Project Officer

Title: Project OfficerSalary: Local terms and conditions applyLocation: Harare, ZimbabweContract: 12-month Fixed Term ContractHours: Full time, 35 hours per weekPlease be advised that this role is subject funding approvalAbout the roleSightsavers are running a project that aims to advance disability inclusion in the digital economy by equipping young women and men with disabilities with in‑demand IT and employability skills, while strengthening the Zimbabwe Business and Disability Networks (ZBDNs) to guide employers in adopting inclusive workplace practices through training, peer learning, and expanded outreach.The position will be responsible for delivering this innovative project as well as part of a global team, contributing to growth and expansion of the portfolio.As the Project Officer you will ensure that the project is planned, implemented, coordinated, monitored, evaluated, and adapted to the highest possible quality standards.Further duties and responsibilities include:Project Delivery* Work with the country project management team and other funding / resources partner to coordinate implementation of activities and sharing of lessons learned. * Manage all aspects of the project cycle with the partners including effective planning, start-up, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, financial and asset management, reporting, documentation and closeout. * Liaise and work with the Global Technical Leads (Disability Inclusive Economic Empowerment) and other internal expertise as required. * Coordinate delivery of capacity strengthening for the Zimbabwe Business and Disability Network (BDN), including training, peer-learning facilitation, membership growth support, and guidance on inclusive workplace practices.Monitoring Evaluation and Learning* Ensure high quality and ethical MEL approaches are embedded in all interventions in the context of a project that is fast paced and innovative with continuous cycles of monitoring, evaluating and adaptation. * Monitor progress of OPDs in engaging policymakers, participating in policy dialogues, and contributing to inclusive policy reform. * Support learning and adaptation through developing and implementing tools, events and processes e.g., learning logs, action learning groups, qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, analysis and dissemination of performance data.Working with Partners* Identify partner organizations with whom Sightsavers can work to achieve the project and organization’s strategic objective of ensuring that people with disabilities have equal rights and opportunities through both service delivery and advocacy. * Build effective partner relationships and support longer-term relationships that go beyond the duration of the project by disseminating information and advocating for the project’s goals. * Support partners to identify their own technical and organizational capacity building needs and facilitate access to technical assistance resources and opportunities to support them through the project cycle.Financial & Resource Management* Support project partners in the preparation of budgets and forecasts. * Monitor expenditure of project financial resources in liaison with the Finance Support Services Officer and the Country Director.Information & Communication Management* Be proactive in providing good quality information on case studies and interesting news stories relating to the project to support preparation of fundraising materials and advocacy materials. * Participate in all PR activities related to disability inclusive employment and employment in general, education and social inclusion e.g. Labour Day, Person with Disabilities Day, etc. * Represent Sightsavers in project and disability-related meetings, and advocate for Sightsavers’ philosophy and policies.Skills and ExperienceAs the successful candidate you will possess experience or a tertiary qualification (Bachelors or above) in social sciences, education, development studies or public health. You will also have familiarity with national legislation and policies in the field of disability, human rights and employment, and hold significant experience implementing projects.Further requirements include:* Experience of the disability sector and gender mainstreaming. * Experience in project monitoring, evaluation and learning. * Experience of designing, managing and carrying out advocacy work for social inclusion/disability projects. * Experience providing technical assistance to other organisations. * Knowledge of current issues and best practices in disability, UNCRPD, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and employment is desirable.This is a highly varied and involved role, and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Job Description for full details.Candidates are welcome to demonstrate their ability to match the person specification by expanding on how their experience, training and/or qualifications might have provided them with the knowledge or skills required for the role. Successful candidates will be appointed on merit.Please be advised that this role is subject funding approvalNext StepsTo apply for this exciting new opportunity, please submit your CV via our recruitment portal and answer the application questions. We are particularly interested in learning of your motivations for applying.We anticipate that interviews will take place during the week of 30 March 2026 and the evaluation process will include a written task and one oral interview, to be completed by shortlisted candidates.Closing date: 15 March 2026As a global equal opportunities employer, Sightsavers is committed to embracing diversity throughout our workforce by creating an inclusive environment that reflects the many cultures and locations where we work. Our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and we will actively promote the inclusion of individuals with a disability. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.Sightsavers is an employer that does not tolerate any form of harassment and has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All potential candidates will be subjected to rigorous background checks and controls.HOW TO APPLYPlease apply here