The Basel Institute on Governance has been commissioned by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Malawi, to implement the Tackling Serious and Organised Corruption (TSOC) programme. The programme focuses on strengthening investigation and prosecution capacity with a view to recovering stolen assets. In addition, the programme supports a range of prevention-related activities in relation to the anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework and works with non-state actors such as journalists, civil society organisations and the private sector with the ultimate goal of reducing corruption in Malawi. In TSOC, we engage journalists through the Continuing Journalism Education (CJE) initiative, which includes technical support for investigative reporters in Malawi.
The role
The Prevention Specialist is a combined technical advisory and coordination role, supporting the development, implementation and delivery of TSOC corruption prevention activities in Malawi. The Prevention Specialist will support the respective technical teams of the Basel Institute and TSOC partner organisations to develop proposed corruption prevention activities, and will directly support the implementation of approved corruption prevention activities in Malawi.
The Prevention Specialist will manage the implementation of the prevention workstream under the direction of the TSOC Team Leader, with support from the Basel-based Public Governance and Collective Action teams. To ensure that TSOC prevention activities are responsive to partner needs, the Prevention Specialist will engage with TSOC Government of Malawi (GoM) partners, including the Corruption Prevention and Public Education departments of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), as well as with civil society and private sector actors in close consultation with the TSOC team.
Key roles and responsibilities
- Conduct scoping activities, including an ongoing mapping of stakeholders and projects relevant to TSOC prevention work, and monitor developments in Malawi’s demand-side governance space to identify relevant prevention-related opportunities in agreement with the Basel-based team.
- Develop and maintain relationships with a network of prevention focal points in GoM partner institutions, the donor community and FCDO to ensure that TSOC activities are in line with partner and GoM priorities.
- Develop proposals to support prevention-focused interventions through technical assistance and/or small grants with assistance from Basel-based staff, including the Head of Public Governance. Proposals should aim to address a clearly articulated problem; be based on a robust stakeholder and project mapping to avoid duplication, respond to government or societal demand to address that problem; set out clear and measurable goals; and be fully costed.
- Support the implementation of the prevention-focused interventions by providing guidance, technical assistance or oversight of the work of an implementing partner or grantee.
- Manage a portfolio of interventions, including working with the M&E team, the Head of Public Governance, and TSOC Team Leader to decide which ones to scale down/up or withdraw on the basis of results and the political economy.
- Oversee the delivery of partner deliverables according to agreed Terms of Reference (TORs) on behalf of the Public Governance and Collective Action teams.
- Support the drafting and oversee the implementation of prevention-related, TSOC-approved Strategic Fund Requests under the guidance and oversight of the TSOC Team Leader.
- Lead the implementation and representation of the TSOC prevention workstream activities in Malawi to ensure that communication with key actors is maintained, and that feedback or partner inputs are communicated and responded to in a timely manner.
- Support the delivery of CJE activities in line with the approved work plan, ensuring the continued active mentorship of the current cohort of journalists, and strengthening TSOC’s existing regional media partnerships.
- Strengthen the delivery of CJE within the TSOC prevention workstream, ensuring that it continues to function as an effective standalone unit within the programme, while informing the development of a broader TSOC prevention strategy.
Experience and skills
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Public Financial Management, Political Science, International Relations or a related field relevant to anti-corruption; postgraduate qualifications a plus.
- At least 5 years’ experience in the development and implementation of corruption prevention strategies and interventions, including the implementation of transparency and integrity mechanisms such as beneficial ownership, asset declaration and infrastructure procurement in Malawi or similar contexts.
- Demonstrable track record managing the delivery of prevention or demand-side governance interventions in Malawi or similar contexts.
- Ability to build working relationships with senior-level government employees, development partners, and civil society to drive change and secure results.
- Experience working in donor-funded programmes in the context of rule of law or anti-corruption in developing or transition economies. Experience working in other Sub-Saharan African countries a plus.
- Fluency in English, including sound report writing, presentation and verbal communication skills to inform or influence specific audiences.
Other useful information
We offer an interesting and rewarding working environment with a proactive, dynamic and international team spirit. The work is both routine and varied, and offers scope for initiative and innovation. The salary is competitive.