Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) is a national Railway of Zambia. The Company specializes in transporting heavy cargo in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as well as running a local passenger train service. The area of product specialization is freight-bulk cargo and passenger rail services to the satisfaction of all Stakeholders. The Company therefore seeks the services of committed, vibrant, innovative, and strategically focused and business oriented Zambian nationals to fill the vacant positions below:

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SENIOR CORPORATE PLANNING OFFICER (FINANCIAL ANALYST)

JOB GRADE – ZRL03

SUPERVISOR – MANAGER CORPORATE PLANNING

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JOB PURPOSE:

Assist management to make informed financial and investment/funding  readiness decisions  by collecting, interpreting and studying financial data, industry reports, market trends, and developing integrated financial models , optimum funding structures, sensitivity analysis   as quantifying risk across projects identified by the company. Further provide financial analysis to support investment and long-term sustainability.

MAIN DUTIES:

• Develop and build integrated financial models to forecast revenues (freight, passenger, real estate and other sources), operating expenditure, profitability and capital expenditure.
• Evaluate Freight revenue stability (especially on commodity-linked contracts)
• Analyze tariff structures, access fees, freight rates for contract negotiations and regulatory submissions
• Design and Monitor Freight and Passenger Trains as well as Real Estate Costing Models.

Conduct sensitivity analysis of freight volumes on price or economic swings.

• Track and analyze performance metrics related to Rolling stock and train performance, operating efficiency and staff productivity, including evaluating route or commodity profitability
• Conduct competitor analysis and benchmarking with other rail operators
• Undertake market intelligence and evaluate Market Trends.
• Provide analytical, forecasting, reporting, and project support to senior management.
• Participate in the continuous assessment of the performance of all projects and Programmes being undertaken by the company.
• Evaluate policies and strategies meant to improve ZRL’s service delivery and revenue generation.
• Evaluate and identify opportunities to help the company operate more efficiently and lower costs.
• Assess the viability of all proposed projects, economic appraisals and prepare related financial models for the project
• Analyze the deployment and use of Government subsidies and other grants
• Identify opportunities for performance improvement across the company
• Support public private partnerships (PPPs)proposals and other private sector led initiatives, with financial viability analysis.
• Participate in securing funds for investments.
• Maintain and update a database for information capturing and storage.
• Draft Business or project Plans for new ventures or projects.
• Maintain knowledge and keep abreast of new investment regulations, policies and industry best practice
• Participate in developing realistic departmental expenditure budgets each year.
• Scrutinize, analyze and appraise all of ZRL’s business proposals and concepts from potential investors, potential business associates and partners to ZRL.
• Prepare project or funding proposals (Private Investment Memorandum) for potential funders (e.g. DFIs, Grant providers), partners as well as Government and Shareholders
• Explore and suggest possible funding models and capital structures between Debt, Equity, Grants and other forms of capital
• Propose hedging strategies for USD denominated debt against any local currency revenues
• Monitor compliance with any debt covenants
• Calculate investment metrics such as Project IRR, Equity IRR, NPV and Debt Service coverage ratios
• Collaborate with operations and technical services teams to analyze revenue and cost drivers, efficiency and resource utilization
• Evaluate the financial impact of capital investment projects, including rolling stock, infrastructure upgrades and long-term land and property leases
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses for proposed service changes, train scheduling, routes, commodities or pricing strategies and rates, inclusive of passenger service.
• Ensure financial practices adhere to regulatory frameworks and policies (e.g. transport authorities, rail safety bodies)
• Assist in preparing financial documentation, reports and responses to enquiries from Auditors, Government and other regulatory bodies as well as National Assembly
• Ensure corporate compliance with Governing laws
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to attain corporate objectives.
• Engage all relevant stakeholders to craft strategies.
• Participate in the sensitization of employees on new policies, strategies and industry benchmarks and best practice

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Strong analytical and modeling skills in Excel
• Experience in any other ERP systems is a plus
• Numerical, Analytical and Financial skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Strategy and planning skills.
• Critical thinking and Problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of or familiarity with the transport and logistics industry and in particular railway sector or other public transport financial structures, operating rules, regulations and procedures is desirable
• Understanding of Development Finance Institution (DFIs) funding in the African context would be a plus
• Ability to finalize complex reports.
• Excellent Communication and presentation skills and abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline and results driven environment
• Negotiation skills
• Interpersonal skills.

EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOR:

Uphold ZRL’s six (6) core values of: –

• Teamwork.
• Innovation.
• Integrity.
• Professionalism.
• Service.
• Enterprise.

Academic /Professional Qualifications:

• Full grade 12 certificate (5 ‘0’ levels) with credit or better in Mathematics and English
• Bachelor’s degree in economics/finance/accounting/business administration or equivalent.
• Professional qualification such as ACCA, CA or CFA
• Masters’ degree is an added advantage.
• At least 3-5 years’ experience in financial analysis, preferably in transport, logistics or infrastructure
• Membership of a professional body is a must.

Applicants who meet the respective stated qualifications and experience should submit their applications with detailed curriculum vitae, certified and ZAQA verified copies of their academic and professional qualifications, and details of three (3) traceable referees with their contact numbers not later than 17:00hrs on 14^th October to 23^rd October 2025. All applications should be made via this website www.zrl.com.zm

****Please note, only a single file upload is permitted.Therefore, you are required to combine all your soft documents into a single pdf or word file. 

Applications must be addressed to:

Director Human Resource and Administration

Zambia Railways Limited

1st Floor Shitima House, P.O Box 80935

K A B W E