The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a universal vision globally agreed upon by 193 governments to boost social, economic, and environmental gains while leaving no one behind. The United Nations (UN) is committed to being responsive and agile in supporting countries in achieving this ambitious agenda and SDGs, working to facilitate and leverage sound partnerships and investments toward multi-level sustainable development.

At the national level, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) is the UN development system’s (UNDS) overarching roadmap to support Member States’ efforts toward sustainability.

It is the most important planning and implementation instrument for UN development activities within countries, translating the vision of Member States into UN actions and impacts on the ground1. To mobilize the needed resources and partnerships to implement the Cooperation Framework (CF) and close the financial gap to succeed, the UN system plays a central role in convening all stakeholders in support of
sustainable development. UN Country Teams (UNCTs) are expected to engage and partner with a broad range of stakeholders who contribute to the SDG agenda differently.

These include the public sector, organized civil society and social leadership, the private sector, academia, media, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), international development agencies and intergovernmental organizations.

Among the many instruments that help to support implementation of the CF are country level pooled funds. The UN in Malawi currently has one country level pooled fund called the Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund (2019-2027) and plans are underway to develop a successor Fund to support implementation of the new CF.

The pooled Fund focuses on key SDGs that are proven to accelerate progress in Malawi and unlock achievements in a wide range of sectors and will focus on un-earmarked funding and bringing in new partners for development. The Fund is used as a focused instrument, supporting inter-agency or cross-cutting agency priorities including the transformative entry points or key transitions that can have catalytic and multiplier effects across the SDGs and an outsized determinant impact for achieving the Goals, which include food systems, energy access and affordability, digital connectivity, education, jobs and social protection, climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

Overall, the Fund aims to complement other resources already in implementation by i) providing targeted resources for multi-agency initiatives that strengthen national capacities for integrated policy; ii) developing
the country’s SDG financing ecosystem; iii) implementing catalytic SDG programming and investments; iv) ensuring effective and sustainable development results at national and subnational levels.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund Coordinator, the Malawi SDG Fund and Operations Associate will be responsible for providing support to Fund Secretariat operations performing a variety of programme and operational processes while ensuring high quality and accuracy of work.

i.

Delivery of client-oriented operations support:
• Delivers solutions-focused, client-oriented operations services.
• Supports scheduling of Steering Committee and Operations Group meetings and briefings for UN agencies, UN Country Teams, and other partners.
• Maintains the professionalism by implementing all activities in an orderly and time sensitive manner and meeting the needs of clients.

ii. Provides fund operations support:
• Assist in the managing of donor commitments and tracking of receipt of donor contributions and track donor earmarks.
• Assist in monitoring and tracking project approvals, budget records, disbursements (including the monitoring of annual disbursements conditions to projects) and statements of expenditure submitted by the Participating Organizations on an ongoing basis.
• Support Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund Coordinator in implementing, monitoring and project closure and projects extensions.
• Contribute to fund portfolio analysis, including financial analysis, by collecting data, analyzing the information and developing short briefs and presentations, including data visualization, as relevant.
• Produces consolidated programme data analysis for Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund portfolio.
• Provides coordination and administrative support to the meetings of the Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund Secretariat, as needed, including ensuring good archiving of all related decisions and key communications.
• Research the interests and application requirements of donors and other sources (including private sector and philanthropic individuals or organizations) at national, regional and global level.
• Support drafting of proposals, donor briefings, Annual and biannual reports and updates to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Ensuring effective communications, visibility, and knowledge management related to the Fund.
• Prepare communications and visibility materials to promote the country pooled fund/joint programme results.
• Develop media stories and research, writing and editing media releases and briefings.
• Support communication and liaison between the Administrative Agent, joint programme focal points, donors and the Fund Secretariat.
• Liaising with joint programme coordinators to prepare a draft annual report for 2023.
• Maintaining a repository of all joint programmes being implemented by UNCT Malawi.
• Maintaining updated and easily accessible and retrievable documentary records relating to the SDG-AF, including contacts lists.
• Provide overall support to the functions of the Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund Coordinator, as needed.

iii.

Knowledge building/capacity support:
• Supports Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund Coordinator with developing knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Where included in the office or individual learning plans or on request from clients, develop, organize and provide one-on-one or group training sessions on country level pooled funds.
• Liaises with MPTFO on broader learning and knowledge management areas in relation to country level pooled funds.

The incumbent will perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

a) Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s Values and ethical standards.
b) Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN.
c) Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
d) Plans, prioritizes, and delivers on time.
e) Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborates
and cooperates with others.
f) Responds flexibly & positively to change through active involvement.
g) Strong coordination, negotiation, networking, lobbying and advocacy skills.
h) Demonstrated computer literacy.

in resource mobilization and external relations at the national and international level.

Documented achievements in resource mobilization activities.
b) Specific studies on resource mobilization, partnership building, studies on development, and/or humanitarian work. Training in donor intelligence, proposal writing, and general project management is a strong asset.
c) Experience working with UN pooled funding mechanisms is a distinct advantage.
a) Experience in project/programme management and building partnerships is a strong asset.
b) Experience in project management with a focus of project life cycle management is an asset.
c) Demonstrated ability to collaborate across one or more diverse teams is desirable.
d) Demonstrated ability to speak and write clearly and effectively by tailoring language, tone, style, and format to match the audience is desirable.
e) Knowledge of and practical experience in the development as well as a sound understanding and appreciation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is desirable.
f) Strong interpersonal, representational, and organizational skills, with proven ability to facilitate and strengthen the involvement and collaboration of a broad range of internal and external partners.
g) Experience in use of computers applications and software packages (MS word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and graphics design applications including data analysis as well as web-based IT applications

Malawi continues to enjoy a stable and democratic government and has no major security problem.

The major languages are English and Chichewa. Living conditions in all the major cities are modest with all basic supplies available. Appropriate health services and international schools are available in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba. Malaria is prevalent throughout the country. Social infrastructure can be found in all the major cities. The UN Volunteer will be based in the capital of the country, Lilongwe. Conditions in Lilongwe are good and has appropriate health services. Housing in Lilongwe varies and it is possible to rent apartments in safe areas.