Fundraising for Desks with Makwelero

NYCOM’s main slogan and purpose is “uniting youth for development”. Our focus is to coordinate all efforts of youth development in Malawi. At NYCOM, we believe that all young people should be empowered through education, networking, and information exchange. We strive for this together with our affiliate organizations and indeed with others not yet affiliated.

Included in our five year Strategic Plan, NYCOM advocates for access to inclusive education for all youth including youth with disabilities.

Recently we were so impressed with the actions and ideas of one of our affiliate organizations and we went the extra mile to help them mobilize learning resources for a special needs class in a primary school in Lilongwe.

Makwelero is an organization founded by recent University graduates hoping to inspire the volunteer spirit within other youth in the community by helping struggling primary school pupils learn to read and write. By providing one on one tutoring in reading and writing, they hope to promote the eradication of illiteracy within schools across Malawi.

Upon establishing a tutoring program at the Lilongwe LEA School in the Capital Lilongwe, it was jarringly obvious the school does not have adequate resources, which is unfortunately the case for most public schools across Malawi. The learners do not have desks to sit in or books to learn with, and the school blocks are falling apart with broken windows and gaping holes in the ceilings and floors.

In order to bring some resources to the school, two of our Canadian volunteers started an online campaign called “Adopt a Desk”. People are encouraged to donate $50 CND for the purchase of a two-person desk. The goal is to raise $2 500 to revamp one classroom at the school.

Within a few days 25% of the funds were already raised but then came to a halt shortly after. To gain more momentum we revisited the school armed with a video camera and a vision. We wanted to shoot a short video that would encourage more people to understand the situation and need for promoting a healthy learning environment for students here in Malawi.

Here is the video titled, “A day in the Life”:

If you would like to know more about the campaign and how to donate go here:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/adopt-a-desk-in-malawi/x/12474033#/

If you would like to know more about what Makwelero is doing go here:

https://makwelero.wordpress.com

Notice on Compliance for Youth Organisations Registered under the NYCOM Act

Please take note of this notice which was also issued in both the Malawi News and the Weekend Nation of 31st October 2015.

National Youth Council of Malawi is a Statutory Corporation established by an Act of Parliament (National Youth Council of Malawi Act (1996)) and mandated to register youth organisations and coordinate, promote and regulate youth work in Malawi.

For organisations to register as affiliates of the Council, there are conditions that they are required to meet. These conditions are supplied to each organisation along the registration process. The coordination and regulation functions of the Council hugely bank on the affiliates meeting a number of other requirements, prime of which are payment of affiliation fees and submission of reports at regular intervals.

Section 23 of the National Youth Council of Malawi Act (1996) gives the Council powers to register and assess youth organisations operating in Malawi. Section 25 of the Act gives the Council the power to cancel the registration of any organisation that ceases to satisfy the minimum standards outlined. Youth Organisations registered by and affiliated to the National Youth Council of Malawi are also required to pay annual affiliation fee, submit quarterly reports to the Council and be effective in their operations.

National Youth Council of Malawi has noted with concern the continued inclination by most affiliates towards failure to comply with, or blatant disregard of, compliance measures. The National Youth Council of Malawi is, therefore, hereby informing all registered youth organisations and the general public that the Council will deregister all youth organisations that do not comply with the provisions of the Act and cooperation guidelines. Youth organisations that will not show any improvement or compliance by 31st December 2015 will be deregistered and will be required to return their certificates to the Council’s registered address. The names of the deregistered youth organisations will be published in the press.  

National Youth Council of Malawi has also noted with concern that some youth organisations are operating illegally without registering with the National Youth Council of Malawi. Such organisations are advised to either register with the National Youth Council of Malawi or stop operating as youth organisations. Take note that Section 22(ii) of the National Youth Council of Malawi Act bars any organisation from operating as a youth organisation if it is not duly registered. 

The Council would also like to implore all stakeholders in youth development to desist from working with youth organisations that are not duly registered with the Council or with District Youth Offices, and from establishing parallel structures.

For further enquiries contact:

The Executive Director, National Youth Council of Malawi, Plot 47/2/112, Private Bag 389, Lilongwe 3.

Tel: 01761425/01762026; Email: info@malawiyouthcouncil.org

Emplyment Opportunity

 

National Youth Council of Malawi

VACANCIES

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and motivated candidates to fill the vacant positions of Finance and Administration Officer and Program Officer – Sexual Reproductive Health tenable at the National Youth Council of Malawi Secretariat, Lilongwe.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) is a statutory corporation established through an Act of Parliament (National Youth Council of Malawi Act No.22 of 1996). National Youth Council of Malawi is mandated to register youth organisations, coordinate and regulate youth work in Malawi as well as to facilitate and implement development activities that promote health and development of young people. The vision of National Council is a Malawi where young people are able to develop their full potential and contribute to sustainable development of their country.

