Children International Zambia., herein referred to as CIZ, is based in Lusaka and is an is an affiliate of Children International (CI), a global nonprofit, headquartered in Kansas City, USA,

Children International (CI) globally delivers child and youth development programming to break the cycle of generational poverty. Through a long-term, customized approach, we serve young people in 10 countries around the world for the first two decades of their lives.

By providing access to resources such as education, health care and positive role models, along with life skills and job skills they need to become sustainably employed adults, we are empowering our participants to improve their own lives, while transforming their families and communities. We are in it for the long haul, because we know that the nearly 220,000 children and youth we support around the world deserve a fighting chance.

As a locally registered entity, CIZ boasts of a dedicated team of over 70 staff and 200+ volunteers. The organization operates offices and programs that support more than 15,000 young people across different communities in Lusaka namely - George, Kanyama and Chibolya. CIZ is also preparing to expand operations into future service areas.

THE CAREER OPPORTUNITY (MORE ABOUT THE ROLE)

The Medical Donations Program is a strategic initiative of Children International that seeks to improve access to essential medicines, medical supplies, hygiene products, and other critical commodities for vulnerable children, families, communities, and partner institutions. In Zambia, the Medical Donations Program has evolved into a comprehensive health systems strengthening intervention that extends beyond the provision of donated medical products. The program supports broader public health priorities by increasing access to quality healthcare commodities, reducing the burden of disease, and strengthening the capacity of healthcare and community institutions to serve vulnerable populations. Through strategic partnerships, robust compliance systems, and responsible donation management practices, the initiative contributes to poverty reduction while improving healthcare delivery and promoting sustainable community development.

Reporting to the Product Donations Manager, the Partnership and Compliance Lead – Product Donation Program (PDP), supports the effective implementation, monitoring, compliance, and continuous improvement of the Agency’s Product Donations Program. The role coordinates partnerships, supports donation planning and distribution, facilitates compliance monitoring, and ensures accurate documentation and reporting in line with donor requirements, regulatory standards, and organizational priorities.

The incumbent works closely with the Product Donations Manager to strengthen donor, government, NGO, and stakeholder partnerships, serving as a focal point for assigned coordination, monitoring, reporting, and engagement activities. The role supports partner onboarding, compliance reviews, due diligence, donor visits, and post-distribution monitoring to ensure accountability, effective use of donated products, and adherence to GDP, ZAMRA regulations, and Children International policies.

While the position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, it requires ongoing collaboration with the department managers, program teams, Service Area Coordinators, field staff, regulatory authorities, partners, and other stakeholders. The incumbent is expected to uphold Children International's values and policies, including child safeguarding, ethical conduct, and regulatory compliance, while contributing to a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

While the role presents the challenge of coordinating multiple stakeholders, donor requirements, and compliance obligations, it offers a rewarding opportunity to strengthen partnerships and help ensure that life-changing donated products reach vulnerable children, youth, families, and communities across Zambia.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ROLE

Partnership Development, Engagement and Coordination

· Coordinate with partner organizations, and internal CIZ departments to support product donation programming, annual planning, distribution schedules, and reporting requirements, ensuring alignment with donor objectives and CIZ priorities.

· Collaborate with the Product Donations Manager to identify, establish, and strengthen strategic partnerships with donors, government institutions, NGOs, and other stakeholders through stakeholder engagement activities, partnership reviews, and feedback mechanisms that promote accountability

· Facilitate partner onboarding, orientation, and refresher sessions on product donation policies, donor requirements, compliance standards, reporting obligations, and GDP requirements.

· Coordinate documentation, logistics and other compliance arrangements for donor visits, partner assessments, product donation activities, stakeholder engagements, and partner due diligence and prequalification processes.

· Support the Product Donations Manager and program team in addressing partner inquiries, operational challenges, compliance issues, and product donation requirements.

· Serve as a focal point for assigned partnership, monitoring, and reporting activities by coordinating with partners to collect program data, beneficiary feedback, photographs, case studies, and supporting documentation.

Product Donation Planning, Distribution and Program Coordination

· Work in close collaboration with the partners to support planning and coordination to ensure effective distribution of donated products and implementation activities in a timely, compliant manner.

· Collaborate with the Product Donations Officer to track and maintain updated information on donation pipelines, product availability, distribution activities, partner absorption capacity, and inventory utilization, and provide timely updates to support planning and decision-making.

· Support the Product Donations Manager in coordinating multiple product donation projects, partner engagements, compliance activities, monitoring assignments, and donor requirements.

Compliance, Monitoring and Quality Assurance

· Conduct partner monitoring visits, post-distribution monitoring, due diligence documentation, and compliance checks in line with donor requirements, GDP, ZAMRA regulations, and CIZ policies

· Identify and escalate operational, compliance, regulatory, and partnership-related issues to the Product Donations Manager along with recommending practical solutions

· Support the development, review, and updating of compliance assessment instruments, monitoring tools, reporting templates, and best-practice guidelines.

