Apply Now: Engineering Experts for Agricultural Commercialisation Support (Malawi)

Deadline: 28-Jul-2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malawi Country Office is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from qualified national individual consultants to join a prequalified pool of engineering experts under the Ulimi ndi Chilengedwe m’Malawi (UCHI) – Strengthening Agricultural Commercialisation Project. Selected consultants will provide specialized engineering advisory services to farmer organizations across infrastructure, mechanization, irrigation, food processing, aquaculture, renewable energy, and related sectors on an as-needed basis.

About the UCHI – Strengthening Agricultural Commercialisation Project

The Ulimi ndi Chilengedwe m’Malawi (UCHI) project supports sustainable agricultural commercialization by improving productivity, value addition, market access, and rural economic development.

The project works with farmer organizations to identify viable investments while ensuring that engineering designs, equipment selection, infrastructure planning, and implementation meet appropriate technical standards.

Selected consultants will provide expert guidance throughout project planning and implementation.

Areas of Engineering Expertise Required

UNDP is seeking consultants with expertise in the following disciplines:

Civil and Structural Engineering

Consultants may support:

• Warehouse construction
• Agricultural storage facilities
• Processing buildings
• Market sheds
• Rehabilitation of existing infrastructure
• Structural design and assessment

Agricultural Engineering

Expertise includes:

• Tractors and farm machinery
• Tractor implements
• Harvesting equipment
• Farm mechanization
• Grain handling systems
• Farm infrastructure
• Post-harvest handling equipment

Food Processing Engineering

Consultants may provide technical advice on:

• Soybean processing equipment
• Rice processing systems
• Banana processing equipment
• Honey extraction and processing
• Fish processing technologies
• Packaging solutions
• Food safety systems
• Value addition facilities
• Processing plant design

Irrigation Engineering

Areas include:

• Small-scale irrigation systems
• Solar-powered irrigation
• Water abstraction systems
• Water storage infrastructure
• Irrigation network design
• Pump selection and specifications

Aquaculture Engineering

Required expertise includes:

• Fishpond construction
• Aquaculture infrastructure
• Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
• Fish handling facilities
• Cold chain infrastructure
• Aquaculture production equipment

Electrical and Solar Energy Engineering

Consultants may work on:

• Solar energy systems
• Renewable energy solutions
• Solar-powered irrigation
• Cold storage energy systems
• Rural electrification for productive use

Mechanical Engineering

Responsibilities may include:

• Machinery assessment
• Equipment installation planning
• Equipment layout optimization
• Processing machinery evaluation
• Machinery performance analysis

Objectives of the Consultancy

Selected consultants will support farmer organizations by:

• Defining technical specifications.
• Preparing engineering designs where required.
• Developing cost estimates.
• Identifying suitable suppliers and service providers.
• Obtaining quotations and pro forma invoices.
• Assessing technical feasibility.
• Providing engineering advisory services.
• Supporting implementation of approved investments.
• Improving the quality and sustainability of agricultural infrastructure and equipment investments.

Role of Prequalified Consultants

Successful applicants will join a pool of prequalified engineering consultants available to support the UCHI project.

Important points include:

• Prequalification does not guarantee immediate work.
• Consultants will be engaged only when specific assignments arise.
• Engagements will be issued through separate purchase orders or consultancy contracts.
• Assignments will depend on project needs and technical requirements.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be a national individual consultant.
• Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in the relevant engineering discipline.
• A Master’s degree is considered an added advantage.
• Be registered with the appropriate professional engineering body where required.
• Hold a valid practicing license where applicable.
• Demonstrate strong technical competence in their specialization.

Professional Experience Requirements

Applicants should have:

• At least five years of professional experience in:
  • Agricultural engineering
  • Agro-processing
  • Irrigation
  • Infrastructure development
  • Rural development
  • Engineering consultancy
• At least two years of experience working with:
  • Donor-funded projects
  • Government institutions
  • Farmer organizations
  • Cooperatives
  • Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
  • Development partners

Why This Opportunity Matters

The consultancy pool supports Malawi’s efforts to modernize agriculture through better engineering expertise and technical planning.

The programme contributes to:

• Agricultural commercialization
• Increased productivity
• Rural infrastructure development
• Improved food processing capacity
• Better irrigation systems
• Renewable energy adoption
• Farm mechanization
• Value chain development
• Sustainable rural economic growth
• Stronger farmer organizations

How to Apply

Interested consultants should follow these steps:

1. Confirm eligibility based on education and professional experience.
2. Identify the engineering specialization that matches your expertise.
3. Prepare a cover letter highlighting relevant experience.
4. Update your Curriculum Vitae (CV).
5. Gather copies of academic qualifications.
6. Include professional registration certificates and practicing licenses where applicable.
7. Prepare references demonstrating relevant project experience.
8. Submit the complete Expression of Interest according to the UNDP Malawi application guidelines before the specified deadline.

Application Documents Required

Applicants should submit:

• Cover letter
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Academic qualification certificates
• Professional registration certificates
• Valid practicing license (where applicable)
• References demonstrating relevant professional experience

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their submission by:

• Highlighting donor-funded project experience.
• Demonstrating agricultural engineering expertise.
• Including experience with farmer organizations.
• Providing examples of completed infrastructure or mechanization projects.
• Showing familiarity with rural development initiatives.
• Clearly describing technical advisory experience.
• Including relevant professional certifications and licenses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid the following when applying:

• Submitting an outdated CV.
• Omitting professional registration documents.
• Failing to provide evidence of relevant experience.
• Applying outside your area of technical expertise.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Assuming prequalification guarantees future assignments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is organizing this consultancy opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malawi Country Office under the UCHI – Strengthening Agricultural Commercialisation Project.

Who can apply?

Qualified national individual consultants with relevant engineering qualifications and professional experience may apply.

Which engineering disciplines are eligible?

The consultancy pool covers Civil, Structural, Agricultural, Food Processing, Irrigation, Aquaculture, Electrical, Solar Energy, and Mechanical Engineering.

Does prequalification guarantee consultancy assignments?

No. Successful applicants join a prequalified consultant pool and may be contracted only when specific project assignments become available.

What qualifications are required?

Applicants should possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline. A Master’s degree is considered an advantage, and professional registration may also be required.

What experience is expected?

Applicants should have at least five years of relevant engineering experience and a minimum of two years working with donor-funded projects, government agencies, farmer organizations, cooperatives, SMEs, or development partners.

What documents must be submitted?

Applicants should provide a cover letter, updated CV, academic certificates, professional registration certificates, practicing licenses where applicable, and references demonstrating relevant experience.

Conclusion

The UNDP Malawi UCHI Engineering Consultancy Opportunity offers experienced engineering professionals the chance to contribute to Malawi’s agricultural transformation by providing specialized technical expertise to farmer organizations. Through a multidisciplinary pool of consultants, the project aims to strengthen agricultural infrastructure, mechanization, irrigation, renewable energy, food processing, and aquaculture investments, ultimately supporting sustainable agricultural commercialization and rural development.

For more information, visit UNDP.