SEED and Connecting People’s Coordinator (Zambia and Malawi)

Reports to: MCC Representative for Zambia and Malawi
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
FTE: 1.0
Duration: 1-year renewable (subject to satisfactory performance)

Organization Overview

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a global is a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches which shares God's love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice. MCC envisions communities worldwide in right relationship with God, one another and creation. MCC Dedicated to sharing God’s love and compassion through relief, development, and peacebuilding. Rooted in Anabaptist values, MCC emphasizes service, mutual learning, and respectful collaboration across cultures and contexts.

Position Overview

The SEED 7 Connecting people Coordinator carries the primary responsibility for implementing the SEED Program in Zambia and Malawi. SEED is a two-year program that brings together young people (ages 20–30) from around the world to reflect, serve, and work for peace with MCC partners in Zambia and Malawi. The SEED Program consists of three main components: reflection, service, and peacebuilding.

The SEED Coordinator is responsible for the administrative, logistical, and programmatic details of SEED in Zambia and Malawi and, together with the Country Representatives, provides ongoing vision to the program. The Coordinator shapes and implements the curriculum and methodology for the educational and study aspects of the program and monitors participants' learning activities. The SEED Coordinator, in cooperation with partners who receive Seeders, is jointly responsible for worker care for Seeders as they carry out their service assignments.

In addition to leading the SEED program, the coordinator will also provide oversight and support for MCC’s YAMEN and IVEP exchange programs, ensuring timely selection, placement, alignment with program goals and participant development.

Key Responsibilities

Program Coordination and Implementation

• Work with MCC Zambia and Malawi Representative in defining appropriate placements and partners.

• Work with MCC Representatives and partners to develop the job descriptions for the Zambia and Malawi SEED participants.

• Assist in the selection of participants and processing of necessary visa documents.

• Coordinate and lead orientation in collaboration with the HR department, monitor the adjustment and training processes for each participant.

• Lead SEED team reflection times and capacity-building gatherings.

• Evaluate and make adjustments in the placements as necessary.

• Plan, monitor, and evaluate the progress of SEED in coordination with the MCC Representatives for Zambia and Malawi.

• Complete worker evaluations and assist Country Representatives in analyzing SEED partnerships.

• Provide worker care to participants through regular site visits, email, and phone contact.

• Collaborate and connect Seeders with MCC’s country offices, Global Service Learning (GSL) department, and partners.

• Develop content for donor reports, newsletters, social media, and annual reports related to Seeders’ service and performance.

• Implement standardized record-keeping strategies to collect and assess Seeders’ performance results for reporting and evaluation.

• Work with host partners to support timely responses to Seeders’ concerns and facilitate the development of informed and effective work plans.

• Manage the application process for outgoing YAMEN and IVEP placements from Zambia and Malawi.

• Assist in processing necessary visa documents for outgoing YAMEN/IVEP participants.

• Engage with returned YAMEN/IVEP alumni in Zambia and Malawi.

• Assist with Learning Tours as needed.

• Model nonviolent peacemaking in the workplace and community through respectful interactions with others.

• Attend MCC meetings and events as appropriate, including devotional and prayer times led by staff.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

  Qualifications

• A college/ university degree in the fields of Peacebuilding, Human resource management, Conflict Transformation, Restorative Justice, Business administration, social sciences, Development, and Political Science.

• Commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship, active participation in a Christian church or community, and nonviolent peacemaking.

• Ability to understand or willingness to learn, speak, read, and write English. Knowledge of another language of Zambia (Tonga, Bemba, Nyanja) would be an asset.

• Knowledge of and interest in the Southern Africa context, including political, social, agricultural, and church dynamics.

• Cross-cultural/international experience.

• Interest and knowledge of peacebuilding/restorative justice principles and theory.

• Strong organizational and communication skills.

• Ability to think creatively and strategically.

• Ability to supervise and support participants in their service assignments.

• Capacity for teambuilding and conflict resolution (training and experience preferred); ability to listen, interact, and collaborate with a group of young adults with divergent, strongly held viewpoints.

• Ability to facilitate group processes for cohesion, reflection, and learning.

• Resourcefulness and initiative in new activities or work.

• Adaptability, flexibility, and patience in situations that change frequently and/or move slowly.

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with a team.

• Supervision experience preferred.

• Willingness to travel frequently by bus and accept the sometimes-rustic realities of the Zambian and Malawian contexts.

• A valid driver’s license and driving experience.

• A college or university degree in Peacebuilding, Human Resource Management, Conflict Transformation, Restorative Justice, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or Political Science.

• Working Conditions and Context

• The SEED and connecting people Coordinator position requires flexibility and resilience. The role involves travel between Zambia and Malawi, occasional overnight and weekend work, and interaction with diverse partners and communities.

• The terrain of Zambia is mostly high plateau with a humid subtropical to tropical wet and dry climate, while Malawi features similar tropical conditions. Both contexts may involve dusty dry seasons and humid rainy seasons. Reliable internet access is available in Lusaka and Lilongwe, though limited in rural areas. MCC expects staff to maintain healthy boundaries and personal resilience while engaging in relational, faith-based, and cross-cultural work.