· Facilitate the dissemination of tools, guidance, and program learning to partners and stakeholders to strengthen accountability and compliance

Reporting, Documentation and Knowledge Management

· Maintain accurate, reliable, and timely program data including beneficiary data as relevant and ensure proper documentation, data quality assurance, progress tracking, and timely submission of reports.

· Work closely with the Agency Journalist to collect, collate, validate, and document success stories, beneficiary testimonials, impact data, and lessons learned.

· Develop and contribute content for partner engagement, donor stewardship, advocacy, and organizational communication platforms, including CI Connect, CAMP, SharePoint, newsletters, reports, presentations, and other approved channels, ensuring materials accurately reflect program achievements, beneficiary impact, partnership outcomes, and stakeholder engagement priorities.

Support management of knowledge management and communication platforms by organizing reports, impact stories, photographs, videos, partner resources, and other program documentation.

Leadership and Development (LPI Aligned

· Perform other duties as assigned by the Product Donations Manager to support partnership development, donor stewardship, compliance monitoring, product donation programming, and overall program effectiveness.

· Ensure effective collaboration and coordination within the Agency and the communities and across the global organization to maximize collective impact on young participants and families.

· Demonstrate behaviors aligned to CI values consistently.

· Participate in learning activities, share lessons learned, and contribute to practical problem-solving within the team.

· Actively support continuous improvement initiatives and adapt quickly to change within a complex, ever-changing work environment.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND KEY SKILLS

· A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public health, or a related field, with a minimum of 3 years of relevant nonprofit program management experience. Experience in gift-in-kind (GIK) or product donation operations is highly preferred.

· Strong partnership skills including conduct of assessments, meetings, building rapport, and addresses concerns that may arise pre, during, and post grants/donation.

· Possess good interpersonal skills with the proven ability to deal tactfully and build effective relationships with people across levels, both internally and externally.

· Tech Savy with bands-on experience with Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) and strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly word, ppt and excel; familiarity with other digital tools (for e.g canva) and platforms is an advantage.

· Time management and planning skills with the ability to prioritize, work under pressure and ensure adherence to deadlines and turnaround time without compromising quality.

· Attention to detail with the proven ability to analyze data, identify trends, problem solve and suggest improvements.

· Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new systems, processes, and procedures, coupled with a growth mindset characterized by openness, humility, and courage to embrace change.

· Self-motivated and proactive with a high level of compassion, empathy, integrity and passion to work on complex social causes, especially the cause of children and youth.

· Strong verbal and written communication as well as documentation and reporting skills in English. Fluency with some other local languages/dailects are highly preferred.

Organizational Policies

· Strictly observe confidentiality and strong ethics regarding all beneficiary information/financial and other organizational data.

· Comply with and ensure adherence to the organization’s policies, safety and security protocols, child safeguarding norms and guidelines by self- and all stakeholders both internal and external.

· Promote diversity and inclusion, value other cultures, and demonstrate respect while relating with all organizational constituents irrespective of their race, color, faiths, gender, sexual orientation, age, caste, disabilities, experiences, beliefs, and ethnicity.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT

This role is field based and the incumbent has to been comfortable and willing to travel often locally within the country – Zambia, to the SDPs and other field sites often with occasional international travel as needed.

Overall Decision Making & Supervision

· Moderately complex decision requiring judgement and initiative.

· Monitored on progress - typically reflects the status of goals/tasks completion

JOB INFORMATION

· Job Title: Partnership and Compliance Lead – Product Donation Program (PDP)

· CI Leadership Portrait: Leader of Self

· Department: Product Donations

· Reports to: Product Donations Manager

· Other Primary Working Relationship:

o Close coordination with Operating Core including the Operations Manager and Service Area Coordinators, Program Manager, Program Technical Leads, Purchasing Department and Accounting Department, Service Area Coordinators as well as engagement with Global Strategic Partnerships. Revenue & Growth team as needed.

o External: relevant international development organizations, government agencies and local government units; community groups; youth representatives; local NGOs, private partners

· Grade: 7

· Engagement (Type of Contract): 2 year Fixed Term Contract renewable

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Individuals who are interested and believe they have the necessary skills and experience can apply for this position using this link : Partnership and Compliance Lead-Product Donations Program, Zambia | CI - Children International

Candidates found suitable after the initial screening will be invited for a series of further interviews and interactions with different stakeholders within the organization. The successful candidates will be subjected to background verification and satisfactory references prior to their appointment

Children International and all its partners firmly support the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, caste, gender, sexual orientation, creed, disability or any other protected category pursuant to applicable national, state or local law. Children International Zambia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers, and associates to share this commitment

Children International - Zambia

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Partnership and Compliance Lead - Product Donations Program