Malawi Federation of Cooperatives-MAFECO

24/02/2026

Employment Opportunities

The Malawi Federation of Cooperatives (MAFECO), the national umbrella body for cooperatives, is implementing the Accelerated Pathways for Transformative and Sustainable Agri-preneurship (APATSA) project with support from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
The project seeks to create 1,596 work opportunities for youth and young women through agri-preneurship initiatives. It will be implemented across 5ADDs, with a focus on strengthening institutional capacity of 10 district secondary cooperatives to drive sustainable agricultural development and inclusive economic growth.
MAFECO seeks to employ qualified individuals to fill the following vacant positions;

1.Project Lead

Location: Lilongwe
Duration: 12 Months – (Renewable)
Reports to: Project Manager

The Project Lead will provide overall leadership and coordination of the APATSA project. He/she will ensure effective implementation and reporting in line with MAFECO’s strategic objectives and AGRA’s requirements.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide operational direction and day-to-day management of project activities.
• Coordinate with district secondary cooperatives, government agencies and stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment of project activities with MAFECO’s mission and AGRA’s priorities.
• Liaise with MAFECO’s Programs personnel on activities Implementation
• Liaise with Finance personnel for activity budgeting.
• Ensure timely delivery of outputs and achievement of project milestones.
• Work closely with the M&E Officer to track progress against targets.
• Prepare reports and knowledge products.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Strengthen institutional capacity of cooperatives.
• Identify and mitigate risks affecting project delivery.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Business Management, Agribusiness, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing donor-funded projects, preferably in agriculture, cooperative development, or financial inclusion.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Remuneration
Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

2. Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Location: Lilongwe
Duration: 12 Months - Renewable
Reports to: Project Lead.

The M&E Officer will design, implement, and oversee the monitoring and evaluation framework of the project. They will ensure that data collection, analysis, and reporting systems provide timely and accurate information for decision-making, learning, and donor accountability.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and/or update M&E tools, databases and monthly reporting formats in close collaboration with the MEAL focal points/sectoral managers.
Supervise and Orient the staff in mobile data collection and storage; using Kobo Collect.
Conduct data audits and analysis to ensure high quality data showing targets versus actuals.
Beneficiary profiling with disaggregation gender, age and disability.
Manage the development of effective and sustainable feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders.
Participate in information sharing opportunities among the MAFECO, AGRA and Partners.
Collect and file success stories, pictures, legal documents etc.
Conduct visits to projects sites and intervention areas to provide training, technical assistance and support.
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Agricultural Economics or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in M&E, preferably in agriculture, cooperative development, or financial inclusion projects.
• Strong skills in data analysis (SPSS, STATA, or similar software).
• Excellent report writing and communication skills.
• Experience with donor-funded projects is an advantage.

Remuneration
Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

3. Project Accounts Officer

Location: Lilongwe
Duration: 12 Months (Renewable).
Reports to: Accountant

Overview
The Project Accounts Officer will be responsible for managing all financial aspects of the APATSA project. This includes activity budgeting, expenditure reporting in compliance with AGRA requirements and MAFECO policies, and ensuring efficient use of project resources.

Key Responsibilities
• Liaising with Programs personnel in developing activity budgets
• Monitor budget utilization and provide variance analysis.
• Preparing Monthly and Quarterly Project Expenditure Reports.
• Ensure adherence to AGRA’s financial guidelines and MAFECO’s policies.
• Maintain accurate financial records and support documentation.
• Disbursement of funds and ensure proper authorization procedures.
• Prepare for audits of Project funds by providing required documentation.
• Provide technical support to strengthen financial systems at cooperative level.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma in accounting from an accredited institution
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Accounting of donor-funded projects.
• Strong knowledge of accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage, or similar).
• Excellent analytical, reporting, and communication skills.
• Experience in cooperative finance or agricultural development projects is an advantage.

Remuneration
Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Qualified and interested individuals who meet the above specifications should submit their written applications, detailed Curriculum Vitae with copies of certificates indicating three traceable referees to:

The Executive Director
Malawi Federation of Cooperatives
P.O Box 3278
Lilongwe
Email: [email protected]
Closing date for receiving applications is Wednesday 25th of February 2026.

MAFECO is an equal employer, Qualified women are encouraged to apply

06/02/2026

Needs Assessment for the APATSA project in progress in Kasungu and Mchinji district targeting cooperatives in the 5 EPAs provided in each districts.

