JSI Research and Training Institute (JSI) seeks an experienced candidate for the role of Project Director for an anticipated DOL-funded project to reduce child labor and forced labor in critical mineral-producing communities in Zambia. JSI and its Bantwana Initiative division is a leader in the development of high-quality, comprehensive service delivery for children and young people in Eastern and Southern Africa, bringing a significant track record of excellence and innovation in improving access to and quality of integrated children and youth care and support, with a particular focus on strengthening coordination and layering of care, protection and support services across the continuum of response, for vulnerable children and their caregivers at community, district, provincial and national levels.

The Project Director is responsible for the overall project management and oversight; establishing long-term, cooperative relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials and entities, donors, and partners. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities 

• Provide overall technical and management leadership and financial oversight of the project, including managing stakeholder/partner relations and ensuring technical and management excellence.
• Liaise closely with local government officials and entities to promote harmonization and collaboration among ministries, mining communities, the private sector, and NGOs.
• Foster an enabling policy and regulatory environment with government entities in relation to reducing incidences of child labor and forced labor in mining communities.
• Lead project team to identify gaps in the system and design solutions, which may include building the capacity of government entities and local government officials to effectively identify and respond to child labor and forced labor cases.
• Lead project team to design alternative solutions for vulnerable households with children engaged in or at risk of child labor and forced labor in the project implementation area in Zambia.
  Represent the project to USDOL, the Government of Zambia, and other key stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s Degree or higher in international development, public policy, economics, social sciences, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience designing, implementing and managing large-scale projects involving multiple partners, preferably in Zambia, of which at least 7 years has been spent in a senior management role.
• Minimum of five years of experience working on projects that address labor-related issues, including child labor, forced labor, such as education and youth workforce development, in mining communities required.
• Demonstrated experience working with governments, including providing technical assistance for strengthening the implementation of National Action Plans against child labor, improving legislative and policy environments, strengthening enforcement of labor laws in mining communities, and/or providing education, livelihood, and social protection services.
• Demonstrated experience working with neighboring countries, such as DRC, which may include regional institutions such as SADC or the African Union.
• Excellent leadership qualities, in-depth technical and management expertise, with demonstrated credibility as a Project Director, program leader and manager, preferably on USG-funded projects.
  Experience interacting with government agencies and officials and international donor agencies.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficiency in English and in one or more of Zambia’s major languages (Bemba, Kaonde, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga) is required. Must have excellent writing and oral presentation skills in English.
• Management experience with US Government cooperative agreements, grants, or contracts.
• Zambian nationals are strongly encouraged to apply. (Non-citizens should provide proof of approved Zambian residency and work permits.)

This position is contingent upon award.