From a subscriber:

Dear Kubatana Crew, The environment is peaceful here in Chikomba East & many people await tomorrow’s plebiscite. All the polling centres have received their ballot boxes & are manned by the police. Many people are promising & eager to go & vote tomorrow in the constitutional referendum despite the fact that some did not get the draft papers.Regards from Chikomba East.

The message for Zimbabweans from this pen is that every patriotic son and daughter of the soil should become a watchdog against these pikinini politicians among us who want to feel big by working for and being bankrolled by imperialist powers that want to keep a stranglehold on Zimbabwe politically and economically. – The Herald

The government does not seem interested in this referendum. They only want it rubberstamped so they can have elections. – Clifford Mashiri

All we want to say is that his (Tsvangirai) closeness to Mugabe has become a problem. – MDC spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube

If the new constitution is to guarantee a free and fair election, there must be a political will by all the players. Without political baptism of the constitution, baptism by an observable change of our political behaviours, the whole exercise is futile. – Sondon Stalin Mugaradziko, the Secretary of International Relations in the MDC led by President Ncube

The words of the UN secretary-general, urging that last week’s Kenyan elections should be “credible and peaceful” have set a tone. No one is talking “free and fair”. If Zimbabwe’s referendum on Saturday is credible and peaceful, the UN, the Commonwealth, the southern African region and many others will breathe a sigh of relief. – Stephen Chan

An excerpt from an article by Stephen Chan:

In the meantime, the Law Society of Zimbabwe is right to say that there is something to celebrate in the constitution. It provides an expansive Bill of Rights with citizen capacities to enforce those rights in law. Gender rights are very visible. Powers are clearly separated to protect the courts. Such a constitution, with a government that observed it in good faith, would be workable and a massive improvement. But the question in today’s Zimbabwe is precisely to do with good faith.

More from Guardian African Network here

There is nothing more provocative than minding your own business.
- William S. Burroughs

Work in and for Zimbabwe. Help grow our nation. Check out the NGO job 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

Program Manager: Local NGO
Deadline: 22 March 2013

Purpose of Position
Responsible for writing funding proposals and programmatic reports to donors and internal departments and provision of technical oversight in planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting of program operations.  The Program Manager will also be responsible for building and leading a dynamic team of programme staff; establishing positive working relationships with various stakeholders, have major budget and management responsibility for delivering these program responsibilities. This is a senior management post.

Reporting Relations: Reports to the Director

Key Responsibilities
-Demonstrated practical project management experience covering all aspects of the project cycle from design through to evaluation
-Identifying and soliciting for funding opportunities within the donor community
-Designing program proposals, log frames, implementation frameworks and assisting Finance Manager with budgeting that is in line with donor and other office requirements
-Establishing and maintaining networking partnerships with other NGOs and stakeholders
-Conducting field visits, for the purposes of assessing and ensuring that programs are managed in accordance with internal procedures and in a manner that will promote good practice and maximize program impact
-Ensuring good relationships with donor community and internal support offices through ensuring that the organisation meets all contractual obligations and achieves high quality planning and implementation
-Conducting monitoring and evaluation, research and documentation
-Developing monthly, quarterly progress and annual program reports
-Provide proper supervision and management of staff and lead the establishment and functioning of a strong, effective and coordinated team
-Develop and ensure the proper implementation of a performance management system
-Proactively address performance issues through regular, constructive and honest feedback and coaching
-Identify necessary staff development, career development and succession planning strategies
-Ensure staff has the right tools to develop and innovate
-Oversee the recruitment and orientation of new staff under her/his supervision.

Core competencies, knowledge and skills
-A Masters Degree in Social Sciences, Communication or related qualifications
-A Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation
-Minimum of three years’ experience in project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
-Strong financial and analytical skills and the ability to think strategically
-Multidisciplinary background in media, development and human rights
-Programme management and coordination
-Strong writing, research, communication and presentation skills
-Ability to manage several simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment
-Good interpersonal skills, self-driven, highly motivated
-Ability to function independently with minimal supervision
-Ability to work under pressure, yet producing quality results is essential
-Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, with different partners
-Integrity, diplomatic manner and professional discretion essential
-In-depth knowledge and skill in project design and proposal writing
-At least three years’ experience working in NGO sector
-Good understanding of the workings of major donors
-Advanced Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word and Excel;

Interested candidates meeting the above criteria should submit their applications and detailed CVs (with three references) to: progmanager2013 [at] gmail [dot] com

Only short listed candidates will be considered.

Communications Assistant: UNDP
Deadline: 22 March 2013

Contract period: 1 year

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Communications Specialist, the Communications Assistant supports the implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies of the office to increase the standing and awareness of UNDP with partners, the media and the public. The Communications Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach in UNDP.   The Communications Assistant provides web management support to the UNRCO. The Communications Assistant works in close collaboration with the Management Support and Business Development, Programme, Operations and project staff in the Country Office, UNRCO, and UNDP HQ, as required.

For more information and to apply, please click here

I can’t believe that there are young Zimbabweans, particularly born frees, who think that its hip to wear clothes with an R G Mugabe label. I mean how far out of touch with real politics can you be? What’s the state of the UZ like, where are the jobs, what does your future look like – selling airtime at traffic intersections? These kids might look sharp, but they certainly aren’t sharp. And doesn’t this quote, from the person behind the House of Gushungo, make you want to roll about: “The president does not want to make money.”

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) … it’s all fair and fine to come out and declare whether you’re a Yes or a No in regard to the referendum but it’s disappointing to see WOZA jump on the “we’ve decided yes so you come along and vote yes too” bandwagon. “WOZA call on Zimbabweans to turn out in their millions and exercise their right to vote peacefully and to vote YES for the parliamentary select committee draft constitution.” WOZA – democracy 101: it’s about choice … full stop after peacefully, please.

Until we challenge this ridiculous notion that there is only One Way and its The Way, we’re in trouble. It is unacceptable that a Zimbabwean gets arrested for putting up a Vote No poster. Meanwhile there is encouragement to Vote Yes every which way you look. In Zimbabwe the regime criminalizes people for thinking differently. This has to stop.