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Job vacancies in Zimbabwe

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Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 by Bev Clark

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

Strategic Planning Specialist (HEAD – RCO)
Deadline: 16 March 2011

Location: Harare
Type of Contract: FTA International Post
Level: P-4
Languages Required: English
Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Apr-2011
Duration of Initial Contract: 1 Year

Background

The role of the United Nations in Zimbabwe has become increasingly important, as both the Government of Zimbabwe and its Development Partners consider the United Nations Country Team to be a key strategic partner and as playing a vital role in coordinating and channelling support to the country.

The country is currently in a complex and rapidly changing context of transition, which increasingly engages the UNCT as a significant partner in Zimbabwe’s development. Moreover, ongoing humanitarian needs, as well as varying shifts to recovery, posit the UN as a considerable player in supporting and leading the transition to a sustainable state of recovery, from relief to development.

In order for the UNCT to successfully fulfill its mandate, increased capacity is needed to respond to these circumstances. The United Nations Inter-Agency Support Unit (RCO) is supporting the UNCT in these processes. Accordingly, this Unit is working under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, providing comprehensive support in his role as convener of the UNCT. Consequently, the United Nations Inter-Agency Support Unit is also working to provide a platform between the activities of OCHA, UNDP, UNDSS, and UNIC, all functions falling within the mandate of the UN Resident Coordinator.

Therefore, with the enhanced role of the United Nations, and the ensuing increased role of the United Nations Inter-Agency Support Unit to support the UNCT, a strong, flexible and versatile support office with strategic policy, advisory, planning and advocacy skills is required.

The Zimbabwe UNCT is seeking to recruit a Strategic Planning Advisor / Head of RCO to advance UN coherence efforts in order to improve the impact of the UN’s activities. The Strategic Planning Advisor / Head of RCO, will work under the direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator and in close collaboration with the UNCT. The post is a Management Project Funded position.

For more information and to apply, please visit http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=22051

Variety of positions: USAID project
Deadline: 18 March 2011

Chemonics International, a U.S. based international development consulting firm, is seeking professionals for an anticipated four-year USAID-funded project in Zimbabwe that will promote economic growth. The project’s objective is to promote poverty reduction and increased employment within a supportive macro-economic environment. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

We are seeking technical specialists in the following areas:

- Macroeconomics/applied economics
- Economic policy /business enabling policies/ pro-poor or inclusive growth policies
- Labor market economics
- Public finance
- Private sector competitiveness and governance
- Financial sector regulation and sector-specific policy: extractive industries, agricultural, energy
- Regional trade and integration
- Monitoring and evaluation & data management
- Communications & public outreach
- Gender and human rights
- Human capacity building, professional training
- Institutional capacity building and strengthening
- Legal drafting and training
- Finance manager/ accountant
- Grants/Contract/Office Management Specialist

Qualified candidates will have:
- An advanced degree preferred in a related field (i.e. macroeconomics, education, or Juris Doctor);
- Proven record in successful delivery of technical assistance and ability to provide capacity building;
- Proven managerial/supervisory experience and strong writing and interpersonal skills;
- Experience with USAID highly preferred;
- Experience working collaboratively with the government of Zimbabwe, international donors, and local organisations;
- At least 5-10 years of experience promoting economic growth, capacity building, and/or policy reform;
- Fluency in English is required

Application Instructions: Send Curriculum Vitae, cover letter, and at least 3 professional references to ZimbabweSERArecruit [at] chemonics [dot] com

Please indicate area of technical specialty or position title in the subject line. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.

Chief Social Policy, National Officer: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Deadline: 21 March 2011

Vacancy Notice No. Zim/2011:07
NOD Level based in Harare, Zimbabwe (Fixed Term Post)

UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s rights organization, has an opening for passionate and committed professionals who want to make a lasting difference for children in Zimbabwe. We are seeking people with a commitment for women and children, high drive for results, demonstrable embracing of diversity, integrity, demonstrable teamwork, good self-awareness and self-regulation.

