Team Leader: Improving Access Activity

About Fika Fika (formerly "Bridges to Prosperity") advances innovative, cost-effective rural infrastructural solutions through advocacy, evidence, and technical assistance to promote safe access for geographically isolated communities through partnership with governments and donors. Our evidence-based approach demonstrates that safe, reliable access unlocks opportunity and drives economic and social development in rural areas. Opportunity Overview Fika is seeking an experienced and dynamic Team Leader to lead an anticipated Improving Access Activity, a key component of a large-scale, donor-funded transport infrastructure program in Zambia. This Activity aims to improve rural access and connectivity along a major economic corridor by addressing physical and non-physical barriers to mobility and market access for farming communities and rural populations. The anticipated Improving Access Activity is envisioned to encompass a range of interventions including rural transport infrastructure delivery, government capacity strengthening in road asset management and rural access planning, integration of digital tools for needs assessment and infrastructure prioritization, community engagement frameworks, and standards development. The Activity will be implemented in close partnership with national and subnational government institutions, leveraging Fika's technical expertise, proprietary digital tools, and established in-country government relationships. The Team Leader will be the most senior Fika program staff member embedded within this Activity, with accountability for results delivery, stakeholder management, and operational excellence across the program lifecycle from implementation and closeout. The Team Leader directly reports to the Fika Zambia Country Director but will work in a matrixed project structure with additional management lines for technical and operational support. This position is contingent on program funding and client approvals. Responsibilities Strategic and Technical Leadership Provide overall strategic, technical, and operational leadership for the anticipated Improving Access Activity, ensuring integrated, high-quality, and results-oriented delivery across all components. Lead the development and iterative refinement of the Activity's technical approach, workplans, and implementation strategies in alignment with program objectives and client priorities. Apply adaptive management principles to evaluate program results, identify course corrections, and scale successful approaches throughout implementation. Represent Fika at high-level technical forums, government meetings, and program coordination events related to the Activity. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management Serve as Fika's primary point of contact with the client program's field representatives, maintaining a trusted, collaborative, and professionally effective counterpart relationship. Lead and manage Fika's engagement with key government stakeholders, including national ministries, road and transport authorities, local government entities, and district-level partners. Build and maintain productive relationships with other development partners, community structures, and civil society organizations active in the program area. Coordinate closely with Fika's in-country leadership and global support functions to ensure coherent stakeholder representation and communication. Technical, Contractual, and Financial Management Oversee all financial management functions for the Activity, including budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, forecasting, and financial reporting in compliance with donor and Fika requirements. Manage Activity contracts and subaward relationships, ensuring compliance, quality, and timely delivery of agreed scopes of work. Coordinate and oversee preparation of annual and quarterly workplans, budgets, and progress reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Ensure compliance with all applicable donor rules and regulations, Fika organizational policies, and safeguarding standards throughout Activity implementation. Team Leadership and Capacity Supervise and support the Activity team — including technical specialists, field engineers, and operations staff — fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and accountable team culture. Identify and respond to staff development, mentorship, and training needs to build a strong and sustainable team. Establish clear performance expectations, standard operating procedures, and operational systems for Activity implementation. Promote knowledge sharing, learning, and documentation of best practices across the Activity and Fika's broader program portfolio. Qualifications and Experience Advanced degree in civil engineering, infrastructure planning, international development, public policy, or a closely related field; an engineering background is a significant asset and is strongly preferred. Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in international development, with substantive focus on infrastructure programs; prior experience in rural transport, roads, or access infrastructure is required. Minimum of 5–7 years of senior leadership experience as Team Leader, Chief of Party, Project Director, or equivalent on donor-funded programs; demonstrated track record of successful delivery on programs of similar scope and complexity is required. Demonstrated experience managing multi-stakeholder programs involving government ministries, bilateral donors, and community-level actors in a developing country context. Experience with large bilateral donor-funded programs and familiarity with donor compliance, procurement, and reporting requirements. Proven ability to manage complex program budgets, contracts, and subaward relationships with a strong attention to financial accountability and compliance. Experience with participatory community engagement approaches, gender and social inclusion frameworks, and safeguarding practices in infrastructure programming. Experience with technology-enabled approaches in infrastructure planning, rural access assessment, or GIS-based tools is an asset. Established government and partner networks in Zambia are a significant advantage. Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to build trust and manage relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders and cultures. Full professional proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required; proficiency in Bemba or other Zambian languages is an asset. Commitment to Fika's mission, values, and ethical standards, including child safeguarding, integrity, and inclusion. Process Interested candidates are invited to submit an application indicating their area(s) of expertise and relevant experience. The selection process will include: review of CV and cover letter against the stated requirements; shortlisting and interviews of selected candidates; reference verification; and final selection in accordance with Fika's hiring policies. This position is subject to donor approval and program award as applicable. Work Conditions Location:   Lusaka, Zambia, with regular travel to program areas along the activity corridor; remote or hybrid arrangements are not available for this role. Position Type:   Full-time, project-based employment, subject to availability of donor funds Duration:   Fixed-term, commensurate with program award period; subject to satisfactory performance and continued funding. Language Requirements:   English (full professional proficiency required); Zambian local languages (asset) Nationality / Right to Work:   Right to work in Zambia required or ability to obtain applicable work permits. Contingency Status:   This position is contingent upon program award and applicable donor approvals. Application Guidelines To apply, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter to Fika, indicating your primary area(s) of expertise, relevant infrastructure program experience, and general availability. In your cover letter, please address your experience leading donor-funded infrastructure programs at a senior level, your approach to multi-stakeholder engagement and relationship management, and your relevant experience in rural transport or access programming. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Fika is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff and consultants. CV Guidelines Length: Maximum 4 pages. Education: Highlight relevant diplomas, degrees, and recognized certifications. Exclude: personal information (photos, gender, religion, marital status, number of dependents), non-certified training. Data Protection and Privacy Notice By submitting your application, you consent to Fika collecting, storing, and processing your personal data for the purpose of evaluating your qualifications for this opportunity and for potential future assignments. Your data will be retained only as long as necessary for these purposes and in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You have the right to access, rectify, or delete your personal information at any time by contacting [email removed - click apply for more details]. Fika will not share your personal data with third parties except as necessary for legitimate business purposes or as required by law.