Background
As part of their continue expansion Tiyeni Ltd the developers of ‘Deep Bed Farming’ are recruiting a project manager. The successful applicant will have responsibility for delivering ‘AfTrak’, an exciting project backed by the UK government in which Tiyeni are partnering with two UK based partners, Loughborough University’s Centre for renewable Energy Systems Technology and the Consortium for Battery Innovation.

AfTrak is a solar powered farm vehicle capable of preparing fields for ‘Deep Bed Farming’. The project is set to run for 1 year to demonstrate proof of concept. This will involve field trails of a prototype device and development of an ownership model and associated business case. The business case will include not just the direct cost of the AfTrak units but the supply chain to maintain them and the use of carbon and other credits to reward farmers for using AfTrak.

This role will be an initial 1-year contract but during the project further funding will be sought to extend the project, leading to a potentially longer contract.

The role
The project manager will be responsible for delivery of the Aftrak project. This will include.

• • working with our existing staff to ensure they complete their tasks on a timely basis,
  • maintaining all usual project documentation, progress reports, risk register, financial reports, RAIL, deliverable status log, etc.
  • foreseeing problems before they arise and finding innovative solutions to problems, so that they do not prevent delivery of the project,
  • ensuring that the project delivers maximum benefit for Tiyeni.
  • participating in the generation of follow-on proposals so the project is funded beyond the current 12-month window.
  • communicating the relevant aspects of the project to the relevant stakeholders at internal and external reviews
  • generating positive working relationships with colleagues in Malawi and project partners in the UK as well as external stakeholders such as supply chain actors and local agricultural extension organisations.

The Person
The role requires someone who is very organised and able to keep their focus on delivery of the project within the budgetary and resource constraints. There will be considerable obstacles to overcome. We would particularly encourage women to apply for this role.

The successful applicant will have:

• • demonstrable experience of running projects with a run rate greater than $50K/year, accomplishing key deliverable and milestones on time within the planned budget
  • the ability to pick up specific project reporting requirements quickly. These requirements are very specific, with a high degree of accountability and are dictated by the project funding agency and ability to meet them is essential to your ability to deliver the project.
  • a clear understanding of how to communicate the project effectively at all levels, from local farmers in Malawi to the UK funding agencies project monitoring officer.
  • the ability to work on multiple tasks independently with minimal supervision and to ensure that the other Tiyeni team members complete their tasks in the allotted timescale.
  • travel within Malawi will be required, international travel is not envisaged at this stage of the project but will become necessary if the project is successful and further funding is obtained.
  • the ability to communicate clearly with farmers, supply chain actors, and other stakeholders within Malawi and then translate their inputs into meaningful requirement for the project.
  • the ability to work closely with our existing M&E manager and other staff who will be heavily engaged with the project.
  • a high degree of business acumen, including the ability to generate clear financial data for input to the project.
  • an ability to read accounts and balance sheets clearly and prepare project financial reports for feedback to the UK.
  • a high level of written and spoken English and the ability to communicate with the projects UK stakeholders via zoom/teams/written reports/ spreadsheets/etc.
  • a flexible approach to working – mentoring is available but will sometimes need to be completed outside working hours.

Mode of application
Suitably qualified candidates should send their applications with copies of relevant certificates and a detailed CV with 3 traceable referees to:

The Country Director
Tiyeni Organization
Kaning’ina, Next to MBC Studios
P.O. box 429, Mzuzu, Malawi
or
E-mail to:  [email protected]

To be received not later than 17th February 2023.