Republic of Zambia

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

ZAMBIA AGRIBUSINESS TRADE PROJECT II

The Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) is implementing the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project II (ZATP II) which is a follow-on to the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP). The ZATP II will be implemented for 5 years from December 2023 to December 2028. The Project is a credit facility from the World Bank which seeks to increase access to markets and finance and promote firm growth in agribusiness. The Project has three components namely: (1) Support Access to Markets and Finance; (2) Promote Trade and Agribusiness Competitiveness; and (3) Project Management.

The Ministry seeks to recruit a qualified and experienced person to fill the following position:

1. JOB TITLE: SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST

Overall Job Purpose:

The Social Safeguards Specialist will provide the necessary input throughout project implementation to ensure that everyone who is involved in the project (MCTI, Producer Organizations, Agribusiness Firms, Contractors), have a full understanding of the social obligation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and that there is timely implementation of the Social Management Plan (SMP) by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and subprojects under the ZATP II.

Main Duties/Accountabilities:

i) The social safeguards specialist will assist in the review, updating and implementation of the Social Management Plan (SMP), Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), gender-based violence (GBV) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) action plan.

ii) Ensure social risks are identified, avoided, mitigated and managed throughout project implementation.

iii) Review the social safeguards screening information at subproject level and determine applicability of the project social safeguards requirements.

iv) Ensure that appropriate mitigation measures have been formulated where the subproject may adversely affect communities in terms of land ownership, private land.

v) Advise producer organizations and SMEs to incorporate social mitigation measures where gaps have been identified.

vi) Check whether or not the targeted project community’s beneficiaries, including women, traditional leadership have been consulted about the subproject and selection of proposed mitigation measures.

vii) Provide guidance about integration of social inclusion issues into project design; and

viii) Participate in on-boarding of new POs and SMEs with respect to providing social awareness during subject project implementation.

Qualifications and Skills:

Education:

i) Grade 12 School Certificate with five O-Levels including English and Mathematics;

ii) Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Political Economy, Social Development, Education, Economics, Business Administration, Development/Gender Studies or equivalent; and

iii) Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) as in (ii) above.

Experience:

i) Eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in social development, social risk management, safeguards, or related fields.

Technical Skills:

i) Strong understanding of the World Bank’s ESF and related social risk management requirements (community engagement, gender equality, labour and working conditions);

ii) Ability to prepare, review, and implement social safeguard documents (e.g. Stakeholders Engagement Plan (SEP), Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), Social Impact Assessments (SIA)/Social Management Plan (SMP));

iii) Experience with Grievance Redress Mechanisms, stakeholder consultations, and participatory methods; and

iv) Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation, and compliance reporting related to social safeguards.

i) Knowledge of international best practices and guidelines;
ii) Proficiency in Microsoft Office; and
iii) Valid driver’s license.

Only suitable, experienced, skilled Candidates are encouraged to apply for this role. Applications accompanied by a detailed Curriculum Vitae and copies of academic and professional certificates should be emailed to [email protected] and hard copies to the address below:

The Permanent Secretary, Investment and Industrialization
Attention: Director of Human Resource and Administration
Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry
New Government Complex
P.O. Box 31968
LUSAKA

The closing date for receiving applications is 20th February, 2026 at 17:00hrs.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO