Background

The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MoFNP), leads national development coordination efforts aimed at enhancing the effectiveness, coherence, and accountability of development cooperation in support of national development priorities. Central to this mandate is the Cooperating Partners Group (CPG), which serves as the primary platform for dialogue, coordination, and mutual accountability between Government and Development Partners (Bilateral, Multilateral and International Financial Institutions) in Zambia.

In line with global Aid Effectiveness principles, namely country ownership, alignment, harmonization, managing for results, and mutual accountability, the CPG in collaboration with the Government intends to strengthen the existing development cooperation architecture, including the technical support to the Development Cooperation Department and establish a centralized coordination function for the CPG to address challenges of limited institutional memory within the CPG arising from frequent changes in the CPG membership (TROIKA). Government also intends to operationalize the National Aid Information Management System (AIMS). 

Duties and Responsibilities

1.Strategic Development Cooperation Analysis & Advisory Support

  • Conduct analytical reviews on development cooperation trends, financing flows, fragmentation risks, and alignment with National Development Plans;
  • Prepare analytical briefs, talking points, presentations, and evidence-based recommendations to inform MoFNP leadership, RCO, and CPG Troika decision-making;
  • Support monitoring and analysis of aid effectiveness commitments and contribute to mutual accountability processes;
  • Provide inputs to national planning, budgeting, and sector coordination processes using evidence generated through AIMS and CPG mechanisms.

2. Leadership & Management of Centralized CPG Coordination Architecture

  • Lead the operationalization, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the centralized CPG coordination mechanism;
  • Strengthen coordination workflows, standards, institutional memory tools, and documentation protocols for CPG structures;
  • Serve as a key technical liaison between Government, CPG Troika, Development Partner coordination groups, and the RCO;
  • Support preparation and execution of annual CPG coordination workplans, meeting schedules, and reporting cycles.

3. Secretariat Support & High-Level Coordination Functions

  • Provide full secretariat support to CPG plenaries, Troika meetings, sector dialogues, and technical working groups;
  • Independently prepare high‑quality meeting agendas, minutes, summaries, and action matrices in coordination with MoFNP;
  • Track and document implementation of Government–Development Partner commitments and follow-up actions across coordination platforms;
  • Maintain updated stakeholder contact lists, knowledge repositories, and documentation libraries to support institutional memory and transparency.

4. AIMS Data Governance, Quality Assurance & Reporting

  • Support the development, rollout, and sustained operation of the National Aid Information Management System (AIMS);
  • Establish and apply data quality assurance protocols, including validation, cleaning, consistency checks, and compliance monitoring;
  • Manage timely collection of development cooperation data from ministries and Development Partners;
  • Produce statistical and analytical outputs, including dashboards, quarterly updates, and annual development cooperation reports;
  • Provide training and capacity-building for Government and Development Partner focal points on AIMS processes and reporting standards.

5. Stakeholder Engagement, Knowledge Management & Partnership Strengthening

  • Support and facilitate stakeholder consultations, thematic discussions, joint reviews, and capacity-building activities;
  • Develop knowledge products on development cooperation performance, aid effectiveness, and coordination outcomes;
  • Promote proactive information sharing between Government, Development Partners, and UN entities to enhance transparency and mutual accountability;
  • Provide administrative and logistical support for meetings, workshops, and events, ensuring high-quality communication and documentation;
  • Strengthen data-driven decision-making and collaboration across MoFNP, CPG, UN, and other partners.

Expected Outputs:

  • Effective CPG secretariat support;
  • Strengthened coordination mechanisms to ensure seamless collaboration between the CPG and Government;
  • Improved AIMS data quality and use.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Primary duty station will be the Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MoFNP) under the direct supervision of Assistant Director -Strategic Partnership and Coordination, Directorate of Development Cooperation, MoFNP Technical/dotted reporting line: Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) and Chair of the Cooperating Partners’ Group (CPG).

Competencies

Core Competencies: 

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

2030 Agenda: Nature, Climate and Energy            

  • Ecosystems and biodiversity: Biodiversity Finance

Business Development: Knowledge Generation

  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need

Business Development: Collective Intelligence Design

  • Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions

Digital & Innovation: Data storytelling and communications  

  • Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.

Digital & Innovation: Data Governance    

  • Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies

Digital & Innovation: Data Collection

  • Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data).

Business Direction & Strategy: Systems Thinking

  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Min. Education requirements

  • Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Business Administration, Development Studies or related field is required, or 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in  a relevant field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

Min. years of relevant work experience   

  • Minimum two (2) years with master’s degree or four (4) years with bachelor’s degree of relevant professional experience in development coordination, public sector administration, donor coordination, or related areas.

Required skills 

  • Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize data and evidence to support policy and financing discussions;
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to contribute to reports, briefs, and presentations.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

  • Familiarity with government systems, development cooperation frameworks, and aid coordination processes;
  • Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders, including Government, Development Partners, and the UN system;
  • Proficiency in standard office software and information management tools; familiarity with AIMS or similar systems is an asset;
  • Proven experience collaborating with international and national experts, institutions, and a diverse range of stakeholders.

Required Language(s) 

  • Fluency in English, with excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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