I know the city council has not been able to remove rubbish from some parts of Harare but that does not we citizens should enjoy it. There is this rubbish pile by Kuwadzana and instead of the people burning it or even sitting as far from it as possible, some vendors sit near it and enjoy it. Life carries on like there is no serious harm to their health and that of their customers. I was amazed that people can actually sit that close to a rubbish pile and laugh and enjoy themselves. There is also a lady who was picking up some plastic papers, taking her time while she was bending towards the rubbish. She did not seem to be bothered by the foul smell coming from there. I do not even want to imagine what she wanted to with the plastic papers, I just hope she wanted to light a fire or something along those lines.

I really think Zimbabweans have become content with things going wrong. People seem not to care enough to at least do something about it no matter how small. I know the rubbish pile might not be going anywhere soon but people can at least burn it.

If they can’t burn at least stay away from it.

Election campaign messages that date back as far as 2005 can be seen on Chiremba Balancing rocks in Epworth. Due to limited advertising space in public media various political parties resort to putting their campaign messages on national monuments. Chiremba Balancing Rocks were declared a national monument in 1994 and are located 13 km southeast of Harare. The granite balancing rocks lie within a natural breathtaking scenic environment. These rocks were a famous feature on some of  Zimbabwe’s bank notes before the currency was changed to American dollars.

With another round of elections on the cards more graffiti is expected to besmirch these magnificent rocks since the site has been turned into a mere billboard. One would wonder if the ideas and energy taken by the people who spray painted these rocks is put to action we wouldn’t be having problems in marketing our country  to the outside world. Instead of showing their advertising and marketing skills by bringing more tourists to this place they decided abuse the place with political party messages.

A wise woman my mum, has always told me that short cuts have short falls. It is easier do things the long way and not skip a process than to go back to stuff you should have done long back she would say.

I have come to believe her because of events on Wednesday when my colleague and I at Kubatana were doing our monthly delivery of the vendor wrapping sheets. This is an exceptional one of a kind in a realm of its own project in Zimbabwe I must say. The project seeks to give vendors a space to be heard and also be given information on issues that concern the everyday person on the ground.

We decided to take a short cut that was to lead us straight to Epworth in no amount of time. And there it was. This big pothole turned into a little dam in the middle of the road. Turning back was no option because before the dam site the car we were in almost got stuck in the mud. In fact we had left a couple of men trying frantically and in vain to lift a truck that had been swallowed by the mud. So we decided to move forward and brave it out. Thanks to our lucky stars we managed to get out of that little dam alive and kicking.

I would like to say to my mum I am absolutely positive that when you used to say short cuts don’t pay off, your words got in with the ear and left with the other. I guess experience is the best teacher. So I would like to repeat the words of a wise woman and say in this case short cuts have short falls that have potholes turned into little dams.

Anyone thinking of using that road take it from me shortcuts have short falls and I have evidence.

Zimbabwe is one of 13 countries on the United States’ “Tier 3″ human trafficking list, according to a report of the Washington DC-based US Department of State. On this list Zimbabwe joins other countries Burma, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Kuwait, Iran, Mauritania, North Korea, Papa New Guinea, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. This is according to the Trafficking in Persons Report of 2010.

Nations on the Tier 3 list are those, “whose governments do not fully comply with the minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so“, as set by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 enacted by the US. Meanwhile, 30 countries have been listed under the agency’s “Tier 1″ and Nigeria is the only African country. “Tier 1″ is distinguished to be those countries whose governments fully comply with the TVPA. They include Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Taiwan, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and the US among others.

According to the US State Department, Zimbabwe is a, “country of origin, transit and destination for men, women and children subjected to trafficking in persons, specifically conditions of forced labour and forced prostitution.”

Zimbabwean women and girls had been subjected to sexual exploitation and forced into prostitution in countries like South Africa, Zambia, China, Egypt, United Kingdom and Canada.

“Men, women and children from Bangladesh, Somalia, India, Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique are trafficked through Zimbabwe en route to South Africa,” it said.

