Seed Program – Zambia and Malawi

Theme: Peacebuilding and Climate change responses

Term: October 2025 – August 2027

FTE: 1.0

Location and number of Seed participants:

MCC Zambia and Malawi has hosted 2 Seed cohorts in the past and is currently calling for application for the third cohort that will have of 6 participants working alongside 5 MCC partner organizations that are located in following places in Malawi and Zambia:

Blantyre, Malawi (x1)
Dowa district, Malawi (x1)
Lilongwe, Malawi (x1)
Choma, Zambia (x1)
Meheba refugee settlement camp (x2)

Synopsis:

Seed is a two-year program that brings together regional and international young adults to reflect, learn and work alongside MCC partner agencies that are working to address issues such as violence, food insecurity, oppression and injustice.
Seed participants will work with experienced teams passionate about innovating solutions to respond to communities’ needs and challenges. These partner organizations are implementing projects that are impacting lives in prisons, schools, churches, communities, and refugee camps.

Seed participants reflect as a group on a range of topics to understand how local, regional and global issues affect the communities they are serving in. This reflection also helps them develop skills to support the work being done in their communities.
Seed participants would meet 3 times in a year as a group to learn from each other during exchange visits and workshops that MCC provides.

Seed participants learn from and work with people from different political, theological and cultural backgrounds. The program seeks to build the capacity of participants as community development workers and as peacemakers and to facilitate personal growth through reflection on their lived experiences.

Seed participants journal or write on different topics that are posted on MCC Zambia and Malawi Seed blog.

The program participants will apply for the general Seed program in Zambia/Malawi, rather than for a specific placement location. Placements will be established after participants are accepted into the Seed Program.

Language requirement:

English is the official language for both Malawi and Zambia. We encourage non-English speakers with basic level English to apply. However, if they are selected, we will strongly recommend that they take additional English courses prior coming.
Seed participants would also have the opportunity to learn local languages spoken in their communities.

Qualifications/Criteria for participation:

• Age range of 20-30 (the time they are applying); single or married without children.

Knowledge and experience:

• University degree in social work, psychology, peace studies, political science, international development, agriculture, environment, or a related field
• Or experience in at least some of the following areas: peace building, nonviolence, conflict transformation, conservation and regenerative agriculture, and/or community development.

Skills and abilities:

• Exemplify as an expression of their Christian commitment, values of service, community, solidarity and simplicity
• Interested in learning how to accompany community processes being carried out by MCC partners.
• Eager to engage in processes of group reflection and analysis about their identity, context of origin, and the reality of their service sites.
• Committed to peace and non-violence as evidenced by an openness to work on a team despite theological and cultural differences among others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to self-direct work and manage independent deadlines
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Proven ability to be flexible, adaptable, and self-confident in ambiguous situations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accompany the existing peace and development efforts of the local partner in assignment location.
• Actively participate in MCC team retreats and Seed programming activities.
• Turn in and comply with the administrative requirements of MCC Zambia/Malawi and the partner within established timeframes.
• Be proactive in developing creative strategies for self-care and holistic wellbeing.
• Actively participate in the reflective Seed spaces (curriculum, blog, etc.).
• Be proactive in language learning