Background

CUMO Microfinance Limited Malawi is a prudentially regulated not-for-profit Non-deposit taking Microfinance Institution providing financial services to the rural economically active poor, in hard-to-reach areas. Currently, CUMO operates in Malawi’s Twenty-three districts, supporting over 75,000 clients.

CUMO Microfinance has partnered with Financial Access for Rural Markets, Smallholders and Enterprises (FARMSE) to implement a two-year intervention called Expanding Access to Financial Services (EXACT-FIN) in Rumphi, Chitipa and Karonga Districts. The project is targeting 12,000 beneficiaries. CUMO is therefore seeking to recruit talented and dynamic individuals to lead the intervention in these districts.

Job Title: Project Coordinator

Nature of Contract: Two-Year Fixed Contract.

Duty Station: Lilongwe, with a possibility of relocating to Mzuzu

Reporting to: Operations Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Operations Manager administratively and functionally to the Chief Executive Officer, the successful candidate will manage the human, financial, and other resources for the project.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor CUMO’s programme and its components, work plans. and budgets, in line with logical frameworks, agreed deliverables, and resources, in collaboration with partners and stakeholders. This includes ensuring effective project budgetary control and monitoring in line with CUMO’s financial procedures and guidelines, and risk management policies.
• Provide leadership and management support to all CUMO staff reporting to this project, including acoordinating work plans, building team spirit and working, conducting performance appraisals, supporting staff development, etc.
• Deliver expert technical support and guidance in all aspects of project implementation and budgets, and consortium partners, if appropriate.
• Ensure close collaboration and networking with all partners, including government, Consortium partners, private companies, and communities, as well as other CUMO managed projects, during all  of the project’s implementation.
• Coordinate the preparation of high-quality, timely and accurate contractual and other reports (as required) for submission to line management, senior management as well as to project funders.
• Ensure that effective monitoring, accountability, evaluation and learning systems are in place and used by all stakeholders in the project components.
• Undertake any other duties that contribute to the sustainability and visibility of the CUMO component of the programme, including networking, and representation at various internal and external fora.

The successful candidate will have:

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field (Banking and Finance, Natural Resources Management, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Business, Community Development, Gender), while a Master Degree would be a distinct advantage.
• Extensive work experience in areas such as microfinance, rural development, social protection, agriculture, or similar.
• Significant experience managing programmes, financial, and operations of IFAD, USAID or other international donor-funded rural development projects, as well as working with consortium projects.
• Well-refined people management and team working skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, planning, coordination, and facilitation skills.
• Extensive experience of targeting and working with disadvantaged people in Malawian society, preferably in a financial services environment.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Chichewa, including excellent English report writing skills and high attention to detail.
• Knowledge of Government of Malawi policies and regulations on financial services to the poor, resilience, social protection and other relevant fields is an added advantage
• Proven ability to work under pressure and meet tight and competing deadlines.
• Strong respect and empathy for rural communities; a deep personal commitment to promoting women’s rights; as well as an affinity to CUMO’s mission and values of integrity, dignity, and environmental respect.

CUMO pays a competitive salary including housing allowance, medical cover, and gratuity. Individuals who strictly meet the above requirements are encouraged to apply. Applications including a full CV and a cover letter explaining your suitability for the position with contact details of three work-related referees should be sent by post or by email to:

The Finance & Administration Manager

CUMO Microfinance Limited

Plot Bwaila 6/278

P.O. Box X 99,

LILONGWE.

Email: [email protected]

Closing date is March 17, 2023. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted