Job Description
The Malawi Government’s commitment to eradicating poverty and vulnerability through social protection is reflected in the adoption and implementation of the Malawi Social Support Programme II (MNSSP II). As a central coordinating and lead executing unit for social protection interventions in Malawi, the Poverty Reduction and Social Protection (PRSP) Division – being part of the Department of Economic Planning and Development (DoEPD) within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) – in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, embarked on a three-year (04/2022 to 03/2025) programme, namely “Support for the implementation of social protection for the ultra-poor in Malawi” (Social Protection Programme, SPP III). The programme is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to improve the implementation of Malawi’s social protection system for the poor in terms of performance, identification, and access.
The programme output areas are:
1. Strengthening the capacities of the Poverty Reduction and Social Protection (PRSP) Division as the lead coordinating unit in the social protection sector,
2. Supporting the institutionalization of the Unified Beneficiary Registry (UBR) as a key element of the social protection system in Malawi, and
3. Providing support at the decentralized level to manage complementary measures and the UBR in Balaka, Nkhotakota and Thyolo Districts.
GIZ Social Protection Programme is working at the district level to improve access to complementary measures, with a specific focus on the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) beneficiaries, most of whom are women. To achieve this, the program is providing training and developing and strengthening systems within district council structures to improve the coordination and quality delivery of needs-based complementary measures. The programme’s approach is to reach out to both the supply side (service providers) and the demand side (the beneficiaries) of the system through awareness and advocacy. The aim is to make full use of the services that are within the communities. One important community-level structure is the Village Savings and Loans (VSLs) groups, which are being encouraged among beneficiaries as a complementary measure to promote financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
Additionally, these groups are being used as platforms to access other support measures such as nutrition and gender interventions. Furthermore, the SPP is supporting the government in decentralizing the management of UBR processes, in line with the UBR strategy
Internship Opportunity
An internship opportunity is available at GIZ SPP for 6 months from 1st September 2024 to 28 February 2025. The selected intern will support the Technical Advisor in technical and administrative tasks focusing on district coordination of complementary measures. This internship will provide the intern with practical experience in implementing social protection programs in Malawi, exposure to project management processes, a technical advisory role, and networking opportunities with professionals and stakeholders in the social protection field.
Objectives of the assignment
The intern will support the Technical Advisors in achieving the goals of the Social Protection
Programme by providing technical and administrative assistance. The specific objectives
include:
- Assisting in the planning, implementation and monitoring of programme interventions at the district level.
- Providing administrative support to ensure smooth operations of the programme in the partner districts.
Expected Tasks
The tasks of the Intern will include but are not limited to:
Technical Support:
- Providing support in planning and coordinating project activities at the district level.
- Assist in supervising and monitoring progress of district level activities.
- Support in the preparation of required reports, presentations, and any other programme
- documentation.
- Conduct literature reviews and summarize findings relevant to ongoing project activities.
- Perform any other duties as required by the Technical Advisors.
Administrative Support:
- Support in the organization of workshops, training sessions, stakeholder meetings and other events by preparing meeting agendas, take minutes, and follow up on action points.
- Support in making field arrangements through budgeting and logistical confirmation with partners for field activities.
- Support in the preparation of travel requests, back to office reports and travel settlements for projects activities, where needed.
- Support internal communication and filing of documents according to Programme and GIZ standards and knowledge management expectations.
Desired qualifications and competencies
- Fresh graduates with a University Degree in development studies, social sciences, community development or related fields.
- Previous experience or interest in social protection, poverty alleviation, or related fields is highly desired.
- Proficiency in ITC technologies (email, internet) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Strong communication and facilitation skills in English and Chichewa.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and effective time management.
- Willingness to work in a multicultural environment and can easily adapt to changes.
- Interested to learn and acquire new skills
Application Process
Interested candidates meeting the above requirements should submit their electronic detailed curriculum vitae (CV), copies of certificates, and one-page cover letter, demonstrating how they are meeting the above requirements to giz-malawi-hr@giz.de
The following reference code of the call for application is strictly to be indicated in the subject line of the applicant’s email: SPP-2024/07-NATIONALINTERN/Nameofapplicant.
All applications should be addressed to:
The Head of HR
GIZ Malawi
P.O. Box 31131
Lilongwe 3.
The deadline for receiving applications is 30th July 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
GIZ is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals regardless of gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, age, or any other protected characteristic. We embrace diversity and believe that inclusivity in the workplace is essential to our success, and we are committed to creating a work environment where all employees are valued and respected.