Program Support Specialist II_Education

Program Support Specialist - Education

The Program Support Specialist – Education provides technical leadership and support for the design, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of education and youth programming across Compassion International Zambia. The position strengthens the capacity of Frontline Church Partners (FCPs) to deliver high-quality, evidence-based interventions that improve educational outcomes, positive youth development, and successful transitions to further education, skills development, employment, and livelihoods. The role also promotes the integration of education and youth programming with spiritual development, health, child protection, and safeguarding to ensure holistic child and youth development in alignment with Compassion International's Theory of Change, national priorities, and global standards

Responsibilities

• Maintains a personal relationship with Jesus Christ: Is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ, maintains a courteous, Christ-like attitude in dealing with people within and outside of Compassion, and faithfully upholds Compassion’s ministry in prayer.

• Acts as an advocate to raise awareness of the needs of children and youth: Understands Christ’s mandate to protect children. Commits to and prioritizes child protection considerations in all decision-making, tasks, and activities across the ministry. Abides by Compassion’s Statement of Commitment to Child Protection and Code of Conduct.

• Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership in the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of education and youth programming across FCPs and Compassion Zambia. Develop and review technical guidelines, standards, and tools to ensure programming aligns with the organization's Theory of Change, national education policies, and international best practices.

• Program Implementation: Lead the planning, implementation, and scale-up of education and youth interventions that enhance school readiness, enrolment, retention, progression, and completion. Strengthen programming across Early Childhood Education (ECE), primary and secondary education, youth development, and transition pathways to higher education, vocational training, and employment. Ensure interventions are responsive to the holistic developmental needs of children and youth.

• Capacity Building and Technical Support: Build the capacity of Compassion and FCP staff, and other stakeholders by developing and delivering training, coaching, and mentoring in Education and Youth. Conduct technical support visits to FCPs to assess program quality, strengthen implementation, identify gaps, and support continuous quality improvement through practical recommendations and follow-up.

• Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Quality Assurance: Monitor program performance against established targets, analyse data to identify trends and gaps, and prepare technical reports to inform decision-making. Promote documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and innovations to strengthen program effectiveness and organizational learning.

• Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with government ministries, particularly the Ministry of Education, schools, TEVET institutions, higher learning institutions, faith-based organizations, NGOs, community leaders, and other strategic partners. Represent the organization in relevant technical working groups, coordination meetings, and stakeholder forums to promote collaboration and influence education and youth development initiatives.

Skills

• An understanding of the national education system as it relates to secondary & tertiary options.

• An understanding of vocational, technical & apprenticeship options with the local context.

• An understanding of the developmental milestones & patterns of youth 12+ and associated activities which will aid in their overall well-being

• Ability to think programmatically and make recommendations/decisions

• Ability to coordinate and facilitate discussions across multiple working groups

• Ability to analyze program and child development data

• Ability to use established and modern analytical tools.

Faith

• Has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Culture

• Accountable for supporting, upholding, and engaging in Compassion's core "Cultural Behaviors" in all internal and external communication and relationships.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Youth Development, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in education or youth programming.

• Demonstrated experience engaging with government ministries and other stakeholders.

• Experience supporting youth-led programs (e.g., TVET, livelihoods initiatives).

• Contextual knowledge of Zambia’s education and youth sector landscape.

• Demonstrated experience designing, supporting, coordinating, or monitoring education programs.

• Education programming experience

• Stakeholder engagement experience

Added advantage

Licenses and Certifications

• Teaching Practicing License, where applicable.

• Driver's License

Working Environment

• Office – Standard Office Environment (based in Lusaka)

Physical Demands

• Sitting, standing, and/or walking for up to 8 hours per day

Travel Requirements

• May be required to travel up to 30% of normal schedule