Strategic Partnerships & Mobilization Lead – Access Improvement

About Fika Fika, previously known as “Bridges to Prosperity,” champions innovative yet cost-efficient infrastructure solutions in rural regions by leveraging advocacy, research-backed evidence, and specialized technical support. Through strategic collaborations with governments and donors, we strive to ensure safe accessibility for communities isolated by geography. Our methodology, grounded in empirical data, underscores how dependable access fosters opportunity and catalyzes economic and social progress in underserved rural areas. Opportunity Overview Fika is recruiting a seasoned and proactive Partnerships and Mobilization Lead to spearhead the non-physical infrastructure component of an upcoming Improving Access Activity. This initiative forms a critical part of a substantial, donor-funded transport infrastructure program in Zambia, which is designed to tackle both physical and non-physical obstacles to mobility and market access for rural communities situated along a major economic corridor. As the Partnerships and Mobilization Lead, you will be responsible for enhancing government partnerships at all levels, steering community engagement and mobilization efforts, and overseeing the Activity’s environmental and social performance. Reporting directly to the Improving Access Activity Team Leader, this role maintains a dotted-line relationship with the FIFA Zambia Senior Partnerships Manager—and collaborates closely with the FIFA Zambia Country Director—to align partner and stakeholder engagement with FIFA Zambia’s core programming. The position is subject to program funding and client approvals. Responsibilities Government Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement We are seeking a dedicated professional to cultivate and sustain strategic relationships with government entities and key stakeholders. Your role will involve negotiating agreements, securing support, and ensuring seamless collaboration to advance organizational objectives. You will be responsible for identifying opportunities, managing communications, and aligning interests to foster productive partnerships. Candidates should demonstrate a track record of successful stakeholder engagement, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes. Proficiency in government relations, clear communication, and project management are essential for this position.

• Develop and maintain robust collaborations with governmental bodies at both national and subnational tiers—including ministries, agencies, district councils, Ward Development Committees, and traditional leadership structures—in close coordination with FIFA Zambia’s Senior Partnerships Manager, Country Director, and the IAA Team Leader, as well as with farmer organizations, civil society entities, and development partners. Position Overview: We are seeking a dynamic professional to lead our community engagement and participatory planning initiatives. The ideal candidate will facilitate meaningful collaboration between stakeholders, residents, and organizational partners to ensure inclusive decision-making processes. Responsibilities include designing and implementing engagement strategies, analyzing feedback, and translating community input into actionable plans. The role requires strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency, and experience in stakeholder management. Proficiency in data collection and reporting tools is essential, along with the ability to adapt strategies to diverse community needs. This position plays a key role in fostering equitable development and strengthening community partnerships.
• Facilitate active involvement and empower community members through collaborative participation and mobilization efforts. , including operationalization of a bespoke Participatory Rural Access to Markets (P-RAM) is a community-centered framework designed to empower local stakeholders by enhancing their engagement in economic and market activities. This model prioritizes inclusive decision-making processes, ensuring that rural populations have a voice in shaping market opportunities that directly impact their livelihoods. It integrates collaborative approaches to identify and address barriers to market access, fostering sustainable income-generating activities. The initiative emphasizes capacity-building, equipping rural communities with the skills and resources necessary to participate actively in economic systems. Additionally, P-RAM promotes partnerships between local producers, cooperatives, and market actors to create mutually beneficial trade networks. Through these efforts, the model aims to reduce poverty, stimulate local economies, and promote equitable growth in rural regions. , To ensure community priorities inform infrastructure decisions and bolster the planning capabilities of wards and districts, including Community Development Forums (CDFs), Ward Development Committees (WDCs), and Integrated Development Plans.

Responsabilités

• Conduct sex-differentiated social and needs assessments to guide the design and implementation of activities. Environmental & Social Performance and Safeguarding encompasses the implementation of policies, processes, and systems designed to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, promote sustainable practices, and uphold social responsibility standards. This role is responsible for identifying and mitigating potential environmental and social risks, monitoring performance against established benchmarks, and conducting audits to verify adherence to safeguarding protocols. Key duties include developing and overseeing initiatives that enhance environmental sustainability, fostering community engagement, and ensuring alignment with ethical labor practices. Additionally, the position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to integrate safeguarding measures into project planning and execution, as well as reporting on performance metrics to senior leadership.
• Supervise the environmental and social performance of the Activity. , including FEMA-compliant screening and compliance, along with social safeguards and resettlement protocols, as well as environmental and social management plans, are integral to the role. , In accordance with donor and national standards, this role involves overseeing specialists and sub-partners to ensure compliance and alignment with established guidelines.
• Deliver comprehensive road-safety and safe, secure mobility initiatives while preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and trafficking in persons through a survivor-centered methodology. Team Leadership & Coordination

Oversee the community engagement, safeguards, and partnerships team while collaborating closely with the Team Leader, Senior Infrastructure Engineer, and Operations Lead. Qualifications and Experience

• Hold an advanced degree in a relevant discipline such as social sciences, development studies, environmental and social management, public policy, administration, or a closely related field.

Expérience

• Seeking candidates with a robust background of seven to ten years in government partnerships, community engagement and mobilization, and environmental and social performance within donor-funded initiatives, with a mandatory focus on rural development and a preferred emphasis on transport-related experience.
• Experienced in managing environmental compliance and implementing social safeguards initiatives, including screening, management plans, and resettlement, in accordance with donor requirements such as the IFC Performance Standards and applicable national regulations.
• Led community outreach and engagement initiatives by facilitating participatory consultations and conducting comprehensive needs assessments.
• Professionals should possess relevant experience in gender and social inclusion (DESI), as well as expertise in preventing gender-based violence (GBV), sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), and human trafficking. A solid understanding of Zambia’s decentralization framework, including the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Ward Development Committees (WDCs), and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), is also required.
• Full professional proficiency in English is essential; proficiency in Zambian languages is highly desirable; established government and civil society networks within Zambia are advantageous.
• Demonstrates a strong alignment with Fika’s mission, values, and ethical principles, with a particular emphasis on child safeguarding, integrity, and inclusion. Process Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply by providing a detailed application that highlights their qualifications and pertinent experience. The selection process involves evaluating resumes and cover letters against the specified criteria, followed by shortlisting, interviews, and reference checks, all in accordance with Fika’s established hiring procedures. Final selection is contingent upon donor approval and the program award. Work Conditions Location: Lusaka, Zambia serves as the primary duty station for this position, with frequent travel required to program sites along the activity corridor. It is important to note that this role is strictly on-site and does not accommodate remote or hybrid work arrangements. Position Type: Project-based, full-time employment contingent upon the availability of donor funding. Duration: Fixed-term appointment, aligned with the duration of the program award period. Language: English fluency at a full professional level is mandatory, with proficiency in Zambian local languages considered an additional advantage. Nationality / Right to Work: Applicants must possess the legal authorization to work in the specified location without requiring visa sponsorship. Zambia serves as the primary location for this position. Applicants who are Zambian citizens or currently possess the legal authorization to work in Zambia are particularly encouraged to submit their applications. Contingency Status: Subject to the finalization of the program award and receipt of all necessary donor approvals. Application Guidelines Please submit your CV along with a concise cover letter outlining your primary areas of expertise and relevant partnerships, community engagement initiatives, environmental and social performance experience, and general availability. Highlight your track record in building government partnerships, spearheading participatory community engagement and mobilization for rural development, and managing environmental compliance and social safeguards. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with only shortlisted candidates

[Click the Apply button below to apply, and Create my CV to build a CV tailored to this offer, professionally]