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

Program & Policy Officer: ActionAid
Deadline: 1 March 2013

Location: Harare, Head Office
Duration: 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2013

ActionAid is a global movement of people working together to further human rights for all and defeat poverty

Purpose of the Position
ActionAid International Zimbabwe (AAIZ) is seeking a Program and Policy Officer – under the Governance Programme for nine months to assist the Program and Policy Manager ensuring that the program and projects falling within the governance strategic objective are effectively and efficiently implemented to achieve set goals and objectives.

Key Performance Areas
The Program and Policy Officer will assist the Governance thematic coordinator in the following key activities:
-Supervision of the implementation of the programme and projects, ensuring that they adhere to the AAI standards and/or donor guidelines
-Monitoring, implementation and evaluation of the programme and projects on a daily basis
-Ensuring budget tracking of the programme and projects
-Contribution to the development of reports to the donor as required on specific objectives of the programme and projects
-Provision of support to and building the capacity of partners in program planning, implementation and monitoring & evaluation to effectively and efficiently implement program and project activities

A detailed Job Profile will be made available to the successful candidate.

Education & Qualifications
A bachelors degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies and/or other relevant fields

Experience
3 years experience in governance work, including supporting local partner organizations and working with community-based organizations/local associations.

Other requirements & competences
-Demonstrated commitment to working with AAIZ target groups i.e. poor and marginalized groups at community and national levels
-Understanding of conflict management, women’s & youth empowerment and peace-building as well as building local democracy in relation to governance
-Understanding of political and socio-economical factors that impact on program development
-Good organizational and planning skills including program/projects budget tracking in line with contractual obligations
-Ability to work in partnerships with service providers/policy makers from both voluntary and statutory sectors
-Ability to write concise, analytical and accurate reports to agreed deadlines
-Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation processes and the ability to collate and analyze data
-Ability to communicate effectively verbally and Good written English and local languages relevant in areas of work
-Clean Class 4 driver’s license

Applications
To apply submit your curriculum vitae with an application letter to Human Resources, ActionAid International, 16 York Avenue, Newlands, Harare or Email: jobs.zimbabwe [at] actionaid [dot] org

Although we value all applications, we can only respond to short listed candidates. NB: Please note that this is a NATIONAL position. Whilst all applicants will be assessed strictly on their individual merits, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply.

Administration and Procurement Supervisor: CARE Zimbabwe
Deadline: 2 March 2013

Duty Station: Harare
Position Code: PS-APS 13

Job summary
Reporting to the Country Director, the Administration and Procurement Supervisor will be responsible for supervising all administration and procurement activities on behalf of Program teams and other internal customers, as well as the identification of reliable suppliers, ensuring compliance to Care Zimbabwe and donor policy and procedures, and maintaining accurate up-to-date market and pricing information related to our supply chain. The incumbent will support annual and intermittent procurement planning activities conducted by program staff. She/he will also take a lead on large-scale or complex orders and tenders, as well as ensuring progress with strategic procurement initiatives. The Administration and Procurement Supervisor will be responsible for supplier relationship management with key suppliers, including regular face-to-face meetings, ensuring timely payment, and maintaining open dialogue. The incumbent will also assist in developing and where appropriate the improvement of administration policies and systems to ensure the most effective, accountable and efficient delivery of services. S/he is also responsible for building and fostering a team approach between administration service consumers throughout CARE Zimbabwe.

Qualifications and experience
-Degree in Purchasing and Supply/Supply Chain Management/Business Administration or Equivalent
-A seasoned professional with a solid technical background in administration and procurement and a minimum of 4 years relevant experience
-Strong leadership and people management skills
-Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
-Excellent computer and reporting skills
-Ability to organize and absorb pressure

Interested and qualified applicants can send their Curriculum Vitae and Application Letters quoting the position code (PS-APS 13) in the subject line for email applications to: vacancies [at] carezimbabwe [dot] org

Book Café Wins Prestigious NAMA Award

A week ago on February 16th, The National Arts Council presented The Book Café with a NAMA Award for National Arts Service.  The Book Café is one of Zimbabwe’s most important arts and culture venues, combining entertainment and artist development with informative discussions and critical platforms for freedom of speech.   Book Café Senior Arts and Communications Officer Extra-Blessing Kuchera accepted the award at the star-studded ceremony.

The event was well-attended by various dignitaries, including Minister of Education, Sports and Culture David Coltart, ZiFM head Supa Mandiwanzira and music legend Oliver Mtukudzi.  The Book Café received the National Arts Service award in recognition of the achievements of its live music venue and the outstanding support it gives to artists.

Book Cafe is part of Pamberi Trust and is founded on the belief that the arts are critical in shaping values that reflect society.  Since its inception in 1997, The Book Café has evolved into a lively arts hub that is open 7 days a week and offers an art space that has become a place where all cultures mix freely and comfortably.

