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Author Archive

Women activists … apply now!

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Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 by Bev Clark

Head of Communication: FEMNET
Deadline: 27 May 2012

Background
The African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), is a pan African women’s rights network based in Nairobi-Kenya. Established in 1988, FEMNET has been at the forefront of championing gender equality, equity and women’s rights through the delivery of critical information, strengthening linkages and collaboration among women’s organizations. FEMNET has three programmes namely Advocacy, Communication and Capacity Building.

FEMNET is seeking to recruit a suitable person to fill the position of Head of Communication. This position will offer the position holder an opportunity to work on very exciting development communication initiatives and campaigns at pan-Africa level in a very stimulating, multicultural and dynamic environment. The Head of Communication will report to the Program Manager of FEMNET who will be the immediate supervisor and ultimately report to the Executive Director. The Head of Communication will work in collaboration with the Head of Advocacy and Information Manager to ensure relevant information that contributes to improving the status and quality of life of women in Africa is disseminated to FEMNET members spread out in 37 African countries and African women in general.

Get more here and good luck with your application!

Listen to Saki

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Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 by Bev Clark

Invitation to an Art Talk by Mr Saki Mafundikwa  @ Hellenic International Academy 31 May 2012

Hellenic is pleased to announce that this terms Art Talk will be given by the Founder and Director of ZIVA:  Mr Saki Mafundikwa.  If you are discussing typography in Africa then you will come across Saki Mafundikwa who is a visionary graphic artist that has influenced typography and graphic design all around the world. He holds a Masters of Fine Art at Yale and a BA in Telecommunications and Fine Arts from Indiana  University. He left a successful design career in New York to return to his home country and open Zimbabwe’s first Graphic Design and New Media School in Harare called the Institute of Vigital Arts (ZIVA).

Saki is the author of ‘Afrikan Alphabets: The story of writing in Afrika’, a comprehensive review of African writing systems. He has participated in exhibitions and workshops around the world, contributed to a variety of publications and lectured about the globalization of design and the African aesthetic. His ambition is nothing less than to jump-start an African renaissance. We are honored to say that Saki will be talking about Afrikan Alphabets at Hellenic Academy. This will be a rare treat to hear such an accomplished artist and writer.

Thursday, 31 May, at 5.30 in the Art Room , Hellenic International Academy, 42-26 Basset Crescent, New Alexandra Park, Harare Refreshments will be served.  No tickets required (voluntary donation on door).

NGO job vacancies in Zimbabwe

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Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 by Bev Clark

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.

2 (Two) vacancies: Mercy Corps
Deadline: 24 May 2012

1. WASH/Information Officer (Harare based)

With funding from OFDA, Joint Initiative (JI) will be implementing an urban WASH program that mainly focuses on environmental health, hygiene promotion/behaviors, sanitation and water supply. The broad aim of the program is to build community resilience to WASH disease shocks through capacity building, public-private partnership approaches and promoting cost effective water and sanitation technological innovations. The program will work closely with the Local Authorities and the Environmental and Health Alliance (EHA) members.

This position is a key team player who will be responsible for assisting in the implementation of the WASH activities as well as supporting the information management and research component of the JI program. Implementation responsibilities will include assisting the Mutare-based team in community mobilization, selection and training of health promoters and community and school health club facilitators and monitoring the applied aspect of health club learning. In addition, the position will assist with implementation of targeted WASH hardware interventions (rooftop rainwater harvesting, solid waste disposal), income generating activities and social marketing for access to household water treatment products. The incumbent will work closely with the JI partners and target communities to improve community knowledge, behavior and promote best practices in water, sanitation, health and hygiene. Information management and research responsibilities will be focused on WASH as well, including identifying and compiling best practices in the sector, as well as monitoring partners’ performance, training partners on WASH related issues and ensuring that program is implemented according to sub grant agreements. The WASH information officer, in liaison with the program manager and the M&E officer, will lead the consortium in baseline, mid-term and end of project surveys as well as program report writing.

2. WASH Officer (Mutare Based)

This position is a key team player who will be responsible for community mobilization, selection of health promoters and community and school health club facilitators and monitoring the applied aspect of health club learning. The program requires active engagement with retailers in the roll out of social marketing programs for household water treatment products. The WASH officer will also be responsible for implementing targeted hardware interventions around solid waste management and rooftop rainwater harvesting. The incumbent will work closely with the local authorities and target communities to improve community knowledge, behavior and promote best practices in water, sanitation, health and hygiene. In addition to supporting rehabilitative works, access to household water treatment and health and hygiene promotion, this position will assist with the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for the project.

