Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Job description

Zambart is an independent Zambian research organization whose headquarters is at the University of Zambia’s Ridgeway Campus in Lusaka. Zambart is globally renowned for its interdisciplinary research on HIV and Tuberculosis and has contributed to HIV and TB policy and practice at national and global levels. Zambart’s research portfolio now includes a broader scope of urgent public health issues. Zambart staff form an interdisciplinary team with a range of expertise including epidemiology, clinical science, social science, laboratory, operations research, health systems and services research, health policy analysis, health economics, health communication and counselling.

To support our wide range of research activities, we are looking for an ambitious, suitably qualified candidate to fill the following exciting position that has arisen:

Job Title: Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Department: Administration

Reports To: Executive Director

Location: Head Office

Job Summary

The Chief Operations Officer is a senior executive role. The incumbent will oversee the administration and day-to-day operations of Zambart. Their role will concentrate on internal operations and execution and ensure efficiency across the organization. They will be responsible for ensuring that departments work cohesively to achieve the company goals and ultimately implement the set strategies and vision.

Key Responsibilities include but not limited to.

1.     Strong Leadership Expertise

•  Ability to communicate with employees at all levels.
• have in depth understanding of business operations, strategy and financial planning.
• should have the ability to inspire and motivate teams in there day to day work. 

2.     Operational expertise

• Process optimization – improve the processes operationally to enhance efficiency.
• Lead the management forum to help resolve operational setbacks and challenges in the internal processes.
• Will coordinate and lead the production of Zambart annual report.
• Will ensure that Zambart has visibility and operates in line with the strategy deliverables.
• Ensure that the core business operatives are efficient e.g. coordination with the research regulatory on protocol submissions and other Zambart accreditation processes.
• Will ensure that the facilities and procurement operate efficiently.
• Overall coordination of the operative activities (Monitor progress against the strategic plan through performance dashboards).

Financial Acumen

• Should have a broad understanding of the principles of financial management to ensure that decisions are fiscally sound and responsible.
• Ability to monitor the overall performance of Zambart through the Zambart strategy output as well as the financials
• Should have budgeting knowledge, variance analysis and be able to interpret the study budgets performance.
• Work closely with the grants administrators to advise on the study related matters and challenges.
• Should have the ability to write reports for the board.

Zambart Services Department

• Will supervise the ZSD department and ensure its full functionality
• Develop and implement Zambart business plan in line with the organisational goals
• Identify and evaluate the business opportunities to sustain Zambart on the Long term.
• Conduct market analysis to explore new areas of relevance and impact
• Tracks and report on business development, performance, metrics and outcomes
• Be able to report to the Executive team on the opportunities and progress.
• As ZSD, should be able to generate its own income through its own initiative and will be supported by management.

Essential requirements

• A degree in accounting or full ACCA
• MBA a must
• 10 years’ experience preferably in NGOs.
• Strong organizational and communications skills
• Proficiency in MS Office and Microsoft 365
• Ability to manage multiple tasks
• Have great interpersonal skills
• Have strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to work co-operatively in a team

How to Apply

Applicants meeting the criteria for the above jobs should send their latest CVs, three traceable references contacts, and a cover letter outlining clearly how they meet the above criteria to: The Head of Human Resources, Zambart Head Office, Ridgeway Campus, P.O Box 50697, Lusaka or send your application via email to jobs@zambart.org.zm

Closing Date:

The closing date for the receipt of the applications will be 1^st May 2026.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.