UNDP Malawi

UNV Deployment in Malawi

There are currently 66 international and 35 national United Nations Volunteers (UNV) serving in the development initiatives in Malawi. Institutions hosting UNV specialists are diverse, ranging from government institutions at national and district level, to organisations such as the National Smallholders Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM), and UN agencies. United Nations Volunteers in Malawi are providing their expertise across all sectors of development including health, education, agriculture, AIDS prevention and mitigation and gender mainstreaming.

United Nations Volunteers are deployed in the following sectors:

1. Capacity Replenishment

2. Education and Agriculture

3. Capacity building in Decentralisation

4. Microfinance

5. Poverty Reduction

6. HIV/AIDS Response

7. Alleviating food insecurity

8. Human Rights

9. Resource Mobilisation

10. Labour Saving Technology

11. UN Agency Support

Capacity Replenishment

The Southern Africa Capacity Initiative (SACI) is responding to critical human capacity gaps through rapid deployment of international UNVs, including 3 teachers and up to 30 doctors who have been deployed to central hospitals in Lilongwe, Zomba and Mzuzu and district hospitals around the country. Six of the doctors based at Kamuzu Central Hospital specialise in surgery, gynaecology, oral surgery, neurology and anaesthetics. Services offered by these doctors have alleviated the burden placed on the health care system in Malawi.

During 2006 specialists in IT and Agriculture assisted central government in developing a HIV/AIDS database and agricultural policy at the Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD) and Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) respectively. The DHRMD has the central role in coordinating public sector’s HIV and AIDS response in Malawi and is developing a comprehensive HIV/AIDS Management Information System specifically to capture data on morbidity, mortality and absenteeism trends. The data collated will be used in planning and allocating resources to support civil servants whom will require assistance to cope with HIV/AIDS related illnesses.

Education and Agriculture

During 2004 three International Field Specialists were deployed to secondary schools in three districts, while an agricultural specialist involved in livestock and veterinary services and horticulture is currently imparting skills to communities in Zomba to improve food security.

Capacity building in Decentralisation

In 16 District Assemblies, 23 national volunteers support the Assemblies in planning and financial management, working hand in hand with District Planning and Development Officers and Directors of Finance. Technical assistance provided by the UNVs assist in implementation of the decentralized planning processes, ensuring that community driven project plans are relevant to local needs and reduce vulnerability of communities. Their responsibilities include generating additional resources for the Assemblies, encouraging more efficient use of existing resources and strengthening the finance management system being installed in District Assemblies around Malawi.

The improved capacity of District Assemblies will enable improvement in service delivery in terms of access, quality and targeting of local communities.

Microfinance

Nine international and five national volunteers serve under UNDP’s Social Economic Empowerment Programme which addresses illiteracy, environmental degradation and poverty reduction. The programme is implemented through the Ministry of Women and Development. Efforts of the UNVs are expected to strengthen human capital development at the grassroots through support for integrated functional literacy. The UNVs are working with NGOs and District Community Development Offices in identifying livelihood activities and community based projects for newly literate adults, encouraging active participation in community development.

Poverty Reduction

Nine international and five national volunteers serve under UNDP’s Social Economic Empowerment Programme which addresses illiteracy, environmental degradation and poverty reduction. The programme is implemented through the Ministry of Women and Development. Efforts of the UNVs are expected to strengthen human capital development at the grassroots through support for integrated functional literacy. The UNVs are working with NGOs and District Community Development Offices in identifying livelihood activities and community based projects for newly literate adults, encouraging active participation in community development.

HIV/AIDS Response

The Malawi UNV Programme has worked with People Living with Aids through its Greater Involvement of People Living with Aids (GIPA) initiative since 1996. During 2005 the project expanded its contingent of UNVs with UNDP funding. During the first half of 2006 twelve national and one international volunteer worked under the project. The project worked with the National Aids Commission (NAC) of Malawi and was hosted by Malawi Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS (MANET+ Plus). The project identified, recruited and deployed People Living with AIDS (PLWAs) as volunteers to serve in the host institutions.

Their far reaching impact is notable particularly in Nkhotakota. (Read “Foot Soldiers in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Malawi”).

The support group, Chanzi Fellowship of People Living with HIV and AIDS (FEPHA) was established by the national UNV, who is managing two programmes - HIV prevention, and Care and Support. The group uses drama and music to convey its messages, sharing experiences of people living with HIV and AIDS and distributing IEC materials. They are engaged in orphan care, counselling and home based care activities. The support group started with only four people living openly with HIV, and now has 46 PLWHAs members. Through their advocacy, the number of people seeking VCT services at Nkhotakota District Hospital has increased significantly.

