Introduction

The ILO has received funding from the Government of Japan to support the Central Province in improving the management of electronic waste and in the process creating Jobs for youths. This project will train Trainers from the Province’s Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) Colleges as well as youths, women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in e-waste reuse, recycling and sustainable disposal. The participants will also be trained in financial and business management and assisted to set up their own businesses. The project shall also arrange workplace learning for some youth beneficiaries.

The project’s development objective is to contribute towards establishing a sustainable e-waste management model that generates green employment for vulnerable youth (with a focus on women and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Central Province. Over a 12-month period (from mid-March 2026 to mid-March 2027), the project will generate short-term decent green jobs opportunities, train unemployed youth in e-waste recycling and business skills, support them to form micro-enterprises, facilitate short-term decent work opportunities for youth and strengthen the policy framework for safe e-waste management. By project end, at least 100 young people (50% women, including PwDs) will gain technical and entrepreneurial skills through project-supported training and structured work-based learning opportunities (including some of the youth completing WBL/apprenticeships), and will access decent green jobs opportunities, while local institutions adopt improved e-waste regulations and practices.

These outcomes contribute directly to SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), 5 (Gender Equality), and 13 (Climate Action) by fostering inclusive green employment, sustainable waste management, and reduced pollution. The project Key Outcomes include (1) enhanced local capacity to safely manage e-waste; (2) creating short-term green jobs for youth (especially women and PwDs) through e-waste collection, recycling activities and structured work-based learning (WBL); (3) strengthening an entrepreneurship ecosystem that enables youth-led green businesses to grow and create future decent work; and (4) establishing a circular economy model aligned with national and global sustainability goals. 

Reporting lines

Under the overall responsibility of the Director of the ILO Country office for Zambia and Malawi and the direct supervision and guidance of the Technical Officer of the E-Waste for Youth Employment ), the incumbent will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the e-waste for Youth Employment in Central Province, Zambia project with a special focus on ensuring that the project is making a significant contribution towards establishing a sustainable e-waste management model that generates green employment for vulnerable youth (with a focus on women and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Central Province. 

The incumbent will work in close liaison with the Technical Officer and other project staff, government counterparts and social partners to create synergy and impact in project delivery. The NPO will receive technical guidance from the Technical Officer as well as the EIIP Senior Specialist and other relevant members of the ILO Decent Work Team in Pretoria.

Description of Duties

The NPO shall, in general, support the coordination and implementation of project interventions relating to stakeholder mobilization at national and district levels and facilitate identification of circular economy key national initiatives. More specifically, NPO will carry out, but not limited to, the following duties:

1. Review and analyse the country’s specific development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports and other relevant information. Identify potential technical cooperation areas and provide written analysis on the findings to the Technical Officer. 
2. Work in close collaboration with ILO constituents to facilitate the designing and revising of the project annual work plans as well as preparation of the budget proposal, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the Project supporting the institutional and capacity development of constituents, government agencies, line ministries, and social partners. 
3. Review, verify and analyze workplans, progress and final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness and monitor the progress of Project activities. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities. 
4. Follow-up with relevant technical officers with counterparts in organizations and line ministries at national level, partner and executing agencies, government offices, constituents and in other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets. 
5. Assist in the programming and control of resources of the project, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action. Identify problems, propose solutions and actions. Draft technical reports and prepare inputs for progress reports.
6. Provide programming and administrative support to cooperation activities in e-waste and/or circular economy policy discussions in Zambia. 
7. Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings. Speak on behalf of the Project when attending these gatherings alone. Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying others.
8. Brief Technical Officer and provide relevant information on project matters. Draft, edit, or translate official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information materials. 
9. Draft briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall status of the Project. 
10. Contribute towards enhancing the project visibility of ILO and the donors (Japan) in all project activities and actively participate in resource mobilisation for similar projects, and

11. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor. 

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in, Environmental engineering, Environment and Sustainable Development, Electronics and/or Climate Change or a relevant field. An advanced degree on studies on Climate Change or Environment and Sustainable Development would be a strong advantage.

Experience

At least two years of professional experience at the national level in youth employment, climate change and /or waste management, project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies in charge of waste management and with development partners would be an asset. Experience in electronic waste recycling would be considered an asset.

Technical requirements: 

Good knowledge of waste management related interventions as well as job creation (youth employment), Knowledge of the policy making process. 

Languages

Excellent command of English and working knowledge of a local language of the duty station.

Competencies

Candidates interested in the position should consider that the nine core competencies of the ILO, listed below, may be evaluated during the selection process: Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration. 

Technical competencies

• •    Good knowledge of socio-economic development, including key initiatives and trends in the circular economy and/or waste management in Zambia. 
  •    Good understanding of the local economic context, e-waste and circular economy  
  •    Good analytical skills, and ability to conceptualise, plan, coordinate and conduct activities consistent with the project's objectives.
  •    Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
  •    Ability to organize training and workshops and coordinate project activities and implementation with project partners  
  •    Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities. 
  •    Ability to conduct action-oriented research and write analytical technical reports
  •    Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  •    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required. 
  •    Ability to work under time pressure, manage multiple tasks and work streams and meet deadlines.
  •    Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
  •    Knowledge of project budgets, project administration and evaluation concepts and procedures 
  •    Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations 
  •    Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise
  •    Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution and good drafting skills
  •    Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation
  •    Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative 

  
  Assessed candidates who will be considered as appointable but not selected for this position can also be offered to be assigned on another temporary position at the same or at a lower grade provided that said candidates possesses the minimum qualifications for this position.

ONLY shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.