GALZ and Katswe Sisterhood will be hosting a photo exhibition at the Alliance Francaise on the 1st to the 2nd of December. Tinzwei is a photo voice initiative carried out by a diverse group of Harare women aged 19 to 43 sharing the experiences of their struggles and successes.

Hosted by Def Zee (Definitely Zimbabwean) at the US Embassy’s Public affairs section, was a discussion entitled The Small House Saga. The team from Def Zee showed 2 video clips, one of an interview with a young woman who is currently a small house (having a committed relationship with a married man), and a prostitute from the Avenues area of Harare.

Small houses, are a growing phenomenon and are very much an ‘officially’ unofficial part of societal and family structures. It is not to say that this is a new practice. Men have been having long-term extra-marital affairs, even having families, since time immemorial. The majority of men at the event thought that having a small house was okay. The small house interviewed explained that she was faithful to her man and that she trusted that he was faithful too and that they therefore do not use condoms. The truth of the matter is that many people are not faithful, and since couples tend not to protect themselves during sex when in these types of relationships than in casual sexual encounters, small houses may be loopholes that continue to spread HIV.

The role of prostitution in the spread of HIV/AIDS was also discussed. The prostitute interviewed revealed that over 75% of the men who paid for sex with her did not want to use a condom, and that the vast majority of her clients were indeed married men. Nearly half the audience was in favour of legalizing prostitution in order that the country can benefit from the tax revenue and that the practice may be monitored and regulated for the safety of all involved. The reasons women turned to this ‘profession’ were also explored, with poverty being identified as the chief reason. Clearly, the issues of small houses and prostitution are multi-faceted and require careful consideration, but it is encouraging to see youth talking about such issues in the hope of curbing the spread of HIV. Let me leave you with a question that was asked at yesterday’s discussion: In light of the prevalence of small houses and prostitution, do you think that an HIV/AIDS-free generation is achievable in Zimbabwe?

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Since late October this year, 211 cases of typhoid have been reported in Harare. Reported cases of typhoid within Harare have opened a Pandora’s Box.

Though no deaths have been recorded so far, questions have been asked as to how a primitive disease such as typhoid can cause havoc in a country that has proper infrastructure in place for the supply of clean water.

Bigger questions are centred on how a country that has attained so much progress in health continues to experience typhoid cases.

Last year, Harare’s Mabvuku suburb was hit by a typhoid outbreak and hundreds of residents feared for their lives as the disease spread like a veld fire across the suburbs.

Then Harare City Council authorities claimed that they had contained the outbreak. Now a year later, the disease has resurfaced in Dzivarasekwa suburbs, making it clear that that only a temporary solution had been found.

More than 200 cases of the disease have so far been reported.

The underlying factor behind the outbreak of typhoid is the shortage of water.

Mabvuku is one place where residents struggle to get access to clean water. The residents have dug wells while boreholes have been sunk as alternative sources of clean water.

While for years Harare residents had thought that water problems are for those living in Eastern suburbs, which are furthest from Motorn Jeffrey Waterworks, the problems have come close next door. Suburbs such as Dzivarasekwa, Budiriro, Highfield, Glen Norah and Glen View also have serious water problems. Pessimists say the situation will become even worse while prophets of doom say the whole capital will end up being supplied by boreholes and wells.

But the million-dollar question is, has Harare really come to such a stage whereby residents have to accept that the city fathers cannot provide water?

Harare Residents’ Trust Coordinator, Mr Precious Shumba sees the typhoid outbreak as a sign of a gloomy future unless drastic measures are urgently taken.

For local government expert, Mr Percy Toriro, the typhoid outbreak in Harare is a clear sign of a failed system.
For years, the Harare City Council has been talking about alternative water sources but no action has really taken place on the ground. The peg that was planted at the proposed site of Kunzvi Dam ages ago has now gathered rust and has probably disappeared by now. Kunzvi Dam is a long-term solution.

Yet, the painful fact about Harare is that the council is simply failing to harness water from dams, purify it and supply residents who pay exorbitant charges every month.

While we huff and puff trying to find solutions, it is sad to realise that the capital’s authorities are clueless. The authorities have no solution to the capital’s water woes and are not treating the matter with the urgency it deserves.

For the ordinary person in Mabvuku, who has not accessed tap water for years, the question is: Can such a council continue to be entrusted with such a vital service delivery? Does the council still have a right to collect water rates? Or is it a matter of wrong people being given such an important mandate?

I remember the days when water in the taps sometimes used to come out cloudy and with a strong smell of the purification chemicals the City Council would use on the water. When this would happen some of us would complain that they were using too many of these purification chemicals and that they made the water taste ‘funny’. Indeed, others amongst us even wondered if these chemicals might be poisonous or harmful to our health. Ah, the good old days!

