Project Officer VCA

Region: Southern Africa

Office: Zambia

Hours: Full-time

Application deadline: November 24, 2023

The Voices for Just Climate Action program is about climate justice. We see climate change not only as an environmental problem, but also as a societal challenge with ethical and human rights aspects.

Our intention is to build wide societal support for locally shaped climate solutions through an inclusive and rights-based approach. This includes building a broad-based climate alliance at country level, bridging divides (urban-rural, gender, youth), that amplifies voices in new, unusual ways. In addition, we will influence national and global policies and financial flows in support of these locally shaped solutions.

The program is being implemented by an alliance of six organizations: WWF NL, Hivos, SouthSouthNorth, Akina Mama wa Afrika, Slum Dwellers International, and Fundación Avina. During the 5 years’ program period the alliance aims to increase ownership of the program by local CSOs. The program is funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the “Power of Voices” framework.

Purpose of the role

The Project Officer (PO) will work closely with the VCA Project Manager in a range of tasks, from partner selection and management, to supporting the lobby and advocacy goals of the program.

In addition, the PO is responsible for internal program communication on progress and results of the program to colleagues in other countries and the global office. He/she/they is also responsible for external communication through the publication of stories and content, and event organization.

The PO is also tasked with monitoring, evaluation and learning for the program (through e.g. supporting outcome harvesting), and reporting for the program including guiding partner reporting and supporting Hivos’ own implementation reporting.

The PO will additionally provide logistics and financial support to the Country Engagement Manager and Finance Officer for the program.

Responsibilities

Program implementation

• Contribute to planning and implementation of the Hivos plan of work, including supporting lobby, advocacy and policy influencing efforts at national and sub-national levels
• Support internal and external communications – including but not limited to publication of articles and blog posts, commissioning of relevant communications products and guiding the overall communications strategy with support from the global VCA communications officer
• Event/activity management
• Administration and logistics
• Ensure integrity, transparency and compliance to Hivos policies and procedures and donor guidelines

Strategic grant making

• Supports partner assessments in line with the ‘call for proposals’;
• On grant approval ensures all project information and documents are completed in the project management system;
• Monitors performance of sub-grants and make recommendations regarding scale-up potential;
• Ensures that projects receiving support provide reports in accordance with contracts and the format provided;
• Maintains communication and documentation of grantees;
• Support VCA grant management efforts by maintaining relationships with VCA partners;
• Communicating deadlines, updates and other relevant information to VCA partners;
• Supporting disbursement of funds;
• Supporting partners in implementation efforts when requested;
• Monitoring, evaluation and learning with regard to partners;
• In liaison with the VCA PM and finance manager, ensures grantee orientation and compliance to policies, grantee contracts and minimum financial standards.

Learning, sustainability and impact

• Supports the collection and documentation of impact stories for sharing, learning and advocacy;
• Contributes to the drafting of written materials and copy for social media as well as supporting digital communications;
• Supports the internal and external learning initiatives of the program

Resource mobilization

• Identifies and track emerging opportunities through the program funding strategy and program development plan;
• Contributes to design and development of project proposals

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related field
• Minimum of three to five years working experience.
• Work experience in project implementation and working in teams
• Expertise in relevant sector or theme and/or methodology (co-creation, social innovation, local ownership)
• Strong writing skills
• Demonstrable networks with VCA advocacy targets at national and county level
• Experience working with diverse partners including youth and creatives a plus
• Knowledge of climate actions context in Zambia

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 and 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.