Programme Manager – Education, Livelihoods and Gender – Restless Development Zambia

Job Description

About Restless Development

Restless Development is a global non profit agency. We support the collective power of young leaders to create a better world. Our young leaders lead change on some of the world’s biggest challenges – from gender inequality, youth unemployment to climate justice.  All our work is co-led by young people in their local communities – and brought together by the Youth Collective, a growing global community for youth-led organisations. Ultimately, we know that the best people to support young leaders are other young leaders.

We know young people have the power to solve the challenges we face in our world, but they are  being ignored and overlooked. We are the agency that works with young people so they can lead in  solving those challenges. Whether that means supporting communities to end child marriage or  prevent HIV, we work with young people to change their lives and the lives of people in their  communities. Our programmes are genuinely life-changing, but can’t do any of this without talented, creative individuals at every level of our organisation.

We are independently registered and governed in nine countries (India, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and a growing Youth Collective with members in 185 countries. We are committed to creating an agency that walks the talk on power shifting, using the power shifting checklist, both internally and externally.

About the Role

Restless Development Zambia has been equipping young people to raise their voices, engage decision-makers for accountability, and demonstrate their role as effective change agents since 2003. We strengthen the capacity of government, institutional, and civil society partners to meaningfully engage with youth. Our evidence-based policy engagement is distinctive, cutting across government, the private sector, and NGOs—positioning us as an innovative and trusted development partner.

Restless Development Zambia is seeking a dynamic and experienced Programme Manager to lead our Education, Livelihoods, and Gender programme portfolio. Our approach focuses not only on the type of work young people engage in but also on ensuring that they thrive, rather than merely survive. We are committed to supporting young people in securing decent and sustainable work, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, resilience, and opportunities needed for economic empowerment and active civic participation.

Education and Livelihoods Programme Focus

• Economic Empowerment: Providing young people with lifelong learning opportunities and pathways to decent work.
• Gender-Sensitive Livelihoods: Addressing the specific needs of young women and girls, promoting economic inclusion, and challenging harmful gender stereotypes.
• Entrepreneurship & Job Creation: Supporting young men and boys in developing entrepreneurial skills, fostering job creation, and promoting positive masculinity.
• Economic Justice Advocacy: Equipping young people to critically engage with and challenge economic models that impact their lives, advocating for sustainable and just economic policies.

The Programme Manager will provide strategic oversight, ensuring high-quality programme implementation, learning, and impact. They will play a key role in investment and partnership development, people management, and budget oversight, while serving as an integral member of the Leadership Team.

In addition, the Programme Manager will serve as the technical lead for Education, Livelihoods, and Gender within the Hub. They will directly lead one of our Education and Livelihoods projects while supervising project leads implementing other initiatives under the Living Programme.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate leader to drive transformative change for young people in Zambia.

About You

We are looking for people with the right competencies and skills for the role, and who demonstrate  the personal qualities consistent with our Values.

Restless Development takes a Power Shifting approach – we are intentional in our approach to shift power and strengthen youth power in the majority world in all that we do. Our work is guided by the Power Shifting Checklist.

Job Location: Lusaka or Kabwe

Desired skills, experience and commitment:

Essential:

• Graduate-level Degree in relevant field of study. Post graduate studies are an added  advantage.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in programme management, including proven  experience of managing Education and Livelihoods programmes relating to youth with a strong focus on Gender.
• Experience in implementing gender transformative approaches in programme  management and programmes relating to youth.
• Strong partnership development and networking skills.
• Excellent numeracy skills with strong experience in budget management.
• Excellent understanding of project cycle management.
• Good understanding and practical experience of youth development in Zambia.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Experience of donor management and reporting.
• Ability to lead, inspire and develop a talented team, including experience of managing  young staff with limited experience.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to make sound operational decisions.
• Strong team player able to work under own initiative.
• Willingness to travel to rural areas as required.
• A strong personal commitment to the values of Restless Development.

Desirable:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), fluency in  written and spoken English essential and excellent IT skills.
• Experience working in a youthful, multicultural environment including welfare  provision.
• Risk mitigation, response and management.
• A clear understanding of contemporary development issues particularly those related to  economic opportunities for youth, sexual and reproductive health and rights as well as  accountability in governance.

How to apply:

For more details about the role click here.

First round interviews are scheduled to take place on a date to be advised.

Restless Development is an Equal Opportunities employer and seeks to recruit, retain and develop staff from all sectors of the community and will ensure that no applicant or staff member receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, social status, caste, race, ethnic origin, religious belief, age, HIV status, disability, or any other factor that cannot be shown to be relevant to performance.