An alert from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights:

HIV/AIDS ACTIVIST ARRESTED AT COPAC CONFERENCE

POLICE on Monday 22 October arrested Douglas Muzanenhamo, a Zimbabwean Aids activist for distributing constitutional material at the ongoing Constitution Select Committee (COPAC)’s Second All Stakeholders conference.

The arrest took place after some delegates at the conference asked Muzanenhamo for copies of the Working Peoples Red Amendments to the COPAC Draft Constitution prepared by trade unionists, constitutional reform activists, women’s organisations, students and HIV/AIDS activists in October 2012 under the Working People’s Constitutional Convention.

Muzanenhamo was immediately taken into custody and the police intend to charge him with Inciting Public Violence.

In September 2012, Muzanenhamo filed a landmark case in the Supreme Court challenging the denial of anti-retroviral drugs to suspects in police cells. His case was based on the horrendous treatment he received when he was arrested in February 2011 and charged with treason together with 45 other human rights activists including University of Zimbabwe lecturer and ISO leader Munyaradzi Gwisai, where he was denied his medication.

Tawanda Zhuwarara, a senior lawyer with Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who is representing Muzanenhamo, is working towards his release and making contingency arrangements to ensure that he is not denied his medication once again as happened in 2011.

Some excellent suggestions from Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA):

1. The government of Zimbabwe should take the responsibility and acknowledge the incapacitation inspired by the underfunding of local authorities and declare the water issue as a national crisis. This will definitely bring on board international partners who will assist the government of Zimbabwe to mobilize funds for water infrastructure, rehabilitation and provision. The government of Zimbabwe released only 18 million for the rehabilitation of water pipes in Harare but the figures coming in from council shows us that the local authority is in need of more than USD 200 million to deal with water alone.

2. Collaboration with residents Associations in forming community water groups responsible for water conservation initiatives and education will go a long way in saving the water we have in its small quantities.

3. Construction and funding of the Kunzvi Dam water project (the Zambezi river water project for Matabeleland) will go a long way in easing pressure on the current water sources we have.

Agricultural Sector Gender Assessment: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Deadline: 26 October 2012

Background and Rationale
Gender issues in agriculture are prominent in today’s development agenda where in most cases, the distribution of private and public resources has ignored or disadvantaged female farmers, and redressing this imbalance will improve the welfare of the whole household. Women have always played an important role in agriculture, undertaking a wide range of activities relating to accessing inputs, production of various products, storage, preservation and processing, marketing and distribution. There is currently limited information on the extent of involvement of women in the agriculture sector, more so the challenges they face. Women remain largely excluded from the decision-making machinery within the public and private spheres. In cases where they participate, they are relegated to work that is not valued and they end up confined to the traditional caring role in the family.

In this regard, FAO wishes to contract a consultant or team of consultants to undertake a study to further interrogate the gender dynamics in relation to the agriculture sector.

Purpose and Objectives of the evaluation
The purpose of this study is to analyze gender issues in the agriculture sector.  and to develop recommendations to address these. Specifically the Consultant/s will consider the following:
-Articulate the gender issues faced by women participating in various forms of agriculture
-Develop a resource mobilization strategy for women’s economic empowerment in the agricultural sector
-Suggest recommendations addressing gender disparities in the sector
-Review the institutional set up of the agricultural sector with regards to gender and
-Review relevant policies to address gender in the agricultural sector.

Scope of the evaluation

The Consultant will:
1. Describe in general terms the agricultural system(s) of the main agro-ecological zones or areas in Zimbabwe
2. Determine the major agricultural activities of men and women, with reference to agriculture including but not limited to fisheries, field crops, livestock, farm forestry, processing, marketing, storage and income generating activities
3. Identify constraints and barriers faced by men and women in carrying their activities;
4. Ascertain the extent to which current technology and agricultural research responds to the needs of men and women
5. Assess how current agricultural extension services meet the needs of men and women farmers, including the focus of extension for women as farm managers or partners
6. Identify the nature and extent of training needed by men and women agricultural extension agents (or other rural agents) to improve their support for farmers, especially women farmers
7. Prepare a descriptive and analytical report on the main findings, suggesting appropriate options and recommendations and
8. Review the institutional framework for addressing gender in the agricultural sector.

