The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. NDI has supported democratic institutions and practices in every region of the world for more than three decades. Since its founding in 1983, NDI and its local partners have worked to establish and strengthen political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. NDI will work in Zambia to support democratic institutions, including political parties, better able to engage with stakeholders and citizens on national policy, legislation development and citizen concerns and priorities.
The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a senior level staff person to head the implementation of a women’s political participation project at the local council level. The exact title and remuneration for the position will be determined based on relevant years of experience. The person chosen will design a program to increase women’s political participation at the local council level, provide technical expertise to local partners, oversee possible subgrant awards, conceive and create interventions to improve women’s political participation at the local council level, aid in building the capacity of political interested women, and supervise select junior staff. Previous work related to women’s political participation is a strong plus but not required if the applicant can demonstrate significant program development and management experience.
Essential duties:
- Manage NDI Zambia programs related to women’s political participation.
- Design a program to increase women’s political participation at the local council level, including interventions related to traditional authorities, political parties, politically interested women, community/business associations, etc.
- Develop criteria for targeting geographic areas in which to work on increasing women’s political participation.
- Assist select subgrantees with the development of proposals, budgets and related documents for awards.
- Select, interact with, and provide expertise and capacity building to local partners, including overseeing of possible subgrant awards.
- Conceive and create interventions to improve women’s political participation at the local council level, including with the groups mentioned above.
- Identify mechanisms for increasing the supply of politically interested women.
- Lead in building the capacity of politically interested women.
- Lead in devising support groups and networking activities for politically interested women.
- Provide leadership, guidance and supervision to junior staff, as required.
- Together with select subgrantees, identify organizational and technical capacity gaps, develop capacity building plans to address the gaps and conduct trainings on issues related to the gaps.
- Identify Zambian experts to assist/train select subgrantees in various organizational and technical areas and/or provide capacity to politically interested women.
- Report on NDI and select subgrantee activities in bi-weekly, quarterly and final reports.
- Monitor closely the timeliness of select subgrantees’ financial and narrative reports, review these reports for accuracy and completeness, and work closely with subgrantees to review and resolve queries on financial and narrative reports.
- Aid the MEL officer in devising and implementing a monitoring plan for the women’s political participation work.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree; master’s preferred.
- At least 5 years work experience with more experience considered a plus in managing donor-funded program activities, preferably with at least some experience in women’s political participation programming.
- Experience in programs funded by USAID and/or FCDO preferred.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Powerpoint and Excel; preference for database experience.
Applications for the above position should include a cover letter, updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) with names and telephone numbers of three traceable references. The documents should be addressed to The Country Director, NDI Zambia and e-mailed to: apply@jobsportal-career.com with the job title you are applying for as the subject. Applications must be received by 16 June 2023 for consideration. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. NDI is an equal opportunity employer.
