Careers

I. BACKGROUND/STATEMENT OF WORK

The USAID/Malawi Learn to Perform Activity (L2P) is a five-year initiative that works closely with the Mission’s Program Development and Analysis Office (PDA) to improve the Mission’s performance management, enhance program efficiency, and advance Mission learning with Banyan Global as the prime contractor and The Mitchell Group, Inc. (TMG) as subcontractor. Based in Lilongwe, L2P will provide the Mission access to technical and advisory services to design and carry out specialized monitoring, evaluation, collaborating, learning, and adapting (MECLA) tasks that support Program Cycle implementation, as well as bolster the capacity of Mission staff and select partners to employ improved MECLA practices. Ultimately, through L2P, USAID/Malawi will be well-positioned to make data-driven decisions and strategically steer the Mission’s highly integrated Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) toward greater development results.

II. SCOPE OF WORK

The Senior-level position will be responsible for coordinating the collection, management, and analysis of geospatial data for USAID/Malawi Sustainable Economic Growth (SEG) Office and in alignment with the USAID/Malawi GIS Analyst in the Program Office. The overall objective is to generate and maintain a dynamic database that facilitates the use of GIS technology, geospatial analysis, and cartographic products as tools to improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of USAID/Malawi’s SEG development assistance efforts. S/he works closely with the SEG Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and technical officers to identify geospatial data requirements, data sources, and analysis methodologies that will support the work of USAID/Malawi. The incumbent frequently coordinates with office teams who require guidance in understanding how GIS can aid SEG in strengthening its results, this includes the presentation and use of GIS outputs for learning and implementation adaptations. Specific geospatial data management and analysis duties include but are not limited to:

● Define and implement a GIS data management and analysis workflow using GIS best practices in areas such as geospatial meta-data standards, data quality assurance/quality control, and data-sharing protocols in line with USAID’s Geospatial strategy.

● Employ creativity and experiential judgment to select appropriate GIS methods and techniques that meet USAID/Malawi SEG Office needs.

● Interface with SEG office directly to provide GIS subject matter expertise.

● Collect, manage, and analyze data sets from disparate sources and in different formats to improve SEG’s overall ability to integrate geographically target development assistance where it will achieve the greatest efficiency and development impact and reduce duplicity.

● Provide informational resources and training to SEG staff that improves the offices knowledge and ability to effectively integrate the GIS capacity into their work for improved planning, design, monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting of development activities.

● Develop innovative uses of geospatial data, analysis, and maps to improve SEG’s planning, design, monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting processes among a wide range of sector-specific subject matter.

● In conjunction with the USAID/Malawi GIS Analyst and the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA), assist in the application of standard procurement language in USAID/Malawi and SEG acquisition and assistance agreements to ensure that geospatial data is effectively collected, managed, and submitted by USAID/Malawi partners.

● Maintain the presence of SEG’s GIS capacity in the local GIS community of practice among relevant Government of Malawi institutions; SEG implementing partners, other donor organizations, donor groups and the private sector, and the US Government Inter-Agency.

● Generate and deliver high quality and easy to understand cartographic, data visualization and information products on demand following Mission standard templates.

● Perform geospatial analyses of performance data or respondent meta-data to inform evaluation and research activities, flagging areas for further research or using geospatial data to inform evaluation sampling designs leveraging SPSS, NVivo, ArcGIS, or Tableau as appropriate for sophisticated analyses.

● Work with USAID/Malawi GIS Specialist in management and maintenance of Mission’s online GIS platform for SEG activities.

● Other related tasks not identified here but will support the SEG GIS efforts and increases results.

III. JOB REQUIRMENTS

Qualifications, experience, and skills:

● University degree in computer science, information technology, statistics, data management, or a related field highly required and graduate degree in related field is an added advantage;

● Possess advanced knowledge of GIS software and technology and advanced skills in data acquisition and management, spatial analysis, and data visualization;

● At least ten years of work experience relevant to this position, or eight years with a Masters degree;

● Fluent verbal and written English skills;

● Demonstrated analytical and research, and report writing skills;

● Experience working with international development donor-funded projects and a sound understanding of USAID’s program cycle and operations highly desirable;

● Must be proficient in working with computers, GIS and data visualization software, cartographic production, and MS Office suite (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

● The position is full-time and based in Lilongwe. Citizens of Malawi are encouraged to apply.

IV. HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants are requested to attach a copy of their CV and Cover Letter directed to recruitment(@)the-mitchellgroup.com Cc: hannahn(@)the-mitchellgroup.com on or before August 4, 2023.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.