Qualifications required
-Minimum 3 years’ field experience in water and sanitation program, experience in urban contexts preferred
-Minimum 5 years field experience in project management, research and information management
-Degree in development work or water and sanitation related studies
-Market development and/or private sector experience preferred
-Strong knowledge of community approaches (PRA, PHAST, and PHHE)
-Good writing and research skills
-Strong computer skills especially MS Word and Excel

To apply, please send a covering letter describing your interest, qualifications, salary requirements, references and all official documents including your CV to Mercy Corps Human Resources at hr [at] zw [dot] mercycorps [dot] org or drop off your application to Mercy Corps, 73 Harare Drive, Mt Pleasant, Harare. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Senior Manager/Engineer: GIZ
Deadline: 28 May 2012 (12 noon)

The Government of Australia and the Federal Republic of Germany are jointly funding the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Support Programme under implementation through GIZ. In this context GIZ seeks to recruit a Senior Manager/Engineer for a fixed term contract of approximately 2 years starting in August 2012. Duty station: Bulawayo. Regular trips to Harare and other duty stations for meetings with other members of the GIZ-team will be required.

Reporting to the Programme Manager and in cooperation with the City of Bulawayo, the Manager/Engineer will be tasked with the design, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of GIZ-intervention measures in Bulawayo.

Job description/responsibilities
-Coordinate and align GIZ-interventions with the interventions of the City of Bulawayo and the interventions of other partners of the City of Bulawayo.
-Prepare and coordinate a work programme in close cooperation with the Programme Manager and the Heads of the Technical Team and the Finance Team, and monitor performance of interventions in technical as well as financial and institutional areas against the work programme.
-In close cooperation with the Head of the Technical Team (GIZ) regularly review the repair, rehabilitation and replacement needs, and define the timing and scope of interventions.
-In close cooperation with the Head of the Finance Team (GIZ) regularly review the need, timing and scope of interventions in the areas of accounting, billing, collection, customer care etc.
-Identify needed equipment and supplies and coordinate procurements with the City of Bulawayo and GIZ.
-Prepare Terms of Reference for contractors, consultants, NGOs and supervise their work.
-Support Capacity Development in the City of Bulawayo in technical and financial areas and support interventions in operation and maintenance, process design and management.
-Supervise, manage and direct other GIZ-staff at the duty station.
-Maintain regular contact and dialogue between the GIZ-team and other stakeholders.
-Report regularly on interventions and progress to both the City of Bulawayo and the Programme Manager.

The ideal applicant holds a university degree in engineering with a post graduate qualification in water supply, sanitation and management. Holding both, an engineering degree and a MBA will be of advantage. He or she has at least 10 years of professional working experience in engineering and management, and in municipal water supply, sanitation, and solid waste management in particular. He or she has held management positions, has at least three years working experience in the private sector and at least five years working experience in Zimbabwe. And of course, he or she has experience with Capacity Development in water sector organisations, good leadership skills, an excellent command of the English language as well as proficiency in MS Office. Applicants are requested to submit electronic copies of their CV and application letter in PDF-format to: GIZ-zimbabwe [at] giz [dot] de

The subject of your email application must read: Senior Manager/Engineer Water. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.


Logistics Officer: UNICEF
Deadline: 3 June 2012

Vacancy Notice No. Zim/2012:23
NOB Level
(Fixed Term Post)

Purpose of the Job
The successful candidate will be under the supervision of the Logistics Specialist, and will be responsible for the management of the UNICEF Distribution Center (DC) and distribution of supplies for the UNICEF assisted Programs in Zimbabwe. He or She will supervise the daily management of the DC and other incoming supplies for in country distributions in line with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) rules and regulations.  The incumbent will provide technical and operational support to the Programmes Sections, Government counterparts and take initiative in management improvements for logistics functions that are mainly related to warehousing and distribution.

The incumbent will supervise the DC in organizing receipts and timely dispatch of supplies to end users as per distribution plans, supervise Warehouse Assistants and prepare weekly reports on fleet and supplies movements. The incumbent will work closely with the government counterparts to ensure that UNICEF assisted supplies are being dispatched in a timely manner.

He or she will also monitor the contingency stocks carefully and advise program sections on a monthly basis on the stock status for either replacement or reordering, and manage the periodic inventory counting; ensuring stock is managed and accounted for as per IPSAS (FIFO) standards. There will other quality assurance activities as well.

