Project Manager – Strengthening Respect for Environmental Rights in Zambia At Hivos

Region: Southern Africa

Office: Lusaka, Zambia

Hours: Full-time (37.5)

Application deadline: December 15, 2023

Hivos is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Project Manager – Strengthening Respect for Environmental Rights in Zambia

Job context

A project manager (PM), to be based in Lusaka, is sought to deliver a European Union (EU) funded new 3-year project titled “Strengthening Respect for Environmental Rights in Zambia” that will be implemented in five districts of Zambia with two partners and numerous other national and local stakeholders.

Zambian rights holders have low awareness of their environmental rights, and even if aware, they often do not know how or where to seek redress. Confusion and weak enforcement within the sector means that violators can profit from their environmental crimes with relative impunity. Zambian media has a key role to play in creating a critical mass of public support for environmental justice, which is currently deemed uninteresting or depressing compared to sports or politics. Good national dialogues exist, but community voices need more prominence, and meaningful implementation of resolutions is limited.

A concerted holistic approach is needed to drive environmental rights higher up the national agenda, with space for meaningful and accountable dialogue between more empowered Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) and communities, and other environmental actors. In order to strengthen respect for environmental rights in Zambia, the project will take a holistic approach by stimulating demand by rights holders, supply by duty bearers whilst improving the operational and regulatory environment and the spaces for dialogue between actors.

Role purpose

The PM is responsible for a coherent program of activities, some delivered by Hivos, and some delivered by partners, ensuring that activities are delivered as agreed and in line with the budget and work plan. The project manager will be responsible for consolidating partner reports and be the liaison person to the EU delegation and be the lead in coordinating local partners. Experience in delivering EU projects is a requirement.

The PM will collaborate internally with a finance officer, communications officer, M&E expert who all play a role in delivering the project.

Key stakeholders that the project manager will be expected to collaborate with include:

1. The two partners with whom we co-created, and will co-deliver the action – all partner contracting, reporting, ensuring positive working relationships
2. Local communities as represented by local community leaders such as chiefs and Ward Development Committees (WDC’s), church bodies, CBOs/environmental rights advocates/CSOs/environmental rights
3. The media (national and local, with community radio being key)
4. Key government and private stakeholders in mining, land, energy and water sectors, and legal bodies.

The action will specifically focus on youth and women in these key target groups.

The PM is responsible for increasing local ownership and shifting decision making power to local organizations as much as feasible. The PM must ensure support for (and capacity development of, if applicable) partners and other involved organizations. Provide financial management oversight of the project by liaising regularly with Finance division.

As far as other activities are concerned, the PM is responsible for identifying and building collaborative relationships with strategic organizations, individuals and initiatives in support of strengthening respect and implementation of environmental rights, as critical for climate resilience. The PM is expected to have strong networking and facilitation skills. The PM is also responsible for initiating research that supports the program, and overseeing and contributing to a learning and M&E program based on the global PMEL methodology. Finally, the PM will ensure the partners and Hivos deliver timely inputs into this system and organize learning events to improve the project over time.

• Scope: Southern Africa
• Hours: Full-time (37.5)
• Reports to: Regional Director
• Term: This appointment is for an initial term of one year, renewable based on results and performance.
• Office: Lusaka, Zambia
• Deadline: 15 December 2023

Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Project Management

• Undertakes all project management tasks.
• Ensures that scope, schedule and budget are on track (key docs – budget, log frame, narrative, work plan)
• Undertake documentation and reporting for the project
• Ensures integrity, transparency and compliance to Hivos policies and European Union guidelines
• Lead and coordinate the day-to-day implementation of project activities

Partner management

• Ensure timely and high-quality contracting with, and reporting by partners.
• Ensure compliance to Hivos policies, values and minimum financial standards.
• Provide technical support and undertake monitoring and support visits and processes
• Ensure continuous positive relationships & collaboration

Networking & Media

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with project’s key external stakeholders, including with media.

Resource mobilization

• Identify and support fundraising efforts for scaling up/extension, in collaboration with Business Development Managers and the Regional Director

Learning

• Gather and use monitoring data to draw lessons and continuously improve in-country program to highest possible level of impact;
• Actively engage with Hivos global M&E system and processes including linking and learning

Innovation

• Ensure the program is constantly innovating, e.g. through building unusual partnerships, cooperation between urban youth and local communities.
• Include other ways of working e.g. by linking climate change and transparency or other use of media (e.g. citizen led reporting).

Requirements

This is a mid-level position for nationals or residents of Zambia:

• Experience delivering European Union funded projects (knowledge of EU compliance/financial processes and reporting)
• Experience working in consortium managed projects will be an added advantage
• Master’s degree or equivalent in development studies, governance, law (environmental), media or another relevant field.
• Knowledge of the environmental rights sector in Zambia – including knowledge of the key stakeholders and environmental rights issues at community level
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and deliver timely and high-quality project outputs and outcomes
• Minimum of five years relevant working experience preferably in advocacy and influencing strategies.
• Knowledge /Experience with local environmental management/governance/advocacy and building joint multi-actor actions is an advantage.
• A keen understanding of country political and social dynamics; analytical and conceptual skills, and ability to translate these into relevant and timely actions.
• Excellent networking, relationship building and negotiation skills;
• Excellent verbal, writing and communication skills in English and have native speaker ability of the main language of the country where they are based.
• Experience overseeing projects to ensure the effective design, implementation and increase ownership of right holders.
• Experience overseeing and using monitoring and evaluation plans and indicators
• Ability to lead small country team on location without daily support from Hub management.
• Level skills: cooperation, influence, leadership.
• Job skills: communication, project management, enterprise.
• Personal skills: Integrity, shared values, conscientiousness, minimum supervision

What we offer

Hivos offers a challenging position in an international environment.

The Regional office is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. This position will be based in Lusaka, Zambia. Hivos welcomes International & Regional applicants but can only offer a position to only those with a valid work permit for Zambia. Hivos can only offer employment on local terms and conditions.