Job Description
Ministry of Agriculture
MITIGATING FRAGILITY THROUGH THE AFRICA DISASTER RISK FINANCING PROGRAMME IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
REQUEST FOR APPLICATION FOR TO FILL VACANCIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST, INDEX INSURANCE SPECIALIST, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, PROJECT PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST, AND PROJECT OFFICE ASSISTANT UNDER ADRIFI II PROJECT
1. Background
The Government of Malawi has secured funds from the Prevention Envelope of the Transition Facility of the African Development Bank, amounting to USD 21 million to implement the Multi-National Project “Mitigating Fragility through the Africa Disaster risk Financing Programme (ADRiFi) in Southern Africa: Malawi and Zimbabwe” from 2024 to 2028.
The main objective of the project is to enhance resilience and adaptation to climate disaster risks for vulnerable communities in Malawi and Zimbabwe.
The project which will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs has been designed to contribute towards building national resilience to disasters and address prioritised effects of the 2023 Cyclone-Freddy across sectors and selected local authorities.
The Ministry of Agriculture would like to set up a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in Lilongwe, through the existing Government structures, which will be responsible for undertaking the day to day operational and administrative tasks, procurement, financial management, insurance index, environmental and social safeguards as well as project implementation.
The Ministry, therefore, seeks to use part of the proceeds of the loan/grant package to recruit individual consultants to fill the positions of the Project Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist, Index Insurance Specialist, Project Procurement Specialist, and Project Office Assistant to provide services in the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).
Position Title: Index Insurance Specialist
Reporting to: The Project Coordinator
Reference Number: MOA/ADRiFi/CS/01-2
Publication date: 25th December, 2024
Closing date: 20th January, 2025
Place of duty: Ministry of Agriculture Offices (Capital Hill)
Terms of Appointment: Four (4) year contractual appointment renewable every year following excellent performance.
The Project Index Insurance Specialist will provide technical expertise in developing and operationalizing index-based insurance products aimed at mitigating climate risks, particularly those related to droughts and floods. The specialist will work closely with key stakeholders, including government ministries, insurance companies, local communities, international organizations, to promote effective risk financing solutions that protect affected populations.
1. Duties and Responsibilities
The Fisheries Resources Management Specialist is placed under the authority of the project coordinator and will be responsible for coordinating activities related to fisheries and Watershed Management in collaboration with multiple line ministries and Departments including Forestry, Land Use, Environmental Affairs, Gender, Youth, Local Government, Trade and Industry, etc.
- Lead the design and implementation of index-based insurance products tailored to the specific climatic and agricultural risks in Malawi.
- Collaborate with the hydro-meteorological agencies and data providers to ensure accurate and timely data inputs for insurance indices.
- Ensure alignment of index insurance products with national disaster risk management frameworks and agricultural priorities.
- Engage with key stakeholders, including local governments, farmers’ associations, insurers, and development partners, to promote understanding and uptake of index-based insurance solutions
- Conduct training and capacity-building activities for key stakeholders on index insurance products and their role in risk management.
- Support coordination with the African Risk Capacity (ARC) and other international partners involved in disaster risk financing.
- Analyze climatic data and agricultural risk models to inform the development of robust and reliable insurance indices.
- Monitor the performance of index insurance contracts to ensure that payouts are triggered in line with pre-defined thresholds.
- Provide technical input into regular project reports, including progress updates, data analysis, and lessons learned.
- Work closely with the key government institutions such as Ministry of Agriculture, DoDMA, DCCMS, DWR and insurance regulatory bodies to ensure a conducive environment for the development of index insurance products.
- Support policy dialogue aimed at integrating index insurance within broader national disaster risk management and climate adaptation strategies.
- Develop detailed work plans, implementation frameworks, and budgets for the index insurance component of the project.
- Ensure the timely implementation of activities, monitoring, and evaluation in collaboration with other project team members.
- Contribute to project reporting requirements, including donor reports and project progress updates.
- Conduct risk assessments related to climatic events (drought, floods) and advise on suitable insurance coverage and contract terms.
- Provide technical input on structuring financial instruments to mitigate potential fragility and climate risks.
2. Qualifications and Experience
- A minimum of a Master’s degree in Economics, Insurance, Climate Finance, Agriculture, Risk Management, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of experience in index-based insurance, agricultural insurance, or disaster risk financing, with a focus on climate risks.
- Demonstrated experience in working with insurance companies, government entities, and international development partners.
- Strong understanding of agricultural systems, climate risk models, and the principles of index insurance.
- Familiarity with the disaster risk management landscape in Southern Africa, particularly Malawi.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to deliver capacity-building programs.
- Proficiency in data analysis tools and software used in weather monitoring and risk modeling.
Note: Applicants for the vacancies should submit their applications together with copies of relevant certificates and Curriculum Vitae to:
The Chairperson
Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee
Ministry of Agriculture,
P. O. Box 30134,
LILONGWE 3.
E-mail: adrifii_afdb_malawi@yahoo.com
To reach him not later than 20th January, 2025
You can get the full Terms of Reference from www.afdb.org or by requesting for the document from adrifii_afdb_malawi@yahoo.com