The role also liaises with storage and transport providers and provides quality oversight over conditions of contractual agreement.

Qualifications and Competencies
-Degree in commercial field with specialization in SCM- Logistics & transport or related field.
-At least five years of relevant professional work experience in supply/logistics operations.
-Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values.
-Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment

If you have experience of working in a similar capacity, meet the above profile and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send your application quoting vacancy notice number to the following address:

Human Resources Manager
(Vacancy Notice No. 23: Zim-2012)
UNICEF, 6 Fairbridge Avenue,
P O Box 1250
Belgravia, Harare

Or email: hararevacancies [at] gmail [dot] com

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.


Senior Programme Officer Governance (full time): Hivos
Deadline: 8 June 2012

The job
The Hivos Project on strengthening accountable governance aims to strengthen citizen agency to improve governance and to defend basic human rights. As a senior member of the project team, and reporting to the Principal Adviser, the programme officer contributes constructively and positively to Hivos policies in this field; initiates and coordinates innovative and creative programmes and initiatives that contribute to Hivos objectives, forges strong relationships and builds supportive networks with relevant stakeholders, notably in civil society.

The person
You are a qualified individual with strong analytic skill and an ability to translate analysis into meaningful interventions. You are passionate about human rights and good governance without being dogmatic. You have a creative outlook on how human rights can be protected and good governance stimulated in a non-confrontational manner. You are entrepreneurial and not afraid to try something new. You have strong communication skills, both orally as in writing. You are a good networker with a proven ability to mobilize your network in support of the project’s objectives.

Qualifications
-An academic background, with a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
-Verifiable experience in governance, rights and citizenship.
-Experience in downstream accountability is an asset.
-A minimum of ten years of relevant work experience.
-Strong networking skills, ability to mobilize networks in support of the programme objectives.
-Proven experience in project management and implementation.
-Track record in programme development in the field of good governance and human rights.
-Affinity with developmental, political and socio-economic issues.
-Preparedness and ability to travel.

Hivos offers a challenging position in an international environment.

The post is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. Hivos welcomes applications from citizens from South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia but only with a valid work permit for Zimbabwe and can only offer employment on local terms and conditions.

If you meet the above-mentioned qualifications (please look carefully), send a letter explaining your motivation and your CV to: chuma [at] hivos [dot] co [dot] zw

Or deliver to:
Hivos
20 Phillips Avenue
Belgravia
Harare

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Programme Assistant (full time): Hivos
Deadline: 8 June 2012

The job
The Hivos Project on strengthening accountable governance aims to strengthen citizen agency to improve governance and to defend basic human rights. As a member of the project team, and reporting to the Principal Adviser, the Programme Assistant provides administrative, financial, logistical and secretarial support to enable the efficient and effective implementation of the project. This includes collecting information, maintaining records, preparing documentation and correspondence and performing a variety of information gathering, monitoring, technical and administrative services of moderate scope and difficulty, pertaining to, and in support of, the project’s activities.

The person
You are a disciplined and organized individual with at least five years of relevant experience in programme work, including financial reporting. You have had previous experience with an international NGO and have strong communication skills, both orally and in writing. You have strong drafting and analytical skills and the ability to work in a concise and organized manner. You have excellent knowledge of MS Office, database and Internet use.

Qualifications
-An academic background, preferably with degree or diploma in a relevant field.
-Verifiable experience in working on governance, rights and citizenship programmers.
-Experience in downstream accountability is an asset.
-A minimum of five years of relevant work experience.
-Proven experience in project administration, management and implementation.
-Track record in programme development in the field of good governance and human rights.
-Affinity with developmental, political and socio-economic issues.
-Preparedness and ability to travel.

Hivos offers a challenging position in an international environment.

The post is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. Hivos welcomes applications from citizens from South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia but only with a valid work permit for Zimbabwe and can only offer employment on local terms and conditions.

If you meet the above-mentioned qualifications (please look carefully), send a letter explaining your motivation and your CV to: chuma [at] hivos [dot] co [dot] zw

Or deliver to:
Hivos
20 Phillips Avenue
Belgravia
Harare

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (full time): Hivos
Deadline: 8 June 2012

The job
The Hivos Project on strengthening accountable governance aims to strengthen citizen agency to improve governance and to defend basic human rights. As a member of the project team, and reporting to the Principal Adviser, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer is responsible for guiding the overall M&E strategy and implementation of related activities within the project and via partners, as well as providing timely and relevant information to programme stakeholders. The M&E Officer will set up the M&E system and ensure it is implemented effectively by the key stakeholders and implementing partners.