This award is the first time Book Café has been recognized by the National Arts Council.  Senior Arts and Communications Officer Extra-Blessing Kuchera was very excited to receive the reward as it was completely unexpected.  Kuchera says, “NAMA had said they wanted a representative from Pamberi Trust to come and present an award at the ceremony.  They wanted to surprise Book Café so they didn’t tell us.  I was supposed to present the National Arts Service Award to someone else.  It was a genuine surprise!  It’s a special award.  They created this for specific individuals and organizations that have excelled in terms of developing arts in Zimbabwe.”

Kuchera was presented the award by acclaimed musician and guest of honour, Oliver Mtukudzi.  Last year the National Arts Service Award was awarded to Prince Tendai Mpfurutsa.  Speaking about the significance for the award Kuchera said, “NAMA looked at the quality that came out of The Book Café.  However, from my perspective it’s just hard work, team work, commitment, determination and being responsible.  The most important thing is being able to help people realize their potential – to go another mile.  Being able to give people that opportunity is what we do and that’s what the award is all about.  The artists are the ones who really deserve this award because they are the ones who come in and build themselves, who come in and enjoy their time at Book Café, and who come in and make a name that enables them to go places.”

The Book Café has been in operation for 16 years.  In 2012, they moved from their location in Five Avenue to their new premises a stone’s throw away on Samora Machel.  Last March, The Book Cafe received the prestigious Prince Claus Award for excellence in the arts from the Dutch organization, The Prince Claus Fund.  Importantly, most of Zimbabwe’s well-known and well-loved musicians have performed or received critical support and mentoring through the many platforms and opportunities at The Book Café.  These include, Chiwoniso Maraire, Victor Kunonga, 2013 NAMA Award winner Hope Masike, 2013 triple NAMA Award winner Suluman Chimbetu and singer Peace Ndlovu, popularly known as Ba Shupi.

Ba Shupi is a talented artist who is rising in the music scene, in part because of the important platform provided for artists at The Book Café.  About the Book Café he says, “The Book Café is a platform that I also came into.  I have learnt a lot and a lot has happened in my life through the Book Café, and the Open Mic and all the activities that happen at Book Café.  For me to have a band, I got it from Book Café because it’s a meeting place for all different artists.  In Zimbabwe the Book Café, are doing their level best to uplift us artists.  That’s where I met people like Chiwoniso Maraire and all kinds of artists.  At the end of the day, my dream would be for the Book Café to expand to other towns because every artist gets the opportunity to showcase their talent”.

Book Café continues to play a critical role in the development and promotion of arts and culture in Zimbabwe.  Congratulations on their award.

Press Release from Book Cafe

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

Country Director, Zimbabwe: The Swedish Organisation for Individual Relief (IM/SOIR)
Deadline: 8 March 2013

Location: Mutare

IM/SOIR is a Swedish aid organisation fighting and exposing poverty and exclusion. The organisation was founded in 1938 and is active in four regions worldwide: Central America, South Asia, Europe and Middle East and Southern Africa. IM is a member based non-governmental organisation. We promote sustainable development through support to civil society and by applying a rights based approach.

IM/SOIR is working in Zimbabwe since 1994. The country programme is supporting community based organisations (CBO) in Manicaland Province. The country office is situated in Mutare and has approximately 12 employees. The strategic focus is to promote primary and secondary education for marginalised girls and boys; to promote access to preventive health care; and economic empowerment of marginalised groups. In all programme components CBOs in the target communities are the main partners.

Position
The position as Country Director is placed under the Regional Director who is stationed in Malawi. The duty station of the Country Director is Mutare in Zimbabwe. The position is a two year contract with possibility of extension.

Key responsibilities
-Strategic leadership of IM/SOIR’s programme in the country;
-Development of country strategies and annual operational plans;
-Implementation, follow-up, reporting, and evaluation of the country programme;
-Management of the country office including division of duties, capacity development, and work environment;
-Overall responsibility of the budget frame and ensuring that financial and narrative reporting is done in a qualitative and timely manner;
-Ensure that operations, systems and routines of the country office comply with IM policies, guidelines and regulations;
-Build and maintain strong and productive relationships with donors, government agencies, civil society organisations and other relevant actors in Zimbabwe;
-Network with other like-minded organisations for purposes of advocacy;
-Contribute to IM/SOIR’s global development by liaising with the head office in Sweden and other directors in the field.

Qualifications and skills
-A strong commitment to fight and expose poverty and exclusion by strengthening civil society and the capacity of marginalised groups to claim their rights
-Minimum five years senior management experience in development work with civil society, preferably in Zimbabwe
-Minimum three years of experience in managing staff
-Experience in managing complex change processes and relationships involving a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
-Experience in working with community based organisations is an advantage
-Knowledge in some of IM/SOIR’s key areas of work (health, education, economic empowerment) is an advantage
-Strong analytical skills and ability to think strategically
-High inter-personal skills and a good team player
-Dynamic and self-driven with an excellent track record of delivery
-Open and perceptive in contacts with marginalised groups
-Experience in finance and administration and in managing budgets and writing narrative reports
-Excellent command of written and spoken English

Women are encouraged to apply.

