PROJECT OFFICER – CSO STRENGTHENING PROJECT

Project Officer Jobs in Lusaka – Civil Society Strengthening Project

ActionAid Zambia is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Project Officer for its Civil Society Strengthening Project based in Lusaka, Zambia. This opportunity is ideal for professionals interested in project officer jobs in Lusaka who are passionate about advancing democratic governance, gender equality, and civic engagement through effective coordination and implementation of donor-funded initiatives.

About ActionAid Zambia

As a member of the ActionAid Federation, ActionAid Zambia partners with women, youth, communities, and civil society organizations to tackle poverty, gender inequality, social injustice, and exclusion. Guided by its Country Strategy Paper (2023–2028), the organization promotes human rights, climate resilience, accountable governance, and gender justice.

Role Overview: Project Officer – Civil Society Strengthening Project

The Project Officer will play a key role in supporting the coordination and delivery of the Civil Society Strengthening Project. Reporting to the Project Coordinator and collaborating with the Program and Policy Manager, this position provides programmatic, operational, and technical assistance to ensure high-quality project execution, partner coordination, monitoring, and donor compliance over a one-year contract.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, implement, and monitor project activities aligned with approved work plans, budgets, and donor requirements.
• Collaborate closely with the Project Coordinator to ensure timely delivery of outputs and outcomes.
• Provide technical support to implementing partners for project planning, implementation, reporting, and compliance.
• Lead capacity strengthening initiatives for partners, focusing on institutional development, governance, safeguarding, gender equality, and program quality.
• Coordinate activities promoting civic participation, democratic governance, state accountability, and women’s political participation.
• Support advocacy and policy engagement with government bodies, civil society, media, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate project meetings, workshops, trainings, learning events, and stakeholder consultations.
• Conduct partner monitoring visits and provide technical assistance to enhance program quality and accountability.
• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to collect, analyze, and report project data and submit quality narrative reports.
• Collaborate with Communications to document success stories, lessons learned, case studies, and visibility materials.
• Support budget monitoring and activity implementation alongside the Finance team to ensure efficient resource use.
• Ensure adherence to ActionAid Zambia policies, donor requirements, safeguarding standards, and risk management procedures.
• Contribute to proposal development, program design, and resource mobilization efforts as needed.
• Perform additional duties to support successful program implementation.

Qualifications and Experience Required for Project Officer Jobs in Lusaka

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Governance, International Development, or related fields from a recognized university.
• At least three years of relevant experience managing donor-funded development programs within civil society or development organizations.
• Proven skills in project planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and partner management.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Democratic Governance
  • Civic Participation & State Accountability
  • Human Rights & Gender Equality
  • Women’s Political Participation
  • Civil Society Strengthening
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Experience managing partnerships with community-based and civil society organizations.
• Familiarity with institutional donor requirements and compliance standards.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of governance, democracy, civic participation, and human rights programming.
• Knowledge of gender equality, safeguarding, and feminist development approaches.
• Excellent project management, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Superior report writing, analytical, and communication abilities.
• Ability to build and sustain effective relationships with government, civil society, donors, and community partners.
• Effective facilitation, training, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Strong planning and time management skills to handle multiple priorities efficiently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other computer applications.

Other Competencies

• Commitment to ActionAid Zambia’s vision, mission, values, and Human Rights-Based Approach.
• High integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Results-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Dedication to gender equality, safeguarding, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Willingness to travel extensively within Zambia.

How to Apply for Project Officer Jobs in Lusaka

Interested candidates should submit the following documents by 17th August 2026:

• A cover letter that clearly demonstrates how you meet the position’s requirements.
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae including at least three traceable referees.

Applications must be sent via email to careers.zambia@actionaid.org with the subject line: Application – Project Officer Civil Society Strengthening Project.

ActionAid Zambia is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, safeguarding, and gender equality. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Additional Information