Job Details

Programme Quality, Learning & Accountability Manager

Contract: Fixed Term Contract,

Location: Lusaka, Zambia, subject to the right to work.

Salary and Benefits: ZMW521,685/- – ZMW700,288/- with excellent benefits

About WaterAid

Want to use your skills in funding to play a vital role in making clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone everywhere?

We need passionate, creative and dedicated people. In return, you will be encouraged and empowered to be yourself at your very best. Together, we will make a bigger difference.

Join WaterAid as Programme Quality Learning & Accountability Manager to change normal for millions of people so they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good.

About the Team

The WaterAid Zambia Country Programme team [Program Quality Accountability & Learning (PQAL) Manager is responsible for functionality of country level monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) system, knowledge management and oversight of program quality, supporting business development and evidenced-based advocacy and providing leadership to the PQLA team comprised of KM and Communications and MEAL Coordinators].

About the Role

In this role, you will [ Reporting to the Country Director, the Programme Quality, Accountability and Learning Manager, is responsible for overseeing the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities undertake by the country programme. Specifically, s/he will integrate cutting-edge, consistent, and practical approaches to knowledge management. Monitoring programme performance and collation of information, s/he will oversee data collection and analysis and prepare our learning and accountability outputs.

You’ll also:

Strategic Programme Planning and Quality Assurance

• Responsible for developing and implementing the Zambia Country Programme strategic and annual planning processes and ensuring that all programmes and projects have plans that align with the Zambia and Global strategies, programme standards and principles.
• Accountable for coordinated monitoring of strategy implementation; conduct of strategy review, thematic reviews, and Country Programme evaluations; and for tracking the implementation of action plans agreed upon from strategy reviews and evaluations.
• Lead the design and implementation of sound monitoring, evaluation, research and learning/knowledge management processes and systems for the Country Programme in line with the PMER guidelines.
• Ensure periodic programme review reflections are held at all levels (Country Programme, programme, and project) in line with PMER Core procedures for effective programme performance.

Accountability and Learning

• Ensure that existing knowledge and evidence gaps within the country programme are filled and are adapted based on emerging contextual and programmatic evidence.
• Identify and develop research and learning priorities that are connected to programmatic and country strategic objectives.
• Lead the identification of internal learning needs and develop strategies to promote learning within and outside WaterAid by ensuring that documentation from programme experiences, and best practices, is produced and disseminated as appropriate.
• Ensure the quality of learning materials, methodologies, and delivery methods used in Strategic Learning meets the programmes’ standards and objectives.

Research and Knowledge management

• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the Country Programme research agenda.
• Develop and manage a knowledge management and learning framework/agenda, ensuring evidence-based programming, feeding learning into programme design and implementation, and programme knowledge is being captured.

Communication and Reporting

• Accountable for coordinating inputs from CP teams and ensuring delivery of quality CP reports.
• Provide documentation standards/guidelines and feedback to ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality in reports, publications, and other knowledge products, ensuring that they meet organisational and donor reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with the programme, project staff, and subject matter experts to gather information, synthesise data, and produce high-quality documentation.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders related to PMER activities

People Management

• Recruit and effectively manage staff for high performance
• Provide continued capacity sharing to the broader programme team members and create a pleasant work environment that promotes learning, accountability and ownership

Financial Management and Representation

• Manage budget for Research, Learning and Knowledge Management function.
• Represent WaterAid Zambia in different fora within and outside WaterAid as assigned.

To be successful, you’ll need:

• Master’s or equivalent experience in economics, project/programme management, social science, political science, international development, or another relevant field.
• At least 7 years of experience in international development programming, preferably in Southern Africa, including Zambia.
• At least 5 years’ experience with EU and USAID projects, including strengths in grant management, coordination, and donor reporting.
• At least 5 years in a programme effectiveness role in a complex development organisation.
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills and ability to gather, synthesise complex data and use critical information to achieve organisational ends.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate and manage the research agenda of the organisation.
• Strong planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting abilities.

View full job description here

Closing Date: Applications will close 23:59 on 23 June, 2025.

How to Apply: Click ‘Apply’ to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and an essential cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application? At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre-employment screening:

To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to the applicable laws in the respective countries to comply with our Safer Recruitment policy.

As an organisation WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. So, in addition to our inspiring global mission and engaging work environment, we have a generous benefit package to help you take care of your health, happiness and wellbeing. Further benefits detail is as follows

• 13th Month
• 24 days’ paid annual leave
• End of service gratuity
• Prepaid Medical Insurance

Our Global Commitment:

Our People Promise:

We will work with passion and focus to ensure safe and sustainable water, toilets and hygiene are available to everyone, everywhere. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have.  We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to put the wellbeing of our people first, to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal opportunities :

We are an equal opportunity, disability-confident employer and are dedicated to achieving the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions and ways of life. This includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or social origin, health status, and economic or social situation.

Safeguarding :

We are also committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. As a safeguarding measure, WaterAid carries out background checks on all potential employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.