PROJECT OFFICER – CSO STRENGTHENING PROJECT

Job description

ActionAid Zambia (AAZ) is a member of the ActionAid Federation, working with women, young people, communities, civil society organizations, and social movements to address the structural causes of poverty, gender inequality, social injustice, and exclusion. Guided by its Country Strategy Paper (2023 2028), ActionAid Zambia promotes human rights, gender justice, climate resilience, democratic governance, and accountable public institutions. ActionAid Zambia invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced Zambian nationals to fill the following position:

POSITION: PROJECT OFFICER – CSO STRENGTHENING PROJECT

Duration: 1 year

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

1. Purpose of the Role

The Project Officer will support the effective coordination and implementation of the Civil Society Strengthening Project. Working under the supervision of the Project Coordinator and in close collaboration with the Program and Policy Manager, the Project Officer will provide programmatic, operational and technical support to ensure quality implementation of project activities, monitoring and reporting, partner and coordination, and donor compliance. The role includes supporting civil society strengthening, democratic governance, women’s participation, civic engagement and state accountability, climate justice work, organizational capacity development, advocacy, safeguarding, and partner management throughout the project lifecycle.

2. Key Responsibilities

The Project Officer will:

• Support the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of project activities in line with approved work plans, budgets and donor requirements.

• Work closely with the Project Coordinator to ensure timely delivery of project outputs and outcomes.

• Coordinate and provide technical support to implementing partners in project planning, implementation, reporting, and compliance.

• Support capacity strengthening initiatives for partner organizations, including institutional development, governance, safeguarding, gender equality, and program quality.  

• Coordinate activities promoting civic participation and state accountability, democratic governance, electoral accountability, women’s participation, and citizen engagement where applicable.

• Support advocacy and policy engagement initiatives with government institutions, civil society, media, traditional leaders, and other strategic stakeholders.

• Facilitate project meetings, workshops, trainings, learning events, and stakeholder consultations.

• Conduct regular partner monitoring visits and provide technical support to strengthen program quality and accountability.

• Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team to collect, analyze, and report project data, ensuring timely submission of quality narrative reports.

• Collaborate with the Communications team to document success stories, lessons learned, case studies, and visibility materials.

• Support budget monitoring and activity implementation in collaboration with the Finance team to ensure effective utilization of project resources.

• Ensure compliance with ActionAid Zambia policies, donor requirements, safeguarding standards, and risk management procedures.

• Contribute to proposal development, concept notes, program design, and resource mobilization initiatives as required.

• Perform any other duties assigned in support of the successful implementation of the program.

3. Minimum Qualifications and Experience Applicants should possess:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Governance, International Development, or a related field from a recognized university.

• A minimum of three (3) years’ relevant experience implementing donor-funded development programs within a civil society or development organization.

• Demonstrated experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and partner management.

• Experience working in one or more of the following areas:

1. Democratic Governance

2. Civic participation & State Accountability

3. Human rights & Gender Equality

4. Women’s Political Participation

5. Civil Society Strengthening

• Experience facilitating stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives.

• Experience in partnership management and working with community-based and civil society organizations.

• Experience working with institutional donors and a good understanding of donor compliance requirements. 

4. Essential Knowledge and Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong understanding of governance, democracy, civic participation, and human rights programming.

• Knowledge of gender equality, safeguarding, and feminist approaches to development.

• Strong project management, coordination, and organizational skills.

• Excellent report writing, analytical, and communication skills.

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with government, civil society, donors, and community partners.

• Good facilitation, training, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Strong planning and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications.

5. Other Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Commitment to ActionAid Zambia’s vision, mission, values, and Human Rights-Based Approach.

• High standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.

• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

• Results-oriented with strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities. • Commitment to gender equality, safeguarding, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Willingness to travel extensively within Zambia. 6. Application Process Interested candidates should submit:

• A cover letter clearly demonstrating how they meet the requirements of the position.

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae with at least three traceable referees.

• Applications should be sent to: careers.zambia@actionaid.org

• Subject line should state: Application – Project Officer Civil Society Strengthening Project

Closing Date: 17th August, 2026

ActionAid Zambia is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, safeguarding, and gender equality. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Note: While we value all applications, we can only respond to short listed and candidates.