The water that comes out of our taps today is now harmful, and with its signature tinge of yellow-brown, is now a far cry from the cloudy, overly clean waters of old.

Many of Harare’s resident’s don’t even get to see this dirty water gushing out of their taps, as they no longer get City Council water. As a result, many are using and reusing dirty water from anywhere and everywhere. The water in Harare is no longer safe. In its latest assault on the City of Harare, the deadly water has hospitalised 211 (and counting) people. With the memory of the cholera outbreak of 2008 still fresh in our minds, I am perplexed that the council is doing absolutely nothing, when they know only too well how bad the situation can become.

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.

Zimbabwe Country Consultant: American Jewish World Service (AJWS)
Deadline: 10 November 2011

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is an international development organization based in New York, motivated by Judaism’s imperative to pursue justice. AJWS is dedicated to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the developing world regardless of race, religion or nationality. Through grants to grassroots organizations, volunteer service, advocacy and education, AJWS fosters civil society, sustainable development and human rights for all people, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship within the Jewish community.

American Jewish World Service seeks to hire a country consultant in Zimbabwe to work with the AJWS grants department in New York to support our grant making to grassroots organizations in the country.

Job Description:

-Provide technical support and guidance to AJWS partners in Zimbabwe.
-Facilitate access to capacity building, training and networking opportunities for AJWS partners.
-Facilitate linkages for AJWS partners to other donors and opportunities.
-Organize AJWS partner meetings and peer exchanges to share knowledge and learning.
-Advise AJWS on current social, political and economic trends that might impact our grantees.
-Advise AJWS on private, government, UN and multi-or bi-lateral funding streams in the region.
-Travel in country to monitor and evaluate AJWS grant making, including trips with AJWS program officers.
-Provide logistical support to AJWS program officers visiting the country.

Qualifications:

-Significant work experience in the NGO community
-Minimum 4 years post-secondary education
-Strong writing and analytical skills
-At least one local language and English fluency for report writing and direct communication with US staff
-Expertise in the rights-based approach to development preferred
-Experience with NGO capacity building strongly preferred
-Women are strongly encouraged to apply

Salary:
Send salary requirements.  We are looking for a part-time consultant (approximately 6 days per month, flexible schedule) based in Harare or Bulawayo.  The contract is for six months with the possibility of extension.

How to Apply:
For immediate consideration, please forward your resume or Curriculum Vitae, cover letter and list of references to tmukuka [at] ajws [dot] org and indicate your name and “Zimbabwe consultant” in the subject line.

For more information about AJWS, please visit our website at www.ajws.org

Food Security and Relief Coordinator: CARE Canada
Deadline: 22 November 2011

CARE is looking for a highly experienced Food Security & Relief Coordinator to lead a variety of programmes including those funded under USAID’s Food for Peace (FFP), World Food Programme (WFP), USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and other as directed by the Assistant Country Director – Programmes.

Position summary:

The Food Security and Relief Coordinator directly leads the teams responsible for the final stages of the implementation of the FFP PRIZE program, an OFDA disaster risk reduction project and WFP programs along with other humanitarian response teams as necessary. The position is responsible for the entire spectrum of activities from development, implementation, compliance, budgeting and reporting on humanitarian and food security activities in strict accordance with USAID FFP regulations, WFP & other donor regulations and procedures and CARE Food Security Policies and Strategies.

The Coordinator is the key person responsible for liaising with in-country USAID – FFP, WFP, and other donors and stakeholders, including the government. S/he will also collaborate closely with lead consortium management unit and logistics department and CARE’s logistics co-ordinator. S/he will be responsible for oversight, management, planning, compliance and reporting for all food and non-food items within his/her program portfolio, in concert with the logistic co-ordinator and in keeping with all country office and donor policies/regulations.

S/he will coordinate and cooperate with all other Sector Coordinators and CARE administrative and financial departments at the sub-offices and country office to ensure established CARE procedures and polices are followed and to maximize support for project activities.

Find out more

Centre Director: Legal Resources Foundation (LRF)
Deadline: 25 November 2011

The Legal Resources Foundation a local legal services NGO invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the post of Centre Director within the organisation.

Duties and responsibilities:
-Administering the programmes and activities of the Centre
-Supervision and management of Centre staff
-Preparation of regular reports on Centre activities
-Engaging in fundraising, including drawing up funding proposals and budgeting

Qualifications and experience:
-Applicants must be registered legal practitioners with at least five years’ post-registration experience
-Background in civil society, particularly a legal services NGO, and computer literacy will be great advantages
-Applicants must be self-motivated and have a demonstrable ability to lead a team, and to work with minimal supervision.

