Job description

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION

OPEN-NATIONAL

The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ), through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE), developed the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Program (EP-JSLP). The EP-JSLP seeks to generate payments for measured, reported, and verified Emission Reductions (ERs) from reduced deforestation, forest degradation, enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+), agriculture, and other land use (AFOLU) sectors, and distribute the payments according to an agreed Benefit Sharing Plan. By curbing rapid agricultural expansion and increasing the benefits derived from forestry and agriculture, the program aims to reduce emissions by approximately 29 million tons and increase communities’ resilience to climate change.

The Ministry seeks to recruit suitably qualified and experienced individuals under the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme Implementation Unit in Chipata for the following positions on two year renewable contracts;

1.0 JOB TITLE; MONITORING, REPORTING AND VERIFICATION TECHNICAL OFFICER

1.1 JOB PURPOSE

The Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Technical Officer’s primary responsibility is to ensure the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required quality standard and within the specified time and cost.

1.2 RESPONSIBILITIES

a) Lead the delivery of technical activities for the project with an emphasis on producing the monitoring reports required to receive payments from the World Bank;

b) Working with sector-lead institution officers (Energy, Agriculture and Forestry) to deliver high-quality data and calculations required as input for producing the monitoring reports and associated documents;

c) Oversee and coordinate the responses to the findings of the Independent Validation and Verification Body and any changes needed to the monitoring reports and the associated documents;

d) Lead the formulation of annual/multi-year work plan for MRV-related activities in consultation with sector lead institution and other relevant stakeholders;

e) Work closely with sector leads, traditional leaders, community leaders, and private sector partners in developing and maintaining the MRV systems, including standard operating procedures and sampling frameworks required to produce the data and calculations for receiving the payments for emission reductions;

f) Coordinate data collection at the district and chiefdom level for Agriculture, Energy and Forestry;

g) Coordinate the data collection needed for the implementation of the Benefit Sharing Plan and determine the share of the different beneficiaries based on performance in the delivery of ERs.

h) Provide project-related MRV inputs to the national MRV system and other national development planning processes as necessary;

i) Design and organize refresher capacity-building and knowledge-sharing activities on MRV, mobilize appropriate resource persons, and serve as trainer/resource person as necessary;

j) Review technical aspects of AFOLU carbon project activities and guide project implementing partners regarding project typology, methodological requirements, and mechanics of carbon measuring, reporting, and verification;

1.3 QUALIFICATIONS

a) Degree in applied natural sciences such as forestry, ecology, natural resources, biogeochemistry, GIS or remote sensing, Development Economics/Planning, Land Use Planning, Environmental Management, Agriculture and related qualifications. Coursework in GIS analysis, remote sensing, and tropical forest systems may also be considered

b) A Master’s Degree in applied natural sciences such as forestry, ecology, natural resources, biogeochemistry, GIS or remote sensing, Development Economics/Planning, Land Use Planning, Environmental Management, Agriculture and related qualifications will be an added advantage;

1.4 COMPETENCIES

a) Organized, detail- and results-oriented;

b) Should be a good team player and self-starter with the ability to work under minimum supervision;

c) Able to work collaboratively in a multi-sectoral team yet self-manage deliverables;

d) Able to work under physically challenging circumstances during field visits;

e) Able to train, motivate, and manage field crews with different degrees of experience and education;

f) COMPETENCIES (CONTINUED)

f) Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Spoken technical environmental Chichewa/Nyanja will be an added advantage; and

g) Exceptionally computer literate, including complete mastery of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

1.5 WORK EXPERIENCE

a) Minimum of 5 years of experience with carbon projects, including an affinity with accreditation programs and standards for both the compliance and voluntary markets;

b) Experience with biomass inventories in forest systems;

c) Familiar with basic biogeochemistry in forest and agricultural ecosystems, including understanding of terrestrial carbon quantification;

d) Practical understanding of mathematical and statistical concepts.

e) Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience with at least 3 years in a management role;

f) Work experience with any other donor-funded projects, including the World Bank, would be an added advantage;

g) Experience in technical report writing and presentation;

h) Experience in MRV implementation;

i) Experience in project implementation of community-based activities in the AFOLU sectors;

j) In-depth knowledge of all AFOLU market standards, guidelines, and protocols. Knowledge of the Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscape (ISFL) requirements is an added advantage;

k) Direct experience in carbon development work and methodologies for AFOLU projects;

l) Experience in livelihood and community-driven development work;

m) Proven track record in the management of national, rural, community development, and/or sustainable development projects/programs;

n) Experience working in an inter-disciplinary environment with multiple stakeholders;

o) Relevant work experience in Eastern Province would be an added advantage.

3.0 METHOD OF APPLICATION

Interested candidates should send their expressions of interest with curriculum vitae, copies of academic and professional documents to the undersigned, clearly labeling the position and project name on the envelope. Electronic submission is also permissible; send to Kaso.bwalya@mgee.gov.zm and copy Mike.Bhoonko@epjslp.org.zm.

The closing date for receiving applications is Friday 6th November 2026 and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The Permanent Secretary Attn: Director Human Resource and Administration, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Corner of John Mbita and Nationalist Road, P.O. Box 30147, LUSAKA