The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Education (MOEDU), is committed to enhancing equitable access to quality education as part of various educational initiatives. In line with this mission, we are excited to announce the implementation of the Enhancing Inclusive Quality Learning (EIQuaL) Project, supported by a $14 Million Education Systems and Capacity Grant from the Global Partnership for Education. This project aims to reduce Learning Poverty Levels across the country.

PROJECT GOALS

• Ensure learners achieve learning outcome targets by age 10, with equitable results for boys and girls;
• Equip teachers with pedagogical content knowledge, aligned teaching materials, and gender-responsive practices to enhance literacy and numeracy outcomes;
• Utilize data-informed strategies for targeted and timely support, improving service delivery and learning outcomes; and
• Reduce gender inequality in educational access, participation, completion, and outcomes for marginalized boys and girls.

PROJECT DURATION

The Enhancing Inclusive Quality Learning (EIQuaL) project is set for a duration of three years, renewable upon satisfactory performance.

GRANT MANAGEMENT

Save the Children will serve as the Grant Agent, responsible for ensuring compliance, fiduciary oversight, and providing technical support for effective project delivery.

Reporting Relationship

The Deputy Project Coordinator – Operations will report to the Project Coordinator of the Enhancing Inclusive Quality Learning (EIQuaL) Project.

Scope and Duties

• Develop and maintain excellent relationships between consortium partners, wider civil society, international community, and other government agencies and networks working on improving the quality of education in Zambia;
• Work closely with the Zambian government to ensure strong integrated programming, support broader inclusive quality learning strategies, and mitigate duplication of efforts;
• Jointly establish and implement an effective governance structure for the project that ensures government leadership, buy-in, harmonization, and sustainability;
• Serve as the Project’s primary point of contact with the System Transformation Grant (STG) and System Capacity Grant (SCG) with regards to overall project implementation and management matters relating to the grant/cooperative agreement;
• Ensure proper project management by ensuring that all planned expenditures are on track in strict compliance with the agreed budget lines following Government regulations;
• Ensure that KPI’s for project operations are met and work closely with other functions to achieve project milestones;
• Ensure that reports for donors, the Government of Zambia, and Save the Children International are prepared as required, ensuring these are of highest quality and submitted in a timely manner to the donor;
• Manage and supervise the work of all field staff, long-term staff, short-term staff, consortium partners, and/or sub-partners, as proposed;
• Work with the HR experts to ensure appropriate staffing for the project and planning and implementing strategies to recruit, manage and motivate staff—ensuring a positive, healthy and productive work environment;
• Ensure compliance with staff development strategies and support Performance Management systems and evaluations;
• Put in place appropriate management systems, including regular team and individual meetings, mechanisms for cross-department coordination and collaboration, and norms and practices that are result-driven;
• Coordinate closely with Save the Children International offices (in Zambia, as well as at the regional and global levels) and partners in operational, administrative, and HR matters, especially regarding project operations and financial matters; and
• Fully inform Save the Children’s home and field office on all matters relating to the project and maintain appropriate links with partner organizations.

Required Academic and Professional Qualifications

• Grade twelve (12) School Certificate;
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Project Management or equivalent; and
• Master’s Degree in a relevant field.

Minimum Relevant Pre-Job Experience

• Ten (10) years of professional experience; and at least five (5) years in a senior management role.

Desired Competences

• Experience of working in any of the following areas: educational sector partnerships, and/or capacity strengthening of government ministries;
• Proven experience in developing effective working relationships with government ministries, international organisations, donors, academics and community-based and grass-roots organisations;
• Demonstrated senior management experience on donor projects including familiarity with donor’s project management, reporting procedures and systems; and
• Experience with gender equality and /or social inclusion is preferred.

Desirable Personal Attributes

Excellent management, communication, and negotiation skills demonstrating the ability to lead and build consensus, cooperation and coalitions among individuals, civil society groups, private sector, and government officials.

• Develop and maintain excellent relationships between consortium partners, wider civil society, international community, and other government agencies and networks working on improving the quality of education in Zambia;
• Work closely with the Zambian government to ensure strong integrated programming, support broader inclusive quality learning strategies, and mitigate duplication of efforts;
• Jointly establish and implement an effective governance structure for the project that ensures government leadership, buy-in, harmonization, and sustainability;
• Serve as the Project’s primary point of contact with the System Transformation Grant (STG) and System Capacity Grant (SCG) with regards to overall project implementation and management matters relating to the grant/cooperative agreement;
• Ensure proper project management by ensuring that all planned expenditures are on track in strict compliance with the agreed budget lines following Government regulations;
• Ensure that KPI’s for project operations are met and work closely with other functions to achieve project milestones;
• Ensure that reports for donors, the Government of Zambia, and Save the Children International are prepared as required, ensuring these are of highest quality and submitted in a timely manner to the donor;
• Manage and supervise the work of all field staff, long-term staff, short-term staff, consortium partners, and/or sub-partners, as proposed;
• Work with the HR experts to ensure appropriate staffing for the project and planning and implementing strategies to recruit, manage and motivate staff—ensuring a positive, healthy and productive work environment;
• Ensure compliance with staff development strategies and support Performance Management systems and evaluations;
• Put in place appropriate management systems, including regular team and individual meetings, mechanisms for cross-department coordination and collaboration, and norms and practices that are result-driven;
• Coordinate closely with Save the Children International offices (in Zambia, as well as at the regional and global levels) and partners in operational, administrative, and HR matters, especially regarding project operations and financial matters; and
• Fully inform Save the Children’s home and field office on all matters relating to the project and maintain appropriate links with partner organizations.

• Experience of working in any of the following areas: educational sector partnerships, and/or capacity strengthening of government ministries;
• Proven experience in developing effective working relationships with government ministries, international organisations, donors, academics and community-based and grass-roots organisations;
• Demonstrated senior management experience on donor projects including familiarity with donor’s project management, reporting procedures and systems;
• Experience with gender equality and /or social inclusion is preferred.
• Excellent management, communication, and negotiation skills demonstrating the ability to lead and build consensus, cooperation and coalitions among individuals, civil society groups, private sector, and government officials.

• Grade twelve (12) School Certificate;
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Project Management or equivalent; and
• Master’s Degree in a relevant field.