06/02/2026

This week, we introduced our new initiative, the Accelerated Pathways for Transformative and Sustainable Agri-preneurship (APATSA) project, across five EPAs in Kasungu and Mchinji districts under Kasungu and Lilongwe ADD respectively . The project is designed to facilitate the registration of 10 District Secondary Cooperatives, engaging a minimum of 200 primary cooperatives. Through this effort, we aim to strengthen institutional capacity while generating more than 1,500 employment opportunities for youth and women.

25/12/2025

Wishing all Cooperators a Merry Christmas and Prosperous 2026

30/09/2025

We have these two positions to be filled. If you feel qualified and interested please do apply as stated in the advert.

29/03/2025

Successfully conducted the Cooperative Fair in Mzuzu. This function was graced by the CEO of Central Cooperative, Debbie Robinson and Dr. Sarah Alldred from the UK Coop College.

09/01/2025

MAFECO donates tea seedlings to growers

Malawi Federation of Cooperatives (MAFECO). an umbrella body for all cooperatives in the country, has donated 10,000 tea seedlings to one of its affiliates, Mulato Tea Growers Cooperative Union in Mulanje District, as part of commemorating the International Year of Cooperatives declared by the United Nations.

The UN declared the 2025 Year of Cooperatives to encourage its member states and stakeholders to promote cooperatives and raise awareness of their contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

MAFECO Executive Director, John Mulangeni, indicated that the gesture also falls under the project Our Malawi Partnership, of which one of its key objectives is to create a strengthened and environmentally sustainable co-operative movement in Malawi.

“We believe that the seedlings will help to fill the gaps in the cooperative member's farms,” Said Mulangeni.

One of the beneficiaries, Mercy Lupiya said the assistance has come at the right time because it will help her upscale production.

By Chisomo Break

19/12/2024

Today we held a successful Cooperative Stakeholder Platform meeting at Sunbird Lilongwe. A number of organisations made presentations on what they are doing in the cooperative sector. Some of the presentations were from CDF Canada on their two projects in Malawi, The Voice and the Integrating Aquaculture -Agriculture in Malawi - IAAM. They highlighted how they want to work with the Cooperatives in Malawi. Plan International Malawi made a presentation on how they are working in the cooperative sector focusing on the youths. CIC Insurance had its presentation also urging cooperatives to insure their property and produce. Some of the Cooperative Unions that also made presentations were Mwandama Cooperative Union, Housing Cooperative - HIDCO and Dikilani Cooperative Union. These outlined what they are doing so far and the challenges they are facing in the cooperative sector. A representative from the Ministry of Industry and Trade also made a presentation on this meeting.

11/04/2024

Cooperative Stakeholders Platform meeting taking place at Crossroads Hotel.

30/11/2023

In a poignant moment of appreciation and gratitude, the Malawi Federation of Cooperatives Limited (MAFECO) and the Canadian Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) joined hands to bid a warm farewell to two dedicated Canadian volunteers who had been instrumental in supporting cooperative initiatives in the country.

The departing volunteers had been actively involved in key areas such as cooperative audit processes, contributing to the development of sustainable models for cooperative businesses. Their efforts were directed towards not only ensuring the financial viability of cooperatives but also making them models of sustainability and profitability, ultimately leading to transformed livelihoods for cooperative members.

The focus of their work extended beyond the confines of cooperative entities, as the volunteers strived to create a ripple effect that spilled into the surrounding communities. The goal was to establish cooperative businesses not only as economic engines for their members but also as catalysts for positive change in the broader social fabric.

MAFECO, in collaboration with CDF, organized a heartfelt farewell to express gratitude for the invaluable contributions made by these Canadian volunteers during their tenure in Malawi. The cooperative landscape in the country witnessed tangible improvements under their guidance, particularly in the realms of efficient audit practices and the strategic positioning of cooperative businesses.

The volunteers’ dedication to the cause of transforming livelihoods through cooperative development resonated with the cooperative principles that MAFECO and CDF champion. Their departure marks not just the end of a chapter but also the beginning of a legacy of positive change within the cooperative sector.

As they return to Canada, the impact of their work lingers on, leaving behind a blueprint for sustainable and profitable cooperative business models. The farewell ceremony served not only as a moment of goodbye but also as a celebration of the collaborative efforts that have laid the groundwork for a more resilient and prosperous cooperative sector in Malawi.

MAFECO and CDF expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the Canadian volunteers’ unwavering commitment and passion, recognizing that their contributions have left an indelible mark on the cooperative landscape in Malawi. The farewell event symbolizes the enduring spirit of international cooperation and solidarity in the pursuit of shared goals for community development and empowerment.

In a poignant moment of appreciation and gratitude, the Malawi Federation of Cooperatives Limited (MAFECO) and the Canadian Cooperative Development Foundation (