CHIMANGO BENSON PHIRI
Development Practitioner | Rural Livelihoods & Financial Inclusion Specialist
Nkhotakota, MW.About
A results-oriented development practitioner with over 8 years of experience in rural livelihoods, financial inclusion, and community empowerment. Proven ability to lead district-level initiatives, having directly impacted over 15,000 females in Savings and Loan Groups (SLGs) and graduated 1,200 ultra-poor households to sustainable livelihoods. Managed over MWK 185 million in loans and grants, while building strategic partnerships to drive community transformation and economic empowerment.
Work
COMSIP Nkhotakota
|District Coordinator - Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Project (SSRLP)
Nkhotakota, Central Region, Malawi
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Summary
Currently leading district-level implementation and coordination of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Project (SSRLP), focusing on community empowerment, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable populations in Nkhotakota.
Highlights
Coordinated the establishment and ongoing support of 15,000 women in Savings and Loan Groups (SLGs), including 40% youth participants, significantly enhancing financial inclusion.
Successfully graduated 1,200 ultra-poor households to resilient livelihoods through targeted support programs, improving economic stability.
Formed and supported 40 cooperatives across various value chains, boosting local economic development and community enterprise.
Trained 160 youth in vocational and life skills through targeted development programs, enhancing employability and self-sufficiency.
Facilitated the disbursement of MWK 100 million in loans and MWK 85 million in revolving grants, cultivating strong partnerships with key institutions like Illovo, FINCA, TEVETA, NEEF, and Vision Fund.
COMSIP
|Field Officer - Community Savings and Investment Promotion (DFI-CBFO Project)
Malawi, Central Region, Malawi
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Summary
Spearheaded community mobilization and capacity building initiatives for the DFI-CBFO project, focusing on financial literacy, investment planning, and establishing community-based financial organizations.
Highlights
Mobilized and established numerous Community-Based Financial Organizations (CBFOs) and Savings and Loan Groups (SLGs), significantly increasing community participation in financial inclusion programs.
Trained community facilitators and groups on financial literacy and investment strategies, empowering local leaders to drive economic development.
Monitored and appraised performance of community change agents, ensuring effective program delivery and sustained impact.
Coordinated district-level programs and activities with diverse stakeholders, fostering collaborative partnerships for economic empowerment.
Facilitated the development of investment plans for economic empowerment and market assessments, guiding communities towards sustainable income-generating activities.
Action Against Hunger
|Monitoring & Evaluation Assistant
Malawi, Central Region, Malawi
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Summary
Supported critical monitoring and evaluation activities, ensuring data integrity, beneficiary verification, and timely reporting for humanitarian and development projects.
Highlights
Administered data collection tools in alignment with core project indicators and reporting requirements, ensuring accurate and reliable data for program assessment.
Facilitated project evaluations and assessments, contributing to evidence-based decision-making and program adjustments.
Conducted joint monitoring with district-level partners and facilitated beneficiary verification, enhancing accountability and transparency of aid distribution.
Supported the development of comprehensive reports and documented project success stories, effectively communicating program impact to stakeholders.
Implemented community-level accountability and response mechanisms, fostering transparency and trust within beneficiary communities.
GOAL Malawi
|Distribution Assistant - MVAC Emergency Response Program
Malawi, Central Region, Malawi
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Summary
Managed and facilitated the distribution of emergency aid and coordinated community engagement for vulnerability assessment and strategic planning within the MVAC Emergency Response Program.
Highlights
Facilitated community sensitization and mobilization, ensuring effective engagement and understanding of emergency response initiatives.
Identified and verified vulnerable households using participatory vulnerability assessment techniques, ensuring equitable distribution to target communities.
Assisted in cash distribution point mapping and facilitated direct cash distribution to beneficiaries, ensuring efficient and secure aid delivery.
Organized forums for community feedback and designed new projects, integrating beneficiary perspectives into program development.
Documented and disseminated lessons learned with partners at TA/EPA and community level, contributing to continuous program improvement.
Education
Exploits University
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Degree
Rural and Community Development
Languages
English
Chichewa
Tumbuka
Tonga
Yao
Certificates
SCOPE Beneficiary Identification & Registration
Issued By
Action Against Hunger
Beneficiary Verification Training
Issued By
Action Against Hunger
Data Collection & Monitoring Tools
Issued By
GOAL Malawi
Skills
Project Management
District-Level Project Coordination, Project Planning and Implementation, Program Coordination, Strategic Planning.
Financial Management
Budgeting & Financial Oversight, Loan & Grant Management, Financial Inclusion, Microfinance Linkages, Revolving Grants.
Monitoring & Evaluation
M&E, Data Collection & Monitoring, Data Analysis, Report Writing, Performance Appraisal, e-monitoring, Real-Time Dashboard Development.
Community Development
Stakeholder & Partner Engagement, Group Dynamics, Community Mobilization, Training & Mentorship, Livelihoods Programs, Graduation Programs, Sensitization, Participatory Planning, Value Chain Development, Community-Based Management.
Software & Tools
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), KOBO Toolbox, SPSS, STATA, Data Visualization.
Humanitarian Aid & Emergency Response
Beneficiary Identification & Registration, Beneficiary Verification, Cash Distribution, Vulnerability Assessment, Emergency Response Programs.
References
Chrispin Makwenda
Human Resource Manager – COMSIP (Contact details available upon request)
Ernest Jumbe
Livelihoods Specialist-COMSIP (Contact details available upon request)
Chisomo Teputepu
Head of Projects – Action Against Hunger, Malawi (Contact details available upon request)