Assistant Project Coordinator

Job description

JOB ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE POSTION OF ASSISTANT PROJECT COORDINATOR – CHOMA

The Organization

Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) is a registered Non-Governmental Organization under the Societies Act Section 7 (1) under the Laws of Zambia. ZOCS is a vibrant and flagship organization of Community Schools since 1992 in Zambia that empowers communities to provide quality basic education to 259, 691learners (132,459 Boys and 127,232 Girls) in 1,385 demonstration open community schools across 97 selected districts in all the 10 provinces of Zambia.

Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) is a registered non-governmental organization under the Laws of Zambia. Established in 1992, it is a leading organization supporting community schools across the country. ZOCS works with communities to provide quality basic education to about 259,691 learners—132,459 boys and 127,232 girls—in 1,385 open community schools located in 97 districts across all 10 provinces of Zambia

The pillars on which ZOCS builds its approach are those of enhanced educational opportunities for children through education policy engagement, increased community capacity to provide such opportunities and ensuring more and better education for more children in communities.

ZOCS is about open, accessible schools for disadvantaged children and communities, and these take priority over everything else.

ZOCS is inviting applications for the position of Assistant Project Coordinator

ZOCS builds its work on three key pillars: engaging with education policies to expand learning opportunities for children, strengthening community capacity to provide education, and ensuring that more children in communities access better-quality education.

At the heart of ZOCS’s mission is the belief in open and accessible schools for disadvantaged children and communities, which remains its highest priority.

In line with this mission, ZOCS is inviting applications for the position of Assistant Project Coordinator.

Main Purpose for the Position

In conjunction with Zambia Civic Education Association (ZCEA) and Restless Development, ZOCS will work with children, communities, civil society organisations, traditional leaders and duty bearers to increase awareness, understanding and application of the Children’s Code Act under the EU-funded project, titled “Enhancing Civil Society’s Role in Advancing Children’s Rights and Supporting the Implementation of the Children’s Code Act”.

Working in collaboration with the Zambia Civic Education Association (ZCEA) and Restless Development, ZOCS will engage children, communities, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and duty bearers to increase awareness, understanding, and practical application of the Children’s Code Act. This work will be implemented under the EU-funded project titled “Enhancing Civil Society’s Role in Advancing Children’s Rights and Supporting the Implementation of the Children’s Code Act.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

·     Take leadership role in the technical oversight of the project.

·     Support the development, adaptation, and delivery of the Children’s Code Act–aligned curricula and training materials for communities and stakeholders.

·     Coordinate the co-design, pilot, and implementation of community accountability tools, Hybrid Justice Committees, and annual district accountability reporting.

·     Facilitate the formation, mobilisation, and mentorship of child-led structures and support child-led advocacy and accountability initiatives.

·     Support the co-design and dissemination of harmonised child protection and referral guidelines aligned with statutory and community systems.

·     Assist in participating in cultural and legal mapping and the deployment of digital rights education platforms, including IVR and SMS.

·     Support project coordination, partner engagement, and timely reporting in compliance with EU grant requirements, safeguarding standards, and ZOCS procedures.

·     Represent the project team with partners and key stakeholders, maintaining positive relationships with donors, line ministries and networks working with children and particularly, the Children’s Code Act.

·     Provide technical leadership and oversight to ensure effective implementation of the project in line with the EU Call on enhancing civil society’s role in advancing children’s rights and supporting the implementation of the Children’s Code Act.

·     Support the development, adaptation, and delivery of training curricula and learning materials aligned to the Children’s Code Act, targeting children, communities, civil society organization’s, traditional leaders, and duty bearers.

·     Coordinate the co-design, piloting, and rollout of community accountability mechanisms, including Hybrid Justice Committees and annual district-level accountability reporting processes to strengthen compliance with the Children’s Code Act.

·     Facilitate the establishment, mobilisation, and mentorship of child-led structures, and support meaningful child participation in advocacy, monitoring, and accountability initiatives related to children’s rights.

·     Support the co-design, harmonisation, and dissemination of child protection and referral guidelines that strengthen linkages between statutory child protection systems and community-based mechanisms, in line with national legal frameworks.

·     Assist in cultural and legal mapping processes and support the deployment of inclusive digital rights education platforms, including Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and SMS-based systems, to expand access to information on children’s rights.

·     Support overall project coordination, partner engagement, and timely narrative and financial reporting in compliance with EU grant requirements, safeguarding standards, and ZOCS policies and procedures.

·     Represent the project with partners and key stakeholders, and maintain constructive working relationships with donors, relevant line ministries, civil society networks, and actors engaged in the implementation of the Children’s Code Act

Qualifications / Professional Experience

Education

·     Grade 12 school certificate or equivalent

·     A Bachelor’s degree in law, Development Studies, Human Rights, Education, or a related field.

Experience

·     At least 3 years’ experience working on child rights, child protection, civic education, or community development programmes.

·     Demonstrated knowledge of the Children’s Code Act and child protection systems in Zambia.

·     At least threes of active field experience.

·     Team Player with very good interpersonal and communication skills.

·     Very good analytical and report writing skills.

·     Ability to work with a variety of people.

·     Donor liaison experience an advantage.

·     Must have good community engagement and partner management skills.

·     Able to work effectively with minimum supervision

·     NGO experience desirable

Required Competencies

·     Strong understanding of children’s rights, child participation, and safeguarding principles.

·     Ability to coordinate multiple activities and stakeholders at community and district levels.

·     Good report writing and documentation skills, including basic monitoring and activity reporting.

·     Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills, including engagement with children and diverse community actors.

·     Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and deliver outputs within set timelines.

·     Licensed motorbike rider

·     Skills in the use of Office tools (Word/Excel/Powerpoint/Outlook)

·     Drive for Results

·     Fluency in Chitonga.

Desired Personal Attributes

·     Must be a Zambian and resident of Choma district.

·     High energy results oriented.

·     Ability to set and surpass goals.

·     Team player with ability to involve and motivate staff and stakeholders.

·     Well organised and thorough with close attention to detail and follow through.

·     Strategic, creative, and progressive thinker.

·     Thrives in a fast-paced working environment.

·     Focused and calm even under a lot of pressure.

·     Persuasive, analytical and innovative

·     Adaptive and flexible.

·     Honest, and committed to organizational values such as zero tolerance to child rights violations and corruption.

To be considered for the position, email your application letter, resume and certified copies of academic and professional qualifications with traceable referees to zocs2008@gmail.com

Closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday 20th January 2026 at 17:00 hours

Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted

Zambia Open Community Schools is an equal opportunity employer and women are encouraged to apply