Job Opportunity: Programme Coordinator – IRLI Rule of Law Initiative (Zambia)
Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI), in partnership with the Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (SAIPAR), is seeking a dynamic and skilled Programme Coordinator to support justice reform initiatives in Zambia.
IRLI is a non-profit organisation working globally to promote the rule of law and access to justice through legal technical assistance, research, and capacity-building.
Based at SAIPAR in Lusaka, the Programme Coordinator will act as IRLI’s focal point in Zambia. The role involves:
- Coordinating and implementing activities under the IRLI–SAIPAR Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
- Representing IRLI in Zambia and strengthening stakeholder relationships.
- Supporting the delivery and smooth communication of IRLI’s headquarters-led activities in Zambia
- Key Responsibilities
A. Programme and Partnership Coordination
- Support the implementation of activities under the IRLI–SAIPAR Workplan, MoU and
IRLI Access to Justice Programme.
- Nourish an effective working relationship between SAIPAR and IRLI, and with justice
sector stakeholders and IRLI partners.
- Track progress against outputs, timelines, and deliverables agreed with key stakeholders.
- Ensure the quality of IRLI work in Zambia meets IRLI HQ standards.
- Organise, facilitate, and participate in regular coordination meetings and reporting calls
between IRLI HQ and SAIPAR.
B. Administrative and Logistical Support
- Provide administrative support to the IRLI Programme and HQ team, including document
preparation, filing, and correspondence.
- Coordinate logistics for workshops, meetings, field visits, and stakeholder consultations.
- Manage travel arrangements and accommodation for visiting staff and consultants
travelling to Zambia and support the organisation of visits to Ireland by Zambian
delegations.
- Retain records of activities, expenses, and logistical outputs as per IRLI documentation
standards.
C. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (M&E)
- Support the development and rollout of M&E tools, including data collection forms,
stakeholder feedback surveys, and baseline studies.
- Support with M&E training for IRLI’s key stakeholders.
- Assist with research, data collection, entry, validation, and draft reports to ensure an
evidence-based approach to programme development and impact assessment.
- Contribute to outcome harvesting, learning reflections, and case study documentation.
D. Project Management and Reporting
- Utilising IRLI’s computer system/software, maintain up-to-date activity trackers and
project dashboards for IRLI’s Zambia programme.
- Assist in drafting internal and external (i.e. donor) reports, including quarterly donor
reports, field visit summaries, and success stories.
- Support preparation of financial reconciliations and timesheets for Zambia-based
activities.E. Communications and Representation
- Serve as a liaison for IRLI in Zambia, attending relevant justice sector events and
reporting back to HQ.
- Contribute to IRLI’s visibility through note-taking, blog drafting, photo documentation,
and media coordination (in consultation with IRLI’s Communications & Engagement
Manager).
F. Research and Analysis
- Conduct legal, policy, and practice-based research to inform programme design,
stakeholder engagement, and advocacy initiatives.
- Analyse findings from fieldwork, consultations, and secondary sources to identify trends,
gaps, and opportunities related to access to justice in Zambia.
- Support the development of discussion papers, briefing notes, and other outputs in
collaboration with IRLI HQ.
- Assist in compiling and synthesizing evidence for case studies, outcome harvesting, and
reflective learning exercises.
Professional Experience Requirements
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in programme coordination, project implementation, justice sector reform, or access to justice initiatives, preferably in a multi-stakeholder or donor-funded environment.
- A Master’s degree in Law, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or a closely related field is required.
- Admission to the Zambian Bar is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience managing collaborative partnerships with civil society, government institutions, academic or research organizations, and/or international NGOs.
- Proven ability to coordinate and deliver complex programme activities, including stakeholder consultations, workshops, field visits, and reporting functions.
- Strong research and analytical skills, with demonstrated experience conducting legal, policy, or social research; developing research tools such as surveys; and contributing to learning, reflection, or outcome harvesting processes.
- Experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (M&E), including data collection methods (qualitative and quantitative), validation, entry, and synthesis of findings into actionable reports or case studies.
- Experience in producing high-quality written outputs such as donor reports, briefing notes, success stories, or knowledge products.
- Competence in providing administrative and logistical support, financial reconciliations, and documentation management.
- Familiarity with the Zambian justice system, access to justice frameworks, and legal aid organizations.
- Proficiency in the use of digital tools for project tracking, document sharing, data
analysis, and remote coordination.
- Professional fluency in English.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent the
organization professionally in multi-stakeholder settings.
- Commitment to highest professional standards.
- Full driving license.
- Clean criminal record.
How to Apply
Please submit a 2-page CV and a 1-page cover letter to info@saipar.org with the subject line: Programme Coordinator – Zambia.
Documentation that exceeds the length requirements will not be considered.
Application deadline: 13 October 2025
