Expert – Finalisation of Zambia’s National Strategy on Ending Technology-facilitated Violence

Cowater International implements the Facilitating Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Trade (FIRST) Project, funded by the Government of Canada, working with the Governments of Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mozambique to turn inclusive-trade commitments into practical reforms and expanded economic opportunities for women-, youth- and disability-led MSMEs and small-scale cross-border traders.

About the assignment

• Sector: Digital Trade
• Duration/level of effort: Short-term
• Position location: Zambia
• Assignment period: November 2026-February 2027

Background

• The Government of Zambia has developed a Draft National Strategy on Ending Technology-facilitated Violence against Women and Girls.
• FIRST will provide technical assistance to support the review and finalisation of this Draft National Strategy, including national stakeholder consultations and incorporation of agreed recommendations, to strengthen the strategy's response to gender-based online violence as a barrier to participation in the digital economy and trade.
• This assignment supports the broader outcome of technical assistance to Ministries of Trade and other relevant ministries on the Gender-Responsive and Inclusive elements of the AfCFTA and regional trade agreements.

Objective

• Provide technical support to the Government of Zambia to review, consult on and finalise the Draft National Strategy on Ending Technology-facilitated Violence, so that it offers a practical basis for coordinated action on prevention, protection and response, institutional coordination, implementation, accountability and monitoring.
• Address online gender-based violence as a barrier to women's safe and inclusive participation in the digital economy and trade, including entrepreneurship, e-commerce, social commerce and digital financial services.

Scope of work

• Analysis of the existing Draft National Strategy: carry out a targeted technical review of the draft and relevant supporting documents, considering Zambian policies, legislation and institutional arrangements and relevant regional and international frameworks and good practice, to identify priority areas needing clarification, refinement or further development.
• National stakeholder consultations: lead a technical consultation workshop in December 2026 with relevant Government institutions, women's rights organisations, civil society, private-sector actors and other stakeholders; prepare a National Consultation Report covering stakeholders consulted, key issues and priorities, recommendations, and proposed revisions to the draft strategy.
• Update the Draft National Strategy: working with the Gender Division and the FIRST team, revise the strategy to incorporate consultation findings and technical review recommendations, covering as appropriate: prevention and awareness; reporting, protection and response; policy, legal and institutional measures; institutional coordination and accountability; women's safe participation in the digital economy and trade; and data, monitoring and learning. Review and refine implementation and monitoring arrangements, including priority actions, responsible institutions, sequencing and indicators.
• Support finalisation and validation of the strategy: present the revised draft for final Government and stakeholder review, support incorporation of agreed comments, and finalise the National Strategy on Ending Technology-facilitated Violence, including its implementation and monitoring arrangements.

Expected deliverables

• Inception report (methodology, workplan and approach) — November 2026
• Technical review of the Draft National Strategy — November-December 2026
• Lead stakeholder technical consultations and consultation report — December 2026
• Revised Draft National Strategy and implementation and monitoring arrangements — December 2026-January 2027
• Final review and documentation of agreed revisions — January-February 2027
• Final National Strategy on Ending Technology-facilitated Violence and implementation and monitoring arrangements — 28 February 2027

Approach, reporting and coordination

• The assignment is participatory, evidence-based and implementation-focused, building on the existing Government-led strategy and work already undertaken.
• The Expert will apply GEDSI-responsive, rights-based, survivor-centred and do-no-harm principles throughout.
• The Expert reports to the FIRST Team Leader and works closely with the FIRST GEDSI Specialist and Coordinator for Zambia and designated Government counterparts; deliverables are reviewed by FIRST and relevant Government partners.
• The Expert will support the FIRST Project's monitoring, evaluation and learning objectives by collecting sex-, age- and disability-disaggregated participation data across consultation and validation activities, documenting stakeholder feedback, and contributing to project indicator tracking and reporting.

Qualifications and experience

• Advanced university degree in gender, law, public policy, ICT/digital policy, human rights, development studies or a related field
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience
• Demonstrated expertise in gender equality and gender-based violence
• Advanced knowledge of online or technology-facilitated GBV, digital safety and/or digital policy
• Demonstrated experience reviewing, developing or finalising national strategies, policies or implementation frameworks
• Experience in policy, legal and institutional analysis
• Demonstrated experience working with Government and other stakeholders in Zambia
• Strong stakeholder consultation, facilitation, analytical and drafting skills
• Knowledge of digital inclusion, women's economic empowerment and/or digital trade is an asset
• Excellent written and spoken English

Duration

• The assignment will take place between November 2026 and 28 March 2027.

How to apply

• Applicants should apply through the Apply button on this page.
• Applications must include: a resume (CV) highlighting relevant qualifications and professional experience; a cover letter explaining suitability for the assignment; a technical proposal (maximum four pages) describing the proposed methodology and approach; and a financial proposal, including a budget based on the deliverables.
• All documents must be submitted as a single PDF file, named in the format LastName_FirstName.
• Deadline for submission of applications: 1 November 2026.
• Selection will be based on qualifications, relevant professional experience, technical proposal and financial proposal.

Employer information

• Cowater International strives to maintain a fair, transparent and human-centred recruitment process and may use AI-assisted tools to support limited aspects of the review and shortlisting of applications; all assessments, interviews and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by human recruiting managers. Candidates may request further information or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.
• Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications; it does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age or any other basis protected by law.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.