I am shocked to learn that the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) says its costly for them to deploy meter readers countrywide. Its now very clear why the pre-paid meters were never a favourite for the power company. I wonder what would be the outcome if we all had prepaid meters and we all pre-pay $20 a month since in Zimbabwe electricity is only sometimes available. I am sure most household accounts would  always have a credit balance.
- Sophia, Harare

On June 26th traffic police stopped me for not obeying a Stop sign cnr East and Natal roads in Avondale. I suppose I ‘paused’ and proceeded in a safe manner but whatever … I’m not contesting that. However, two officers on the scene told me I had to pay there and then. The first said if I chose not to I would have to go to the station (Avondale) and be taken to court. The second, a superior, said they no longer issue tickets so if I did not pay on the spot (and be issued with a receipt) I would have to proceed to Avondale police station where a docket would be opened against me and the courts would decide whether to pursue me or not.

I’m confused. I refused to pay on the spot as I felt it was a violation of my rights and opted to go to Avondale police station where a third officer explained that they no longer allow you to pay within seven days as the public (“people like you” were his exact words) were abusing that option.

I just want to know is this true or not? If it’s true why hadn’t I heard anything about it until I found myself in that very uncomfortable situation? Is this common knowledge and I am simply uninformed? Also, can they just do that; revoke that option because it’s convenient for them?

- Kubatana subscriber in Harare

Comment: This is news to us – and according to this statement from the ZRP Public Relations Department in March 2012, it is untrue. Meanwhile, Chihuri reckons they’re trying to get rid of the corruption in ZRP. So when did it become a legal requirement to move around with money on you? The police assume that if you drive a car, you have money in your pocket. Have you had similar experience? Please share it with us and tell us what you think needs to be done: info [at] kubatana [dot] net

Individual Consultancy Services for the Results Based Programme: Cordaid Zimbabwe
Deadline: 20 July 2012

The Cordaid Zimbabwe Office is seeking qualified individual consultants as following:

Background
The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (MoHCW) and the World Bank have appointed Cordaid Zimbabwe, to manage the Results Based Financing (RBF) program in Health focusing on Maternity Child Health (MCH) Care in Zimbabwe, in close partnership with the MoHCW and the World Bank. Cordaid has established an office in Harare and has rolled out the programme into 18 districts of Zimbabwe.

The RBF program, which is being implemented by Cordaid, provides subsidies, directly linked to services delivered at primary health care level, i.e. rural health clinics and district hospitals, based on output performance indicators with the aim to improve the availability, accessibility and utilisation of quality health services at district and rural health centre level.

As we continuously seek to improve the programme, we are building a database with experts in the fields of Health System Strengthening, Quality of Care, Maternal and Child Health, Health Financing, Health Economics and/or Public Finance, Statistics. Cordaid Zimbabwe would like to call upon individual consultants with demonstrated experience in one of these areas and who are interested to offer consultancy service during the programme to submit their full detailed Curriculum Vitae and include the past consultancy services that has been executed before for our reference.

Scope of Assignment
Assignments will be of varied nature and may run from 1 week to 3 months according to the requirement, activity and outcome expected. Any field visit will depend on the scope of the assignment and the stage of the programme. The full scope of the assignment will be detailed in the Terms of Reference when the Cordaid Zimbabwe calls up consultants from the listed database.

Based on your qualifications, an individual consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (current edition).

Qualifications
-Consultants must have completed higher professional education (master level), preferably in public health, health economics, health system management, health administration, business administration, database development/data management and analysis and community health.
-Fluency in English – both verbal and in writing is a must. Ability to speak read and write one of the local languages will be an advantage.
-Understanding of health systems strengthening approaches and service delivery within a constrained operational environment, with Zimbabwe experience.
-Experience of working with different stakeholders and providing advice and skills development will be an added advantage.

The interested consultants are invited to submit their application to the following email address: Hr.zimbabwe [at] cordaid [dot] net

For additional information, please contact Arjanne Rietsema: arjanne.rietsema [at] cordaid [dot] net

Cordaid Zimbabwe will compile the consultancy database according to your field of experience and subsequently we will approach you and update on any opportunities that may arise.

Work in and for Zimbabwe. Help grow our nation. Check out the vacancies below. If you’d like to receive this sort of information, as well as civic and human rights updates, by email each week drop us a note saying “subscribe” to info [at] kubatana [dot] net

Please note that the job vacancies we carry are related to the NGO and civil society sectors only.

Head of Finance: ActionAid
Deadline: 16 July 2012 (5pm)

Salary: £23,439 per annum
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency working in over 40 countries, taking sides with poor people to end poverty and injustice together.

We seek to employ a self-starter with a high regard for integrity as Head of Finance.  The Head of Finance is a member of the Senior Management Team of ActionAid International (AAI) Zimbabwe reporting to the Country Director, and is technically supported by International Director of Finance based in Johannesburg and the Finance Coordinator based in Nairobi. This post involves a full range of financial oversight and general management functions.

The purpose of the position is to ensure the financial, management and legal integrity of AAI Zimbabwe within the legal framework of policies and procedures established internationally and to ensure that the requirements of local and international law are adhered to and complied with.  The position is also responsible for providing strategic direction to AAI Zimbabwe; to help ensure all of AAI Zimbabwe’s overall strategic objectives are met; and ensure the continual improvement of monitoring, control and expenditure of partner NGOs of funds given by AAI Zimbabwe.

The successful candidate will have, a Bachelors of Commerce in Accounting/ Business Administration or equivalent, an MBA in Finance will be an added advantage; membership of a professional accountancy body; work experience with an NGO would be of added advantage; a minimum of eight (8) years relevant experience in a reputable organization with a minimum of three (3) years post qualification in a senior management position;

In addition, the position requires very strong experience in financial management and accounting practices at a senior management level; proven experience in implementing financial and administrative control systems; excellent team building and leadership skills, interpersonal and communication skills, high degree of maturity and sense of good judgment are also essential; proven experience in running donor funded projects; sound practical knowledge of spreadsheets, knowledge of one Information Technology accounting systems is a must and knowledge of SUN system is an advantage; practical understanding of development programming challenges and appreciation of the financial support requirement; willing to and has skills to develop capacity of Action Aid International Zimbabwe staff in sound financial management practices.

To apply, please submit your curriculum vitae with a motivation letter to jobs.Zimbabwe [at] actionaid [dot] org

Please Note: While we value all applications, we can only respond to short listed candidates. Whilst all applicants will be assessed strictly on their individual merits, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply.

A group of people reading newspapers for free at newspaper vendor stacks has become the order of the day in Zimbabwe. However, with the display of notices like this one, the free reading habit is most likely going to come to an end.

In an interview which was published in the Sunday Mail dated 01- 07 July 2012 the Minister of Finance, Tendai Biti was quoted saying that violence lead to the splitting of the Anglican Church. I would agree with the Minister if he were trying to say a well-known bishop used violence to remove Anglicans from their premises. The renegade Bishop who is now dabbling in politics is on a looting and invasion spree and violence has been his most powerful tool throughout the campaign. The Honorable should have asked for the correct position from the church, probably he could have given a better comment. Anglicans are peace loving and God fearing people and I am sure by trying to associate the Anglican Church with violence really does give a wrong impression of the real events. Since the Minister is part of the Inclusive Government, people expect him to give the correct picture of the Anglican saga.