Director - Strategic Planning and Information Management (SPIM)

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is a global health organization that partners locally and globally to create and scale solutions to the world’s deadliest health threats. Millions of people die from preventable health threats. We collaborate to close the gap between proven, life-saving solutions and the people who need them. Since 2017, we’ve worked with governments and other partners in more than 60 countries to save millions of lives. We work toward a future where people live longer, healthier lives, communities flourish, and economies thrive. This is an ambitious vision, and it inspires us and our partners to make progress every day. 

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

ZAMBIA NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE 

      JOB ADVERTISEMENT      

Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) with support from Resolve to Save Lives through the Collaborative Surveillance Project seeks to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced person to be appointed as Director-Strategic Planning and Information Management (SPIM) at Zambia National Public Health Institute. This Directorate is responsible for planning, research, information management, data synthesis and translation as well as monitoring and evaluation functions in order to enhance programmes and projects performance as well as provide appropriate development of health guidelines in order to ensure realization of the ZNPHI objectives.  

Job Title: Director-Strategic Planning and Information Management (SPIM) 

Reports to: Director General 

Location: Zambia National Public Health Institute HQ, Lusaka  

Job Purpose   

The Director - Strategic Planning and Information Management shall be responsible for strategic planning, research and information management that are an essential pre-requisite to the formulation of coherent policies in the successful implementation of the Zambia National Public Health Institute strategic goals. He/she shall lead/advise on all matters concerning the formulation of draft policies in public health security and ensure that they are approved and implemented. A key role of this position is translation of data from institutional activities into manageable information at various levels and fora. 

Specific Roles and Responsibilities 

       a) Corporate Planning 

• Coordinates effectively the development, implementation and review of the ZNPHI Strategic Plan (SP) in order to ensure attainment of the Institutes strategic objectives 

• Monitors the implementation of the Strategic Plan by analyzing the performance of ZNPHI against set targets and ensure that quarterly Performance Review Reports are prepared on time  

• Facilitates the mid-term and end of term evaluations of the ZNPHI Strategic Plan, ensuring findings and recommendations are integrated into institutional planning cycles 

• Ensures alignment of workplans across ZNPHI directorates and funding sources  

       b) Data synthesis and translation  

• Coordinates research concepts and implementation of operational research across the institute 

• Lead workflow coordination and implementation of information products embedded in core business operations and workflows, which include data reviews, synthesis and visualization of data products 

• Support data interpretation and development manuscripts, scientific conference materials and policy briefing products 

• Provide mentorship and training for data analysts and offer support across other institutional programs 

       c) Programme/Project Management and Coordination 

• Works closely with other Departments and Units at ZNPHI in implementing performance improvement programs, particularly the Delivery Unit and projects in order to ensure effective performance 

• Coordinates the direction of strategic planning process for projects implementation across ZNPHI’s functional areas in order to attain set objectives  

• Coordinates all Directorates, Units and stakeholders in the development and communication of project strategies with high impact, clear targets and measurable outcomes that support the implementation of the ZNPHI Strategic Plan linked to the National Development Plan and the National Health Strategic Plan 

• Develops proposals and concept notes for potential donors and funders to ensure adequate resources in order to ensure effective implementation of the ZNPHI Strategic Plan 

• Develops metrics, presentations and reports demonstrating strategic impact of projects and interventions to the ZNPHI Board, Government, Cooperating Partners and other stakeholders in the public health sector in order to facilitate knowledge sharing  

       d) Organization of Regular Project Meetings and Assessments 

• Coordinates and manages organisation of programme/project inception workshops and meetings that deploy program implementing strategies, determines annual work plans, and introduces the programme management regulations 
• Coordinates periodic programme/project implementation review meetings and assessments on all current projects 
• Coordinates quarterly and annual performance review meetings and review of implementation work plans for the following year 

       e) Programme/Projects Documentation 

• Ensures that quarterly monitoring reports and Programme bulletins are compiled (on regular basis) for dissemination within ZNPHI and other stakeholders  

• Assists Departments in compiling annual reports to be submitted the periodic review meetings; 

• Ensures timely preparation of end project reports, highlighting the lessons learnt and recommendations for future engagements with project funders, sector players among others.  

       f) Implementation of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) Performance Management System 

• Oversees the implementation of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) performance management system at ZNPHI that will be used to measure the delivery of the ZNPHI strategy in order to ensure the Institute is aligned with the strategy 

• Oversees the development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that will be used for measuring performance for ZNPHI    

       g) Leadership 

• Supervises subordinates in the Directorate to ensure all its deliverables are being accomplished. 

• Effectively leads by demonstrating exemplary leadership behavior, through personal involvement, commitment and dedication in support of organizational values. 

• Drives a culture that guides and directs best practice, fostering an environment of continuous learning, improvement and cohesiveness. 

• Creates a positive work climate and culture to energize employees, give meaning to work, minimize work disruption and maximize employee productivity. 

      h) ICT and Information Management 

• Establish robust ICT capacity and systems to effectively meet the current and future needs of all the Institute’s departments 

• Drive digital innovation and AI integration into the existing system and designs for new system that can support advanced analytics and the production of high quality real-time and periodic information products  

• Ensure secure access to relevant information by all stakeholders both within ZNPHI directorates for public health action, as well as for public/risk communications and policy translation 

• Coordinate operations, publication and dissemination of the Health Press Zambia and other information sharing mechanisms of the Institute. 

       i) Qualifications 

• Full Grade 12 School Certificate with minimum five O level credits including English and Mathematics 

• Bachelor's Degree in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Public Health Informatics and Information Systems. 

• Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Public Health Informatics and Information Systems 

• PhD in these fields is an added advantage. 

       j) Desired experience  

• Minimum of 10 years of work experience at a scientific senior level with leadership and management responsibilities and cross-team collaborations 

• At least 10 years’ experience supporting a high-level executive, or other relevant experience  

• Experience in big data analytics, bioinformatics, and data visualization 

• Demonstrable experience as a research scientist, grantsmanship and program management   

• Experience working in the health sector (public health, epidemiology, health information systems) is desirable   

• Familiarity with ZNPHI’s role in health security in Zambia 

• Experience working with and on Donor funded projects is an added advantage 

• Experience with the management and coordination of external grants 

       k) Knowledge and Skills  

• Strong analytical and data visualization skills in epidemiology and/or statistics 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills   

• Strategic understanding of ICT architecture and systems to support public health surveillance and response 
• Excellent interpersonal and public relation skills 
• Capacity in decision-making and problem-solving 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 

All interested persons meeting the above qualifications and experience should submit their applications online, including verified copies of academic and professional qualifications, detailed Curriculum Vitae with three references including their contact numbers. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 30th October, 2026.  

Note: All applicants who applied following the first advertisement and readvertisement are advised not to apply or respond to this advert.  

Kindly note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Interested candidates should address their application letters to: 

Director General 

Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI)

RTSL believes its programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We encourage applications from and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, organ donor status, or status as a veteran. Resolve to Save Lives complies with all applicable US EEO laws.