Job Description

Regulatory and Policy Advisor in Malawi

Department: Carbon

Employment Type: Contract / Temp

Location: Africa

Allied Talent Partners is a talent marketplace, connecting experienced professionals with climate-related projects and businesses in Africa.

High-Level Overview

We are seeking a Regulatory and Policy Advisor with expertise in Malawi’s regulatory and policy frameworks related to voluntary carbon markets and land tenure systems. The role supports a groundbreaking smallholder afforestation project, spanning 20,000+ hectares of marginal land in Central and Northern Malawi. This initiative funds the planting of woodlots in exchange for carbon rights, enabling smallholders to own timber crops while generating voluntary carbon credits for sale or retirement.

Role and Responsibilities

Role: Regulatory and Policy Advisor for Carbon Projects – Malawi
Direct Report: TBD
Candidates Required: 1

Key Responsibilities:

1. Task / deliverable verbal conversation and short written report covering current regulatory framework and assessing risk of currently foreseeable changes:
2. What are the current regulatory and tax considerations for a voluntary carbon market transaction in Malawi?
3. How are carbon credits treated as an asset, transferred and taxed?

We have initial guidance on this from a local law firm but would like to confirm it and to speak with someone with some visibility on any upcoming changes expected to the regulatory framework.

1. Task / deliverable: verbal conversation and short written guidance (email ok)on:
2. Customary land tenure confirmation processes in Malawi and associated risks (eg including any ABC concerns).
3. What is common and appropriate practice to confirm smallholder land tenure?
4. Specifically, is there a need / route for confirmation from a relevant chief and/or government body?
5. If the consultant can also help the counterparty navigate any approval process that would also be useful.

We have initial guidance on this from counsel and from the counterparty which differ.

Requirements

Experience Required:

• Extensive experience in regulatory and policy analysis related to voluntary carbon markets in Africa, particularly Malawi.

Technical Requirements:

• Familiarity with land tenure systems, including customary and statutory land rights in Malawi.
• Demonstrated ability to provide concise, actionable guidance to stakeholders.

Soft Skills:

• Strong understanding of climate-related projects, carbon credit markets, and the intersection of policy and implementation.

Terms of Agreement: Location | Remote
Required Start Date | ASAP
Contracting Period | TBD, approximately 6 weeks for initial phases, with a possibility of extension