The person
You are a qualified individual with strong analytic skills and an ability to translate analysis into meaningful interventions. You are passionate about human rights and good governance without being dogmatic. You have a creative outlook on how human rights can be protected and good governance stimulated in a non-confrontational manner. You are entrepreneurial and not afraid to try something new. You have strong communication skills, both orally as in writing. You are a good networker with a proven ability to mobilize your network in support of the project’s objectives.

Qualifications
-A degree in a field related to development and/or management and experience in field research.
-At least 5 to10 years’ experience in the field.
-Proven experience with the logical framework approach and other strategic planning approaches.
-Proven experience in M&E methods and approaches (including quantitative, qualitative and participatory).
-Proven experience in planning and implementation of M&E systems. ‘
-Proven experience in training in M&E development and implementation.
-Proven experience in facilitating learning-oriented analysis sessions of M&E data with multiple stakeholders.
-Proven experience in information analysis and report writing.
-A solid understanding of development, with a focus on participatory processes, joint management, and gender issues.
-Advanced computer skills.

Hivos offers a challenging position in an international environment.

The post is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. Hivos welcomes applications from citizens from South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia but only with a valid work permit for Zimbabwe and can only offer employment on local terms and conditions.

The post is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. Hivos welcomes applications from citizens from South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia but only with a valid work permit for Zimbabwe and can only offer employment on local terms and conditions.

If you meet the above-mentioned qualifications (please look carefully), send a letter explaining your motivation and your CV to: chuma [at] hivos [dot] co [dot] zw

Or deliver to:
Hivos
20 Phillips Avenue
Belgravia
Harare

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Volunteer in Zimbabwe

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Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 by Bev Clark

Volunteer: African Mobility Organisation (AMO)
Deadline: 31 May 2012

The African Mobility Organization (AMO) is a Zimbabwean trust that seeks to put the youth at the forefront of Africa’s development. The organisation was created as a direct response to the urgent need for Pan-African policies and programs that empower the local people, particularly the youth, to be on the move and take responsibility and ownership of the fate of their communities.

AMO is seeking to recruit the following posts: N.B.
-The person’s assigned these posts will be volunteers
-AMO is an equal opportunity employer
-All positions are full time

Researchers – Book of African Records

Background
Over the centuries Africa has received negative publicity which has created an impartial image of the continent whilst drowning the contemporary and historical achievements of the African peoples and civilizations over millennia. Over the years it has become clearly understood that none but the African people themselves must give a voice and accentuation to their own accomplishments and contributions to global civilizations. The AMO through the educational elements of the Book of African Records (BAR) project seeks to give the African people a voice thereby enabling them to give prominence to their own accomplishments and contributions to global civilization. The BAR is unprecedented, educational, scientific, and informative and will become an inspirational reference point on all facts African.

Goal: To research and compile measurable African facts for entry into the BAR

Essential duties and responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Editor-in-Chief and Project Coordinator, the Researchers will perform the following duties:
-To provide support required in the research and compilation of measurable African facts in an assigned discipline for entry into the Book of African Records
-To provide administrative and logistical support as required, which will include requesting and keeping records of stationery and other utilities, and ensuring maintenance and securing of all organisational utilities and assets
-To facilitate on job training for personal and peer growth
-To compile weekly and monthly reports of progress pointing to meeting of assigned objectives

Requisite skills
-Strong analytical skills
-Motivated, with the ability to work with minimal supervision
-Proven desktop and field research expertise
-Extensive computer skills, including email and Internet

To apply email an Expression of Interest to mdkubwalo [at] africanmobility [dot] org or call on +263 779 923372 for more information.

Chips and porn. But never together

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Monday, May 21st, 2012 by Bev Clark

Kubatana went Inside/Out with Ian Von Memerty, Performer, A Handful of Keys, HIFA 2012, versatile captain entertainment, the superhero with bad underpants.

Describe yourself in five words?
Energetic, mercurial, passionate, paradoxical, committed.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
- The long-term view is this too shall pass.
- Other people’s opinion of me is none of my concern.
- Prepare.

What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever done?
I have no shame so I cannot answer this question . . . I did swear on National Television by mistake. I called myself a fuckwit. Later it came through on SMS – “Some woman just said fuckwit.”

