Project Coordinator – Catch-Up

Job description

VVOB – education for development is an international non-profit organisation with over 40 years’ experience in strengthening the quality of education systems in Africa, Asia and South America in close partnership with ministries of education and their institutions. Our head office is based in Brussels, Belgium.

We implement our programmes and projects with one shared passion: to ensure the improvement of quality education.

Do you share our ambition to ensure that learners around the world can enjoy their fundamental human right to quality education, without exception? Are you convinced as well that quality education guarantees equal opportunities for everyone and is the key to a better world?
We are looking for a Project Coordinator who will operate from our Zambian office. Do you want to take on this challenge? Then continue reading!

Result areas of the Project Coordinator:

1) You ensure good project management, including amongst others: planning, budgeting, monitoring, … and a timely realization of key milestones and final project outcomes.
2) You advise, guide, motivate and support colleagues of the project team in their work to contribute to project results.
3) You identify and communicate needed project-related info towards a wide range of stakeholders (partners, donors, internally)
4) You offer technical advice, guidance, and support to favor capacity development and project results.

You will:

Ensure good project management, including amongst others: planning, budgeting, donor compliance, monitoring, donor reporting and a timely realization of key milestones and final project outcomes.
Be the link between the VVOB management team, TaRL Africa technical team, ministry provincial and district teams, the MEAL team and the operations team for all Project activities. You ensure that all staff are involved, listened to, advised, supported and guided.
Manage, advise, motivate and support colleagues of the project team in their work to contribute to project results.
Identify and communicate relevant project-related information towards a wide range of stakeholders (partners, donors, internally).
Work in close collaboration with the Education Manager to offer technical advice, guidance and support to facilitate capacity development and project results.

If you’re our Project Coordinator, your workweek at the office will include the following highlights:

✓ In the regular (online) team meetings, you give an update on activities and status of implementation in your project, highlighting project expenditure and adjustments to ensure full expenditure toward the end of the project
✓ You work on the logistics planning for all the project related activities that include trainings, coaching visits and national engagement activities.
✓ Lunch! A perfect time to have an informal exchange on best practices with VVOB colleagues in the office.
✓ You schedule regular meetings with the province and district staff in Western province to support them on implementing project level activities and action plans from meetings.
✓ You prepare and present project expenses and forecasted budgets during the monthly budget monitoring meeting.
✓ You carry out joint monitoring with the PEO, PESO, EO-TED, or/and SPO to districts that implement Catch Up. You meet with the district officers and VVOB Education Advisors to identify challenges and come up with mitigations.
✓ You plan regular check ins with the Education Advisors in your team to follow up on their progress and professional development.

Does this look like your dream job?
Then read on and check whether your profile matches the job requirements!

Who are you?

This position is open to Zambian Nationals.

Your expertise and experience:

Master’s degree in relevant field or equivalent experience in related field
At least 5 years of demonstrable experience in project coordination and project management (planning, budgeting, coordinating, monitoring, human resource management and report writing), preferably working on projects which strengthen government systems and structures.
Hands-on experience in workplan and budget monitoring follow up to ensure timely implementation and expenditure towards the project closure.
Experience with change management and capacity development processes in the context of educational systems.
Good understanding of the education landscape in Zambia
Excellent computer skills in a wide range of software
Ability and willingness to travel frequently to the piloting districts.
Experience with working in a multicultural team.
Language skills: Fluent in English. Knowledge of local languages an advantage.
Ability to inspire and motivate both VVOB’s provincial staff and MoE staff to put in their very best!
All relevant qualifications verified by Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA)

VVOB core competences:

Result-oriented
Continuous improvement
Cooperation

Function specific competencies:

360 Empathy
Problem Analysis and Judgement
Agility
Communication skills
Planning and Organisation

What we’re offering:

A fixed- term contract till Dec 2025
25% gratuity at year’s end
In-patient and out-patient medical package for you and your legal dependents (as proven by marriage certificate and birth certificate(s))
Education allowance for your legal children
Transport allowance and housing allowance in line with the Zambian employment legislation
Supportive environment enabling continuous professional development.

What’s next?
Fill in your application via this link no later than Tuesday, 25th March 2025.

Before a job offer, shortlisted candidates can expect:

1. a written test
2. an interview process

VVOB firmly believes that quality education can only be achieved if equity is ensured. Qualities of people prevail, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or disability.