It also held that, “Zimbabwean men, women and children from rural areas are subjected to forced agricultural labour and domestic servitude.”

“Young men and boys are forced by Zimbabweans government security forces to work in the diamond fields of Marange district.”

“Women and men are lured into exploitative labour situations in Angola, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and South Africa with false promises of jobs in construction, information technology and hospitality,” it also said. A full report on Zimbabwe is available from UNHCR here.

Countries in “Tier 3″ have been restricted assistance from the US under section 110(d) of the TVPA of 2000 and the US Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons have made these clear. The President has determined to restrict assistance for Burma, Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Eritrea, Iran, and Zimbabwe. The report says, “The United States will not provide any non-humanitarian, non trade-related assistance to the Governments of Cuba, the DPRK, Eritrea, and Iran, and will not provide certain non-humanitarian, non-trade-related assistance to the Governments of Burma and Zimbabwe, until such governments comply with the Act’s minimum standards to combat trafficking or make significant efforts to do so.”

The agency cited that, “Zimbabwean law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking in persons, though existing statutes outlaw forced labour and numerous forms of sexual exploitation.” International Organisation of Migration (IOM) in Zimbabwe has this year launched a new project titled “Building National Response Capacity to Combat Human Trafficking in Zimbabwe” to assist Zimbabwe to craft comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation and strengthen the national referral system for protection and reintegration.

This just in from NANGO: The director and two researchers of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum have been taken into custody at Harare Central Police Station. They are being questioned regarding research they were conducting in Highfields about transitional justice.

Earlier today, the Youth Forum offices were raided by police, who questioned why the organisation is encouraging young people to register to vote.

Read this statement from the Youth Forum:

Youth Forum Offices Attacked, Closed

Six unidentified men, suspected to be state agents, stormed the Youth Forum Offices today demanding to know why the organization is encouraging young people to register to vote. The attack is a direct reaction to the Youth Forum’s program where it’s encouraging young people to register to vote by sending SMSs.

The suspected state agents stormed the offices and started unplugging the organisation’s computers and laptops from the main power supply violently saying they were looking for what they termed ‘Mass Communications Equipment’ that the organization is using to send SMSs to young potential voters. After realising that they could not find such equipment at the Youth Forum’s Headquarters, they became very violent and started pushing around furniture and equipment and shoving around the organization’s secretariat. They were so violent that they frightened a few of the organization’s youth members who had come to the offices with complaints that they were failing to register as voters due to a lot of bureaucracy.

The men demanded to know why the organization is sending SMSs urging young people to vote when the country’s presidents has not yet declared the date of elections. They said these SMSs are causing a lot of problems as the Registrar General’s Office is now clogged with a lot of young men and women who want to register as voters. They also insulted the organization’s national coordinator with words that cannot be spelt out in public notifications like this one. They left after grabbing some literature from the offices and threatened the Youth Forum secretariat with unspecified action if the SMSs continue to reach its targeted audience. They threatened to come back with more arsenals to ‘deal with the organization’. For the concerns of security, the offices of the organization have been temporarily closed until the situation normalises. The national coordinator has visited the offices of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights for legal advice on the matter.

The Youth Forum is currently carrying out a campaign to urge young people to go out and register as voters. The campaign consists of a number of activities that will ensure that most youths become registered voters and will cast their ballots in any election. Among the activities being carried out in the campaign includes the sending of SMSs to an average of 18,000 youths at least three times every week urging them to take their National Identification Cards and proof of residence and go to their nearest Registrar’s office and register to vote. It is these SMSs that have resulted in a lot of youths visiting the responsible offices in their droves trying to register as voters. The Youth Forum is also concerned by the number of youths who are being turned away because of lack of documentation including the death certificates of parents and grandparents. We would like to urge the registrar Generals office to reconsider certain requirements for registering as voters as these are disadvantaging a lot of youths from registering.

