Name of the position: Project Technical Lead

Location: Lusaka – with frequent visits to project locations within the country

Contract duration: Ja n 2025 – Sept 2027

Start Date: January 2025

Line Manager: Head of Programmes

Application deadline: The applications will be processed on the rolling basis and may close any time, depending on the vulume of applications recieved.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications, candidates may receive feedback up to 2 months from the date of application.

Salary: Candidates will be informed about the salary range in the beginning of the recruitment process

People in Need (www.peopleinneed.net) works in Zambia since 2017 delivering lifesaving and development assistance to vulnerable people in the sectors of nutrition, livelihoods, WASH, environment and good governance. We are part of Alliance 2015, a strategic network of seven European non-governmental organizations engaged in humanitarian aid and development projects. Lear more here: www.alliance2015.org

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Project Summary:

The project titled Harnessing Geospatial Data for Impact: Use of GIS and Remote Sensing in Landscape Management and Disaster Preparedness is a 34-month intervention co-financed by the Czech Republic and the European Union and implemented by a consortium of People in Need (PIN), GISAT, Rinato Space, All for Soil (AFS) and Cybele will implement an intervention that will contribute to the creation of a robust, standardized and practical database and build adequate institutional capacities for effective decision making and implementation of integrated landscape management in Zambia. This will be achieved by strengthening technical and institutional capacity for effective implementation of ILM using geospatial data and improving data services in Zambia and raise awareness of the use of geospatial data for effective decision making. The project will work with key stakeholders such as National Remote Sensing Centre, Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Department of Forest, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, University of Zambia, GIZ, ZAGIT and Open Data Lab Zambia, EU Joint Research Centre at Ispra among others.

Scope of Works:

The Project Technical Lead will serve as PIN’s technical focal point and spearhead all technical aspects of the project. The primary responsibility of the Technical Lead is to provide excellent technical oversight and ensure the successful implementation of the project through efficient execution within scope, budget, and timeline. Additional key responsibilities include closely supporting the Programme Manager to ensure effective project management and the successful implementation of project activities, maintaining effective communication and coordination with all stakeholders, identifying key risks and challenges, implementing appropriate mitigation measures, documenting lessons learned, and managing project resources, preparing project reports among other tasks

• Tasks and Responsibilities
• Technical leadership:
• Oversee technical aspects of GIS and remote sensing (RS) activities, including geodata collection, processing of remote sensing imagery, spatial analysis, development of map outputs (both static and interactive) and advanced GIS products, and landscape management initiatives. Ensure consistency and alignment across all technical project outputs
• Promote and support the adoption of advanced technologies and methodologies in GIS, RS, and practices for landscape restoration or management
• Facilitate coordination with and between GIS professionals, data analysts, remote sensing specialists, landscape ecologists, pedologists, hydrologists and other experts to ensure seamless collaboration and effective execution of project objectives
• Ensure the seamless transfer of technical knowledge and skills to partners, such as ZARI and NRSC, through the implementation of planned capacity development activities. Actively participate in these capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the partners’ expertise and ensure that these processes continue without disruption in the absence of non-Zambian experts
• Ensure proper management of geodata including remote sensing imagery, metadata creation and quality control
• Oversee the development of technical reports, presentations, and publications for stakeholders, including project status updates and final project deliverables
• Analyze and interpret spatial data and map outputs to generate insights and recommendations for landscape management interventions
• Project management
• Support the programme manager in all aspects of project management, including the delivery of the implementation plan, identification of risks and challenges, formulation of mitigation plans, and providing input in budget management, management of project resources especially related with GIS software tools, project’s outputs including data or maps etc
• Lead the planning, implementation, and management of GIS, remote sensing, and landscape management projects
• Prepare project reports (progress report, interim reports, final report) encompassing achievements, risks and challenges, mitigation measures and lessons learned
• Stakeholder engagement:
• Act as technical focal point for all project stakeholders, including line ministries, government agencies and technical experts
• Support the Programme Manager in coordinating with stakeholders to gather requirements, provide project updates, and ensure expectations are met
• Ensure compliance with environmental, regulatory, and legal standards, obtaining necessary permits and approvals where applicable
• Represent, together with Programme Manager, PIN and the consortium in meetings and events concerning topics in line with the project
• Coordination
• Coordinate closely with project stakeholders (including government agencies at local, district, and provincial levels, private sector, media, and others) to support the Programme Manager in implementing planned activities as well as disseminate regular updates, and seek guidance
• Coordinate, together with Programme Manager, closely with SLIM programme team to provide regular project updates and seek overall guidance on project related matters
• Establish strong networks and working relationships with key partners and stakeholders at the local, district, and provincial levels, representing PIN and promoting effective collaboration
• Establish open communication channels through various platforms to ensure efficient collaboration among project team members, including GIS analysts, remote sensing specialists, environmental scientists, and field technicians, while motivating and guiding the multidisciplinary team
• Accountability and Safeguarding including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH)
• Carry out the duties in accordance with the PIN Code of Conduct (CoC) and Key policies (KP)
• Participate in training and awareness raising (CoC and KP, Safeguarding)
• Ensure effective implementation of Safeguarding measures throughout the project cycle

including risk analysis related to SEAH and Child protection at the project/program level and develop a

mitigation plan accordingly.

• Create and maintain a fulfilling and protective environment
• Others – as delegated by the supervisor

Requirements

• Required Skills, Experience and Behavioural Competencies:

Education And Experience

• A Master’s degree in Geography, Geoinformatics, Remote Sensing or similar qualification is required
• At least 5 years of experience working in projects related with GIS and Remote Sensing, preferably in Zambia is required
• A strong background or knowledge in landscape management is required, with particular focus on Zambian stakeholders engaged in landscape management
• At least 5 years of experience in project management, or related roles is required
• Previous experience coordinating and liaising with government authorities, especially aforementioned stakeholders at national and sub-national levels required
• Previous experience working in policy development and implementation, capacity building and training of relevant national authorities and stakeholders is require
• Previous experience of managing a consortium project will be a major advantage
• Previous experience and knowledge of Disaster Management in Zambia will be a major advantage
• Previous experience working with Czech Aid and/or European Union funded projects will be a major advantage

Skills And Competencies

• Strong technical expertise in GIS, remote sensing, spatial data analysis, and landscape management tools
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to manage timelines, budgets, and resources effectively
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and engage with stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to analyze complex datasets and provide actionable recommendations based on findings
• Familiarity with environmental regulations, sustainability practices, and land management policies
• Ability to work under pressure and within time constraints under tight deadlines
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to self-motivate, responsible and hardworking
• Excellent problem solving, decision making and organizational skills
• A team player with an ability to work in a group or alone with limited supervision

Benefits

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

• 24 annual leave per year
• Contributions of Health Insurance (Nhima) as by Law.
• Accident insurance for all injuries during work time.
• National pension scheme contributions as by law
• Extensive Capacity Building program, both internal and external trainings – Induction training.
• internal online opportunities, such as access to e-learning platform and webinars
• Month contribution for phone tariffs
• Annual Staff retreat
• International environments with opportunities to learn from other country programs
• Paternity leave of 5 days and maternity leave of 14 weeks
• Breastfeeding breaks for nursing colleagues
• Per diem for working and sleeping outside of duty town depending on the location.
• Friendly and fair environment in small collective structure where everyone knows each other.
• We have lunch break with meals available at the office (Mongu Office)
• 2 health breaks per day.
• Salaries are according to People in Need Salary scale and shortlisted candidates to be informed about the salaries.