1. Finance and Administration Officer

Position Objectives   

The Finance and Administration Officer is responsible for proper financial management, human resources management and administrative systems of NYCOM. He/she will ensure efficient and effective financial, administrative and human resources support services to the core operations of NYCOM Strategic Plan.

Major Duties and Responsibilities  

·         Lead in the development and implementation of financial management and administrative systems for effective management and use of organizational resources including staff at NYCOM and affiliate levels.

·         Implement and monitor human resources policies and systems including performance management.

·         Prepare and monitor NYCOM budgets and cash flows

·         Ensure timely disbursement of funds

·         Ensure timely and accurate recording of financial transactions in the accounting system.

·         Produce donor reports, management reports and Board reports

·         Manage donor relations

·         Organize audit for NYCOM and affiliates to ensure compliance, accountability and transparency

·         Build capacity of staff responsible for financial management and administration.

·         Ensure efficient management of programme staff including annual appraisals of finance and administration staff, coaching, training and mentoring.

·         Assist the ED in development and implementation of fundraising and resource mobilization strategies and activities.

·         Manage of the finances of the NYCOM and the day-to-day running of the Finance and Administration section.

·         Advise the Board and management on financial matters of the NYCOM.

·         Prepare monthly and quarterly financial and management accounts.

·         Coordinate preparation of annual budgets for submission to the Government.

·         Design and review internal controls and accounting procedures.

·         Trains youth from partner organizations in financial management and liquidation of donor funds.

·         Oversees the management of the inventory.

·         Keep personnel/staff records

Required Qualifications and Experience   

·         Bachelor Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or its equivalent

·         Minimum of 2 years experience in similar position

·         Knowledge in computerized financial accounting programmes.

·         Understanding of acceptable accounting principles and procedures

Required Attributes and Skills       

·         Ability to work with the youth

·         Good analytical skills

·         Must be detail-oriented

·         Good communication skills

·         Good computer skills

 

2. Program Officer - Sexual Reproductive Health

 Position Objectives

The PO will ensure program development and management and effective implementation of projects in Sexual and Reproductive Health. He/she will ensure timely planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting. He/she will ensure both female and male youth participate in all projects.

 Major Duties and Responsibilities  

·         Advising all registered youth NGOs on all matters pertaining to NYCOM projects in non-discriminatory SHR education and interventions.

·         Designing and organizing capacity building training programmes for youth organizations.  

·         Liaising with donors, the department of youth, youth NGOs and all relevant partners to mobilize partnership and collaboration in project planning, monitoring and evaluation.

·         Ensure timely planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.

·         Advising the Executive Director on all project matters.

·         Any other duties assigned by the Executive Director.

 Required Qualifications and Experience   

·         Bachelors Degree in Public Health, Nursing, Environmental Health Sciences, or any Social Sciences related field.

·         Minimum of 2 years in managing donor funded projects.

·         Knowledge and experience in Youth and Sexual and Reproductive Health.

·         Knowledge in project management cycle: planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

·         Knowledge in participatory approaches.

·         Knowledge in working with partners and stakeholders

Required Attributes and Skills       

·         Ability to work with the youth

·         Be a team builder

·         Strong communication skills

·         Strong computer skills

·         Ability to meet deadlines

·         Ability to travel extensively

Mode of Application

Interested candidates meeting the minimum requirements should send their applications and updated curriculum vitae with three traceable referees to the following address.

 

The Executive Director

National Youth Council of Malawi

Plot 112, Area 47 Sector 2

Private Bag 389

Lilongwe 3

 

The Closing date for receiving application is 13^th October, 2015, 16:30 hours. Application received later than the deadline will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

The National Youth Council of Malawi is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

 

 

 

 

Voluntary Technical Support for Youth Organisations working in Education

Education is one of the key catalysts for the development of any society, more so for Malawi. While there are many problems rocking the education sector, different stakeholders are working variously to contribute to the transformation of the sector for the better. In various communities, the youth are also increasingly involved, especially in advocacy, the setting up of structures such as teachers' houses, school blocks, and others.

 

However, there are critical capacity issues that the youth organisations who are spearheading these interventions are facing. The need for interventions has become critical.

