Job Details

Job Description

Agronomists and Veterinarians Without Borders (AVSF) is a professional association of international solidarity recognized as of public utility (non-profit), which has been working since 1977 in support of peasant agriculture.

The association works in Africa, Asia and Latin America with peasant communities in promoting sustainable practices to remedy the food insecurity and economic vulnerability of rural communities. AVSF also contributes to the consolidation of producer organizations and their increasing participation in the local and export sectors (fair, organic and quality trade) for fairer remuneration and the consequent improvement of the living conditions of farming families.  Website: https://www.avsf.org/

AVSF operates in Zambia since 2022 to support rural communities through agroecology, human–wildlife coexistence, and community-based biodiversity management. The organization helps farmers adopt sustainable practices, protect natural resources, and gain legal recognition for traditional land use and conservation methods.

In September 2025 AVSF is starting the 3-year « Bush2Business: supporting non-timber forest value chains in North-Luangwa landscape in Zambia» project funded by the French Development Agency on Non-Timber Forest Value Chains, with activities being centered in Muchinga Province, particularly in Mpika and Lavushimanda districts. The project will support the creation of a specialized non-profit organization acting as a platform capable of carrying out a three-year demonstration pilot project on value chains of non-timber forest products. This organization will provide or coordinate training for relevant government agencies, producer groups and community forest management groups and non-consumer intermediary SMEs.

In this context, AVSF is recruiting a Project Manager/Institutional Representative responsible for the direction and coordination of the project and the institutional representation of AVSF.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Project Manager/Institutional Representative
Country: Zambia
Job location : Mpika, Mpika district, with frequent travels to Lavushimanda district
Creation or replacement: Creation
Start date: September 2025
Type of contract : Fixed term contract
Duration of the contract: 12 months renewable
Status:  National wage earner
Monthly growth salary: A competitive salary will be offered based on qualifications and experience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TASKS :

The Project Manager is responsible for the direction and coordination of the project for which he/she is responsible. He/She supervise the AVSF project team composed of a Field Technician and an Administrative and Financial Officer. He/She will work hand in hand with the French Expert from Expertise France/AFD placed at the Forestry Department (with whom he/she will share some responsibilities) as well as the consultant responsible for the platform’s technical and financial sustainability. He/she has the following responsibilities:

INSITUTIONAL REPRESENTATION
–        Coordinate the development and implementation of the multi-annual country strategy with the AVSF and the partners, in accordance with the association’s policy and areas of cooperation and contribute to the advocacy activity of AVSF and to AVSF’s communication actions and associative life.

–        Ensure the follow-up of AVSF’s commitments within the framework of the agreements signed by the association with the national and regional authorities and all technical and financial partners (technical and financial reporting and financial services, etc.), supervise archiving operations, and represent the association vis-à-vis third parties.

–        Lead the identification, formulation and negotiation of possible continuation of the current project and new partnerships and cooperation (calls for projects, calls for tenders, provision of services) in accordance with the guidelines of the association and in coherence with the defined strategy.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
–        Ensure the coordination of the project: design and implementation of intervention strategies and methodologies; planning, execution and technical and financial monitoring of activities; preparation of internal technical and financial reports for donors according to the established schedule, animation and coordination of the team and animation of the relationship with partners.
–        Ensure the transparent management of the project’s financial and logistical resources with the Administrative and Financial Officer, including the preparation with partners of the annual budget and its follow-up, the preparation of accounting and financial reports, the application of procedures, the preparation and follow-up of cash requests,
–        Organize and lead the project’s governance bodies: the project steering committee and ensure follow-up of partnership agreements.
–        Ensure the implementation of a system for monitoring and evaluating the results and effects of the actions undertaken, as well as the management of their thematic or methodological capitalization.
–        Manage the human resources of the project (under AVSF contract) for which he/she is functionally responsible, the recruitment and evaluation of national employees, the development of proposals for the organization of human resources.

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

The candidate must have a higher education degree (Maste’s level or equivalent) in agronomy or agro-economy, forestry or local development.

Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in project/program coordination or coordination, with skills on project management, Administrative and financial project monitoring, Project human resource management, within an NGO or similar institution, particularly in rural and local development.
The Project Manager should have at least 3 years of proven experienced technical knowledge on value-chain development, particularly on non-timber forest produces, as technical knowledge in training design and implementation for SMEs and producers’ groups.
The Project Manager must also have a minimum of 5 years of experience in planning activities for a multi-stakeholder development project and evaluating the implementation of the intervention.
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to work effectively with producers’ groups and various partners (both governmental and non-governmental) in the implementation of development projects. Experience in facilitating and co-developing actions with local stakeholders and populations for the planning and implementation of collective initiatives.
He/she should possess strong interpersonal, analytical, synthesis and writing skills, as well as a high level of personal adaptability.
He/She should have the ability to work effectively in a team and in the field.
The candidate must be available to start the position on September 2025.
Fluency in English (both written and spoken) is mandatory. Bemba is a plus. Proficiency in standard computer tools is also required (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Interested candidates must submit their letter of interest and resume by August 17th, 2025

With the reference: Project Manager NTFP North Luangwa to the emails [email protected] and [email protected]
AVSF is committed to developing an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of its employees within its teams. As an employer, AVSF offers the same employment opportunities to all regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, social status, disability or age.