We would also like to categorically state that no amount of intimidation or harassment will deter the resolve of the organization from encouraging its members to register as voters. The youths shall register to vote and will vote come election time and no amount of such threats and coercion will stop the youths from voting as this is their democratic right that cannot be taken away from them. The actions by these suspected state agents should be condemned with the strongest terms possible as it only undermines the efforts by the government to democratise the country.

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

Immigration Integrity Manager: Australian Embassy – Harare
Deadline: 14 February 2011 (4pm)

The Australian Embassy is seeking applications from persons interested in employment as Immigration Integrity Manager.

Employment will initially be based on a 6-month contract. After completing a satisfactory six-month probationary period, incumbents will be offered a further 12-month contract. Monthly salary is $2,000-2,350.

The Australian Embassy is an equal opportunity employer. The Australian Embassy is a smoke free environment.

Duty Statement

Duties may include some or all of the following:
- Conduct immigration integrity checks, interviews and site visits
- Analyse statistical and other information to assist visa officers in Pretoria to detect and prevent fraud in the visa caseload
- Liaise with Australian government officers in a range of global locations, the Zimbabwean government, international organisations, other diplomatic missions and other stakeholders
- Undertake research and analysis to develop risk profiles and other resources for visa officers
- Examine and verify passports and other documents
- Service delivery to visa clients
- Provide support and quality control for the Australian Visa Application Centre, Harare
- Undertake relevant travel within and outside Zimbabwe
- Lead, motivate and develop a small team
- Manage team workloads and drive constant improvement in work processes

Selection Criteria:

Essential
- Highly developed written and oral communication skills in the English language, including the ability to undertake research and prepare analytical reports
- Ability to perform under pressure and independently manage a large, complex workload
- Excellent interpersonal skills, incorporating a proficiency for liaison and team leadership
- Capacity to examine and report on travel documents, or to rapidly acquire this skill
- Ability to conduct investigations into complex immigration fraud
- The ability to manage a varied workload with limited supervision

Desirable
- Previous experience in an office environment using Microsoft Office Excel
- Tertiary qualifications
- Fluency in Shona and/or Ndebele

If you are interested in being considered for any positions, please apply in writing to either the email or the postal address detailed below.

Applications must include:
- “Application for position: DIAC Integrity Manager” in the subject line of the e-mail or at the top of the front page of a paper application.
- A statement of claims (three pages maximum) addressing the selection criteria.
- A current CV including work and education history and references from both your current employer and most recent previous employer.  Your CV must provide an e-mail address and contact numbers.
- Proof of your right to reside and work in Zimbabwe.

Applicants Who Do Not Include A Statement Of Claims against the selection criteria will not be considered. Please note that a statement of claims refers to your examples of achievements or work undertaken in relation to a specific selection criterion as stated above.

Applications should be addressed to:

The Recruitment Officer – DIAC Australian Embassy PO Box 4541 Harare

Or e-mail your application to hr.pretoria [at] dfat [dot] gov [dot] au

Please note that late applications will not be considered. Only those applicants who are short-listed for interview will be contacted about the outcome of the selection process.

Four (4) positions: Merlin Zimbabwe
Deadline: 15 February 2011

Applications are invited to fill in four (4) job openings, which have arisen at Merlin Zimbabwe. These positions are only open to Zimbabwean nationals.

1. Finance Assistant – Ref.021101

Responsibilities: this position is responsible for making all disbursement for properly authorized expenditures updating the accounting records, cash and budget management, monthly reporting and maintaining a proper financial filing system.

Requirements:
- HND in accounting/ relevant accounting degree
- Substantial experience of financial accounting
- Experience in budgetary controls is essential
- Proficient in computers especially with spreadsheets
- Good reporting skills
- Experience in NGO environment will be an added advantage

2. Secretary – Ref.021102

Responsibilities: This position is responsible for an effective management of the front office, receiving and directing visitors and phone calls, providing personal assistant services to the Country Director.

Requirements:
- National Diploma in Secretarial studies strong post qualification practical experience
- Fluent in spoken and written English
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to represent the values and objectives of the organization on the phone
- Flexible work approach
- Experience in NGO environment will be an added advantage

3. HR and Administrative Assistant – Ref.021103

Responsibilities: This position is responsible for the general administration issues and Human Resources duties, as well as maintaining a proper filing system for the office.