Purpose of the Job:

Under the supervision of Representative, this position is accountable for effective engagement in social policy dialogue with the Government for programme development, advocating for increased public resource allocation and budgeting towards the social sectors and sustainable decentralization of social services and local capacity building in support of the goal of universal coverage of essential social services and the creation of a protective environment for children. Conducts data collection and analysis to fill information gaps and to strengthen capacity for advocacy for children’s rights, and to support the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the World Fit for Children (WFFC) agenda.

Major Tasks to be accomplished:

1. Current information on state budget and spending patterns and decentralization status of social services are monitored and updated on an on-going basis to support advocacy for decentralization and universal coverage of essential services.
2. Decentralization of social services is made sustainable through adequate local support, keeping decentralized services both accessible and effective. Programme plans of action are developed for children at provincial and district/municipality levels; coordination between sectors is increased and links between different levels of government structures for policy implementation are strengthened.
3. Data-driven analysis is provided for effective prioritization, planning, development, and results-based management for planning, adjusting, and scaling-up specific social policy initiatives.
4. Advocacy efforts are effectively made to raise awareness on children’s rights with both the general public and with policy makers and to ensure local buy-in and continued relevance of UNICEF programming.
5. Effective partnerships with the Government, international financial institutions, UN agencies and other agencies established to enable sustained and proactive commitment to the Convention of the Rights of the Child and the Millennium Development Goals for continuing worldwide progress of the UNICEF mission.
6. UNICEF social policy programme effectively planned, implemented and managed in support of the country programme.
7. Support to government capacity in child-friendly budgeting.
8. Assistance to government in aid coordination and aid effectiveness.
9. Support to all of UNICEF program sections in sector policy and budget analysis.

Qualifications and Competencies:

- Advanced university degree in Economics, Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, International Finance, or other relevant disciplines.
- At least eight years of relevant professional work experience.
- Developing country work experience (for IP) or field work experience (for NO).
- Good analytical and organizational skills and ability to work 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.

HR Specialist
(Vacancy Notice No. 07: Zim-2011)
UNICEF, 6 Fairbridge Avenue,
P O Box 1250
Belgravia, Harare

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

Only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

Two (2) Regional Finance Officers: VSO
Deadline: 21 March 2011

Based in: Nairobi, Kenya OR Lusaka, Zambia
Salary: £26,000 – £29,000 per annum

VSO is a leading international development organisation that fights poverty through people. We deliver relevant and cost effective work that promotes volunteering to fight global poverty in over 50 countries around the world.

We currently have two vacancies, one covering East Africa (based in Nairobi) and one covering Southern Africa (based in Lusaka). With principal responsibility for restricted funding in each region, the Regional Finance Officer plays a key role in supporting and advising programme offices in managing their donor grants, budgets and reports, and building up programme office capacity in finance and donor contract related matters. The role also covers general financial management work relating to country offices where priorities and time allows.

The position is part of a matrix management structure, working closely with the Finance Manager International Programmes, Regional Director and members of the Regional Management and Support Team.

We are looking for a person who is:

- Part or fully qualified accountant
- Has experience of donor-related financial management and reporting
- Able to develop strong and effective relationships with programme staff in different countries and work in a regional support team that is spread across the world
- Organised and self-motivated and able to achieve results

Substantial travel within the region and to/from the UK is expected. Please visit http://www.vso.org.uk/job/30668/regional-finance-officer-%28×2%29 for more information. When applying please include details of your current compensation package and salary expectations. Please include the Equal Opportunities Form with your application.

5 (Five) vacancies: Parliament of Zimbabwe
Deadline: 27 March 2011

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced professionals for the following positions:

1. Counsel to Parliament

Location: Counsel’s Office
Reports to: Clerk of Parliament

Main Job Purpose
To provide legal services to Parliament Administration and Committees

Job Description
The Counsel to Parliament, Deputy Clerk/Principal Director level will be responsible for providing the following legal services to the Parliament of Zimbabwe:
- Advising Parliament on all legal matters pertaining to the execution of its mandate
- Rendering written and oral legal advise
- Statutory interpretation and legislative analysis
- Analysing and advising on service agreements and other legal documents
- Ensuring regulatory compliance in all the operations and dealings of Parliament
- Providing secretariat services to the Parliamentary legal Committee
- Attending to litigation, including instruction and liaising with external Counsel
- Performing any other duty assigned b the Clerk of Parliament

