After falling into a deep slumber for the past five years of basking in the glory of the government of national unity the MDC woke up to the shocking voting patterns in the recent constitutional referendum.

This surprise wake up call brought shivers to the MDC executive and recent media reports suggest that the Prime Minister is now trying to resuscitate broken relationships with former Comrades to forge an alliance ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for this year. The biggest worry is whether this is a unity of purpose or a strategy to silence critics. After the results were published the rural areas commanded a large turn out as compared to the urban areas. Recent the MDC has been shooting down research findings carried out by independent groups. They believe that they still command a large support base. The MDC should 1) lobby the rural electorate 2) weed out corruption amongst its leaders 3) stop wasting resources wining and dining in Harare to please ex-cadres.

It is un African and morally incorrect in the spirit of Ubuntu to call for a death wish for someone. Regardless of how much you hated that person or whether it’s a peaceful death you wish for, African cultures condemn such action. A misplaced wish for Mandela’s death by University of the Free State Vice-Chancellor Professor Jonathan Jansen sparked outrage when he told students that he wished the former President of South Africa would die. At 94 the health of the former state man has been getting a knock and he has been in and out of hospital recently as messages of speedy recovering continue pouring in from world over.

If dudes are expected to have a lot of sex
But ladies are expected to stay virgins until marriage
But homosexuality is bad
I’m really confused who dudes are supposed to be having all that sex with
-    Salmiakki Vodka

Definition of manhood

What is the definition of manhood?
Is it a six-pack, gelled hair and biceps?
Is it umpteen hours spent in a gym?
Is it rash driving and drunken brawls?
Is it hair peeping out of an unbuttoned shirt?
The definition of manhood is
not the inches in your pants.
But the space between your ears.
How you think is how manly you are.
The true test of you manhood is
how you treat a woman.
All women. Any woman. Every woman.
If you do not respect a woman
you are only half a man
-    The Times of India

In one of Kubatana’s recent newsletters, in the very interesting what’s up section, we wondered if Zimbabwe were to hold the inaugural Harare International Carnival, whether the likes of Lady Gaga and other international artists might surprise and delight audiences with some unscripted remarks on, for example, the right to freedom of expression. It seems there is a lot more to wonder about regarding the line up at the carnival. ZTA chief executive, Kaseke, has said that there will be a Samba night during the carnival. In the report carried by the The Herald, he states that its strictly no under 18.

“There will be a Samba night. Only samba dance that night. Strictly no under 18! Samba dance is for adults, ask those who have been to Brazil. It is explosive.”

Samba dance is of Brazilian origin. The dance is sexual as evidenced by the moves and nudity. What amazes me is that we as a nation have failed to accept our dancers in the pole dancing and stripping business. Bevy and Zoey were once arrested last year for public indecency. So a nation that can hold in detention its local dancers, is holding a Samba night? We are all excited about the carnival so no more knives out for local dancers; let’s level the playing field. In fact it will be interesting if we could have our local dancers take up Samba for the carnival too.

Hey! Need a job? Want to work in the NGO/development sector in Zimbabwe? Check out the job vacancies below and apply today. If you want to receive regular civic and human rights information, together with NGO job vacancies and other opportunities like scholarships by getting our regular email newsletter, please email join [at] kubatana [dot] net

Compliance Officer: UZ-UCSF
Deadline: 12 April 2013

UZ-UCSF Collaborative Research Programme is seeking suitably trained and qualified applicants to fill the vacant post of Compliance Officer in the CTUA in Harare.

