Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is a US-based, global public health organization with a mission to prevent 100 million deaths from heart disease and to make the world safer from epidemics. Since 2017, Resolve to Save Lives has partnered with low-and middle-income country governments, multilateral agencies, academic and other civil society partners, and communities to implement policies and programs to treat and control hypertension, reduce sodium intake, eliminate artificial trans fats, and strengthen systems for epidemic prevention.

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
ZAMBIA NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE 
JOB ADVERTISEMENT      

The Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) with support from Resolve to Save Lives through the Collaborative Surveillance Project which involves collaboration and coordination with other key Ministries and Agencies including the Ministry of Health and key partners to prototype implementation of Collaborative Surveillance in Zambia. The project will address major barriers in Systems, Governance, and Financing required across the emergency and data lifecycles to support decision-making for planning, preparedness, detection, and response. ZNPHI therefore seeks to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced person to be appointed in the underlisted position under this project:

Job title: Programme Implementation Specialist (01)

Reports to: Director – Strategic Planning and Information Management

Location: Zambia National Public Health Institute

Duration: This is a fixed-term position through December 2026.

Job Purpose: 

The Strategic Planning and Information Management Department at ZNPHI focuses on improving the collection, analysis, and use of public health data to enhance outbreak detection and response, while also coordinating program planning and performance to ensure the Institute’s objectives are met. It addresses challenges related to data interoperability, system infrastructure and ensures effective planning for research, data security, harmonization, and sharing across public health systems.

The Programme Implementation Specialist will be responsible for effectively managing the execution of priority programmes, projects or activities, under the Department of Strategic Planning (SPIM), by ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget, and according to the required standards to ensure timely and efficient implementation. This will involve collaboration across teams within SPIM and with other ZNPHI pillars and programs.

The incumbent will play a key role in facilitating longer-term institutional capacity and culture strengthening by being part of a cross-functional “delivery department” working closely with colleagues from the Finance Unit and within SPIM to enable overall organizational effectiveness against ZNPHI strategic priorities. This delivery unit will also be working closely with the ZNPHI Executive team to ensure that strategic planning and execution are well integrated.

Responsibilities/Principal Accountabilities

(a) Programme Planning & Coordination

• Effectively facilitates coordination of development of detailed implementation plans, outlining project and programme timelines, resource requirements, and deliverables to measure success; and provides programme management support to ensure ongoing implementation progress and achievement of deliverables.
• Coordinates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure programme implementation alignment with programme objectives and ZNPHI strategic objectives at the direction of the Director- SPIM; proactively identifies potential conflicts and helps manage trade-offs and develop solutions.
• Supports planning and program management for the allocation and expenditure of SPIM resources (internally and externally funded), ensuring they are used effectively and efficiently throughout the programme lifecycle and/or given fiscal year, and elevating appropriate bottlenecks to the Director, SPIM for further action.
• Supports overall programme management and coordination for ZNPHI’s implementation of Collaborative Surveillance through tactical and planning support to the SPIM Director and collaborating groups, including the cross-functional delivery unit, SPIM ICT, M&E, and planning teams, and across ZNPHI pillars including surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, workforce development, and public health laboratories.

(b) Project Monitoring & Reporting

• Effectively monitors all necessary resources (human, financial, technological) allocated to SPIM programmes to ensure they are appropriately and efficiently utilised, and supporting the SPIM Director to accelerate implementation through programme management support across teams
• Tracks programme progress against timelines, budgets, and quality expectations ensuring timely implementation of activities.
• Collaborates with the monitoring and evaluation unit of SPIM to ensure key milestones and deliverables are achieved, and support programme management and cross-team collaborations where necessary at the direction of the Director- SPIM
• Provides regular updates and status reports to the Director-SPIM, highlighting any potential risks or challenges devising possible solutions for the same
• Oversees technical reporting for implementation of Collaborative Surveillance to related donors and partners as requested and approved by the Director- SPIM.
• Ensures all project documentation, including plans, schedules, and reports, are accurate and up-to-date.
• Maintains compliance with internal policies, industry standards, and regulations throughout the implementation process.

(c) Internal Engagements

• Collaborates with cross-functional teams across ZNPHI in order to ensure smooth programme execution for the ZNPHI workplan and complementary external programmes and awards
• Ensure regular communication with all Departments, Units and/ or project teams, and other key stakeholders in ZNPHI in order to keep them informed of progress and resolve any issues that arise
• Effectively manage Institutional expectations and ensure Departmental satisfaction throughout the implementation of various programmes and activities.

(d) Problem Solving & Risk Management

• Undertakes timely identification of potential risks and proactively develops mitigation plans to minimize any negative impacts on the programme.
• Ensure implementation of continuous improvement strategies in order to enhance programme performance.

(e) Resource and Budget Management

• Ensures that SPIM activities and programmes are implemented within the approved budget and resource constraints
• Collaborates with the grant management unit/finance team and cross-function delivery unit to ensure that anticipated externally funded activities and programmes are implemented within the approved budget and resource constraints
• Monitors expenditures and assists in managing the programme budget by tracking costs and identifying cost-saving opportunities

(f) Training & Support

• Designs and delivers effective training to staff or stakeholders to facilitate adoption of critical practices, processes, tools offering supportive coaching and evaluation to assist with continuous improvement and learning

Required Qualifications 

• Full Grade 12 School Certificate with Five O Level Credits Including English and Mathematics
• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration or any other related Social Sciences
• Master’s degree in Project Management, Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration or any other related Social Sciences is required

Experience 

Program Leadership & Implementation

• Minimum eight (8) years of experience in program/project management, execution, and strategic coordination in public health, development, or government institutions.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder programs with tight timelines and evolving priorities.

Multilateral Donor-Funded Program Management

• Demonstrated experience working on multilateral donor-funded projects, ideally in a coordination or management role.
• Strong understanding of grant compliance, donor reporting requirements, and financial tracking for externally funded programs.

Institutional Change & Strategic Planning

• Experience facilitating institutional change, systems strengthening, or organizational development initiatives.
• Ability to support senior leadership teams in translating strategic priorities into actionable implementation plans.

Stakeholder Engagement & Matrix Management

• Experience working with government institutions, international organizations, and development partners to align efforts and drive implementation.
• Experience in matrix management or consultancy (preferred but not required).

Skills

Project & Program Management

• Expertise in developing and managing detailed project plans, timelines, and performance indicators.
• Strong ability to allocate and manage resources, including people, finances, and materials.
• Proficiency in risk assessment and mitigation planning to ensure smooth execution.

Financial & Grant Management

• Experience tracking program expenditures, ensuring cost-effectiveness, and identifying efficiency gains.
• Strong familiarity with Public Financial Management (PFM) Systems in donor-funded or government-led projects.

Data-Driven Decision-Making & Reporting

• Ability to translate program outcomes into data-driven insights for leadership and external partners.
• Experience leading monitoring & evaluation (M&E) initiatives and synthesizing findings into strategic recommendations.
• Strong technical reporting skills, including donor and executive-level reporting.

Communication & Influence

• Strong ability to present progress updates, reports, and proposals to diverse audiences, including senior government officials, donors, and global partners.
• Proven experience in facilitating high-level dialogues and influencing decision-making in complex environments.

Training & Capacity Development

• Demonstrated ability to design, facilitate, and evaluate training programs for public health and development professionals.
• Skilled in building institutional knowledge and fostering a learning culture within organizations.

Technical Proficiency

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Asana, Smartsheet, Trello).
• Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools (R, SPSS, STATA, Power BI, Tableau) is an added advantage, but not required