According to the International Center for Research on Young Women the world’s youth population currently stands at 1.1 billion and 85 percent of these young people live in poor countries.  As the youth population continues to grow not much is being done to integrate young minds into the development of their countries.

Socially entrenched attitudes have relegated youths to mere spectators of development in their respective countries and recently young people have resorted to engaging in protests to seek redress from governments. The only time young people’s contribution to society is valued is when politicians look for support during elections. Many young people have been used as foot soldiers in unleashing violence in the communities they live in. Young people’s voices continue to be suppressed as they lack representation in decision making at the highest level. The appointment of a new cabinet in Zimbabwe is a good example of how the young generation continues to be sidelined in decision-making.

Year in and year out Zimbabwe continues to churn out graduates from various colleges but most of these young minds end up on the streets or cross borders to do menial jobs in neighboring countries. Some people may blame our education curriculum for not doing much in helping young people who are not gifted academically but talented in other fields. A high literacy rate with the backdrop of high unemployment figures calls for debate as to whether these young people and educated men and women are lacking technical skills for them start something of their own?

The recent Food For Thought debate session hosted by US Embassy Public Affairs section brought together young panelists from various backgrounds to share experiences and the way forward in creating opportunity for young people in Zimbabwe. A presentation by Chiedza Gadzirai of the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe highlighted that sport has contributed a lot of social and economical benefits to a lot of young people in Zimbabwe.

Masimba Kuchera of the Center for Disability and Development gave an example of how government in Kenya managed to create opportunity for youth through the formation of an i-Hub where young people meet to share opportunities and ideas in the information technology sector. As a young person born with visual impairment Masimba lamented government’s failure to give adequate support to people living with disabilities. The low priority status given to programmes targeted at disabled people has resulted in many failing to participate fully in the development of the nation. Glanis Changachirere founder of the Institute for Young Women’s Development reiterated the fact that the playing field can only be level when young people are accorded an opportunity to represent themselves in decision making at top level.

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Country Finance Manager: Plan
Deadline: 23 September 2013

Founded more than 75 years ago, Plan has global presence in 68 countries and is one of the world’s largest children’s development organisations. Plan promotes child rights and lifts millions of children out of poverty, particularly the excluded or marginalized, through high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits. Plan is an independent organization with no religious, political, or governmental affiliations. Plan Zimbabwe has active programs in child rights and protection, education, food security, health, HIV & AIDS and water, sanitation & hygiene sectors.  Plan Zimbabwe is recruiting suitably qualified candidates to fill the vacancy of Country Finance Manager on a renewable 2 year fixed term contract basis.

Job summary
The position is accountable for the development and implementation of financial policies, procedures, strategies and controls to manage the financial resources of Plan Zimbabwe. Also implements Plan Zimbabwe’s finance strategy and solidify financial processes and systems in the country to enable Plan to deliver on its country strategy and accountabilities to children, communities and donors.

Dimensions of role
-Has a country wide financial management responsibility reporting to the Country Director and matrix managed by the Regional Finance Manager
-A member of the Country Leadership Team providing advice on country financial and risk management initiatives
-Leads the financial services provided within Plan Zimbabwe for an estimated country annual budget of US$ 25 million
-Representation of Plan Zimbabwe, its work and values within country forums/networks/conferences
-Leadership, management and development of in country finance staff
-Focal point person for in country risk management processes

Key end results and typical responsibilities
-Guide and facilitate the effective use and management of Plan’s financial resources in the country
-Financial reports & country budgets are prepared according to corporate requirements & guidelines, accurately and on time
-Financial reports are designed, produced and analyzed for internal management purposes and recommendations made
-Financial reporting and cash management is accurate and compliant with established policies and procedures
-Capacity assessments of prospective partners are thoroughly performed for possible cooperation and partnerships
-Provide an oversight and development of an excellent and high performing country finance team
-Budgeting and planning is based on excellent and timely financial data
-Manage Plan Zimbabwe’s general ledger and cash management processes
-Compliance with policies, standards and guidelines is routinely monitored, using audit-rating trends
-Payroll procedures are established and maintained in accordance with local legal requirements
-Support the Country Leadership Team in managing country financial risks
-Ensure country budget expenditures do not exceed approved budget limits
-Provide capacity building trainings for partners

