Bester Livingstone Chilombo
Capital Hill,Malawi
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in administrative functions and office management, demonstrating exceptional organisational and communication skills. Proven track record in interdepartmental liaison, team working, and leadership proficiency, ensuring effective supervision and motivation of staff. Adept at working to strict deadlines, problem solving, procurement, and conflict resolution. Skilled in budgetary oversight, executive decision-making, regulatory compliance, and people management. Committed to driving operational excellence and achieving strategic goals through innovative solutions.
Overview
6
6
years of post-secondary education
21
21
years of professional experience
Work history
Deputy Director of Administration
Ministry of Finance Economic Planning and Decentralization
2006.02 - 2026.07
- Policy Implementation & Compliance
- General Administration & Operations
- Financial and Procurement Oversight
- Coordination and Advisory Services
- Staff Development & Performance
Counsellor and Head of Chancery
Malawi High Commission Dar Es Salaam
2021.01 - 2026.02
- Overseeing the administrative and managerial role of the embassy
- Handling Protocol issues
Under Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
2014.01 - 2021.01
- Manage staff, preparing work schedules and assigning specific duties.
- Establish and implement departmental policies, goals, objectives, and procedures, conferring with Management, and staff members as necessary.
- Oversee activities directly related to core Functions of the Ministry.
- Determine staffing requirements, and interview, hire and train new
- Review financial statements, activity reports, and other performance data to measure productivity and goal achievement and to determine areas needing cost reduction and program improvement.
- Direct and coordinate organization's financial and budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, and increase efficiency.
- Plan and direct activities
- Overseeing Risk Management Function
- Contracts Management
- Heading the Procurement Unit
Principal Administrative Officer
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
2010.10 - 2014.01
- Supervising and Mentoring Administrative Staff
- Formulation of Policies
- Budgeting and Control of Expenditure
- Initiating Projects/ Programmes
- Overseeing Assets management
- Controlling Procurement and Stores system
- Overseeing the Records management System
- Following up on Audit recommendations
- Recruitment of Administrative Staff
- Coordinating administrative trainings
- Performance Appraisal of administrative staff
- Contracts Management
- Human Resource management
Administrative Officer
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
2009.01 - 2010.01
- Responsibilities include: almost the same duties as in the Ministry of Health above.
Administrative Officer
Ministry of Health (Lilongwe)
Lilongwe
2007.01 - 2009.01
- Responsibilities included:
- In collaboration with the Special Procurement Unit carried out procurements
- Overseeing stores Management
- Managed several Contracts that the Ministry had with several Service Providers
- Fleet/ Transport Management
- Carried out routine administrative duties
- Initiating relevant policies
- Supervising support staff
- Helped in organizing the Ministry’s public events
- Estates management
- Overseeing Records Management
Administrative/Research Research Officer
Chancellor College
Zomba
2006.01 - 2006.01
- Responsibilities included:
- Acting as an assistant to the coordinator of the Center
- Acting as a research assistant for the center
- Carrying out various administrative duties.
- Office Management
Education
Master of Public Administration -
University of Bolton
2013.01 - 2014.01
Bachelor of Arts Humanities - Philosophy Major and Public Administration Minor
University Of Malawi, Chancellor College
Zomba 2001.01 - 2006.01
Certificate in Administrative/ Professional Officers induction - undefined
Staff Development Institute
Blantyre 2007.01 - 2007.01
Certificate In Public Sector Management - undefined
Mananga Center for Regional Integration and Management Development
Swaziland 2008.01 - 2008.01
Certificate in Management Development Programme - undefined
Eastern And Southern African Management Institute
Tanzania 2011.01 - 2011.01
Skills
- Administrative functions
- Office management
- Organizational skills
- Communication skills
- Interdepartmental liaison
- Team working
- Supervision and Leadership skills
- Working to strict deadlines
- Problem solving
- Procurement
- Conflict Resolution and Management Skills
- Leadership proficiency
- Communication proficiency
- Budgetary oversight
- Executive decision-making
- Staff motivation
- Regulatory compliance
- People Management
- Budget administration
REFERENCES
- E., Nyirenda, 0999988519, Ministry of Water Irrigation and Water Development, Lilongwe, Private Bag 390
- Ben Mbwana, Phiri, 0992734991, Ministry of Foreign Affair and International Cooperation, Lilongwe, P.O. Box 30315
- Memory, Kaleso, 0999281067, Ministry of Finance Economic Planning and Decentralization, Lilongwe, P.O. Box 30049
Timeline
Counsellor and Head of Chancery
Malawi High Commission Dar Es Salaam
2021.01 - 2026.02
Under Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
2014.01 - 2021.01
Master of Public Administration -
University of Bolton
2013.01 - 2014.01
Certificate in Management Development Programme - undefined
Eastern And Southern African Management Institute
2011.01 - 2011.01
Principal Administrative Officer
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
2010.10 - 2014.01
Administrative Officer
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
2009.01 - 2010.01
Certificate In Public Sector Management - undefined
Mananga Center for Regional Integration and Management Development
2008.01 - 2008.01
Administrative Officer
Ministry of Health (Lilongwe)
2007.01 - 2009.01
Certificate in Administrative/ Professional Officers induction - undefined
Staff Development Institute
2007.01 - 2007.01
Deputy Director of Administration
Ministry of Finance Economic Planning and Decentralization
2006.02 - 2026.07
Administrative/Research Research Officer
Chancellor College
2006.01 - 2006.01
Bachelor of Arts Humanities - Philosophy Major and Public Administration Minor
University Of Malawi, Chancellor College
2001.01 - 2006.01