How to apply Please send your application letter and CV to:
The National Director
P. O. Box 918
Harare

Or they can be sent by email to: pa [at] lrf [dot] co [dot] zw

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Finance Director: Legal Resources Foundation (LRF)
Deadline: 25 November 2011

The Legal Resources Foundation a local legal services NGO invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the post of Finance Director.

This position is responsible for the overall financial management (planning, budgeting, accounting and reporting). The role will provide strategic leadership and guidance in developing and implementing guidelines and procedures governing finance and support systems. The incumbent must have experience in managing and dealing with donors.

Key responsibilities

-Accurate financial accounting and bank accounts management
-Planning and budgeting on financial aspects of the organisation’s programmes
-Accurate reporting to National Director, Board of Trustees and funding partners
-Overall accountability of organisational finances and compliance with the organisation’s policies and guidelines and donor requirements
-Prepare financial reports in line with organisational and donor reporting requirements
-Co-ordinate and maintain a cash forecasting system to ensure that adequate funds are available to meet the working requirements of the programmes
-Monitor ongoing levels of expenditure on individual programmes as against budget, and provide timely advice of likely over or under-spends
-Manage payroll and income tax payments

Qualifications, experience and competencies

-Accounting or Finance-related Degree, and/or fully qualified member of a recognised Accounting Professional Association such as ACCA and CIS
-Substantial post qualification experience and demonstrable understanding and experience of finance management, preferably within an NGO
-Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English

How to apply Please send your application letter and CV to:
The National Director
P. O. Box 918
Harare

Or they can be sent by email to: pa [at] lrf [dot] co [dot] zw

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Director: Training and Consultancy – Africa Centre for Holistic Management
Deadline: 30 November 2011

Position Summary
The Director of Training and Consultancy is responsible for supporting partner organizations to implement Holistic Land and Livestock Management (HLLM) program in communities in Southern Africa. The Director is expected to select appropriate partners, oversee successful workshops and training programs, and ensure effective follow up support and will be based in Victoria Falls.

ACHM is an award-winning organization that is restoring land to health and successfully addressing climate change while enhancing livelihoods and reducing conflict. We seek a mature, dynamic, results-orientated individual with passion who values working in a learning organization.

Supervisor:  Executive Director

Key Challenge
To achieve a working knowledge of Holistic land and Livestock Management in Southern Africa and ensure successful implementation of community land and water restoration efforts through working with other NGOs and government agencies.

Required qualifications and work experience
*Relevant Degree (in Education, Organization Development, Development Studies, Social Science, or equivalent)
*Experience in community mobilization
*Knowledge of experiential learning
*Experience running training programs
*Experience in a management or leadership position
*Knowledge and experience in program evaluation

Required skills
*Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
*Ability to design appropriate training programs
*Able to assess and select appropriate organizations to partner with
*Manage, mentor and lead a consulting team
*Possess excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written
*Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Explorer & Powerpoint

Preferred qualifications, knowledge and skills
*Team player who is able to motivate/build a cohesive team
*Knowledge of Holistic Management a plus
*Fluency in Southern African languages a plus
*Entrepreneurship
*Politically, culturally and religiously neutral in work setting

Responsibilities:
1.Develop and manage the newly formed Training & Consultancy section
2.Select appropriate partners (those likely to succeed) and develop relationship with them

*Assessing and selecting partner organization using ACHM define selection criteria.
*Facilitation in Leaders seminars
*Carry out pre-visits to selected partner organization
*Drafting MOU with selected partner organization.

3.Deliver successful (and appropriate) training program
*Organizing workshops and training programs
*Designing tailor made workshops
*Evaluation of training programs and workshops

4.Follow up coaching and support to implementing organizations
*Provide follow up support to partner organizations
*Management of report writing by consultants
*Negotiating contracts

5.Maintaining relationships
*Over seeing maintenance of relationships
*Constant communication with partners
*Negotiating contracts

Application process: ACHM is an equal opportunity employer. Salary and benefits are commensurate with experience.

Applications will be accepted through 30 November 2011. For consideration, please email a cover letter, C.V. and references to: hmatanga [at] achmonline [dot] org or rbikwa [at] achmonline [dot] org

For more information on the Africa Centre for Holistic Management visit: www.achmonline.org

Most likely Zanu PF will use the revenue from diamond sales to fund their election campaign, and all the violence that will go with it. Their lavish lifestyles also need to be maintained (at the very least). Yeah folks, Zimbabwe was liberated, didn’t yer know.