How to apply
Please send a personal application letter and CV to Lars Mannberg, Regional Director by email to: lars.mannberg [at] manniskohjalp [dot] se

We regret that we will only be able to contact short listed candidates.

For more information about IM/SOIR please visit http://global.manniskohjalp.se

As the nation gears up for a constitutional referendum, approximately seven in every ten people claim to have heard about the COPA process and 59% claim to be aware of the draft Constitution of Zimbabwe published in July 2012. The figure drops to 30% of adult Zimbabweans reported to have heard about the Second National All-Stakeholders’ Conference.

The Mass Public Opinion Institute revealed these results yesterday at a dissemination meeting on the State of the Economy and People’s Survival Strategies survey. The survey covered the period from 2009 to 2012 and had a national sample size of 1200 randomly selected participants, above 18 years of age.

Politics still dominate the economic turn-around of the country. The survey revealed that 16% of people interviewed think the Inclusive Government should seek external aid and create a more conducive environment for investment. According to public opinion, state organs and institutions were performing badly regarding the Global Peace Agreement. A majority (57%) of the respondents were not in favour of increasing the term of office for the Inclusive Government. The survey data shows the general impression that Zimbabweans will vote YES in the referendum but a substantial proportion said they do not know how they will vote since some claim not to have ever heard about the draft Constitution and the COPAC process.

Perceptions on the death penalty in Zimbabwe show a contrasting view to that published in the COPAC report. The MPOI survey shows 53 % of people interviewed to be in support of the abolishment of the death penalty. The support mainly came from female respondents.

On the issue of national elections this year, Zimbabweans of voting age feel the nation is ready to hold the election. Only a small portion (25%) disagrees as compared to 68% who are in favor of elections this year. Much emphasis on the need to engage international observers from SADC, EU and UN was suggested to ensure free and fair elections. The survey projected a closely fought race between ZANU PF and MDC-T with the latter still commanding a large support base in urban areas, especially among the male electorate.

On the economic state of the nation, 58% of the people interviewed felt that availability of consumer goods had become better over a period of one year but 59% of the urban respondents lamented the worsening employment crisis. The multi-currency system adopted by the nation continues to receive nationwide support with 68% supporting the dollarization of the economy.

The survey also noted high incidences of poverty as 61% of Zimbabweans indicated that they have sometimes gone without clean water, 62% say that they have not had enough to eat, and 70% lacking adequate medicine.

The source of income for many Zimbabweans is still agriculture with a few depending on a regular salary. Others have engaged in income generating activities like cross border trading.

Tafadzwa Sharaunga writing for Kalabash shares his experience of queuing for water.

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Dead in the middle of the rainy season water shortages have ravaged the southwestern high-density suburbs of Harare, with neighborhoods such as Glen-View and Glen-Norah going for days without running tap water.

After an infamous five-day spell without running water I decided to go to the nearest watering hole. My brother and I arrived at the borehole at 11:22 pm. To our surprise it was heavily occupied (mostly by teenagers who were using ‘fetching water’ for mischievous activities).

Yielding to the challenge presented to us by the long, winding queue we decided to go home and return during the graveyard shift starting at 3:00 am. We trotted home like donkeys after a long day’s work, thirsty and tired as ever.  I woke up at 3:45 am and my brother was in a deep sleep. I tried to wake him up to no avail, off into the night alone it was. Eager to get some water as fast as possible my pace increased by the second, approaching the corner loud chatting became audible.

“Ndiani uyo urikuenda kupi manheru akadai?” Numb for a moment, they quickly noticed the bucket in my hand. The lady said ‘’Aah arikuenda ku borehole!’’

‘’You are lucky.’’ one of the guys shouted.

Arriving at the water point all I could think of was how all these women had gotten here, that scare was enough to deter anyone who is thirsty from going to fetch water at night. It was dark and there were about 30 women. I counted only five men, myself included. As the complexion of the night got lighter so did the mood amongst us, the queue grew longer and the talk louder. Jokes about poverty and how the people in the city council should get a feel of the system they run. The dominant fear of being out and unprotected at night was ever so present among the women as they kept referring to the darkness and its uncertainty.

Two men emerged from that darkness, one tall and the other medium height. They had placed their buckets in line and started trading political campaign stories. How they campaigned for a certain MP but forgot to vote for him when elections came. One of them sounded sad saying how it would have been good had they spent energy doing something for the benefit of the community rather than their selfish interests.

As the sun came out of its resting place the 100-metre queue came into full view. Almost time to go to work but I had no water to bath with so I waited in line for three more hours until it was my turn.

I was not the only person going to work that morning. I realized that after we have dressed to go to work it’s not visible who has slept at the borehole or in the luxury of a King or Queen size bed. We have become the ultimate masters of disguise: instead of telling our story we choose to stifle it and betray our own confidence.