Senior Programme Manager - Zambia

Start Date: Q1 2026

Length of Engagement: 2 year fixed term, with possibility to renew

Introduction

The RAINZ Programme aims to improve climate resilience and reduce poverty in Zambia by enhancing agricultural productivity and natural resource management. The programme focuses on three main areas: policy reform, market development, and access to finance and climate information, targeting smallholder farmers. Over a seven-year period, the programme will work across multiple sectors, driving inclusive, sustainable growth and climate adaptation efforts.

Scope of Work

The Senior Programme Manager (SPM) will lead the PMU and all aspects related to Finance, Operations, Reporting, and Risk. The SPM will hold overall responsibility for managing the country office in Zambia. The Manager will adhere to and act in accordance with ASI’s code of ethics and code of conduct. They will foster and maintain professional contact with partners, vendors and other stakeholders, and will maintain children safeguarding, gender equality, and confidentiality regarding program activities. Responsibilities include:

Administrative:

• Oversees and provides administrative and technical tasks and deliverables to manage the country office, as requested by the SPM.

• Calculate and process invoices accurately and in a timely manner, and ensure that all payroll transactions adhere to policies, employment contracts and relevant regulations.

• Prepare and provide monthly tax declarations of ASI staff to relevant tax authorities.

• Ensure that the office operates in accordance with local labour and tax law and maintains documentation.

Project Management:

• Provides inputs to client technical reporting relating to the project portfolio, including drafting project summaries and monthly report inputs.

• Manages the assigned project portfolio, coordinating inputs from relevant consultants and partners, ensuring successful delivery against workplan and project requirements. 

• Manages and provides input to needs assessments aimed at identifying priority project needs working with Key Personnel and drafts terms of reference for potential grants and STTA.

• Supervise and manage a field-based team using remote management

As Required:

• Supports the Program Director and technical team in the design and development of projects working in close coordination with potential partners, government and private sector stakeholders. Assist in management of day-to-day relationships with activity partners.

• Provides technical and administrative assistance and training to partners, grantees and stakeholders, where relevant during project design and implementation. 

• Works with delivery partners to identify and manage risks and ensure activities are delivered within required budgets.  

• Monitors and evaluates project progress, coordinating with the Monitoring & Evaluation team and funding recipients to provide quality assurance and input into project reporting. 

• Contribute to technical workshops, presentations and stakeholder meetings, as required. 

• Degree in a relevant field preferred, or demonstrable professional experience.

• Experience working with project or intervention design/management, donor-funded projects. Experience working with FCDO strongly preferred.

• Familiarity and understanding of Zambian labour law and registration.

• Strong organisational, management, financial, and administrative skills.