The reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF), linked to President Professor Peter Mutharika’s development agenda, has advanced to a key staffing stage, with the recruitment process of 687 council officers now entering the interview phase nationwide.

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development says applicants from all councils have been invited for interviews for various technical and administrative positions, including accountants, procurement officers, and works supervisors at constituency level, as well as engineers at district council level.

According to the Ministry, the exercise marks a significant milestone in strengthening local government capacity as government moves to finalise staffing arrangements intended to improve planning, supervision and implementation of CDF-funded projects.

The ministry further revealed that, apart from the 687 positions, it has for the first time recruited qualified engineers in all 36 councils with support from the World Bank, a move expected to significantly enhance technical oversight of development projects at district level.

It has also completed the filling of all senior positions in councils, including Directors of Finance, Directors of Planning, Directors of Public Works, and Chief Procurement Officers—many of whom had remained in acting positions for extended periods.

The reformed CDF is being positioned as a flagship decentralisation programme under President Mutharika’s development framework, aimed at accelerating grassroots development and improving service delivery across constituencies.

Local Government Minister Dr. Ben Phiri Malunga, who is spearheading the rollout, told local media that the reforms are designed to enhance efficiency, accountability and professionalism in the management of public resources at constituency level.

Officials further say the initiative is already contributing to youth employment through constituency-based projects, with expectations that the recruitment of technical officers will further strengthen delivery once the process is completed.

Once finalised, the 687 successful candidates will be deployed to councils across the country to support implementation of the MK5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) programme.