Requirements:
- HND in Secretarial Studies, Diploma in Personnel Management would be an added advantage
- Substantial experience in relevant field
- Ability to handle confidential information
- Good filing, planning, organizational and interpersonal skills
- Proficient in computers
- Good reporting skills
- Experience in NGO environment will be an added advantage

4. Monitoring And Evaluation Officer (M&E) – Ref.021104

Responsibilities: This position is responsible for providing technical support and management of an effective monitoring of the programme. Appropriate use of participatory methodologies and evaluation; establish the M&E framework and system to ensure effective implementation of key program initiatives. Develop appropriate data capturing tools and organizing appropriate M&E activities to measure the impact of the project in collaboration with CMT. Assist the Country Director on the preparation of internal, donor reports and stakeholder reports.

Requirements:
- Monitoring and Evaluation qualification or a relevant degree
- Proven ability in monitoring and evaluation
- Proficient in the use of MS Office and Data programs especially Excel and Epi-Info or SPSS
- Capacity to organize, monitor and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information
- Good reporting writing skills
- Experience in NGO environment or health sector is a requirement

Interested candidates are required to submit their application letters and CV only via email vacancy.merlin.zw [at] gmail [dot] com and please include the reference number in the subject field.

Only short listed applicants will be contacted.

Engineer: International Rescue Committee
Deadline: 21 February 2011

Location: Manicaland

Scope

The Engineer position serves as focal person for both water/sanitation and health related technical activities that relate to infrastructure development, rehabilitations and upgrading. The Engineer will carry out feasibility studies, technical assessments, develop bills of quantities and recommend a course of action.  This position reports to the Environmental Health Manager and is based in Manicaland.

Responsibilities

Program Implementation:

1) Program activities.

a) Carry out 1) technical feasibility studies and assessments; 2) produce technical designs and drawings; and 3) develop bills of quantities and specifications relating to infrastructure needs for IRC programs.
b) Contribute towards the development of tender specification documents.
c) Supervise contractors and produce certificates of completion.
d) Document and archive project activities.
e) Support the EH Manager to develop project specific implementation plans and monitor their implementation.
f) Guide, monitor and report on technical progress, development and trends.

2) Operational activities

a) In coordination with the EH manager, develop community specific training budgets (once per assignment) and weekly and monthly cash forecasts for those trainings.
b) In coordination with finance, facilitates the payments of participants as per agreement and liquidates all advances as per HR policies.
c) Supports logistics in the procurement of program materials.

Coordination and Representation

In coordination with the EH Manager:
a) Coordinate closely with stakeholders eg the  Ministry of Health & Child Welfare, Ministry of Public Works, District Development Fund, Zimbabwe National Water Authority and other Implementing Partners
b) Networks and forms synergies with relevant stakeholders.

Training and Capacity Building

a) Develop training course materials and writes training manuals for knowledge management and quality assurance.
b) Facilitate trainings and build capacity of relevant stakeholders in the construction and operation and maintenance of water supply systems.
c) Train builders to enhance their construction and building techniques as related to IRC programming.

Other

a) Participates in internal meetings (monthly).
b) Assists in writing reports timely for the funding agents/donors (external) as well as monthly reports for IRC (internal)
c) Collect baseline information required for proposals and project activities.
d) Ensure that GPS coordinates are recorded for WASH infrastructures to facilitate GIS mapping.
e) Participates fully in project proposal brainstorming sessions.
f) Perform any other duties as assigned by the Project Manager

Qualifications and Experience

a) A National Diploma or Bsc in Civil Engineering.
b) Minimum of three years relevant work experience.
c) Experience working with non-governmental organizations.
d) Program management skills, analytical skills, and computer skills (AutoCAD, word, excel, outlook).
e) Communication skills both written and spoken; inter-personal skills.
f) Team player and willing to camp in remote locations as needed.

