UNIDO is seeking a National Provincial Coordinator for the Luapula province in Zambia. This role is crucial for the successful implementation of project activities at the provincial level, ensuring alignment with the project's objectives and theory of change. The coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the Lead Technical Advisor (LTA) and in close cooperation with the Project Delivery Manager (PDM) and the project team at UNIDO HQ and in the field.

Responsibilities or duties

The Provincial Coordinator will be responsible for a range of duties including:

• Reviewing project work plans and providing input on operational planning and resource needs for Luapula province.
• Establishing and maintaining day-to-day working relationships with local partners such as training centres, CSOs, Project Technical Committee (PTC)’s members, local councils, traditional authorities, and ASM associations.
• Overseeing the day-to-day operational execution of project activities in the province.
• Coordinating and managing short-term consultants, experts, and service providers working in the province.
• Liaising with local beneficiaries to build and maintain project visibility and trust.
• Supporting local training centres, CSOs, and government offices in implementing project-supported capacity-building activities.
• Providing regular provincial activity updates to the LTA and PDM.
• Undertaking field travel across Luapula province and, as required, to other project provinces.

Qualifications or requirements

Minimum organizational requirements include:

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in business administration, social sciences, project/programme management, engineering, or other relevant discipline. A first-level university degree or advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable with additional relevant experience.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency and/or working knowledge of Bemba is required.

Experience needed

Professional experience required includes:

• At least five (5) years of professional experience in coordinating the implementation of development/technical cooperation programmes/projects at the national level.
• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions, and problems of the country or similar countries in the region.
• Experience liaising with local government, community organizations, training institutions, or the private sector at the provincial/district level.
• Experience/knowledge of other development agencies, donor communities, private sectors, government, and relevant institutions in the country or region is desirable.
• Experience in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector or extractives industry is desirable.

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

The contract duration is for 3 months with possibilities of extension up to 4 years from the End of Duty (EOD). The duty station is Mansa, with inter-provincial travel as needed to Copperbelt or Northwestern provinces. Core values include Excellence, Integrity, Inclusion, Humility, and Humanity.

• Review project work plans and provide input to the LTA on operational planning and resource needs for Luapula province;
• Review the province-specific implementation approach and activity schedule for Luapula province;
• Establish and maintain day-to-day working relationships with local partners (training centres, CSOs, Project Technical Committee (PTC)’s members, local councils, traditional authorities, ASM associations).
• Ensure PTC’s members are engaged and informed throughout the project implementation, organize the PCT meetings under guidance of the LTA and PDM, and systematize feedback and agreements.
• Oversee the day-to-day operational execution of project activities in the province, ensuring alignment with the project’s theory of change and logical framework;
• Provide day-to-day coordination and manage short-term consultants, experts and service providers working in the province;
• Coordinate with project’s counterparts at provincial level (e.g. TVET centres and ASM beneficiaries) to ensure successful implementation of activities, and, where necessary, facilitate contractors’ execution of works (e.g. training centre upgrades and other infrastructure activities) and services (e.g. training provision, career service support, etc.);
• Maintain internal coordination among the PMU’s members, province-based expert and outreach team members;
• Implement asset management for project equipment and assets in the province, in close coordination with project beneficiaries and national project assistant.
• Liaise with local beneficiaries (training centres, CSOs, ASM associations, traditional authorities) to build and maintain project visibility and trust at the provincial level;
• Support the Community Outreach Officers in organizing province-level awareness-raising and outreach activities;
• Represent the project at provincial-level meetings and events as delegated by the LTA.
• Support local training centres, CSOs and government offices in the province to implement project-supported capacity-building activities;
• Facilitate the participation of provincial partners in project training and institutional strengthening activities;
• Provide on-the-ground support and troubleshooting for capacity-building activities delivered by project experts in the province.
• Provide regular (at least monthly) provincial activity updates to the LTA and PDM;
• Contribute provincial-level inputs to project progress and annual reports;
• Maintain accurate records of provincial project activities, assets and beneficiary engagement.
• Undertake field travel across Luapula province and, as required, to other project provinces, to support project activities and to the Copperbelt/North-Western provinces;
• Participate in regular meetings for project coordination and reporting, UNIDO divisional and unit level meetings as required;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the LTA/HQ management in support of the overall achievement of project objectives.

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Fluency and/or working knowledge of Bemba

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in business administration, social sciences, project/programme management, engineering (preferably in mining/extractive industries), industries, or other relevant discipline is required; A first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 5 years of professional hands-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.