Data collection and research fieldwork are among the most flexible ways to earn money in Southern Province. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), government bodies, and private research firms frequently hire local field staff for short-term contracts lasting anywhere from a few days to several months.
Whether you are based in Livingstone, Choma, Mazabuka, or Kazungula, here is a simple guide on where to find these jobs, what skills you need, and how to apply successfully.
Most modern research fieldwork relies on digital survey tools installed on smartphones or tablets.
1. Top Organizations Hiring Field Staff in Southern Province
Instead of waiting for general job boards, target the specific types of organizations that run field surveys across districts like Kalomo, Monze, and Namwala:
| Employer Category | Examples operating in Southern Province | Typical Fieldwork Projects |
| Health Research Groups | Zambart, Macha Research Trust, Jhpiego, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) | Health impact surveys, clinic audits, community health tracking. |
| Agriculture & Environment | IITA, WorldFish, Musika, Ministry of Agriculture | Farmer yield assessments, fish farming data, climate resilience studies. |
| International NGOs | World Vision, Save the Children, CARE International, USAID project partners | Community baseline surveys, school feeding monitoring, water and sanitation audits. |
| Government Agencies | Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats), Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) | National census, household living condition surveys, drought relief assessments. |
2. Basic Requirements You Need
To get hired as a field enumerator or data collector, employers usually look for a balance of basic education and practical local knowledge:
- Education: A Grade 12 Certificate with at least 5 credits (including English and Mathematics). A college diploma or degree in social sciences, public health, agriculture, or development studies is a strong plus.
- Language Skills: Fluency in Tonga is crucial for fieldwork across most districts in Southern Province. Being fluent in Lozi is also an added advantage for areas near Kazungula and Livingstone.
- Tech Literacy: Experience using mobile data collection apps like ODK (Open Data Kit), KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO, or CommCare.
- Local Knowledge: Employers prefer hiring residents who already know the local chiefdoms, roads, and village setups to save on transport and lodging costs.
Knowing how to use apps like ODK and KoboToolbox gives you a big advantage over other applicants.
3. How to Find and Apply for Vacancies
Fieldwork positions often open and close very fast (sometimes within 3 to 5 days). Here is how to make sure you do not miss them:
- Watch Local NGO Roster Calls: Organizations like Macha Research Trust (near Choma) or Zambart often publish call-outs for a “Roster of Enumerators.” Once you are on their database, they call you directly whenever a new project starts in your district.
- Follow Online Job Portals: Regularly check Zambian job boards (like Go Zambia Jobs or Great Zambia Jobs) under the Data, Monitoring, and Research category.
- Network with Local Lead Enumerators: Team leaders and Field Supervisors usually build their own networks of reliable collectors. If you work well on one project, keep in touch with your supervisor—they are usually the first to know when another project opens up.
- Join Professional Fieldwork Groups: Look out for local WhatsApp or Facebook groups dedicated to Zambian research assistants and enumerators where short-term field calls are shared.
4. Expected Daily Rates and Allowances
Data collection pay is usually calculated as a Daily Rate (Per Diem) rather than a monthly salary, because the work is contract-based:
- Entry-Level Enumerators / Data Collectors:K250 – K450 per day (plus local transport refund or field transport provided).
- Experienced Field Researchers / Qualitative Officers:K500 – K900 per day, depending on the size of the international donor backing the project.
- Field Supervisors:K700 – K1,200+ per day.
Note: Always ask if the daily rate includes lunch and transport or if those expenses are paid separately.
📌 Looking for a Job in Southern Province?
This guide is part of our local career series. If you want to view open vacancies, download simple CV samples, or get interview tips, visit our main Jobs in Livingstone page to check out all local job listings.