Personal Attributes
- Demonstrated maturity and ability to work in a multicultural and political setting
- Excellent written and communication skills
- Professionalism and personal integrity
- Demonstrated solid work ethic
- Ability to work under pressure

Job Specification
- Bachelor of Law Degree
- At least 5 years working experience, preferably in a public office
- An interest in and thorough knowledge of Constitutional and Administrative law
- Competence in legal drafting
- A post graduate legal qualification in law or public administration is an added advantage
- Sound knowledge of Parliamentary Practices and Procedures

2. Deputy Clerk

Location: Procedural Office
Reports to: Clerk of Parliament

Main Job Purpose
To carry out specific procedural and administrative duties

Job Description
- Management of assigned departments
- Providing procedural advice to Presiding Officers and Members of Parliament
- Undertaking Table duties in the Houses of Parliament
- Performing any other duties as may be assigned by the Clerk

Personal Description
- Demonstrated maturity and ability to work in a multicultural and political setting
- Excellent written and communication skills
- Professionalism and personal integrity
- Demonstrated solid work ethic
- Ability to work under pressure

Job Description
- A Social Science, Arts or Law degree
- A relevant Masters’ degree would be an added advantage
- A minimum of 8 years relevant working experience, of which 3 years must have been spent at a senior management position
- Sound knowledge of Parliament Practices and Procedures

3. Research Officers x 3

Grade: 8
Location: Information Services Directorate
Reports to: Director Research

Main Job Purpose
To provide research and analysis services.

Job Description
- Providing proactive and reactive research and analysis to Portfolio Committees
- Conducting research on socio-economic and political issues as they impact on Zimbabwe
- Preparing speeches for Presiding Officers and Senior Officials of Parliament, as required
- Attending workshops, seminars and conferences
- Assisting MPs with information pertaining to the development of their constituencies
- Preparing Bill digest and fact sheets
- Creating and updating databases, including Informatics Project
- Writing reports
- Liaising with relevant government agencies, institutions, institutions of higher learning, research institutions and other stakeholders

Job Description
- An honours degree in Economics, Rural and Urban Planning / Geography / Environmental Studies and Sociology
- Demonstrable research or policy formulation or implementation experience at university, government department or institution of similar standing
- Advanced verbal and written skills in English
- Sound interpersonal and organisational skills
- Candidates with Masters Degree or other postgraduate qualifications are preferred

Conditions of service and other benefits will be disclosed to short listed candidates. Female candidates are encouraged to apply for Posts of Deputy of Clerk and Counsel of Parliament.

Applications together with detailed Curriculum Vitae, copies of certified educations and professional certificates, three referees and contact details can be sent to:

Clerk of Parliament
P. O. Box CY 298
Causeway
Harare

Who pays for all this lost water?

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Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 by Bev Clark

Here’s a statement from the Harare Residents Trust. This is just one example of the City of Harare’s incompetence:

The City of Harare has let down the residents of Sunningdale and nearby Hatfield by failing to deal decisively with the problem of a seriously damaged water reservoir in the Old Mutual (Truworths) complex, commonly known as the Prospect Industrial Park, located at corner Seke Road and Cranborne West Road.

HRT officials on Monday 14 March 2011 visited the scene of the burst and it was established that the reservoir burst out on Tuesday 8 March 2011 in the morning. A report was made to the City of Harare by the services department at Truworths complex. The City of Harare is said to have visited the spot on Tuesday in the afternoon and failed to stop the water link. The burst worsened to the extent that the residents of Sunningdale and Hatfield started experienced serious water shortages. Water supplies for the residents of Sunningdale were cut on Saturday 12 March 2011 in the afternoon. On Sunday the water cut continued which saw most residents fetching water from strange water sources.

Many residents walked a distance of about a kilometer to fetch water from the damaged reservoir which has developed into a deep pool. Millions of treated water liters have been lost and up to now water is still flowing along Cranborne West Road. Truworths workers claimed they had to divert the water from continuing to flood their premises into the road. This is treated water that is being lost, the same water that the City of Harare is claiming to be costing them millions of dollars to purify and treat for human consumption. The engineers who came to the site of the burst failed to repair the burst and left without indicating when they would return. Officials at the complex stated that the reservoir is losing out so much water and that a three follow-up reports have been made but nothing has been done.

