Chief Executive Officer

THE ZAMBIA QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER  VACANCY

The Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) is a statutory body established through the ZAQA Act No. 13 of 2011 to develop and implement a national qualifications framework; register and accredit qualifications, and ensure that standards and registered qualifications are internationally comparable. ZAQA is currently seeking the services of a suitably qualified person to fill the position of:

1) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Overall Responsibilities

To oversee the operations of the Zambia Qualifications Authority in order to ensure local and international recognition of qualifications.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

A full Grade12 School Certificate or its equivalent;
Master’s Degree or its equivalent;
At least 15 years` experience, 5 of which should be at senior management level;
Must be a Member of a relevant professional body.
The detailed Job Description can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.

Interested candidates meeting the above specifications should send their applications attaching their CVs, copies of qualifications and ZAQA Certificates of validation and evaluation for all attached qualifications in a single PDF document to recruitments@zaqa.gov.zm

All applications should be addressed to:

The Board Chairperson

Zambia Qualifications Authority

Finsbury Park, Kabwe Roundabout

PO Box 51103

LUSAKA

The closing date for receiving applications is Wednesday, 1st February 2023 at 17:00 hours.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE RESPONDED TO

JOB DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION
1. IDENTIFICATION SECTION
JOB TITLE : Chief Executive Officer
GRADE : ZAQA/01
INSTITUTION : Zambia Qualifications Authority
DEPARTMENT : N/A
SECTION : N/A
UNIT : N/A
2. JOB PURPOSE: To oversee the operations of the Zambia Qualifications Authority in
order to ensure local and international recognition of qualifications.

3. KEY RESULT AREAS
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES (MAIN DUTIES) 
Policy: Coordinates effectively policy formulation, review and
implementation in order to provide direction to the Authority.

Technical Services: Oversees effectively the implementation of the National
Qualifications framework in order to ensure local and international
recognition of qualifications.

Administrative and Support 
Services: Oversees effectively the administrative and support functions in
order to facilitate effective and efficient operations of the Authority.

Legal Services: Oversees the provision of the Legal and Board Secretariat services
to the Authority in order to ensure that it operates within the legal
framework and safeguard its interests.

Public Relations: Oversees effectively public relations functions in order to inform the public and enhance the corporate image of the Authority.

Financial Management: Oversees effectively the execution of the accounting function in order to ensure accountability of funds.

Human Resources Management: Oversees effectively the implementation of the human resources functions in order to contribute to the achievement of organisational goals.

Performance Management: Coordinates timely the preparation of work plans and
implementation of the performance management system in order to
monitor and evaluate performance.

4. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
(a) Reports to:
Chairperson of the Board of Directors
(b) Other Jobs Reporting to (4a) above:
Nil
(c) Number and Level of Immediate Subordinates: –
1 Director – Technical Services ZAQA/02
1 Director – Corporate Services ZAQA/02
1 Legal Counsel and Board Secretary ZAQA/03
1 Manager – Audit and Risk ZAQA/03
1 Procurement Specialist ZAQA/04
1 Information, Education and Communication Specialist ZAQA/04
1 Personal Assistant ZAQA/05
(d) Contacts:
(i) Internal Contacts:
-Ministry of Education on policy guidance and direction.
-Ministry of Finance on funding.
-Cabinet Office on policy and management systems.
-Public Service Management Division on terms and conditions of service.
-Ministry of Labour and Social Security on labour matters.
-Ministry of Works and Supply on office maintenance.
-Public Institutions managing qualifications sub framework on standards
and registration of qualifications.
-Public qualifications awarding bodies on submission of learner
achievement records and verifications of qualifications.
-Public sector institutions on development of national occupational
Standards.
-Office of the Auditor General on Audit matters.
-Zambia Revenue Authority on tax matters.
-Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management on professional
guidance.
-Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants on affiliation and technical
guidance.
-National Pension Scheme Authority on pension related matters.
-Zambia Public Procurement Authority on procurement matters.
-Ministry of Justice on legal matters.
(ii) External Contacts:
-Training Institutions on verification of qualifications.
-Private and foreign qualifications awarding bodies on submission of local
learner achievement records and verifications of qualifications.
-Foreign qualifications verification Agencies and Authorities on
verification of qualifications.
-Cooperating partners on financial and technical support.
-Private sector institutions on development of national occupational
standards.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) Safety and Health of Others:
Ensures adherence to safety and health regulations.
(b) Responsibility for government resources:
Responsible for all resources under the Institution.
(c) Level of Authority and Decision Making:
Makes operational and technical decisions.
(d) Consequence of Error:
Negligence or incompetence on the part of the job holder will result in proliferation
of substandard qualifications, failure to detect fraudulent qualifications and non-
comparability of local and foreign qualifications.
6. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS
(a) Minimum Primary/Secondary Education:
Full Form V/ Grade 12 School Certificate
(b) Minimum Vocational/Professional Qualifications:
Master’s Degree
(c) Minimum Relevant Pre-Job Experience:
15 years 5 of which should be at senior management level
(d) Communication Skills (Written and Oral)
(i) Written Skills
Ability to write analytical and technical reports
(ii) Oral Skills
Ability to communicate effectively in English
(e) Other Skills/Attributes
– Computer Literate
– Integrity
– Tact and Diplomacy
– Interpersonal
7. ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER FEATURES
(a) Condition of Work Place:
Office
(b) Physical effort applied when performing the job:
Minimal
(c) Mental effort applied when performing the job:
Substantial mental effort associated with the implementation of the National
qualifications framework.
(d) Hazards involved in the performance of the job:
Nil