At Mzuzu Central Hospital, one UNV, a qualified nurse, has trained six support groups of people living with HIV and AIDS in positive living and psychosocial counselling. Her daily schedule at the hospital involves testing blood samples, counselling patients and treating STI patients. The volunteer was part of the team that initiated the formation of the Rainbow Clinic (HIV and AIDS Clinic) at the hospital.

Another volunteer attached to Baptist Mission Hospital in Senga Bay in Salima sourced for funds enabling the hospital to open a VCT Centre and establis a Home Based Care Programme. To sustain the programme, the volunteer has instituted links and consequently, non-governmental organizations in the area formed a network called “Palliative Care Network” aimed at ensuring that their activities complement each other.

Other UNVs under GIPA have assisted the Malawi Network of AIDS Service Organisations (MANASO) by providing support to 155 Community Based Organizations (CBO) and support groups in nine districts in the central region.

GIPA UNVs at the national level have organized events to commemorate the annual National Candlelight Memorial and the World AIDS Day campaign. They were involved in developing advocacy strategies and assisted CBOs at national level to implement their own advocacy strategies. They provided guidance to Regional Coordinating Committees for MANET+ on issues regarding advocacy and participate in orientation of CBOs on the country coordinating mechanisms for the Global Fund. Youth workshops on basic HIV/AIDS information, stigma and discrimination, positive living and survival skills and behaviour change interventions were also conducted.

Their experiences have assisted to shape advocacy strategies and in realising behavioural change among youth.

Alleviating food insecurity

Within the Ministry of Agriculture, UNVs are improving household food security by targeting women groups in drought and flood prone area of Chikwawa District. The Chikwawa Food Processing and Preservation Project aims at the social-economic empowerment of women. One volunteer specialising in food security coordinates the project and five national volunteers are involved in food processing, nutrition, gender and small enterprise development.

Other international specialists are involved in capacity building at the national level through organisations such as the National Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM). NASFAM has benefited over a period of four years from UNVs fully funded by the Danish government. At NASFAM, a volunteer is establishing the legal framework for the Regional Agricultural Commodity Exchange (ACE), promoting its existence, and facilitating its operations. The Exchange will provide increased opportunities for the country to become more involved in the agricultural markets, by utilising the expertise available through the Exchange. A specialist in International Law, the UNV is building capacity within NASFAM and local legal representatives in the legal implications of International Contracts and improving arbitration or disputes arising from execution of contracts with parties residing in foreign countries.

Human Rights

The Malawi Human Rights Commission is benefiting from a Communications and Public Relations Specialist who is currently establishing web based communication and other information tools for human rights sensitization.

Resource Mobilisation

International UNVs placed within UN agencies continue to support the UN mandate reflecting the broad range of skills that UNVs have to offer the UN family. The Implementation Support Centre (ISC) that was established at UNDP in February 2005 and during its initial stages was predominantly supported by volunteers. Through building partnerships and identifying opportunities ISC aims at supporting the UN and the Government of Malawi, in mobilizing resources for efficient implementation of projects in Malawi. Through the ISC, International Procurement Specialists have also been placed in the Department of Public Procurement, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Education to strengthen the Government's capacity in implementing procurement guidelines and policies. It is expected more UNVs will be posted to other line ministries to support procurement oversight and activities.

Labour Saving Technology

A UNIDO funded project, SATECH in Salima is being implemented in 17 villages. The high mortality of parents and other able bodied adults has increased the number of orphans and female headed households facing food insecurity, and taking responsibility for child rearing. The project aims to reduce the burden of manual labour among the most vulnerable groups by introducing labour saving agricultural technologies, income generating activities and orphan training. One volunteer works alongside the project manager in planning and supporting daily operations of the project. He manages SATECH’s contribution to the development of orphan training at Maziko Orphan Training Salima (MOTS), which includes the construction of a workshop and student hostel and the installation of tools for the workshop and students.

UN Agency Support

Five international UNVs are posted in UNHCR and are involved in administration and finance, community service, civil engineering and refugee law roles. UNVs in the agency are managing improved irrigation at Malawi’s two refugee camps, coordinating NGOs involved in delivering social and community welfare services and establishing an efficient system for assessing and registering refugees. It is expected that an additional four national volunteers will be recruited as protection officers to support current activities.

Currently an international specialists has been assisting in administration and finance within WFP’s suboffice in Blantyre. It is expected another specialist will be recruited as a Fleet Manager before the end of 2006. Other International UNVs located at UNDP include an IT Specialist. The UNV Programme in Malawi is managed by two volunteers - the Programme Officer and Administrative Assistant.

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