Qualifications and experience
- Degree in Accountancy /  CIS / CIMA / ACCA
- Minimum of 5 years experience in a similar position
- Leadership qualities, ability to work in a team and multi task
- Ability to think creatively and strategically
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal & written)
- Excellent organizational, planning and analytical skills
- Computer literacy
- Clean class 4 driver’s licence

Responsibilities
- Develop Compliance SOPs which will ensure implementation, monitoring and review of the functioning of internal controls and systems at projects and department level throughout the CTU
- Plan, organise and conduct internal audits and subsequent follow up of recommended actions
- Perform any special investigations as required by management
- Work closely with external auditors on annual audit of accounts and assist accounts team in preparation for audit
- Conduct internal control evaluation and risk assessment to identify loopholes and areas requiring management intervention to prevent frauds, embezzlements, misappropriations, misuse and wastage and ensuring that objectives of the organization are achieved economically, efficiently and effectively
- Responsible for risk management and ensuring that the CTU is in compliance with relevant financial laws and regulations and conformity with the administrative requirements of the funding agency
- Provision of an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve the Clinical Trials Unit’s (CTU) operations

Interested candidates should forward a detailed Curriculum Vitae with a cover letter, certified copies of academic and professional qualifications not later than 12 April, 2013 to the below mentioned address:

Human Resources & Logistics Manager
UZ-UCSF Research Programme
15 Phillips Avenue
Belgravia
Harare

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  Canvassing candidates will be disqualified

Hey! Need a job? Want to work in the NGO/development sector in Zimbabwe? Check out the job vacancies below and apply today. If you want to receive regular civic and human rights information, together with NGO job vacancies and other opportunities like scholarships by getting our regular email newsletter, please email join [at] kubatana [dot] net

Health Specialist (Expanded Programme on Immunisation): UNICEF
Deadline: 14 April 2013

Vacancy Notice No.Zim/2013:3
NOC Level (Fixed Term Post)

UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s rights organization, has an opening for a passionate and committed professional who wants 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 analytical and organizational skills.

A challenging and exciting opportunity has arisen within the Health & Nutrition Unit for an individual who is accountable for professional leadership in and contributes to the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of the Immunization programme in conjunction with Child Survival and Development, Maternal and Child Health, Health and Nutrition components within the country programme, to achieve the UNICEF’s immunization plus goals and objectives for the country. The individual will be accountable for ensuring the UNICEF Immunization programme promotes gender equality, with an emphasis on gender disaggregation, gender disparity identification and gender mainstreaming.

Key result areas for this post include
1. Contribute towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis by compiling, analysing and evaluating information and providing the technical input. Ensure the preparation of the Situation Analysis relative to Immunization (EPI) interventions in the country and its periodic update
2. Collaborate with other UNICEF sectors, particularly Health, Nutrition, HIV and programme communication to ensure integration of the Immunization programme with other sectors.
3. Exercise technical leadership for, and participates in, the development of the results-based sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for administration, implementation, monitoring and follow-up of sectoral project activity, consistent with the defined project strategies and approaches.
4. Undertake field visits to monitor programmes, as well as participates in periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners. Identifies necessary action for programme adjustments.
5. Collaborate in forming emergency preparedness plan relating to the areas of responsibility. In case of emergency, participates in monitoring and assessing the nature and extent of the emergency in the assigned area
6. Provides technical support to government and NGOs at the national and provincial levels in the planning, development and implementation stages of the programmes/projects.
7. Identifies training needs; plans, organizes and conducts training and orientation activities for government personnel and beneficiaries, for the purpose of capacity building, sustainability of programme/projects and promotion/expansion of coverage of services
8. Liaise and follow up with UNICEF supply section to making sure the necessary immunization supplies including vaccines and injection materials and cold chain equipment are procured and distributed  on time
9. Actively participate on all national child survival and immunization technical working groups

Qualifications and Competencies
- Advanced University degree in Medicine, Public Health, Pediatric Health, Child Development, Child Health, or other relevant disciplines.
- At least five years of relevant professional work experience in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of health or immunization programmes.
- Professional work experience in a technical expert position related to child survival and health care critical.
- Knowledge of global health issues, specifically relating to children and women and the current trends, methods and approaches.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Apply
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 letter and curriculum vitae quoting vacancy notice number to the following address.

HR Manager
(Vacancy Notice: Zim-2013:3)
UNICEF, 6 Fairbridge Avenue,
P O Box 1250
Belgravia, Harare

Or

Email: hararevacancies [at] unicef [dot] org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff.
Well qualified candidates, particularly women are especially encouraged to apply.