Program Manager – Implementation and Integration (Internal ONLY)

About StrongMinds Zambia

StrongMinds Zambia (SMZ) is a non-governmental organisation providing scalable, community- and school-based solutions to close the mental health treatment gap in Zambia. Founded in 2019, we provide free, community-based group talk therapy (IPT-G) to treat depression to everyone that needs it most. Our model uses trained local health workers to deliver culturally relevant care through partnerships with the Government of Zambia, significantly reducing symptoms and improving lives. After proving the feasibility, effectiveness, and affordability of our treatment model, SMZ is focused on rapid and impactful scaling of these free, existing and tested community-based mental health solutions that have already served over half a million Zambians through effective and mutually beneficial government partnerships.

StrongMinds aims to provide mental health treatment to 420,000  Zambians in 2026 Exclusively through the Government of Zambia and reach millions more in the years ahead.

Job Profile

Job Title:  Program Manager – Implementation and Integration.

Line Manager / Supervisor: Deputy Country Director (DCD)

Duty Station: Lusaka, Zambia

Job Purpose/ Position Summary

The Program Manager (PM) provides strategic leadership and technical oversight for the effective implementation, integration, and scale-up of StrongMinds programs. Working closely with the Deputy Country Director (DCD), program teams, government stakeholders, donors, and partners, the PM ensures high-quality program delivery, strengthens referral systems, supports government integration, and builds high-performing teams that deliver sustainable mental health impact.

The Program Manager will be expected to demonstrate experience and expertise in the following areas: development of referral mechanisms, supporting efforts towards full government integration, supporting and empowering StrongMinds (SM) staff, managing and supervising the planning and implementation of high-quality program delivery and support budgeting for programs.

The PM will be expected to utilize creative and flexible problem-solving  skills to address challenges as they arise; leading program trainings, support supervision, efficacy and fidelity of program implementation through quality assurance, reporting, documentation, and dissemination of learnings and best practices to a range of stakeholders; coordination across offices and locations; and finally support strategic planning to support longer-term scaling and public sector engagement.

Areas of Responsibility 

1. Lead Strategic Planning, Execution and budgeting of activities for programs team for scaling purposes.

• Provide advisory support to the teams in planning and managing the delivery of the treatment of depression.
• Develop technical support plans for demonstration.
• Lead the development of target, cycle milestones and scope of work for teams during the year.
• Advising on new interventions, communities’ methods of work and training models.
• Exit planning and entry into new locations (health facilities, schools, districts etc.)
  

2. Support and contribute to the delivery of 100% government-led mental health services within the different line Ministries.

• Design programs in alignment and collaboration with partners.
• Support government partners to deliver IPTG effectively.
• Support the training of government partners and volunteers – and transition to govt led supervision of IPT-G delivery.
• Develop and Implement the SOP for internal and external operations.
• Support the integration of volunteers and data into the respective information management system.
• Scale and expansion of model district concept. 
  
• Support implementation of the Support supervision.
• Implement the SOP training plan.

3. Build and Lead High-Performing, People-Focused Teams.

• Develop team capability and succession plans by identifying, coaching, and preparing staff for growth and future leadership opportunities.
• Create and sustain a team culture where staff feel valued, supported, empowered, and motivated to deliver high-quality results.
• Conduct meaningful one-on-one conversations that support performance, wellbeing, feedback, coaching, and individual development.
• Role model continuous learning and actively pursue personal growth while encouraging a learning culture within the team.
• Build a culture of coaching and mentorship where team members feel supported, empowered, and equipped to succeed.
• Foster innovation and continuous improvement by encouraging learning from successes, challenges, and team experiences.
• Identify team development needs and strengthen staff capability through coaching, mentoring, training, and continuous feedback.
• Lead change management through transparent communication, inclusion, collaboration, and team engagement.
  

4. Support the enhancement of referral pathways with key stakeholders and Suicide Management and response.

• Create referral pathways in every community of operation.
• Have a clear referral system and a feedback mechanism.
• Support teams to respond promptly to suicide risk cases and facilitate linkage to appropriate service providers.
• Train and orient teams on suicide Management.

5. Ensure Financial Compliance and Effective Administration of Program Deliverables.

• Provide proactive budget monitoring and review requests to support approval by the DCD.
• Implement Cost efficiency strategies.
• Support and monitor the preparation stipend and airtime payments.
• Monitor distribution of program items.
• Support the budgeting of program activities and needs.
  

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Psychology, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Project Management, or another relevant field.
• Training or certification in Project Management will be an added advantage.
• Training or experience in Interpersonal Group Therapy (IPT-G) or community-based mental health interventions will be an added advantage.
• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field will be an added advantage.

Job-Related Experience & Knowledge

• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in mental health programming, counselling, program implementation, or team supervision.
• Experience delivering IPT-G training with staff and community volunteer facilitators.
• Experience supervising Mental Health Facilitators, Mental Health Supervisors, community-based teams, or volunteers.
• Experience supporting the implementation and scale-up of community-based health or development programs.
• Experience working with government partners, community structures, or implementing partners.
• Experience supporting program quality, implementation monitoring, documentation of learnings, and continuous improvement.
• Experience strengthening referral systems, service integration, or community-based support structures will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of program planning, support supervision, capacity building, and performance improvement approaches.
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
  

Competencies

• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to build and support high-performing, people-focused teams.
• Ability to create an environment of trust, psychological safety, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills with the ability to support staff growth and development.
• Excellent planning, coordination, organisational, and project management skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to use data and evidence to inform decision-making and improve program delivery.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt, innovate, and identify effective solutions in a changing environment.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to provide clear direction, feedback, and support.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality results in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to StrongMinds’ mission, values, and collaborative approach.

Application Details

• Application Deadline: 10 June 2026 at 08:00am (Zambian Time)

Safeguarding & Equal Opportunity

• Applicants will be required to undergo Police Clearance and Reference Checks. Academic qualifications must be ZAQA certified.
  

StrongMinds Zambia is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, or background. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.