Program Officer – Local Government Local Government Association of Zambia

VACANCY

Job Title: Program Officer – Local Government
Project : Partnerships for Municipal Innovation – Women in Local Leadership

Purpose of Assignment: Reporting to the Executive Director and under the supervision of the National Project Coordinator (NPC), the Program Officer is responsible for the coordination, implementation and monitoring of assigned project activities under the component for inclusive, gender responsive local government.

Duration: 1 year contract, with option for renewing subject to satisfactory performance.
Location: Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) Secretariat, Civic Centre, Lusaka.

1. BACKGROUND

The Partnerships for Municipal Innovation – Women in Local Leadership (PMI-WILL) project is a CAD $27,610,160 project with a financial contribution of $26 million from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and $1,610,160 of in-kind contributions from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The project aims to enhance the enjoyment of rights for women and girls in five countries: Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Sri Lanka and Zambia. The project has two intermediate outcomes as follows:

a) Increased participation of women, particularly those from marginalized groups, as leaders and decision-makers in local government;

b) Strengthen the capacities of local authorities to deliver inclusive, gender-responsive services.

In Zambia, the project is being implemented by the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) in collaboration with FCM.

2. PURPOSE

Under the direction of LGAZ Executive Director, supervised by the National Project Coordinator (NPC), and in coordination with other project staff and partners, the Program Officer (PO) is responsible for the coordination, implementation and monitoring of assigned project activities as described in the Project Implementation Plan and Annual Work Plan. The PO will primarily be responsible for the inclusive, gender-responsive municipal service delivery initiatives which will be implemented in five (5) selected local authorities, namely Chifunabuli, Kafue, Kasama, Lunte and Nakonde. The PO will maintain effective partnerships with local authorities, Civil Society Organisations and Women’s Rights Organization, and other stakeholders and ensure the successful implementation of activities.

Main Responsibilities:

a) Work closely with the project team including the Inclusive Local Government and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisors to ensure successful implementation of strategies and activities that strengthens the capacity of local authorities and civil society actors;

b) Contribute to the development of the annual work-plan for the country;

c) Coordinate the implementation of the planned activities, particularly the inclusive, gender-responsive municipal service initiatives in accordance with project procedures and agreed formats and templates;

d) Establish and maintain relationships with local government officials, civil society actors and other stakeholders;

e) Prepare activity reports;

f) Assist the NPC to support Canadian municipal volunteers during their capacity building missions;

g) Participate in the collection, verification of M&E data and other M&E related activities.

h) Contribute to written reports and the creation of Knowledge Products.

i) Participate in the annual Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings.

3. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

a) A Degree in Urban Planning Public Administration, Project Planning and Management, Development Studies, International Development or other related field.

b) A minimum of 5 years of professional experience preferably in local government or related field.

c) Experience in designing and delivering capacity development or international projects, preferably in planning, implementation, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

d) Strong understanding and application of gender equality and inclusion approaches.

e) Sound understanding of the local government system in Zambia.

f) Excellent interpersonal skills and experience facilitating meetings and consultations in a participatory, inclusive and gender responsive manner.

g) Good oral and written communication skills in English/French.

h) Good information and communication technologies (ICT) skills, including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, power Point, Internet, email and ability to use a variety of on-line platforms (e.g. Teams, Zoom, etc.).

i) This position involves frequent local and occasional international travels. Therefore, ability to travel is a requirement.