Economic Justice Programmes Officer at ActionAid Zambia

ActionAid Zambia (AAZ) is part of the ActionAid Global (AAG) Federation, sharing common values and aims to drive social change towards a just, equitable and sustainable world. AAZ works with marginalised and excluded women and young people, their organizations and movements to address the structural causes of social injustice, gender inequality and poverty.

ActionAid Zambia has a vacancy for an experienced and suitably qualified Zambian to fill the position of Economic Justice Programmes Officer to be based in Lusaka.

JOB PURPOSE

The job holder is responsible for undertaking policy analysis, research and advocacy on economic justice and development finance issues, with a special focus on tax justice, debt and aid. To offer support to communities in mining areas to hold local authorities accountable in the management of tax revenues collected from the Mining sector. The Work with key stakeholders such as Ministry of Finance, Corporates, Members of Parliament (MPs), CSOs, networks and Coalitions in the promotion of the tax justice agenda, to offer support to AA Zambia partners in the implementation of economic justice related work and support corporate engagements initiatives of the mining community with mining corporates on special issues of interest such as employment, CSR etc.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

a) UNDERTAKE POLICY ANALYSIS, RESEACH AND ADVOCACY

• Produce rigorous policy analysis, reports and briefings with recommendations for changes in the policy and practice of the Zambia government, international institutions and other relevant targets.
• Undertake desk based and field research; commission researches or coordinate country-based researchers, and provide input on AA global research initiatives
• Work with partners to initiate and implement campaigns on tax justice, debt and aid
• Work with other thematic areas of ActionAid Zambia to ensure strong gender analysis in economic justice programming
• Monitor policy and political debates and developments on tax justice, debt and aid issues
• Support advocacy, campaigns and lobbying efforts on tax justice, debt, aid and other economic issues.

b) SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES/PARTNERS TO PROMOTE THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE AGENDA

• Work with partners to engage relevant governmental entities and corporates on matters of tax justice and other economic issues in the country.
• Support communities in mining areas to hold local authorities accountable in the management of tax revenues collected from the Mining sector
• Support corporate engagements initiatives of the community with mining corporates on special issues of interest such as employment, Corporate Social Responsibility etc.
• Support initiatives to build capacity of staff and partners to understand and engage in economic justice issues.

c) NETWORKING, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

• Establish and maintain working relations with key relevant stakeholders including relevant government institutions, political entities, media, movements and other CSO’s on economic related issues.
• Follow up on processes at national, regional and international level and contribute to dialogue on economic governance issues of interest to ActionAid Zambia.
• Represent ActionAid at relevant forums at the local, regional and international level
• Seek opportunities to communicate AA policy and thinking through writing articles, blogs, online debate and other public forums.

d) FUNDRAISING, PLANNING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION

• Support fundraising efforts on Governance issues particularly participating in proposal writing, linkages to funding opportunities
• Participate and support planning processes within the Governance Programme
• Support and prepare periodic reports (monthly, quarterly, annually) on project and programs as required by various donors.
• Adhere to M&E requirements.

e) SHAPE AND IMPLEMENT ADVOCACY STRATEGIES

• Support development of advocacy strategies
• Network with relevant INGO’s, networks and coalitions to coordinate and undertake joint advocacy work.
• Engage and lobby government, decision makers and others at various levels
• Provide written briefings for decision makers and for colleagues
• As part of the team undertake monitoring and evaluation of outcomes and impact of advocacy activities
• Work closely with colleagues in the Public Affairs team to input into submissions, reports and presentations on our issues.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Degree in economics or in any other appropriate subject
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in similar position with experience of policy analysis and research on relevant issues gained in a public policy, NGO or academic environment.

KNOWLEDGE

• Excellent knowledge of economic issues such as aid, debt and taxation with the view to promote economic justice debates in the context of development
• A strong understanding of power relations and the political and economic forces that shape relations between the global North and South
• An understanding of the importance of women’s rights in development
• Social accountability, lobbying and advocacy
• Networking and contact building in political, academic or NGO settings
• Using social media (blogs, tweets, etc.) in a professional context

SKILLS

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to translate complex material and data into clear and concise lobbying and campaigning briefings and materials.
• Excellent negotiation and presentational skills and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels and across cultures.
• Experience of briefing media or media engagement/interaction
• Ability and enthusiasm to speak in public forums and take part in public debates online
• Qualifications in social accountability processes

OTHER

• A proven commitment to team work and strong collaborative and team–building skills
• A strong commitment to ActionAid’s values, including those on women’s rights.
• Willingness and ability to travel

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