Zambias employment challenge is about both a lack of jobs and a poor quality of jobs. Recent statistics from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) show that the (standard) unemployment rate, at 12.6% of the labour force in 2017 compared to 7.9% in 2012 and 7.4% in 2014, is worsening. Moreover, overall 69.8% of employed persons are informal employed, with their jobs characterized by low pay, lack of social security, limited mechanisms that ensure respect for workers rights, and low influence or negotiating space on salaries or conditions of service. This dual challenge has existed for a while. It implies that Zambia should raise job numbers and simultaneously enhance the quality and sustainability of jobs. Achieving both of these objectives will require innovative policies that are based on evidence.