DCAF has been engaged in Zambia’s efforts to improve police governance since 2019, supporting initiatives to enhance police accountability and effectiveness. Among others, DCAF’s support and advices has related to gender related assessment within the Police, oversight of and accountability for police management of public assemblies, police responsiveness to community needs.

In January 2025, DCAF together with its partner SACCORD – Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes – are launching a new programme to support reform of the Zambia Police Service (ZPS). This 36-month project aims to promote a more accountable, effective, and human rights-compliant police service, particularly in the context of the 2026 elections, by strengthening governance, management, and oversight. The Senior Police Advisor, based in Lusaka, will lead on providing technical and advisory support for the effective delivery of the programme.

Key roles and responsibilities:

1.     Technical and advisory support to the Zambia Police Service

• As a Senior Police Advisor, and in line with the project’s objectives and activities:
• Provide continuous mentoring and coaching to ZPS staff
• Provide specific police expertise on technical issues such as oversight, investigations, policing of assemblies, police integrity, use of force performance management, and leadership
• Support the development of relevant policies, key strategies and institutional and operational guidelines, including policing doctrines
• Contribute to the design and delivery of trainings and workshops to the ZPS or other actors on police matters
• Coordinate and manage the work of short-term police advisors deployed to Zambia

.    Programme Management and Representation

• Manage all aspects of the implementation of the programme, including those related to oversight and accountability and oversee a portfolio of program components with diverse partners;
• Liaise and coordinate with relevant national and international stakeholders, including executive and legislative authorities, police and security forces, civil society, media;
• Ensure continuous consultation and coordination with SACCORD for the planification and implementation of activities – and identify and take forward opportunities to strengthen SACCORD experience and capacity in working on security sector governance and police reform;
• Support the monitoring, and evaluation of the programme data collection, internal or independent evaluations, course correction or iteration;
• Ensure communication with SSAD team in Geneva is seamless and comprehensive;
• Contribute to the oversight and efficient execution of budget approved by management.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Advanced university degree in security studies, political science, law, international relations or a related field; a combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Experience:
• A minimum of 10 years of operational experience or senior command roles in the police
• A minimum of four years of international experience in police reform contexts as an advisor or programme manager
• Experience in working in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Strong understanding of security sector governance and, ideally, relevant experience in working on related challenges in promoting effective oversight and accountability of the police in similar contexts
• Familiarity with project planning and design, budget management, project implementation and monitoring and evaluation
• Excellent communications skills, and a perfect command of written and spoken English
• Excellent organization skills with strong attention to detail