Who pays for all this lost water?

Carry on singing

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Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 by Bev Clark

You can cage the singer, but not the song.
- Harry Belafonte

Visit Kubatana’s aggregated information on the unjust arrest of civic and social activists under charges of treason in Zimbabwe.

Discussing politics is not treason

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Monday, March 14th, 2011 by Bev Clark

Full page advert in The Standard newspaper on 13th March 2011:

ATT: Honourable Minister P. Chinamasa
Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs
New Government Complex
Block A 6th Floor

Dear Minister Chinamasa

We write to your attention the fact that Dr. Munyaradzi Gwisai, Hopewell Gumbo, Welcome Zimuto, Antonator Choto, Tendai Mambeyarara and Edison Chakana are being held unjustly in Zimbabwe’s remand prison. The 6 were unjustly arrested while conducting a meeting at the International Socialist Organisation, in which developments in North Africa were shared verbally and visually on the 19th of February 2010, and have been incarcerated since. This group is now charged with treason, which as you know is a serious crime carrying he death penalty. We demand that the 6 be released urgently for the following reasons:

·    The 6 have been incarcerated long enough to allow the prosecution to conduct investigation, and now they are unjustly being denied of their freedom.
·    The charges are frivolous and it is clear to us that watching videos and discussing political developments elsewhere do not constitute a crime.
·    Our constitution allows the freedoms of association and assembly which they were exercising at the time of their arrest.
·    Democracy is not treason.

We would like to protest the subjection of Dr. Munyaradzi Gwisai and his co-accused to inhuman, cruel and degrading treatment at the hands of the police while in custody.

This matter deserves your urgent attention, because justice delayed s justice denied.

Yours Sincerely

Concerned Zimbabweans

Dr. Gwisai and 45 others Detention Timeline

19 February 2011: Dr. Munyaradzi Gwisai and 45 others arrested while watching a video and discussing protests in Egypt and Tunisia. Amongst the 45 are people living with HIV and AIDS, diabetics, students and economic justice campaigners.
19-23 February 20011: Accused held with no access to lawyers, medical  attention and running water.
23 February 2011: The 46 formally charged with treason (a crime that carries the death penalty in Zimbabwe), and make their first court appearance.
24 February 2011: Defence Lawyers, raise concerns around torture and denial of medical attention for the ill, or legal counsel for the group.
Monday the 7th March 2011: Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi, releases 39 of the 45 due to lack of evidence. Dr. Munyaradzi Gwisai, Hopewell Gumbo, Welcome Zimuto, Antonator Choto, Tendai Mambeyarara and Edison Chakana remain in custody.

Our Appeal
Dr. Gwisai and his 5 colleagues remain in custody for a crime they did not commit or for which they have not been found guilty. We urge you to join the campaign to have the six innocent people freed. You can do so by signing the letter above, cutting it and sending it out to the Minister of Justice. You can also sign an online petition at www.freethemnow.com and be sure to attend their next month court appearance on Wednesday 16 March 2011.

·    Justice delayed is justice denied
·    Democracy is not treason
·    Today its Dr Gwisai, tomorrow it could be you

Help free Dr Gwisai and his 5 colleagues. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. An injury to one is an injury to all!!

Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs
Hon Patrick Chinamasa
Government of Zimbabwe
New Government Complex
P. Bag 7751, Causeway
Harare,
Zimbabwe
Fax: 00 263 4 790901
Salutation: Dear Minister

The Attorney General
Johannes Tomana
Government of Zimbabwe
P. Bag 7714, Causeway
Harare ,
Zimbabwe
Fax: 00 263 4 777049
Salutation: Dear Attorney General

HE Mr Gabriel Mharadze Machinga
Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe House,
429 Strand,
London WC2R 0JR,
United Kingdom
Telephone:00 44 207 836 7755
Faxes:00 44 207 379 116
Email:zimlondon@yahoo.co.uk

Zimbabwe Women Writers Celebrate International Women’s Day

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Thursday, March 10th, 2011 by Elizabeth Nyamuda

The 8th of March was International Women’s Day and this year was the 100th year since the first Women’s Day was celebrated. As women around the world gathered to celebrate, the Zimbabwe Women Writers organisation took time to mark this remarkable event under the theme, “Promoting equal access to education through literacy”. Women writers both urban and rural, ZWW board and staff, partners and sponsors of ZWW, and the guest of honor Dr Thokozile Chitepo who is the chairperson of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe graced the occasion.