Entry qualifications and experience
-University Degree in Finance or Accounting plus a Professional Accounting Qualification such as CIS, ACCA, CIMA or the equivalent
-Minimum of 7 years experience at the managerial level on a similar position
-Experience in using and managing various accounting packages or applications
-Experience on internal control applications and local taxation
-Experience in risk identification and management
-Excellent communication, problem solving and analytical skills
-Strong team building, strategic thinking and motivational skills
-Extensive travel within and outside the country
-Innovative and results oriented

To apply
Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are required to submit their curriculum vitae & covering letter outlining their suitability for the position to: zwe.recruitment [at] plan-international [dot] org

Plan is committed to keeping children safe from abuse, neglect and any forms of exploitation. Reference & background checks will be performed including clearances on child related offences in conformity with Plan’s Child Protection Policy.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

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Administration Assistant: CARE International in Zimbabwe
Deadline: 26 September 2013

Position Code: AEP-ADA 13
Program: Anticipated Emergency Program
Duty station: Masvingo

Job summary
The Administration Assistant will provide reception and secretarial services and any Administrative functions that may be delegated to her from time to time, under the supervision of the Administration Officer.

Key duties and responsibilities
-Receive telephone calls and visitors in a professional manner, referring them to relevant staff and deals with visitor/caller enquiries
-Ensure that the reception area is clean and presentable
-Record keeping and filing
-Monitoring Usage of Office Machines
-Mail Receipts and Delivery
-Locates and extracts telephone/ cell-usage information from specified sources for use by staff
-Manage stationery in liaison with Administration Officer
-Organise conferences, meetings and functions: booking Boardrooms and ensuring that all required material is available and in working condition

Qualifications and experience
-5 ‘O’ Levels including English Language
-A certificate in administration or secretarial studies
-3 years experience in secretarial or administration position or similar
-Must be computer literate: basic knowledge and experience with WORD, EXCEL, e-mail and Internet services
-Very good organizing skills
-Very good public relations, communication and interpersonal skills
-Must be able to work under pressure and
-Knowledge of switchboard operation.

To apply
Interested and qualified applicants can send their Curriculum Vitae and Application Letters by the 26th of September 2013 quoting the position code on the subject for email applications to:

The Human Resources Manager
CARE International in Zimbabwe
8 Ross Avenue
Belgravia
Harare

Or: vacancies [at] carezimbabwe [dot] org

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Motorbike Mechanic: CARE International in Zimbabwe
Deadline: 26 September 2013

Position Code: AMP-MBM13
Program: Anticipated Emergency Program
Duty station: Masvingo

Job summary
The motor bike Mechanic will carry out service and maintenance work to all motor bikes while ensuring that all major jobs are referred to Commercial Vendors as soon as possible.

Key duties and responsibilities
-Carrying out a detailed inspection per bike brought to the workshop, and identify all faults, dents and defects on it
-Ensuring a timely and efficient service /maintenance work is carried out on all bikes
-Refer all major jobs to commercial vendors through the Fleet Supervisor
-Ensure  thorough inspections done to bikes upon receiving the bikes  from commercial vendors
-Assisting the fleet Supervisor in identifying any unreported accident/incidents by making general morning inspections to all bikes
-Create and maintain a sub office motor bike maintenance schedule
-Make clean record of the performance of each bike and provide detailed technical advice to the -Fleet supervisor on all bikes uneconomic to repair
-Submit daily and monthly reports to the Fleet Supervisor

Qualifications and experience
-National crafts certificate in Motor bike mechanics or skilled class (one) certificate in motor bike mechanics or any other equivalent qualification.
-Have a minimum of 3 years in Automotive or related field
-A clean class (2) driver licence is a must
-Good oral written communication skills in English and Shona
-Must be alert, security conscious, honest and reliable

To apply
Interested and qualified applicants can send their Curriculum Vitae and Application Letters by the 26th of September 2013 quoting the position code on the subject for email applications to:

The Human Resources Manager
CARE International in Zimbabwe
8 Ross Avenue
Belgravia
Harare

Or: vacancies [at] carezimbabwe [dot] org

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Centre Director: Legal Resources Foundation
Deadline: 20 September 2013 (close of business)

Due to an internal promotion, the Legal Resources Foundation, a local legal services NGO, invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the post of Centre Director based at Masvingo.

