Project Engineer

About

The Government of Malawi (GoM) through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) has received financing towards the cost of Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) Project. The NLGFC intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for hiring two Project Engineers on a three – year contract renewable annually based on performance and availability of financial resources or mutually agreed by both parties. NLGFC therefore invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill the position of two (2) Project Engineer tenable at the NLGFC Offices.

The Objectives of the Assignment

The Project Engineer (Specialist) shall lead, coordinate and support local authorities and all relevant ministries, departments and agencies in the design and implementation of the project. The Project Engineer (Specialist) will lead and have approving authority for preparing and/or interpreting designs, bill of quantities (BoQs), tendering and engineering cost estimates prepared. The Project Engineer (Specialist) will work closely with relevant district authorities, including district engineers, other officers and specialists in the PIT, including safeguards, Project Coordinator, NLGFC, MoLGRD and other relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to supervision consultants. The Project Engineer (Specialist) will support monitoring of the sub-projects and will address and manage technical engineering questions in local investment projects implemented by the local authorities that are financed by GESD 2.0.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Project Engineer (Consultant)

• Coordinate and support all engineering functions and activities related to infrastructure construction and rehabilitation in the local authorities, namely Department of Planning and Development and Department of Public Works;
• Support data collection for all proposed sub-project sites to aid development and customisation of architectural designs, production of BoQs and engineering estimates, tendering processes and ensuring that designs are in conformity with results of site-specific resilience and risk related investigations and analysis;
• Ensure timely and correct submission of information into the Public Management Information System (PMIS) by local authorities;
• Provide technical support to the Local Authorities in project selection, reviewing annual investment plans, works designs, BoQs, costs estimate, tendering, supervision and monitoring;
• Coordinate topographic surveys for the design of infrastructure to be developed under the Project;
• Support local authorities in conducting initial site investigation;
• Facilitate the production of location maps and sketches if necessary for all engineering sites that need maintenance and repair (selected as subprojects under GESD 2.0);
• Support and if necessary lead the review and approval of submissions by design engineers, including ensuring timely submission of the same;
• Support and if necessary lead design options stakeholder consultations with communities and relevant departments so that their inputs are incorporated in the designs to ensure acceptance and ownership of solutions to be developed;
• Conduct technical supervision of all construction works ensuring that the works are implemented to the required standards, within the assigned cost and time;
• Check Supervision Consultant’s work so as to conduct verification of contractors’ payment claims for works done;
• Manage changes to engineering constructions works ensuring that any changes have no adverse effect on the project and they are undertaken following project works change protocols, including documentation;
• Facilitate preparation of work plans and budgets for local investment projects to ensure relevance to outputs and outcomes of local investment project;
• Support the preparation of schedule of works and materials for project activities in collaboration with relevant stakeholders;
• Review and assess contractors’ and consultants’ payment certificates for engineering works
• Prepare and conduct training programs for Local Authority technical staff involved in contract and procurement management; and other related activities as directed by the PIT;
• Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements;
• Liaise with other project specialists and officers, including safeguards, occupational health & safety, procurement, and advise the PIT on all construction Engineering technical related matters;
• Collect projects’ progress reports from the LAs, liaise with the monitoring & evaluation officer in the PIT in producing reports for project activities, consolidate them and submit them to PIT/PC, Executive Director and World Bank Task Team;
• Preparation and timely submission of monthly, quarterly and annual engineering project progress reports and other reports to the Project Coordinator, Executive Director and the World Bank Task Team.
• Facilitating the review of Annual Investment Plans (AIPs) for Local authorities and provide guidance on cost and time estimates.

Deliverables

• Timely review of AIPs submitted by local authorities, including review of cost and time estimates;
• Reviewed and approved engineering designs and drawings.
• Technical specifications and BoQs.
• Engineering project progress reports and other reports timely compiled
• Site inspection reports.
• Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) reports.
• Defects and corrective action reports.
• Monthly and quarterly progress reports, aligned with PMIS information.
• Physical progress monitoring reports.
• Work completion certificates.

Performance Criteria

• 100% of required technical reports submitted on time.
• At least 95% compliance with approved engineering specifications and quality standards.
• Site inspections conducted according to approved supervision schedules.
• 100% of contractor payment certificates reviewed and processed within agreed timelines.
• All identified defects and non-compliance issues addressed within specified corrective action periods.
• Minimal cost and schedule overruns attributable to technical deficiencies.
• No major engineering failures or quality-related incidents.
• Timely completion and handover of project infrastructure.
• PMIS utilization by local authorities.

Qualifications, Skills and Expertise

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering/Architecture/Quantity Surveying
• Master’s Degree in Construction/Engineering related field
• Registration with an approved professional body, such as Malawi Engineering Institution/Board of Architects and Quantity Surveyors
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant working experience;
• Excellent communications, writing/reporting skills;
• Proficiency in computer aided design packages (AutoCAD, ArchCAD, GIS etc)
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft Project etc.);
• Strong organizational, self-starting and communications skills;
• Experience working with government institutions and organizations; working experience with local authorities in Malawi is considered an advantage;
• Highly motivated and enthusiastic person with excellent planning, analytical, communications and interpersonal skills as well as a high level of diplomacy; and
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, as well as team participation and management skills

Reporting Arrangements

The Project Engineer (Specialist) will primarily report to the Project Coordinator with a technical reporting line to the Director of Social and Economic Services at NLGFC for all technical matters, and will support local authorities’ in implementation of GESD 2.0 project.

Location of Assignment

The Project Engineer (Specialist) will be based at the NLGFC offices in Lilongwe. The Project Engineer (Consultant) will occasionally be required to travel to local government authorities in Malawi where the Project is implementing its activities to engage with district officials to guide and improve project implementation.

Duration of Assignment

The assignment is expected to span a total period of up to three (3) years, with annual performance reviews and contract extensions subject to satisfactory performance.

How to Apply

Interested Consultants are drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14. 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations of IPF Borrowers” dated September, 2025 (“Procurement regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant (INDV) selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information including the detailed Terms of Reference (TORs) can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 7:30 hours to 12:00 hours and from 13:00 hours to 16:30 hours except on Weekends and Public Holidays. Interested applicants who meet the above requirements should submit application letters together with concise Curriculum Vitae (CV), National ID, and copies of relevant certificates to the address below not later than 17.30 hours on Friday, 11th September 2026. The National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) is committed to diversifying Gender equality in its operations and strongly encourages women to apply for the above vacant position.

The Executive Director
National Local Government Finance Committee
Area 14, Red Cross Building
Presidential Way
P.O. Box 31162
Lilongwe 3

Or through the following email address: recruitment@nlgfc.gov.mw / ed@nlgfc.gov.mw

Only shortlisted applicants will be considered for further assessments.