Approach and Methodology of the evaluation

The consultant/s are expected to come up with detailed methodology of how to carry out the gender assessment.

Deliverables and Schedule of activities
At the end of the evaluation exercise the consultant is expected to:
a) Submit a descriptive and analytic report of findings with appropriate options and recommendations
b) Present preliminary and final conclusions to the government, FAO and the UN Gender Theme Group, ACWG and other fora deemed relevant

Structure of the proposal and Submission guidelines
Interested consultants are supposed to show expression of interest through submission of proposal to FAO by 26th October 2012. The proposal should stipulate how the consultant is going to achieve the objectives of the evaluation consultancy, taking into consideration the scope of work to be done. The proposal should also stipulate the approach and methods of data collection and data analysis. A detailed budget and Curriculum Vitae stipulating the experiences and technical competences of the consultant.

Final Budget of the Evaluation
The final budget and timeline for carrying out the assessment is going to be disclosed to the successful consultant.

Applications clearly marked “Agriculture Sector Gender Assessment “ should be submitted to:

The HIV and Nutrition Unit
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Block 1, Tendeseka Office Park
Cnr Henry Chapman / Samora Machel Avenue, Eastlea
P O Box 3730
Harare
Zimbabwe

Or send by email to: ZW-vacancy [at] fao [dot] org

Character — the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life — is the source from which self-respect springs.
- Joan Didion

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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.

Programme Officer – Access to Information, ICTs & Social Media: Local NGO
Deadline: 19 October 2012

A local organisation working on Access to Information, Information, Communication Technology and Social Media seek a Programme Officer as outlined below.

Location: Zimbabwe
Reporting To: Director

Purpose of Job
To coordinate the organisation’s Access to Information and Social Media Programme.

Work Objectives
-Promoting Access to Information through Information, Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Social Media
-Creating visibility of the organisation’s programmes through ICTs, social media and other relevant platforms
-Promoting the use of ICTs, Social media & other alternative sources of information
-Conducting research that promotes Access to Information through diverse information platforms

Key Performance Areas
-Competent & efficient report writing on the organisation’s Access to Information, ICTs & Social Media programme
-Coming up with fundraising initiatives for the development and sustenance of the organisation’s Access to Information, ICTs & Social Media programme
-Effectively representing the organisation at appropriate seminars, workshops and other relevant for a
-Producing research papers and such other research outputs as may be necessary
-Developing networks and synergies that promote the organisation’s Access to Information, ICTs & Social Media programme
-Maintenance and updating of organisation’s website in line with contemporary trends & requirements
-Providing project leadership among the organisation’s Access to Information, ICTs and Social Media programme team
-Attending to the technical and administrative needs of clients and stakeholders
-Developing publicity materials for clients and stakeholders.

Requirements
-A first degree in Journalism, Media & Communication Studies & ICT. A post graduate qualification is an added advantage
-2+ years experience in Access to Information, ICT & Social Media programming. Newsroom experience is very much of an added advantage
-2+ years of experience creating comprehensive social media strategy to define programs that use ICTs & social media marketing techniques for promoting access to information, visibility and advocacy purposes
-Demonstrated expertise & innovativeness in the use of ICTs and Social Media
-Ability to work under pressure & preparedness to work outside ‘normal’ working hours
-Ability to work under minimal supervision
-Understand how content creation works for the different social channels and sites
-Ability to work with cross-functional teams
-Understanding of different aspects of project management and well acquainted with development methodologies.

Application
Please, submit an application letter & detailed CV to mediajob.ict [at] gmail [dot] com
Other details will be made available to short listed candidates

ICT Technician: Zim-ACP (USAID’s Zimbabwe Agricultural Competitiveness Program)
Deadline: 25 October 2012

In support of its programming activities policy, Zim-ACP is recruiting for the position of ICT Technician.

Requirements
-Higher Diploma from recognized institutions in computer hardware and software
-PC & Server support experience, especially with Windows Server 2003 & Windows XP Client operating systems
-Network troubleshooting and maintenance
-Experience of Lotus Notes is a plus

Procurement Process: Interested and qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and a current CV to the following electronic address: ZIMACPSolicitations [at] dai [dot] com

The GPN-008 notice number must be referenced in the email’s subject line. Any questions related to GPN-008 must be submitted via email. A detailed Scope Of Work (SOW) will be sent to pre-vetted candidates only.