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.

To apply
Applications, accompanied by comprehensive curriculum vitae, should be sent 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.  Only short listed candidates will be responded to.

Irrigation Performance  Study Consultant: GRM
Deadline: 19 September 2013

Location: Masvingo Province
Short-term assignment

Background
From October 2010, GRM has been implementing a multi country smallholder agricultural development project covering selected areas of Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Lesotho known as the Seed and Markets Project (SAMP). The overall goal of the project was to influence policies and strategies related to seed security through piloting innovative approaches. Emphasis of the project has been on strengthening local seed production and output markets in order to generate security of quality inputs as well as inject cash within the rural economy. The project is being funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and is approaching the end of its first phase. A second phase is planned for 2013-16 which will build on the pilot lessons learned from phase 1.

Roles and responsibilities
Under direct supervision of the SAMP Team Leader and working closely with the National Project Coordinator based in the Masvingo Provincial Office, the main roles and responsibilities of the Irrigation Consultant will be the following;

Preliminary assessment
The potential to increase productivity of the schemes, market linkages, and the ability of communities to manage the scheme are the main priorities.

The Assessment includes
1. Preparation of work plan and appropriate research tools for the field work.
2. A schedule of Meetings/Interviews with stakeholders of the National, District and public sector and private companies.
3. Conducting the rapid assessment.
4. Preparation and presentation of report findings.

Detailed assessment
In order to establish the potential, the opportunities and the challenges, this study should conduct: A rapid field appraisal on the schemes to come up with a detailed assessment of:

1. Brief state of irrigation infrastructure, conveyance & infield, electricity and buildings for possible value addition.
2. Irrigation water availability, reliability, distribution efficiency and gender equity among irrigators.
3. Current cropping activities (cropping programs and rotations, cropping intensity, input use, yield levels)
4. Operational management and costs related to water, power and general scheme repairs and maintenance.
5. Assess the human capacity, and dynamics of communities in the irrigation schemes their historical social and economic background ( major stakeholders e.g. water, power and extension related institutions)
6. Farmer organization and management set-up ( irrigation management unit, scheme constitution and by-laws and adherence to these, their work plans and budgets)
7. Viability of the schemes (access to markets, accessibility of scheme, plot sizes and food security situation around the scheme etc.)
8. Opportunities of surrounding communities for out grower schemes which are not directly benefiting from the irrigation scheme
9. Determine the agricultural management capacities of the respective groups, potentials and shortfalls. Define input requirements for the recommended crops and cropping programmes
10. Appropriate high potential crops, cropping patterns and rotations for each scheme
11. Make recommendations on high potential, high value crops, cropping systems and programmes
12. Make recommendations for possible crop intensification, production increases, and post-harvest requirements.
13. Make recommendations on training needs (e.g. specific agronomy, marketing, business training etc) required during project implementation.

Qualifications and experience
1. At least BSc degree in Irrigation Engineering with extensive knowledge of agronomy of field/horticulture crops including  marketing experience.
2. At least ten years working experience in irrigation schemes and with communities in rural Zimbabwe.
3. Demonstrated knowledge and experience of social dynamics in communal areas of Zimbabwe.
4. Knowledge of the likely social constraints to successful operations of irrigation schemes, and the likely enabling social attributes leading to successful operations will be an added advantage.
5. Good writing and communication skills.

Duration of the assignment
Approximately 15 working days during the month of September/October 2013

To apply
To submit your application, please go to GRM international website http://www.grminternational.com or contact Vanessa.Garcia [at] grminternational [dot] com

Nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.