Social Protection Specialist

INTRODUCTION

The Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADEC0M) and Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has received funding from BMZ to implement a project titled: Strengthening the Social Security of Vulnerable Households in Mangochi district in Malawi from October 2026 to September 2029. The project aims at contributing to increasing the resilience of vulnerable households in the Mangochi district to climatic and economic risks as well as to sustainable poverty reduction through improved social security system. In line with Malawi’s National Social Protection Policy (2024–2029) and decentralisation framework, the project aims at strengthening coordination with government systems and existing initiatives, thus contributing to reducing fragmentation and strengthening institutional responsibility.

Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADEC0M) Caritas is the development arm of the Catholic Church in Malawi. CADECOM Mangochi Diocese covers the districts of Machinga, Balaka and Mangochi. The mission of CADECOM is to create awareness and empower disadvantaged people at grass-roots level to undertake development which is integral, gender and environment sensitive, sustainable and which promotes justice, human dignity and self-reliance through the active participation of the people themselves so that they can take up responsibility of their own future.

CADECOM seeks qualified individuals to fill two vacant positions to support the implementation of the project as follows.

SOCIAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST

Type of job: Contract, 3 years’ renewable annually depending on performance and availability of funds.

Duty station: Mangochi town

Reporting lines: Diocesan CADECOM Coordinator

Job Overview

The Social Protection Specialist position in the Project is a critical role and the specialist will work with the Mangochi district council, WHH, CADECOM national office and other stakeholders in the system strengthening, coordination and capacity building of the district and local structures involved in the social protection interventions. The role also involves analytical tasks related to social protection and the strengthening of social protection delivery systems. The candidate will work closely with various teams to ensure the effective delivery of services and programs that aim to improve the livelihoods of individuals and families particularly those living in poverty or facing significant challenges.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Policy & Strategy Development: Support Mangochi district council and partners in designing, updating, and implementing of the social protection interventions and review of policies and systems.

Systems Strengthening: Working with stakeholders in social protection to improve social protection interventions delivery systems—including targeting mechanisms, payment modalities, management information systems (MIS), and grievance redress systems.

Shock-Response & Cash-Based Interventions: Taking lead in the integration of the social protection activities modalities into emergency preparedness and multi-sector humanitarian or development response.

Linkages & Integration: Working with Mangochi district council coordinate and connect the social protection programs with complementary sectors such as agriculture, health, nutrition, and labour markets.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Research: Conduct impact evaluations, vulnerability assessments, and policy research to track program effectiveness and inform decision-making and produce and disseminate project progress reports to stakeholders, identification of key success issues.

Capacity Building & Coordination: Facilitate capacity strengthening of the district and community social protection technical working groups and organise district stakeholder workshops and meetings.

Technical Assistance and Quality Assurance: Providing technical support to the CADECOM field and Government Officers and volunteers to ensure quality.

Documentation and reporting: Organise field visits, gather information, and prepare high-quality learning documents and reports and timely submit them to related stakeholders. Document the innovative approaches, best practices, lessons learned, document progress and learning, and share them at appropriate level.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Degree in Community Development, Economics, Social Work, Development Studies from University or College recognised by NCHE in Malawi.

Experience: Minimum of 4 years of professional practical experience in social protection, Anticipatory Action Protocols, poverty reduction, or safety net design and working with district councils in Malawi.

Technical Skills: Strong understanding of targeting, vulnerability metrics, and social protection system in Malawi, proficiency in data analysis, policy analysis and qualitative/quantitative research tools and report writing. Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation skills.

Knowledge: Good knowledge and interpretation of the Malawi National Social Protection Policy, good working understanding of the decentralisation system and operations.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications containing an application letter and curriculum vitae (max 3 pages) with 3 traceable referees (1 must be immediate past or current supervisor). Full application package can be submitted:

By hand: At the Diocese’s Office Complex, near Old Mangochi Airport.

Or through the following postal address:

The Human Resources Officer Diocese of Mangochi P.O. Box 44 Mangochi, Malawi

Or by email: [email protected]

Closing date: 23 October 2026 at 14:00 hours.