC comprises of national and international NGOs, other networks, alliances and research institutions, with a secretariat based in Lilongwe.
CISONECC is a member of a consortium comprising Oxfam and CEPA, which is implementing a project titled Promoting Equitable Access to Clean Energy (PEACE). The project is funded by the European Union (EU), and Oxfam is the lead and grant holder of the consortium. The project aims at ensuring that citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) are better informed and empowered to advocate for their right to energy and for the adoption of efficient and fair energy distribution systems and regulations in Malawi. Ultimately, the project will contribute to a more green and resilient economic transformation in Malawi through strengthening an enabling environment for equitable access to clean energy. The project will be implemented over a period of 3½ years.
CISONECC secretariat now seeks to recruit an experienced and skilled candidate to work as an Advocacy and Campaigns Programme Officer – Clean Energy.
Job Description
Position : Advocacy and Campaigns Programme Officer – Clean Energy
Reporting : Programmes Manager
Duties and Responsibilities
Project Development, Management and Implementation
- Provide day to day management and coordination for the development and implementation of PEACE project in close collaboration with consortium members, district structures, other CSOs, partners, community structures, and other key project stakeholders.
- Take a lead role in Project Implementation and Coordination at all levels and linking it to the national level.
- Provide specialised advice and specific skills to teams, especially related to advocating equitable access to clean energy, with a key focus on women and youth and Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs), to promote equitable access to clean energy in Malawi.
- Support staff and partners to strengthen their skills and capacity in advocating for equitable access to clean energy programming for the delivery of PEACE project.
- Write and/or contribute to preparation of periodic internal and donor reports.
- Ensuring gender and women’s rights priorities are sufficiently addressed in the project
- Actively participate in consortium level periodic meetings convened by the consortium lead.
Partnership Management
- Closely work with other CSOs, district level structures and partners to mutually agree on detailed operational plans and indicators for measuring achievements as well as monitoring, evaluation and learning in line with the PEACE project priorities and plans.
- Identify any emerging opportunities for wider partnerships in the area of clean energy.
- Undertake regular and mutually agreed review visits to partners and districts; and provide guidance on enhancing the quality delivery of the project.
- Work with consortium partners to identify capacity building and training needs of partners and communities; and take initiatives to get them addressed.
- Bring up major concerns about project operations to the notice of senior leadership for remedial action
- Draw up and implement partner capacity enhancement plans in a consultative manner
Resource Management
- Manage CISONECC’s various resources under custody of the Programme Officer.
- Ensure that project resources are being utilised in the most cost-effective manner.
Reporting and Work Programming
- Make regular monitoring visits to partner organizations and project implementation sites to review progress of work and provide strategic inputs and in particular to help to ensure that project obligations for monthly, 6 monthly and annual planning and reporting are properly met.
- Provide regular updates to the Programme Manager on project progress and the internal and external environment affecting implementation of project
- Contribute to equitable access to clean energy programming in Malawi.
Programme Quality and Learning
- Work with Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability and Learning team to ensure that the MEAL Framework is effectively implemented in the project
- Ensure participation of partners in project review and learning exercises
- Lead in documenting good models on pro poor clean energy solutions for scale up and influencing policy and practice in Malawi, and for sharing with other stakeholders
- Ensure that all learning and innovative experiences from the project are captured and shared to all stakeholders both at district and national level.
- Prepare TORs for and provide support to all project reviews and assessments.
- Ensure a safe programming plan is in place and implemented for the project
Representation Network and Alliance Building
- Represent the project at various external fora as directed by the Program Manager
- Actively participate in programme meetings as a member of the programme team.
- Build and foster national alliances and networks that enhance sharing, learning and collaboration among relevant organisations and individuals;
- Adopt a proactive approach to undertaking relevant lobbying, campaigning and advocacy work to increase other peoples’ understanding of programme issues and to influence their approach and decisions in support of PEACE project work.
- Represent CISONECC in different forums to advance the case for equitable access to clean energy in Malawi
Funding and Donor Management
- Ensure compliance with back donor requirements especially, timely submission of quality descriptive and financial reports;
- Facilitate compliance with donor grant requirements, provide input into donor reports and support the management of donor visits as appropriate;
- Assist in drafting high quality reports according to donor contract agreements.
Other Duties:
- Such other duties and responsibilities as the Programmes Manager may from time to time assign
Personal Attributes
- Good knowledge of the application of climate change and disaster risk management-related issues and policy to a local government context.
- Good knowledge of the linkage and interaction between access to energy and food systems
- Skills in development of advocacy initiatives, research and policy analysis.
- Networking and relationships building.
- Undertaking context and power analysis.
- Competence in working with the media.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Competence with Microsoft Office or similar computer software, and web content management software.
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
- A confident and outgoing self-starter who rises to the challenge and is proactive in seeking new opportunities.
- Able to deal with a diverse and demanding workload and to work under minimum of supervision.
- Natural enthusiasm and interest in the subject matter.
- A team player
- Flexible approach to working hours.
Qualification and Experience:
- At least a BSc degree in Natural Resources Management, Renewable Energy, Social Development and Sustainable Livelihoods, Agriculture Economics, Environment Management, or equivalent fields.
- At least 7 years of relevant work experience in energy, climate change and food system sector or the equivalent.
- Demonstrable strong experiences in advocacy and policy influencing, preferably within the energy sector and food system sector.
- Good knowledge on integrated energy planning.
- Experience in working with local and national level government structures.
- Experience in developing and implementing advocacy strategies for programmes
CISONECC is an equal opportunity employer.
Interested applicants are requested to send a motivation/cover letters and resumes, with names and contacts of three traceable referees to the following address:
The Finance and Administration Manager
Civil society Network on Climate Change
Box 1036,
Lilongwe.
Hand delivery be done through our offices in Area 49, Opposite Good Hope Private Clinic, Church Close Street, Plot No. 49/2/446/2, New Gulliver, Lilongwe, Malawi.
The application can also be sent through the following email address recruitment.cisonecc@gmail.com. The full details of the vacancy can also be accessed through the CISONECC website www.cisoneccmw.org.
CISONECC upholds its duty to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of its stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and partners’ requirements.
Closing date for receiving application is 22nd March, 2023.
Only shortlisted candidates shall be communicated.