Qualified and interested candidates should send their detailed CVs and cover letters to Zimbabwe [at] theirc [dot] org not later than 21st February 2011 and write ENGINEER in the subject line.

Three (3) Positions: WWF
Deadline: 22 February 2011

WWF – World Wide Fund for nature is the world’s largest independent conservation organization, with close to five million supporters and a network active in more than 100 countries on five continents. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which human live in harmony with nature by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable and promoting the reduction and wasteful consumption.

We are seeking to recruit suitably qualified and motivated individuals for the following positions:

1. Project Manager

Major Duties and Responsibilities

* Develops project annual work plans and budgets
* Manages project budget
* Co-ordinates project implementation
* Supervises project staff
* Liaises and co-ordinates with project stakeholders
* Ensures compliance with donor requirements
* Compiles project reports for various audiences

Required Qualifications and Experience

* At least a Master’s degree in natural resources management, development or related qualification.
* A minimum of five years’ experience in managing multi-institutional projects.
* Knowledge of public sector institutions and national policy processes.
* Experience in renewable energy issues and knowledge of EC funded projects will be an added advantage.
* Knowledge of financial management systems.
* A strong team player with assertive leadership skills.
* Strong communication and report writing skills.

Contract and Remuneration: The successful candidate will be offered an initial two-year contract, renewable based on performance. Remuneration will be in accordance with experience and qualifications.

2. District Project Co-ordinators (Two posts)

Major Duties and Responsibilities

* Develops project district plans in partnership with key stakeholders.
* Co-ordinates the implementation of district project work plans.
* Liaises and co-ordinates with district level stakeholders.
* Organises and co-ordinates, district level platform meetings.
* Assists partner staff with local level capacity building initiatives.

Required Qualifications and Experience

* A BSc degree in Natural Resources Management, Development or related qualification.
* A minimum of three years’ experience in implementing community based projects.
* Knowledge of procedures and policy processes within local authorities.
* Experience in renewable energy issues and knowledge of projects will be an added advantage.
* A strong team player with leadership qualities.
* Strong communication and report writing skills.

Contract and Remuneration: The successful candidate will be offered an initial one year contract, renewable based on performance. Remuneration will be in accordance with experience and qualifications.

Applications should be sent to:

The Interim Country Director
WWF Zimbabwe, 10 Lanark Road, Belgravia
Harare, Zimbabwe
Email: hrmanager [at] wwf [dot] org [dot] zw

Regional Technical Advisor – Monitoring and Evaluation: Catholic Relief Services
Deadline: 2 April 2011

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an organisation that promotes human development by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies.

CRS seeks to appoint a Technical Advisor: Monitoring and Evaluation, based in Lusaka, Zambia, to provide leadership within Southern Africa to strengthen organisational and staff capacity to design and implement effective monitoring and evaluation systems.

S/he will provide technical assistance to Southern Africa Country Programmes, their partners and staff to ensure that projects and programmes are monitored as needed; scopes for evaluation reflect key learning questions; high quality external or internal evaluators undertake evaluations; recommendations are adopted and lessons learned are disseminated; and ICT4D is strategically coordinated and advanced in Southern Africa. S/he will work closely with other Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs) in Southern Africa, and be part of a network of technical advisors for M&E within CRS, liaising with counterparts to develop and disseminate tools, best practices and policies.

This is a unique position to work with other TAs to develop and strengthen systems for monitoring and evaluation, both within specific projects, across programme areas and organisationally at the Country Programme level. Equally, the other RTAs are well-equipped to contribute to the development of effective monitoring and evaluation systems and tools within their sectors. CRS has a good set of project related guides, tools and resources including: ProPack I, II and II, focusing on project design, implementation and monitoring, respectively. In addition, CRS has a set of M&E standards for its projects and Country Programmes.

S/he will also assist Country Programmes in helping strengthen the capacity of local partners’ monitoring and evaluation systems, and will work closely with the DRD/PQ and other TAs to advance a learning agenda for the Region.

For a detailed job description and to apply, refer to www.crs.org/about/careers