Project Driver, USAID/Malawi GfS At DAI Global

Project Background

Through the Malawi Governance for Solutions (GfS) Activity, USAID seeks to build on the incremental gains in decentralization and associated service delivery improvements, with the understanding that to make the significant leaps now required for Malawi to meet its own development goals—in the face of a fast-growing, young population—a bold, adaptive, and sustainable approach is required. To successfully remove critical bottlenecks and diffuse effective governance practices, DAI will deploy a locally driven approach—Facilitate, Catalyze, and Scale—drawing on Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) as a core methodology. Through the Facilitate, Catalyze, and Scale approach, DAI will help local stakeholders to tackle the root causes of service delivery failures through best-fit solutions and offer demonstrative models based on positive deviance. Through both process-oriented facilitation and the provisions of technical support and grants, GfS will foster stable, resilient, and more self-reliant partnerships that best position local communities to address their own challenges and contribute to the trajectory of Malawi Vision 2063.

Objectives of the assignment

The Project Driver will provide transportation services for the GfS project in accordance with USAID and DAI Global policies, procedures and guidelines. Additionally, the Driver will provide guidance on the performance of vehicles and ensure that the vehicles are road worthy at all times. The Driver will be responsible for transporting GFS staff for all program-related activities, including field visits, meetings, airport pick-ups and drop-offs, and other duties as required by the program. This position will work with the GFS Human Resources and Office Manager and others on the GFS team and DAI Global home office to ensure that project activities are delivered on time and adhere to USAID and DAI Global compliance requirements, global standards, and national policies.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Transport staff and consultants in a comfortable, safe, and timely manner on official duties and/or business within and outside of Lilongwe, as requested by supervisor.
• Map out driving routes ahead of time to determine the most expedient trip.
• Carry out office errands, deliveries and collections as directed.
• Ensure all trips are approved and properly recorded in the logbook and ensure regular communication with the immediate supervisor
• Ensure compliance with organization’s vehicle driving policies.
• Listen to traffic and weather reports to stay up to date on road conditions and adjust the route to avoid heavy traffic or road constructions, as needed.
• Ensure Vehicles are clean and comfortable for all riders.
• Actively monitor the mechanical conditions of the vehicle, and arrange regular vehicle maintenance including checking oil, water, battery, brakes, tires, etc.
• Check that vehicles are properly insured and that all road licenses/taxes are valid.
• Prepare and submit monthly vehicle fuel/maintenance costs reports and track all vehicle expenses.
• Report all vehicle faults and request for maintenance as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with government laws on drive speed, parking, and other road safety regulations.
• Ensure that office directory, map of the city/country, first aid kit, necessary spare parts, and other required items are always available within vehicle.
• Ensure vehicle is always kept secure, clean, and tidy and in good working condition
• Support administrative functions as assigned by supervisor.
• Maintain high standards of customer service to guests.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Qualifications

This role is contingent on donor funding.

• Clean class PG driver’s license.
• A minimum of Malawi School Certification of Education
• Three or more years previous experience driving in international organizations
• Experience driving in urban and rural settings with good ability to handle and manage four-wheel drive vehicles.
• Basic mechanical skills.
• Computer literate.
• Experienced with common administrative tasks.
• Ability to prepare and keep computerized records and use e-mail
• Those with a Defensive Driving License will have an added advantage
• Good oral and written English language skills and ability to communicate in common Malawian languages.