The organisation also took time to celebrate its twenty years of existence. “Gazing at the Environment” was ZWW’s first publication published in 1992. Their latest publication is “The African Tea Cosy” by Violet Masilo. But even in the midst of celebrations the organisation acknowledged that there is a daunting task ahead of them. ZWW believes in women uplifting each other and rejects the pulling each down syndrome. This is evident of the anthologies the organisation publishes – without team spirit these would not have been achieved.

The Zimbabwe Women Writers also launched their Women’s Voices Project. The role of the Women’s Voices initiative will be to advocate the use of hybrid new media amongst women writers and providing a platform for them to interact. The initiative is to take a global stance, thus it will encourage cultural exchange and knowledge sharing. This project is, ‘committed to articulating women’s voices’, as held by ZWW Director Audrey Charamba.

It was uplifting to hear performance of poems by women and speeches from members of ZWW board who have been with the organisation since its inception. Women celebrated victories by singing:

Semadzimai emuZimbabwe takamirira zvakaoma
Kurema kwazvo kunoda madzimai
Azvina mhosva nyango zvorema
Takamirira zvakaoma

Suffering for profit

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Thursday, March 10th, 2011 by Upenyu Makoni-Muchemwa

Given a cursory glance, The Zimbabwean‘s Voice of the Voiceless campaign appears to be a noble idea and indeed a small poll of friends confirmed it. The suffering of Zimbabweans is indisputable, poverty unemployment and an estimated 2 million people who will go hungry this year point to a failed economy and bad governance, issues that must be become part of a greater public debate.

I recall reading a study that said people have a 15 second attention span when surfing a website. It’s not surprising then that the exploitative subtext of this campaign is not easy to see:

Should the Voiceless Campaign inspire you to continue to remain informed, you can consider purchasing a subscription through this website. Alternatively, there are many organisations within Zimbabwe that are unable to access the news. Please consider the purchase of a subscription on their behalf, by using the ‘Give a Voice to the Voiceless’ tab on this page.

The Zimbabwean is seeking to increase it market share and thus it’s revenues. There is nothing wrong with this, except that Mr Mbanga seeks to turn the suffering of Zimbabweans into profit. His model is hardly new; it uses the same morally corrupt rationale as the aid industry’s illustration of Africa as pot-bellied children covered in flies, and helpless women who have been raped and battered by illiterate AK-47 wielding primates.

On a list of credible news sources, the Zimbabwean ranks lower even than the Herald. There have been countless times when I have read a story, and have been shocked and alarmed, only to remember that I live in Zimbabwe, I was there when it happened and it was nowhere near the chaotic carnage that the Zimbabwean seems to take pleasure in describing in lurid detail. That is not to say that there is no suffering in Zimbabwe, the pictures on the website are of real people. But it is a shame that they and the photographers who took them would allow their images to be manipulated for the profit of the individual who publishes and edits the paper.

In choosing to publish a newspaper Mr. Mbanga should adhere to industry standards in terms of ethics and principles, none of which he as editor and publisher of the Zimbabwean seems to be familiar with. If he wanted to do something about the situation in Zimbabwe, then he would be a man and employ journalists who are actually in Zimbabwe, he would navigate the legal quagmire and publish here. It may be difficult but it is not impossible. There is no honour in exploitation. All the Zimbabwean really does is add to the misinformation that make people believe Africa is dark continent peopled by even darker savages and that the sum of Zimbabwe, with its different peoples, languages, cultures and experiences of politics is Robert Mugabe. It is not. Like many other alleged Zimbabweans, he has chosen to abandon the struggle and throw stones from a safe distance.

True Zimbabweans who work for progress in this country fight from where they stand. The real fight is on the ground, it is in the rural areas, it is in Chiadzwa, it is in Mbare, it is in a magistrate’s court, it will never be in the safe confines of a flat or hotel in London or Johannesburg.