The Committee of the Peoples Charter recently issued their list of the top 7 priorities for Zimbabwe’s diamond revenue – see below. And Takura Zhangazha has warned against creating ‘diamond oligarchs’ in Zimbabwe.

Committee of the Peoples Charter (CPC) Press Statement On Seven (7) Priorities For Zimbabwe’s Diamond Revenue

The Committee of the Peoples Charter (CPC) notes the recent statements made by the Minister of Mines, Mr. Obert Mpofu on the recent Kimberly Process meeting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at which Zimbabwe was given the go-ahead to sell diamonds from Marange to world markets at competitive prices. The Honourable Minister’s announcement that Zimbabwe will be able to make an estimated gross amount of US$2 billion per annum from these diamond sales is a matter that should be further explained with particular respect to the national fiscus and the intended priorities as to how this revenue should be utilized for the public good.

This is particularly important and urgent due to the fact that the Ministry of Finance will present the 2012 national budget this month. It is therefore imperative that this potential revenue be factored into Finance Minister Tendai Biti’s budget for 2012.

In this regard, it is the CPC’s firm view that the revenue acquired by the state via the sale of diamonds must be directed toward the following priority areas of our national economy:

1. The establishment of a social welfare and social benefit grants system for unemployed citizens, women, physically challenged citizens, the elderly and socially/economically disadvantaged children/minors.
2. The reintroduction of free primary school education and the subsidization of all government secondary schools in relation
3. The re-introduction of state subsidized and guaranteed student grants and loans for all tertiary level students
4. The provision of free healthcare for all together with the modernization of all of our referral and provincial hospitals through the purchase of the relevant equipment
5. The refurbishment of our railway lines, trains and coaches to provide public transport for both rural and urban areas.
6. The completion of the dualisation of the Harare-Bulawayo; Harare-Beitbridge highways.
7. The provision of clean and safe water for all citizens through the refurbishment of all urban water supply systems and the expansion of borehole water availability in all rural areas, together with the completion of the Matebeleland – Zambezi Water Project.

Where the government fails to commit diamond revenue to these six priority areas, it will be a travesty of social and economic justice. The CPC will be tracking the usage of this revenue with the intention of bringing the government to account and in order to curb corruption as well as the misplacement of priorities by the government.

NGOs Humanitarian Reform Project: ActionAid Zimbabwe
Deadline: 7 November 2011 (1700 hours)

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
To Start: Mid-November
Contract: 5 days a week for a period of one month

Purpose of The Position
ActionAid Zimbabwe seeks to engage a consultant to perform the function of country coordinator who will be responsible for the implementation of the NGOs and Humanitarian Reform Project Phase 2 in Zimbabwe, with the ultimate goal of enhancing NGO (national and international) representation, participation and leadership in humanitarian reform and other coordination forums.

Key Strategic Performance Areas
-Develop/improve structures, capacity and skills for NGOs to assume active membership and leadership functions in humanitarian reform forums have been built
-Strengthen in-country coordination mechanisms (training workshops, facilitate operational discussions on coordination and financing)
-Co-ordination with the Project Internationally
-Financial management and reporting (accurate and timely financial and narrative reports, ensure that project income is managed in a timely and appropriate manner, co-develop, closely monitor and report on country work plan and country budget expenditure)
-Networking and relationship building (engaging key stakeholders)

A detailed Job Profile and Terms of Reference will be made available to short listed candidates.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications
Relevant degree/post-graduate qualification essential.

Other Essential Requirements
-At least 4 years practical experience in humanitarian response
-Familiarity with the humanitarian reform process
-Proven understanding and experience of advocacy and policy change work within a complex humanitarian context
-Proven skills in networking and relationship building
-Strong analytical and information gathering skills
-Excellent writing and facilitation skills
-Strong communication and representational skills
-Strong budget management skills
-Ability to work alone and on one’s own initiative
-Cultural sensitivity
-Knowledge of local languages (Shona, Ndebele) will be an added advantage
-Understanding of and commitment to humanitarian principles and action
-Willingness to travel extensively, mostly within the country and spend several weeks at a time away from home

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

NB: Whilst all applicants will be assessed strictly on their individual merits, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply.

Please note: Although we value all applications, we can only respond to short listed candidates.

National Strategic planning Consultancy: White Ribbon Alliance Zimbabwe
Deadline: 14 November 2011

White Ribbon alliance Zimbabwe is seeking for a consultant to develop a national strategic plan. The person should have knowledge of reproductive health, computer skills and 5yrs experience in reproductive health programming and development of strategic plans. Interested parties to forward their CVs and an indication of fees per day to Dr Christina Mudokwenyu Rowdon. Email guruchristina [at] yahoo [dot] com