Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. Poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of their dignity and lets injustice thrive. But together we have the power to transform lives. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality, justice and love worldwide. We are the changemakers, the peacemakers, the mighty of heart. Everyone is equal in the sight of God. For over 70 years, this has inspired us to stand together in solidarity with our most marginalised global neighbours, of all faiths and none. We push for good nutrition and healthcare for all. We fight the climate crisis and provide urgent help when disasters strike. We work in places of conflict to stand against violence and build lasting peace. And we help people living in poverty to earn a fair wage so they can protect themselves in times of crisis. Above all, we seek to eradicate extreme poverty by tackling its root causes. Together with people living in poverty, we amplify our voices to speak truth to power and create lasting change.

Position summary

The position is accountable for all programmatic, management, program development, influencing and partnership aspects of the economic justice workstream. As a key role within the Christian Aid Malawi and Zimbabwe Country programmes, the position will be based either in Lilongwe or Harare, with regular travel to various districts for meetings with partners, programme participants and stakeholders. The Economic Justice Coordinator will oversee effective management and relationships with relevant external stakeholders, provide oversight over projects in the economic justice workstream, including financial and program quality oversight, lead in preparing and developing high quality proposals and concept notes for economic justice interventions, review and approve progress and donor reports, and enhance internal and external learning and representation. In addition, the Economic Justice Coordinator will also identify new project ideas and funding in line with the thematic area.

Job description

Programme Oversight

Support the development and implementation of economic justice activities – including ensuring coherence, standardized approaches, and programme quality, and quality reporting to donors, across the economic justice programme and advise on economic justice elements in other programmes;

In collaboration with other programme and advocacy leads, support the integration of programmes and policy to ensure that programmes are working towards achieving same aims, and leveraging impact in line with Christian Aid Malawi and Zimbabwe Country Strategies;

Support team and partner risk analysis related to programme activities before implementation and provide strategic steer on amending activities and approaches where necessary;

Working with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager; support economic justice programme teams and partners in developing and applying appropriate monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) tools in relation to Christian Aid’s economic justice work in Malawi and Zimbabwe;

Support the development and implementation of national programme evaluations, learning events and specific programme-related research activities on economic justice;

Support economic justice programme staff and partners in mainstreaming gender throughout Christian Aid Malawi and Zimbabwe work;

Support the identification of capacity building needs and opportunities for Christian Aid Malawi and Zimbabwe staff and local partner organisations;

Support the development and implementation of capacity-building plans and design and deliver trainings as appropriate;

Directly line-manage Project staff, ensuring implementation of Christian Aid Malawi and Zimbabwe’s performance management policies and procedures.

Programme Design and Strategy

Lead on the development of comprehensive economic justice strategies for Christian Aid Malawi and Zimbabwe, which include elements of economic justice programming and projects, and advocacy and policy efforts, working towards a transition into longer-term programmes that links closely with the economic justice change goal and a strong partnership approach. This includes defining the strategy, designing approaches, identifying key partners and supporting (or leading when relevant) programme teams and partners in developing (funding) proposals and reviewing and revising current projects to meet changing needs and requirements;

Lead on programme design and proposal development for projects that fall under the economic justice pillar of work, and/or support the proposal lead on integrated multi sector interventions;

Provide specialist economic justice technical advice and support to partners on the implementation of Christian Aid Malawi and Zimbabwe’s interventions and approaches (e.g. developing strategies/policies on economic justice, poverty reduction, urban/rural development, social protection, access to markets, promoting inclusive markets, financial inclusion, empowering SME, Village savings Loans etc);

Participate in in-country economic justice planning, strategy development and reviews;

Maintain an up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of livelihoods issues in both Malawi and Zimbabwe and ensure that programme teams are operating according to emerging evidence on what works, and what does not work, within the Malawi/Zimbabwe and Southern Africa context and legal frameworks.

Representation & Influencing

Represent Christian Aid Malawi and Zimbabwe externally in relevant NGO or government coordination fora; develop alliances with organisations and other relevant stakeholders working on economic justice with a view to enhancing coordination, and adopting complementary approaches including active participation in relevant coordination and planning mechanisms;

Attend donor meetings when relevant and organize field visits as required;

Support advocacy and campaigning on economic justice issues and advise on relevant research so that influencing and policy work is based on sound programmatic evidence;

Build a network of partnerships (formal and informal) to engage with on programmes and for policy, advocacy and influencing.

Qualifications

Essential

Master’s degree in Economics/Social sciences/Agricultural Economics or related field with at least 10 years of experience in NGO work (e.g. developing strategies/policies on economic justice, poverty reduction, urban/rural development, social protection, farmers access to markets, empowering SME, Village savings Loans etc);

Sound knowledge of Southern Africa’s social, economic and political issues and strong knowledge of and engagement with civil society, and an understanding of/experience with the private sector in Malawi and Zimbabwe;

Proven ability to analyse complex environments at the local and national level, monitor changes and translate into appropriate strategic advice;

At least 10 years of experience in project management, including planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning;

Well-developed interpersonal and team leadership skills and proven ability to be flexible in demanding situations and to work under pressure and in response to changing needs;

Excellent communicator with proven ability to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders (local partners, municipalities, etc); Ability to work flexibly and under pressure;

Ability to travel to project areas for outreach and participation in meetings/events;

Experience in working with and developing the capacity of staff and partners.

Desirable

At least 8 years of experience in project management, including planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning. Well-developed interpersonal and team leadership skills and proven ability to be flexible in demanding situations and to work under pressure and in response to changing needs;

Excellent communicator with proven ability to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders (local partners, municipalities, etc);

Ability to work flexibly and under pressure; Ability to travel to project areas for outreach and participation in meetings/events;

Experience in working with and developing the capacity of staff and partners.