District Irrigation/Nutrition Officer

jobsCareers, Careers - Malawi

Job ID: 82967
Job Title: District Irrigation/Nutrition Officer
Organisation: Self Help Africa
Contract Type: Full time, Fixed term 12 month contract
Hours: 37.5 per week
Location: Chitipa, Malawi
Reports to: Project Manager

About Self Help Africa :

Established in 1984, Self Help Africa is an international development organisation that works through agriculture and agri-enterprise development to address hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impacts of climate change. We believe that equitable economic development is key to lifting communities out of long-term poverty, empowering them to take control of their futures and improving their quality of life.

In early 2023 we launched a new five-year organisation strategy, which defines shared mission as the alleviation of hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impact of climate change through community-led, market-based and enterprise-focused approaches, so that people can have access to nutritious food, clean water, decent employment and incomes, while sustaining natural resources.

Our wider organisation also includes social enterprise subsidiaries Partner Africa, which provides ethical auditing and consultancy services, and CUMO, Malawi’s largest micro-finance provider.

Our three core values are:
▪ Impact: We are accountable, ambitious and committed to systemic change.
▪ Innovation: We are agile, creative and enterprising in an ever-changing World.
▪ Community: We are inclusive, honest and have integrity in our relationships.

Job purpose:

The District Irrigation/Nutrition Officers will be responsible for promoting and implementing Irrigation concept of School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project. The focus will be lead in the assessment of the existing school water infrastructure, designing of the drip irrigation drip system at school level in line with the assessment results, supervise and lead in the installation of the irrigation system, capacity building of key school structures and community structures in managing the irrigation system and stakeholder coordination at district and community level.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead engagement with school and community structures to promote the adoption of the irrigation techniques and existing Solar-Powered Water Supply System (SPWSS) technologies.
  • Review existing designs and preparations of drip irrigation scheme design for primary schools
  • Facilitating and supervising construction of the irrigation system for the schools in line with assessment reports.
  • Conduct capacity building to school and community structures on operation and maintenance of irrigation system and SPWSS and cost effective and environmentally sustainable farming methods
  • Facilitate health and nutrition education for leaners and school structures
  • Support the coordination of school nutrition, health and WASH programmes within the school
  • Assist in the identification of appropriate crops and seedlings that can be produced by schools under this project in line with local conditions.
  • Mobilise and sensitize of school WASH and management structures, community members and community leadership to effectively participate in the project.
  • Identify and verify project participants in conjunction with relevant government structures, other SHA projects and WASH partner.
  • Facilitate needs assessment of schools to align with the initiative of incorporating gardens in the school.
  • Conduct training needs assessment for school structures and community-based structures (e.g. Water Point Committees, Health promoters, Masons, Village Health Committees and Area Mechanics) and facilitating their required trainings.
  • Facilitate formation/reactivation of community and school based Water Point Committees and trainings.
  • Facilitate awareness raising campaigns in schools and corresponding communities to enforce adoption of good sanitation and hygiene practices.
  • Prepare timely weekly, monthly and quarterly reports and submission to Line Manager
  • Support documentation of lessons and experiences through project period.
  • Ensure safeguarding issues are implemented and reported during project delivery

Key Relationships:

The role reports to the Project Manager and supports WASH MEAL Coordinator to develop and implement an effective M and E system as well as working closely WASH programme and Deputy Programme Manager.

Qualification:

  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Technology, Irrigation Engineering or related field
  • At least 3 years of practical experience in facilitating rural irrigation projects or other WASH development activities facilitation.
  • Computer skills especially word processing, spreadsheets, and internet.
  • Proactive and highly motivated individual who requires the minimum of supervision.
  • Should be able to ride a motorcycle and have a valid motorcycle riding license.

Knowledge, Experience and Other Requirements:

  • Good interpersonal, communication, facilitation and report writing skills.
  • Strong respect and empathy for rural communities; a deep personal commitment to promoting women’s rights; as well as an affinity to SHA’s mission and values of human respect, partnership, and integrity
  • Demonstrable understanding of safeguarding risks and mitigating actions.
  • Experience in designing and introducing appropriate irrigation and agriculture technologies at both institutional and community level.
  • Extensive experience in carrying rapid assessment for irrigation systems with farmers or farmer groups
  • Outstanding training skills especially among small scale rural farmers and extension staff.

How to apply:

Full job description here. 

Qualified and interested candidates who meet the stated requirements must submit a completed Application Form, along with an up to date Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter here. 

The closing date for applications is 3rd December 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Important information: 

Self Help Africa is an international development charity and is committed to the safeguarding of all those who we come into contact with or through our work. We are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour relating to our work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and we are committed to promoting the welfare of children and the people we aim to assist with whom Self Help Africa engages. Self Help Africa expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviours outlined in the Code of Conduct and Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Recruitment to all roles in Self Help Africa will include, and be subject to, a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre- employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checking. Self Help Africa is committed to the principles of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms her/his understanding of these recruitment procedures. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Self Help Africa is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.