Graduate Trainee Programme: Proposal Development, Grant Management & Project Management

Job description

About Ziba Consulting

Ziba Consulting Limited is a Lusaka-based consulting firm working with private companies, development partners, NGOs and community organisations. Our work covers funding proposals, grant management, project design and delivery, and business advisory services in sectors including agriculture, clean energy, environment and enterprise development.

We are building a multi-disciplinary team of consultants who can each develop winning proposals and manage funded projects, while also bringing a specialist discipline of their own to the firm.

About the Programme

This is not a conventional internship. It is a structured development pathway into a consulting career, with two phases.

Phase 1: Intensive Training (Months 1–6)

Selected trainees will go through a demanding, hands-on training programme covering:

• Grant writing and proposal development, including concept notes, full proposals, logframes, theories of change, budgets and funder compliance
• Grant and project management, including work planning, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, risk management and results-based financing
• Research, analysis and professional business writing
• Consulting practice: client engagement, report writing, presentations and working to deadlines

Trainees will work on live client and company assignments from the start, under close supervision. A monthly stipend will be paid throughout the six months.

Phase 2: Placement

On successful completion of the training, trainees will be placed as consultants or full-time staff in one of two streams:

1. Grant Writing & Proposal Development
2. Project & Grant Management

At placement, each team member will also apply their own professional background to the firm’s internal operations, in areas such as Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, or Business Development. These functional duties run alongside proposal development and grant management work; they do not replace it. Every member of the team remains an active contributor to proposals and funded projects.

Who We Are Looking For

We are deliberately recruiting from different fields so that the team brings a range of expertise. We welcome applicants with backgrounds in:

• Accounting, Finance or Economics
• Human Resource Management
• Business Administration, Marketing or Business Development
• Development Studies, Social Sciences or Project Management
• Bioenergy, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Natural Resources or Engineering

Requirements

• A degree in any of the fields above (Or another relevant field)
• Excellent written English. You must be able to write clearly, persuasively and accurately
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• High intelligence, sharp thinking and the ability to learn quickly
• A strong work ethic. This programme is intensive and demands commitment, discipline and resilience under deadlines
• Self-drive, integrity and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Availability to start immediately

Added advantage: exposure to proposal writing, donor-funded projects, research, or professional work in your field of study.

What We Offer

• Intensive, practical training in high-demand consulting skills
• A monthly stipend during the 6-month training period
• Real-world experience on live client and donor-funded assignments
• Mentorship from experienced consultants
• A clear pathway to placement as a consultant or full-time staff member on successful completion



How to Apply

1. A cover letter (maximum one page) stating which stream interests you (Proposal Development or Project Management) and what your professional background would contribute to the firm
2. A detailed CV
3. Copy of Grade 12 Certificate
4. Copy of Degree Certificate