What is your most treasured possession?
My family.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Global: the fact that humankind can be so magical and so monstrously inhuman, at the same time.
Personal: four months a go I would have said losing a child, but actually there is nothing compared to the whirlwind of a mental illness.

Do you have any strange hobbies?
I live on a little farm. I wear gumboots. My favourite thing is driving the mower – a quad bike with a purpose. My son said, “Dad, you look like a three year old on a tricycle.”

What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I wish I could just get my weight down by 6kgs. When I was 23 I had it together: I was a pretty boy. I had a little butt; they would review my arse before the piano playing – it was that good.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Travel and books.

What have you got in your fridge?
Viv and I, we hate those fucking crowded fridges. There’s always Greek yoghurt, cheese, white wine, salad stuff, and hopefully she will not have thrown away the leftovers before I’ve had a chance to eat them.

What is your greatest fear?
Personal: I’ve lived through my greatest fear – losing my child.
Greatest fear: Having to go to jail and they can’t get medication to you.

What have you got in your pockets right now?
Some dollars and a room card key – I’ve lost the other four. Not wanting to offend but the Zimbabwean US Dollars are the dirtiest in the world. One was so dirty it was pleading to be released from this earth and flung into the flames of middle earth.

What is your favourite journey?
Seven weeks as a family in London, Paris, Tuscany, Rome and Greece.

Who are your heroes in real life?
My son. And every unsung parent who does the job really well. Because if the world was made up of that, everything would come right.

When and where were you happiest?
Holidays with my family. And …I am most stimulated when I am performing but it must be live.

What’s your biggest vice?
Chips and porn. But never together. (See earlier, I have no shame)

What were you like at school?
Really clever and really frightened.

What are you doing next?
On Monday I fly to Cape Town to direct and MC a road show for a large car company. On Thursday my first original CD with a Big Band goes into the shops. It’s called U R Fantastic. And then presenting on Strictly Come Dancing and judging on SAs Got Talent. And taking a Handful of Keys overseas.

Remembering Dr Monica

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Monday, May 21st, 2012 by Bev Clark

Last year I started The Teabag Project. It didn’t really take off … but the idea was to stave off Facebook in that I wanted to use the postal system to communicate with a few people. So I sent off a letter + a teabag and asked folks to brew a pot and then write something; anything. Many months later I received this wonderful reflection on the fabulous Dr Monica Glenshaw.

Thanks Rosemary…

Just over a year ago Monica touched down on Australian soil for a holiday. I always love it when she is here. It is a very happy time. Of course I had plans. We ferried over to Rottnest Island where I had rented a cottage overlooking the Indian Ocean, back to the Perth skyline. Rottnest is an island without cars, so one walks, or cycles, or catches the one bus that makes hourly trips around the island. We hired bikes, with Monica selecting one without gears.  I thought it would make the hills much more difficult but, of course, Monica defied that notion, rising from her seat on the inclines to give extra strength and pump to her legs as required. I tried to pace our daily riding so as not to tire her, but she seemed to grow stronger and more accomplished on the bike with each day. We saw birds and dolphins and sparkling coves and white beaches.  We had picnics along the way and always had a cider stored in a bag for a lunchtime refreshment. One evening we rented a DVD from the local store – Miss Potter – which delighted Monica. She craved films and, indeed, input that might remove her to another world other than her own for a time. I got her to sit through 2 hours of my favourite show, Big Love, about polygamous mormons in Utah.  Viewed on the island, with Monica as witness, the series left me feeling morose and I wondered how I had become so enamoured with it.

On the day we were to leave we sat on a wooden bench again looking out across the ocean to the city. We were eating hard-boiled eggs, Monica’s with ample salt, and bread that we had bought from home. I looked across at her and saw gentle tears.  I moved closer but don’t recall saying anything to her. Was it out of respect for her privacy, or my own fear of what she might be thinking? I don’t remember anymore, but I still see the scene these days. I thought she looked and seemed so well during those days in Australia.  It never ever crossed my mind that I may not see her again. Did she fear it? Did she somehow know? Did she cry for her lost health?

And now she has been dead for 7 months. So many questions I have for her. So many conversations I would like to pursue. But – this is life now.  It doesn’t always go the way we would like it to. It can be entirely out of our control. And I am forced, again, to learn patience, acceptance, to move graciously forward with the inevitable flow of life.

I am grateful for what has been.

There is no other choice available.