Duties and Responsibilities

Research Support and Data Collection

• Assist the project team in conducting stakeholder consultations, including interviews with government officials and civil servants at various levels.
• Collect and organise both qualitative and quantitative data from stakeholder interviews, ensuring accurate and detailed documentation.
• Review and synthesise relevant literature and case studies on public sector reforms, especially civil service reforms across different countries, to identify best practices applicable to Zambia.

Developing Research Questions and Policy Recommendations

• Work with the project team to develop research questions that address key challenges and opportunities for civil service reform in Zambia.
• Draft policy recommendations based on research findings, stakeholder consultations, and case studies from other countries, tailored to the specific needs and context of Zambia.
• Support the integration of these research questions and policy recommendations into the Civil Service Reform Toolkit and other project outputs.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Assist in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders in Zambia’s public sector, including government departments, civil society organisations, and international development partners.
• Support the coordination and scheduling of interviews and consultations with relevant stakeholders, ensuring active participation and timely data collection.

Embedment in Cabinet Office

• Work closely with senior officials in the Cabinet Office during an embedment period, assisting with the identification of key areas for reform and supporting government-led initiatives.
• Provide ongoing research support to the Cabinet Office to ensure evidence-based decision-making in line with the government’s civil service reform strategy.
• Act as a liaison between the IGC project team and the Cabinet Office to align research findings with national reform objectives.

Toolkit Development

• Provide research and drafting support for the development of a Civil Service Reform Toolkit, contributing insights gained from literature reviews, case studies, and stakeholder interviews.
• Help identify potential pilot interventions for testing the toolkit’s recommendations within government ministries.

Workshops and Presentations

• Assist in organising and facilitating workshops with government officials, stakeholders, and experts to validate research findings and discuss proposed reforms.
• Document key insights and feedback from workshops and integrate them into the ongoing development of the reform toolkit.

Analysis and Report Writing

• Conduct initial analysis of interview data, surveys, and workshop results, summarising key findings and trends.
• Contribute to writing research reports, policy briefs, and presentations that effectively communicate project findings to government stakeholders and the broader public sector community.

Cross-Country Learning

• Support cross-country learning by reviewing similar public sector reform efforts in other countries, identifying relevant lessons for the Zambian context.
• Collaborate with other IGC teams working on public sector and governance reforms to share findings and generate new insights.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Regularly report to the project lead on the progress of data collection and stakeholder consultations.
• Assist with drafting project reports and updating the project team on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities related to civil service reform.

Qualifications and Skills

Education

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Development Studies, Governance, or a related field. A PhD is an advantage.

Experience

• Previous research experience, particularly in public sector reform, governance, or development policy.
• Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, such as conducting interviews, surveys, and data analysis.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to synthesise complex information and present it clearly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience writing research reports or policy briefs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with data analysis tools (e.g., STATA, NVivo, Eviews).

Personal Attributes

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.