Grants Management Specialist

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES - INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

Country: Malawi

Project Name: Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II (SAPP II)

Assignment Title: Grants Management Specialist

Reference Number: 019/SAPP II/GMS/INDCO_1/2026/27

Date of Issue: 7th April, 2026

1.0. BACKGROUND

The Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme Phase II (SAPP II), a seven-year initiative running from March 2024 to 2030, is implemented by Malawi’s Ministry of Agriculture. With a total budget of USD 53.03 million, primarily financed by IFAD with contributions from the EU and the Adaptation Fund, the programme operates in Balaka, Lilongwe, Dowa, and Mzimba districts. Its overarching goal is to foster wealth creation and enhance food and nutrition security by promoting agricultural commercialization and bolstering the resilience and productivity of smallholder farming systems for rural men, women, and youth by 2030.

The programme is structured into three core components: (1) Boosting smallholder productivity and climate resilience through market-oriented farming and sustainable natural resource management; (2) Driving commercialization by strengthening farmer organizations and improving market linkages; and (3) Enhancing institutional capacity and knowledge management at national and district levels. The Grants Management Specialist will be integral to Component 2, specifically supporting the Farmer Challenge Fund in delivering matching grants to stimulate commercialization and address challenges within targeted value chains.

2.0. BACKGROUND OF THE ASSIGNMENT

As part of Component 2, focused on commercializing smallholder farming systems, SAPP II will deploy the Farmer Challenge Fund (FCF). This fund aims to provide Matching Grants to farmer groups, women, and youth for the adoption of improved agricultural production systems. The FCF serves as a critical rural financing mechanism to catalyze SAPP II’s commercialization agenda, with the immediate objective of offering sustainable financing to producer groups to overcome obstacles hindering the competitiveness of SAPP II’s targeted value chains. The grants are allocated into two distinct categories:

• Production Window: This window prioritizes financing for producer groups facing production and productivity challenges, particularly in accessing advanced seed varieties and superior animal genetics/breeds. Grants under this category will be provided to farmer groups in the form of farm inputs, facilitated through direct redemption via an electronic voucher management system utilized by agro-dealers.
• Agro-processing and Value Addition (Commercialization): This category focuses on financing for asset acquisition and equipment for agro-processing within the targeted value chains, as well as enhancing quality standards for market integration. Grants will be disbursed to farmer organizations through a designated fund manager.

To ensure the effective, transparent, and compliant execution of both grant windows, SAPP II is seeking to recruit a Grants Management Specialist. This individual will provide essential in-house technical leadership, coordination, and oversight for the entire FCF lifecycle, acting as the crucial link between the Programme Management Unit (PMU), the external Fund Manager, District Councils, and grant recipients.

3.0. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Grants Management Specialist will be responsible for the operationalization and comprehensive management of the Farmer Challenge Fund. The primary objective is to establish and maintain robust, transparent, and efficient grant management systems, ensuring that all FCF grants are awarded and utilized in strict accordance with the SAPP II FCF Guidelines, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act, and IFAD’s fiduciary requirements.

4.0. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

4.1. Strategic Leadership and Coordination

• Provide expert technical leadership for the full lifecycle of the FCF, ensuring unwavering adherence to FCF Guidelines.
• Serve as the principal liaison for all grant-related matters between the SAPP II PMU, the external Fund Manager, District Councils, and relevant technical departments within the Ministry of Agriculture (e.g., DAES, DCD, DAHLD).
• Orchestrate the development and widespread dissemination of FCF calls for proposals (Expressions of Interest) on a bi-annual basis, ensuring inclusive outreach to women, youth, and vulnerable groups, targeting 50% women and 30% youth participation.

4.2. Management of the Production Window (E-Voucher System)

• Direct the complete process for the Production Window, from Expression of Interest screening through to grant closure.
• Collaborate with the Department of Agricultural Extension Services (DAES) and District Councils to support coaching and proposal development for applicant groups.
• Assist in the procurement and contracting processes for reputable input suppliers (agro-dealers).
• Oversee the design, implementation, and rigorous monitoring of the e-voucher redemption system, ensuring accountability, traceability, and timely input delivery to farmer groups. Verify and document farmer group matching contributions (5% cash, 15% in-kind) prior to grant activation.

4.3. Oversight of the Agro-processing Window (Fund Manager)

• Act as the primary point of contact and contract manager for the external Fund Manager responsible for the Agro-processing and Value Addition Window.
• Monitor the Fund Manager's performance to ensure strict compliance with the service-level agreement, including timely review of business plans, due diligence processes, and disbursement schedules.
• Review and consolidate reports submitted by the Fund Manager for onward submission to the PMU and IFAD.
• Facilitate technical support from relevant Ministry of Agriculture departments to...