Senior Manager: Enhancing Fika’s Access Initiatives

Responsabilités

Reports to Fika Zambia Country Director Company Profile Fika, previously known as Bridges to Prosperity, champions cost-efficient and innovative rural infrastructure solutions by leveraging advocacy, empirical evidence, and specialized technical support to ensure safe access for remote communities. Through strategic collaborations with governments and donors, we implement our evidence-driven methodology, which highlights how reliable, secure access fosters economic growth and social progress in rural regions. Opportunity Overview Fika is in search of a highly skilled and motivated professional to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in their field, demonstrating both initiative and adaptability. Team Leader This initiative seeks a skilled leader to spearhead an upcoming Improving Access Activity, a critical element of a substantial, donor-funded transport infrastructure program in Zambia. The Activity is designed to enhance rural accessibility and connectivity along a vital economic corridor by tackling both physical and non-physical obstacles to mobility and market access for farming communities and rural populations. The Improving Access Activity is designed to deliver a comprehensive set of interventions, such as the development of rural transport infrastructure, enhancement of government capacity in road asset management and rural access planning, adoption of digital tools for needs assessment and infrastructure prioritization, community engagement frameworks, and the establishment of standards. Implementation will be conducted in close collaboration with national and subnational government institutions, utilizing Fika’s technical expertise, proprietary digital tools, and well-established in-country government relationships. The Team Leader will serve as the highest-ranking FIFA program staff member assigned to this initiative, responsible for ensuring successful program outcomes, effective stakeholder engagement, and operational efficiency throughout every phase—from implementation to close out. This role reports directly to the FIFA Zambia Country Director while operating within a matrixed project framework, which includes additional oversight from technical and operational support teams. Employment is contingent upon securing program funding and receiving client approvals. Duties and Responsibilities Strategic and Technical Leadership Offer strategic, technical, and operational leadership to guide the Improving Access Activity, ensuring cohesive, high-quality, and impactful delivery across all its components. Oversee the formulation and ongoing enhancement of the Activity’s technical methodology, strategic implementation plans, and work schedules, ensuring alignment with program goals and client-driven priorities. Employ adaptive management methodologies to assess program outcomes, determine necessary adjustments, and replicate effective strategies across the implementation phase. Deliver Fika’s representation at senior-level technical conferences, governmental gatherings, and program management forums associated with the Activity. We are seeking a professional skilled in fostering and managing stakeholder relationships and engagements. Act as Fika’s main liaison with the client program’s field representatives, fostering a trusted, collaborative, and professionally effective partnership. Serve as the primary point of contact and oversee Fika’s strategic engagement with essential government stakeholders, such as national ministries, road and transport authorities, local government bodies, and district-level collaborators. Develop and sustain effective collaborations with key development partners, community entities, and civil society organizations operating within the program’s geographic scope. Collaborate seamlessly with Fika’s in-country leadership teams and global support functions to maintain consistent stakeholder representation and communication. Technical oversight, contract administration, and financial governance represent key responsibilities within this role. Provide comprehensive oversight of all financial management activities for the Activity, ensuring meticulous monitoring of budgets, precise tracking of expenditures, accurate forecasting, and timely financial reporting—all in strict adherence to donor and FIFA guidelines. Oversee the administration of Activity contracts and subawards, maintaining strict adherence to compliance standards while ensuring the delivery of agreed-upon scopes of work, both on time and to the highest quality standards. Prepare, review, and manage annual and quarterly work plans, budgets, and progress reports with meticulous attention to accuracy, thoroughness, and punctuality. Ensure strict adherence to all relevant donor regulations, Fika organizational policies, and safeguarding protocols throughout the implementation of all activities. Team Leadership and Capacity Supervise and provide guidance to the Activity team, which comprises technical specialists, field engineers, and operations staff, to cultivate a high-performance, inclusive, and accountable team culture. Assess and address staff development, mentoring, and training requirements to foster a robust and enduring team structure. Develop and implement performance benchmarks, standard operating procedures, and efficient operational systems to ensure seamless execution of activities. Promote knowledge Facilitating the exchange, cultivation, and systematic recording of optimal methodologies throughout Activity and Fika’s extensive program portfolio. Qualifications and Experience An advanced degree in civil engineering, infrastructure planning, international development, public policy, or a closely related discipline is required; possessing an engineering background is highly advantageous and strongly preferred. A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in international development is required, with a significant emphasis on infrastructure programs. Prior hands-on experience in rural transport, roads, or access infrastructure is essential. A minimum of five to seven years of progressive senior leadership experience, in roles such as Team Leader, Chief of Party, Project Director, or comparable positions within donor-funded programs, is essential. Additionally, a proven history of effectively executing programs of comparable scale and complexity is required. Demonstrates a proven track record in overseeing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives that engage government ministries, bilateral donors, and local community representatives within developing country environments. Proven expertise in managing large bilateral donor-funded initiatives, along with a comprehensive understanding of donor compliance frameworks, procurement protocols, and reporting obligations. Demonstrates a track record of successfully overseeing intricate program budgets, contracts, and subaward agreements while maintaining meticulous financial accountability and strict compliance standards. Proficiency in participatory community engagement methodologies, gender and social inclusion strategies, and safeguarding protocols within infrastructure development initiatives is required. Proficiency in technology-enabled methodologies for infrastructure planning, rural access evaluation, or GIS-based applications is considered advantageous. Established government and partner networks in Zambia provide a significant competitive advantage. Demonstrated expertise in leadership, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal relations, with a proven capacity to foster trust and cultivate productive relationships among stakeholders from varied backgrounds and cultural contexts. Proficiency in English at a full professional level, both written and spoken, is essential. Fluency in Bemba or any other Zambian languages is considered an additional advantage. Demonstrates unwavering dedication to Fika’s mission, values, and ethical principles, with particular emphasis on child safeguarding, integrity, and inclusion. Work Conditions Location: Lusaka, Zambia, serves as the primary duty station, with periodic travel required to program sites situated along the activity corridor; hybrid or remote work arrangements may be considered when feasible. not available for this role. Position Type: Full-time, project-based roles are contingent upon the availability of donor funding. Duration: This position is a fixed-term appointment aligned with the duration of the program award, pending satisfactory performance and the availability of continued funding. Language Requirements: English fluency at a professional level is essential, while proficiency in Zambian local languages would be considered an advantageous qualification. Nationality / Right to Work: Eligibility to legally work in the specified country without requiring sponsorship is a mandatory requirement. Work authorization in Zambia is mandatory, or the capacity to secure the appropriate work permits must be demonstrated. Contingency Status: The offer of employment for this role is subject to the successful funding of the program and the necessary approvals from the relevant donor. Application Guidelines To submit your application, kindly forward your CV along with a concise cover letter to Fika through the designated portal. Link Please clearly specify your main areas of expertise, relevant infrastructure program experience, and overall availability in your application. Within your cover letter, elaborate on your senior-level leadership of donor-funded infrastructure programs, your methodology for engaging and managing relationships with multiple stakeholders, and your pertinent background in rural transport or access programming. Applications will be evaluated continuously. Only those who meet the selection criteria will receive further communication. Fika is an equal-opportunity employer dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within our workplace for all employees and consultants. CV Guidelines Length: Maximum 4 pages. Education: Emphasize pertinent academic credentials, including earned diplomas, degrees, and industry-recognized certifications. Exclude any personal details, including photographs, religious affiliation, marital status, and the number of dependents. Additionally, do not include information regarding non-certified training programs. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data and maintaining transparency regarding its collection, usage, and protection. This notice outlines our practices concerning the processing of your information, ensuring compliance with applicable data protection laws. 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