 

Noting these capacity issues, a colleague in youth work, Mr. Foster Gondwe, who currently teaches  in the Education Foundations Department at Chancellor College, seeks reach to youth organizations working in the area of education/training with technical expertise. This will be provided on voluntary basis.

 

This comes against the background that most youth groups lack capacity in this area. Moreover, since most of them work voluntarily, they need extra support so that we continue reaching out to as many youth as possible. 

Currently he is supporting Good Health Youth Organisation in Kasungu. One key area he has assisted the group with is on developing the curriculum for their computer training program.  

 

In view of this, Mr. Gondwe through National Youth Council of Malawi invites expressions of interest from Youth Organizations working or intending to work in area of education to participate in this capacity strengthening initiative. The EOI should include:

                                               

1. Name of Organization

2. Nature (profit or Non-profit)

3. Constituency of the youth served

4. Brief areas of concentration (i.e. what they do)

5. Technical expertise needed

6. Location of work

 

The EOI should be emailed to fgondwe@cc.ac.mw. Shortlisted organizations will be contacted. 

 

Please note that for a start, the support will be online because of the challenge on transport(or unless the concerned organizations provide the same.)

 

For more info you can contact him through the following details:

 

Foster Gondwe

Instructor (Instruction Media and Technology)

University of Malawi, Chancellor College

Education Foundations Department

P.O Box 280

Zomba

Cell: +265 881 195 355

Youth, ICTs and Agriculture Conference

Youth, ICTs and Agriculture Conference

Event:            Youth, ICTs and Agriculture Conference 

Theme:          'Agriculture needs Youth, Agriculture needs ICTs'

Host:              Farm Radio Trust; Timveni Media; National youth Council of Malawi

When:            Thursday, 22nd October, 2015

Where:           Malawi Institute of Management, Lilongwe

Audience:      

Youth farmers; Youth Clubs; Youth Organisations; Youth Networks; Youth                           Cooperatives; ICT service providers; Academicians; Students; Development                               experts; the donor community; Agro-Processors;  

Admission:    MK100, 000.00 exhibition fees

                       Open to all registered participants

National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM), Timveni TV and Farm Radio Trust (FRT) have organised a conference on agriculture, aimed to promote agricultural productivity among the youth through television, radio and other ICTs. The conference will bring together young people, agricultural experts, ICT Service providers, representatives from the banking sector, agro-processors, representatives of both small and large scale farmers, representatives of farmer organisations, buyers and sellers of agricultural commodities.

Objectives of the conference 

The following are some of the objectives for the conference:

• To showcase and officially launch 'Farm Out,' a newly introduced youth oriented TV show on Timveni TV.
• To introduce ICTs and how they can be utilised by the youth in the agricultural sector.
• To give a platform to ICT service providers to showcase ICTs that are available and can be utilised by the youth in agricultural productivity.
• To give an opportunity to representatives in the agricultural sector to showcase products and services that are available and can be utilised by the youth in agricultural productivity.
• To promote market linkages between young farmers and agro-processors and manufactures, among others.
• To provide a platform for financial institutions to interact with young people and discuss how best young people can work with the banking sector for access to soft loans to enhance agricultural productivity.
• To for an opportunity to policy makers to unpack what government has in store for the youth when it comes to agricultural productivity.

To register, email: info@malawiyouthcouncil.org or call 01 761 432/01 761 425, or write to The Selection Team, C/O National Youth Council of Malawi, Lilongwe Street, Plot 47/2/112, P/Bag 389, Lilongwe 3.

Include the following information:

v  Your name or the name of your organization

v  How and why you are involved in agriculture

v  Why you are interested in the conference

The deadline for registration is 30th September, 2015. Successful applicants will be notified and allow to attend the conference.

Youth First! Youth Throughout! Youth Last!

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: ACCOUNTANCY

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

An internship opportunity for University/College students has risen at one of our partner organisations based in Lilongwe City. The internship will run for a period of three months, starting from September to November, 2015. Applicants should

•          Hold a Diploma in Accountancy from Malawi College of Accountancy,
•         Be either in second year or in third year,
•             Be available for the whole duration of the internship, and
•        Be immediately available for interviews (will be communicated directly to the applicants).

Those interested should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae (stating their age or date of birth) addressed to “The Executive Director, National Youth Council of Malawi, Private Bag 389, Lilongwe 3”,

Or to the following address:

info@malawiyouthcouncil.org,

Or deliver it to National Youth Council of Malawi, Lilongwe Street, Plot 47/2/112, Lilongwe.

Receiving applications will close at 15:00hrs on Friday, 21 August, 2015.

NOTE: NYCOM operates an equal opportunity internship programme.