Jobs in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Program Manager – Agriculture job in Zambia

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Oxfam in Zambia has recently developed a new strategy for the country program. The strategy is based on three pillars: Agriculture productivity through increased investment and access to  markets for small holder farmers, the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights through the building of a stronger women’s rights movement and creation of a conducive policy and social environment for women and girls, and governance by mobilising and building capacity of CSOs and Citizens to hold government and private sector accountable in the use of natural resources and ensure the benefits accrue to ordinary Zambians especially women.

Program Manager – Agriculture

The new strategy is premised on Oxfam in Zambia shifting towards a smaller strategic partnership portfolio and contributing to building and strengthening networks and movements. In addition, the program needs to be more deliberate in building the capacity of partners compared to investing in risk management, thereby requiring increased staff capacity within Oxfam to mitigate the risk. A major shift is going to be in the delivery approach which will focus on shifting the terms of debate in the various areas using research, analysis and innovation, convening and building local multi-stakeholder movements for change, building capacities, promoting public debate, creating platforms for engagement, organising and building active citizens, influencing practices of key players through research, and programme modelling. All of Oxfam in Zambia’s community based work will take place in a more focused geographic area to ensure holistic impact, offer evidence for campaigning but also be a catalyst for influencing local governance.

The work on agriculture focuses on influencing public and private investment in agriculture in order to stimulate production, create employment, and develop markets for the smallholder farmers as well as building resilience among subsistence farmers. Access and control of land resource for smallholder farmers particularly women, will also receive specific focus.

During the first 2 years the programme will focus on building new partnerships/networks and begin to shift its existing programme capacity to the networks. Oxfam will maintain capacity to convene, broker capacity (through the Programme Fellows Model), research and analysis, accompaniment to the partners, promoteinnovation and learning, and link the programmes to regional and global actions

TEAM PURPOSE:

This position will lead on Zambia’s work on agriculture. The outcomes of the Agriculture Program are anticipated as:

  1. Increased access to stable markets for small holder farmers
  2. Increased access to, and control of, productive land for small holder farmers particularly women
  3. Improved resilience to shocks for subsistence farmers
  4. Ensuring that 10% of the national budget goes to agriculture.

Experience:

  • Proven management experience at a strategic level in a complex, dispersed organisation with evidence of leading, facilitating and integrating a specific area of expertise across a wide network, providing clarity and focus of vision and impact, strategic planning and decision making and the delivery of agreed results
  • Excellent knowledge of the Zambian environment and issues, desirably supported by personal exposure through having worked and lived there
  • Politically astute, with high impact influencing and persuasive skills and personal gravitas to gain respect and build and maintain strong, credible relationships, with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
  • Strong organisational and personal management skills, with ability to prioritise work issues to meet deadlines with minimal supervision and adjust to constantly changing situations while maintaining focus on delivery and follow-through
  • Excellent personal communication skills, in written and verbal English
  • A high level of self-awareness, initiative, sound judgement, personal energy and flexibility

Minimum qualifications:

  • Relevant academic qualifications, preferably in agriculture, international development, economics, politics, sociology or humanities, especially at post-graduate level

Closing Date: 27th November 2015