The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) has become the first organisation in Zambia to achieve Certified PeopleFirst™ status, receiving Silver-level Certification from the Inspiring Workplaces Group.

The milestone recognises CIDRZ’s commitment to building a workplace culture centred on its people and comes as organisations globally place increasing emphasis on employee experience, organisational culture and the ability to create workplaces where people can thrive.

The certification is particularly significant because it is informed by employee insight. Rather than focusing primarily on salaries, benefits or workplace perks, Certified PeopleFirst™ assesses the extent to which employees experience three key intrinsic drivers: Belief, Belonging and Future Confidence.

For CIDRZ, the recognition reflects the organisation’s ongoing efforts to create a workplace where employees feel connected to a shared purpose, valued for their contribution and supported to develop and grow.

A milestone for CIDRZ and its people

CIDRZ Human Resources Director Mwansa Nancy Lombe said the recognition belongs to the entire CIDRZ team.

“This recognition belongs to every member of the CIDRZ team. Our people are at the heart of our work to improve the health of communities across Zambia. Being the first organisation in Zambia to become Certified PeopleFirst™ confirms that investing in our people is essential to our mission, and we are committed to building on it.”

CIDRZ’s workforce brings together professionals working across public health research, clinical research, programme implementation, laboratory services, health systems strengthening and other areas. Their collective work contributes to the organisation’s mission of generating evidence, delivering innovative health solutions and strengthening health systems.

The certification provides external recognition of the culture and people practices that support this work.

Recognition grounded in employee experience

Certified PeopleFirst™ was developed by the Inspiring Workplaces Group as an independent certification focused on understanding how employees experience their workplace.

Matt Manners, Founder and CEO of the Inspiring Workplaces Group, congratulated CIDRZ on becoming the first Certified PeopleFirst™ organisation in Zambia.

“Congratulations to CIDRZ for making history as the first Certified PeopleFirst™ organisation in Zambia. CIDRZ joins a rapidly growing number of organisations around the world whose certification reflects a culture built on belief, belonging and future confidence, the intrinsic drivers that truly define what it means to be PeopleFirst today.”

According to the Inspiring Workplaces Group, the Certified PeopleFirst™ framework was developed using insights from thousands of organisations that participated in its global workplace awards over the past decade. The approach is designed to provide an evidence-led understanding of workplace culture based on what employees actually experience.

More than a certification

For CIDRZ, the achievement represents more than receiving a workplace certification. It reinforces the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that its people remain central to its ability to deliver on its public health mission.

A strong organisational culture creates the foundation for collaboration, innovation, professional growth and effective leadership. It also helps employees remain connected to the purpose behind their work and the communities they serve.

As CIDRZ celebrates becoming Zambia’s first Certified PeopleFirst™ organisation, the focus now turns to building on this achievement, continuing to listen to employees, strengthen the workplace experience and create an environment where people can thrive.

Zambia’s first Certified PeopleFirst™ organisation. A milestone for CIDRZ. A celebration of our people. And a commitment to an even stronger future together.

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