Agnes Mangoche's Journey of Empowerment, supported by Beit Trust
In 2013, my professional journey took a transformative turn when I was awarded the prestigious Beit Trust Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in Social Development and Sustainable Livelihoods at the University of Reading, UK. This opportunity was a critical turning point in my career, opening doors to a deeper understanding of development work and propelling me towards a path of meaningful impact in Malawi and beyond.
Prior to this, I had already developed a passion for the development sector during my tenure as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and Curriculum Development Specialist at the Technical, Entrepreneurial, and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) in Malawi. It was there that I realized that TEVET was more than just vocational training; it was an avenue to empower vulnerable groups, including women and youth, by equipping them with the skills needed to break free from poverty.
Motivated by this understanding, I eagerly applied for the Social Development and Sustainable Livelihoods course at Reading when the opportunity arose. The Beit Trust Scholarship made this dream a reality, allowing me to immerse myself in critical development issues such as social policy, poverty alleviation, development approaches and sustainable livelihoods. The experience equipped me with the tools to navigate the complexities of development work.
Upon completing my studies, I returned to Malawi with a renewed sense of purpose. I joined the Sustainable Development Initiative (SDI), a local NGO, where I quickly rose to the position of Programmes Manager, overseeing key projects such as the capacity building program for entrepreneurs such as in agribusiness, milk producers, honey producers and weavers, which culminated in product certification. I also led the development of a robust M&E system that promoted evidence-based programming, ensuring that data-driven decisions were at the core of SDI’s operations. One of my proudest moments was representing the organization at global forums such as ICASA 2015 and the GNDR summits, which increased SDI’s visibility on the international stage.
Building on this success, I joined Project Concern International (PCI) as the Women Empowered Advisor. In this role, I integrated Women Empowerment initiatives with key sectors like WASH, nutrition, and agribusiness, fostering cross-sector synergies that significantly enhanced program impact. Additionally, I spearheaded a study on the WE program’s impact on livelihoods, and the findings were instrumental in shaping future project enhancements.
Currently, I serve as a Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) Officer with DAI under the Governance for Solutions (GFS) project. Here, I have led the implementation of PDIA processes to address health challenges in the district of Dowa. Through these efforts, we have developed impactful Health Problem-Based Interventions (PBIs) aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services, including better drug management and stronger health governance structures. Another highlight has been our work to strengthen council performance, which saw Dowa’s local government ranking improve from 5th to 2nd place in the 2022/2023 assessment. Our efforts have directly contributed to better governance and service delivery.
As I continue to grow in the development sector, my ambition is to lead a development organization where I can leverage my expertise to provide strategic direction and foster innovation in addressing complex development challenges. As a leader, I see myself creating an environment where cross-sector collaboration thrives, and where teams are inspired to push boundaries and explore new solutions. I am committed to ensuring that the projects we implement deliver not only immediate results but also long-term, sustainable impacts that empower communities and drive systemic change. I recently (2024) completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Management to further equip myself for this vision.
My career journey has been a deeply fulfilling one, and I owe much of my success to the Beit Trust Scholarship, which allowed me to pursue my dreams and make a difference in the lives of others. I am incredibly proud of the impact I have made. Every step has been guided by the education and insights I gained at Reading. My Beit Trust-funded studies laid the foundation for these accomplishments, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity.