Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Zambia Federation of Disability Organisation (ZAFOD) is a national umbrella organisation of and for organisations of persons with disabilities whose mandate is to advocate for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs). Since the early 1980s, ZAFOD has been advocating for the promotion and protection of disability rights and the inherent dignity of persons with disabilities, including advocacy for the observance of rights to political and public participation of persons with disabilities through inclusive and accessible electoral processes. ZAFOD will be conducting a pre- and post-election observation of key aspects of accessibility and participation in electoral processes for persons with disabilities in all the provinces. ZAFOD’s thematic election observation will monitor specific processes, activities or events for issues that could undermine the accessibility and participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process and support ZAFOD to conduct evidence-based advocacy for improving accessibility and participation of persons with disabilities.

Responsibilities or duties

Job Purpose:

The Program Officer – Elections will support the implementation and coordination of ZAFOD’s disability-inclusive election observation program, ensuring timely delivery of activities, effective partner engagement, and accurate monitoring and reporting. The role involves coordinating day-to-day program operations, supporting election observer recruitment and deployment, maintaining communication with CSOs and OPDs, tracking political and electoral developments, and contributing to documentation, data collection, and reporting processes to strengthen inclusive and accessible electoral participation for persons with disabilities. The Program Officer will report to the Elections Program Manager.

Duties

• Provide assistance in the implementation of the disability thematic election, monitoring/observation, including training and preparation of observer materials.
• Support the organization of program events, including workshops, conferences and meetings.
• Track political developments related to the assigned program.
• Maintain ZAFOD’s online platforms for the elections program, including communication and outreach through social media.
• Assist in training and supervising the work of interns on the disability thematic election observation team.
• Contribute assistance to recruiting short and long term observer positions related to the program.
• Contribute to developing strategic documents – work plans, reports and briefings.
• Handle day to day coordination of long-term observers and election day observers.
• Maintain the database of the ZAFOD election program.
• Support data analysis and drafting of weekly reports on observation activities.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Development Studies, Public Policy, Law, or a related field
• Minimum of 3–5 years’ relevant experience in governance, elections, or civil society programming
• Experience supporting program implementation and coordination
• Familiarity with electoral processes and/or disability inclusion programming
• Basic knowledge of monitoring and evaluation and reporting processes

Skills and Competencies

• Strong organizational and coordination skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Basic analytical and reporting skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and non-partisanship

Experience needed

Minimum of 3–5 years’ relevant experience in governance, elections, or civil society programming

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Working Conditions

• Based in Lusaka with occasional travel within the country
• May require extended working hours during peak election periods

• Provide assistance in the implementation of the disability thematic election, monitoring/observation, including training and preparation of observer materials.
• Support the organization of program events, including workshops, conferences and meetings.
• Track political developments related to the assigned program.
• Maintain ZAFOD’s online platforms for the elections program, including communication and outreach through social media.
• Assist in training and supervising the work of interns on the disability thematic election observation team.
• Contribute assistance to recruiting short and long term observer positions related to the program.
• Contribute to developing strategic documents – work plans, reports and briefings.
• Handle day to day coordination of long-term observers and election day observers.
• Maintain the database of the ZAFOD election program.
• Support data analysis and drafting of weekly reports on observation activities.

• Strong organizational and coordination skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Basic analytical and reporting skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and non-partisanship

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Development Studies, Public Policy, Law, or a related field
• Minimum of 3–5 years’ relevant experience in governance, elections, or civil society programming
• Experience supporting program implementation and coordination
• Familiarity with electoral processes and/or disability inclusion programming
• Basic knowledge of monitoring and evaluation and reporting processes