Technical Officer

TECHNICAL OFFICER - Short-Term Engagement

Parker Dunne Consultants, a distinguished multi-sectoral consulting firm renowned for its high-quality advisory, research, and technical assistance services across Malawi and the region, seeks a motivated and versatile professional for a short-term engagement as a Technical Officer. This role is ideal for an individual passionate about development, possessing strong analytical and writing acumen, and capable of transforming concepts into impactful proposals, programs, partnerships, and results. The firm tackles complex development challenges by integrating multidisciplinary expertise, strategic insight, and practical solutions for measurable client value.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Technical Officer will provide crucial high-level technical, analytical, business development, and program support to Parker Dunne Consultants. Working collaboratively with the Team Leader and Managing Partner, the successful candidate will enhance the firm's technical offerings, identify and pursue strategic opportunities, craft compelling proposals and tender submissions, support program performance, and contribute to the firm's overall growth and thought leadership. This position demands strategic thinking, exceptional writing proficiency, independent work capabilities, effective collaboration, and the ability to respond adeptly to evolving opportunities and challenges.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Champion the execution of Parker Dunne Consultants' strategies, ensuring alignment with the firm's vision, mission, values, and developmental objectives.


• Translate strategic priorities into actionable technical initiatives, comprehensive work plans, and tangible deliverables.


• Deliver technical and analytical support across diverse consulting assignments and crucial business development efforts.


• Contribute to the innovation of new approaches, methodologies, tools, and solutions pertinent to the firm's operational areas.


• Assist the Team Leader in upholding rigorous quality standards for all technical outputs and client-facing deliverables.


• Lead and participate in business development and fundraising activities, including opportunity identification, concept formulation, proposal writing, tender preparation, and the development of technical and progress reports.


• Collaborate strategically with the Team Leader on crafting competitive technical and financial proposals, expressions of interest, tenders, and consultancy bids.


• Conduct thorough desk research and opportunity analysis to pinpoint prospective clients, funding avenues, potential partnerships, and areas for business expansion.


• Develop persuasive technical narratives, detailed methodologies, logical frameworks, work plans, and other essential proposal components.


• Maintain an organized pipeline of upcoming opportunities, ensuring timely responses to calls for proposals, tenders, and expressions of interest.


• Contribute to establishing Parker Dunne Consultants as a trusted and innovative partner for governmental bodies, development partners, NGOs, private sector entities, research institutions, and other key stakeholders.


• Support the design and implementation of performance metrics, monitoring frameworks, and results-tracking mechanisms.


• Monitor program and project outcomes, assisting the Team Leader in evaluating the effectiveness, relevance, efficiency, and sustainability of development interventions.


• Identify potential technical, operational, strategic, and implementation risks impacting programs and assignments.


• Facilitate the development and implementation of suitable risk mitigation and contingency strategies.


• Contribute to lessons-learned exercises, the documentation of best practices, and ongoing process improvements.


• Cultivate and nurture productive relationships within Parker Dunne Consultants' national, regional, and international partner network.


• Identify opportunities for strategic collaborations, consortium building, joint bidding, technical partnerships, and knowledge sharing.


• Support engagement initiatives with government agencies, development partners, donors, NGOs, private sector organizations, academia, civil society, and professional networks.


• Represent Parker Dunne Consultants professionally in meetings, consultations, workshops, conferences, and other pertinent forums.


• Oversee and facilitate effective communication across the firm's networks through both traditional and digital communication channels.


• Contribute to the creation of high-quality technical articles, policy briefs, reports, presentations, concept notes, and other knowledge products.


• Provide thought leadership on relevant development issues through public speaking, professional writing, presentations, media engagements, and other suitable platforms.


• Enhance the firm's visibility, positioning, and reputation as a leading multisectoral consulting firm.


• Identify emerging development trends and translate them into opportunities for learning, innovation, and business growth.


• Represent Parker Dunne Consultants, as authorized, in engagements with funders, clients, partners, media, government, and the public.


• Ensure all activities are conducted in strict adherence to Parker Dunne Consultants' policies, procedures, quality standards, and professional ethics.


• Promote adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, contractual obligations, and professional standards governing the firm's operations.


• Uphold the integrity, confidentiality, and professional reputation of Parker Dunne Consultants at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A Master's degree or higher in a pertinent field, such as Development Studies, Economics, Public Policy, International Development, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Natural Resources, Environmental Studies, Public Health, Agriculture, Project Management, or a comparable discipline.


• A robust academic and professional background demonstrating strong analytical, research, writing, and problem-solving capabilities.


• Demonstrated experience in developing high-caliber technical proposals, expressions of interest, tender documents, concept notes, and technical reports.


• A proven ability to interpret complex Terms of Reference and translate them into coherent, competitive technical approaches and methodologies.


• Experience in business development, fundraising, program design, consulting, research, project management, or a related professional environment.


• Excellent research, analytical, report writing, editing, and documentation skills.


• Experience engaging with or working for government bodies, development partners, NGOs, donors, private sector organizations, research institutions, or similar stakeholders.


• The capacity to identify emerging opportunities and devise innovative solutions to development challenges.


• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English.


• Proficiency in digital tools and familiarity with contemporary communication and collaboration platforms.


• The ability to manage multiple priorities effectively and deliver high-quality work under demanding deadlines.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit the following:

• A compelling cover letter detailing their suitability for the position.


• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV), specifically highlighting relevant technical expertise, proposal development, consulting, research, and program management experience.


• A brief sample or examples of technical proposals, concept notes, reports, or other relevant professional writing may be requested from shortlisted candidates.

Applications must clearly articulate how the candidate's experience and skills align with the position's requirements.

Please send your applications to info@parkerdunneconsultants.com and copy alex@parkerdunneconsultants.com.

Closing Date: 27th September 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position may close before the stated closing date.

Only candidates demonstrating a strong alignment with the specified requirements will be shortlisted for further consideration.