Project Officer – Livelihoods Play it Forward Zambia (PFZ)

Play it Forward Zambia (PFZ) is seeking an individual to join our team of dedicated staff in Livingstone. The Livelihoods Officer will lead the implementation of projects designed to strengthen the economic well-being of communities through sustainable livelihood initiatives. The role will focus on managing a key project to establish a vegetable and fruit garden at a rural community school, and working with local communities to improve their livelihoods through training and capacity building.

The Livelihoods Officer will work closely with the Country Director to ensure effective project delivery, monitoring, and evaluation to demonstrate measurable impacts

Background
Our mission is to empower young Zambians to develop sustainable livelihoods through quality education and health activities. Play it Forward inspires and empowers a whole new generation of young people to take control of their lives. We engage over 2,500 young people every year in a wide range of programmes from health education & HIV testing to literacy, coding, mentoring and support towards higher education and employment. Our support on and off the pitch, ensures that young people emerge from our programmes with new skills to succeed in school, the workforce and in life.

UK Charity Registration Number 1108821
Zambia Non-Profit Registration No. 120170010072

Job Details
Location: Livingstone, Zambia
Salary & Benefits: Competitive
Contract: 1 year, subject to a 3-month probationary period (extensions dependent on funding)
Type: Part-time
Reports to: Country Director (CD)

Essential skills and experience

• Minimum of 3 years project management experience working with government, intergovernmental or international NGO organisations .
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as, Agriculture, Forestry, Food & Nutrition, Sustainability, Development studies and any other related field.
• Demonstrable experience in the management of rural development projects.
• Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts, agricultural methodologies and techniques, including results-based management, rights-based approach and participatory methodologies.
• Proven record of budget construction and management
• Excellent English communication and interpersonal skills

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Project Management
Key Deliverable: Strong project management systems for planning, delivering and evaluating projects for clearly measurable impact.

• Lead the coordination and implementation of a project to establish a vegetable and fruit garden and improve infrastructure at a rural community school.
• Build strong partnerships with local government departments, school administration, and community members to ensure project success.
• Collaborate with the Country Director to create and manage detailed monthly work plans, budgets, and progress reports.
• Ensure robust systems for project design, delivery, budgeting and monitoring and evaluation are implemented and followed.
• Facilitate parent training to establish Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs).
• Use project learnings and successes to develop new project proposals in collaboration with relevant staff and community participants.

2. Financial Management

Key deliverable: Ensure financial controls are adhered to and provide regular quality financial reporting as required.

• Monitor project expenditures, ensuring costs are within approved budgets and projects are delivered cost-effectively.
• Maintain accurate financial records and oversee expenditure for PFZ’s budget lines in collaboration with the Accountant.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial policies, safeguarding the organisation’s assets and donor funds.
• Provide regular financial reports to ensure alignment with monthly and annual budgetary limits.

3. Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation

Key Deliverable: Demonstrate the project’s impact through comprehensive reporting, monitoring, and data management.

• Work with the Monitoring & Evaluation Officer to design an M&E framework for tracking project performance, including baseline and periodic data collection.
• Maintain accurate and secure project records and data, ensuring all information is up to date and accessible for reporting.
• Compile field data and generate timely progress reports to meet donor and organisational reporting requirements.

4. General

• Contribute to the development of organisational strategies and plans aimed at scaling the impact of livelihood initiatives.
• Represent the organisation at meetings, events, and networks as required, in consultation with the Country Director.
• Support other organisational projects and initiatives as needed, contributing to overall team goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with the communications team to share project successes, including through social media