Critics of regimes where hardships thrive are quickly labelled anti-revolutionary, pro-white capital and every epithet from the lexicon of rabid nationalists who have doubled their resolve to right past economic wrongs but in the process lost sight of their goals.

I recalled this when I watched on TV young fellows walking in celebration of the President’s birthday where the spokesperson of the young patriots parroted the kind of language that has come to define Zanu PF.

I did not know whether to laugh or cry.

You have on one hand youth NGOs being harassed by the repressive state apparatus, while many more others such as those who have emerged from academic hallways as student activists being hounded by men in dark glasses.

On the other extreme you have fellow youths adopting the lexicon of hate speech and you have to ask why the circumstances of this demographic can elicit such radically polar interpretations.

Are these young people from the same planet, you wonder.

Surely one’s political beliefs are a democratic right, yet when such differences are extant, you have to view this as a typical case of privilege pitted against deprivation.

And when you look at it like that, you obviously conclude that these people who would be saddled with the same post-independence “born-free” epithet from the usual suspects have different access to state resources when in fact that wealth ought to be universal.

And that is the tragedy of present day Zimbabwe.

Those “eating” from the trough of patronage imagine a perpetuation of the status quo, while the laggards aspiring for a piece of the national cake seek its end.

With elections approaching, it is no wonder then to see young people fighting each other, and the political elites who many agree long lost their relevance find these young mouths to reclaim that relevance.

It is Benjamin Disraeli who wrote in the political novel Sybil back in 1846 that: “The youth of a nation are the trustees of posterity.”

You have to ask yourself if this at all holds true here.

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

Economic Recovery & Development Officer – Marketing: International Rescue Committee
Deadline: 15 March 2013

Location: Mutare

Job Summary
The ERD Officer will assist in the overall design of the IRC value chain program and in collaboration with the Economic Recovery and Development Co-ordinator, to strengthen the capacity of smallholder farmers and SMEs to access markets and diversify their livelihood options.

Responsibilities
Technical responsibilities / Program Implementation
1. Work with ERD coordinator in identifying agricultural market chains that can benefit local communities and the specific information gaps that can be addressed
2. Facilitation of participatory market chain workshops
3. Facilitate linkages between smallholder farmers, SMEs and markets for high value chains.
4. Assist the ERD coordinator in the development of the IRC Zimbabwe value chain training materials.
5. Coordinate the production of training reports to track performance and progress, according to M & E templates
6. Assist the M&E Technical Advisor and the ERD Coordinator to identify appropriate value chain related indicators and carry out M & E activities for the program.

Representation and Coordination
1. Participate in the development of standards, guidelines and other context-specific tools for economic activities with other partners as well as inter-sector IRC meetings and coordination, as required
2. Liaise and coordinate with the local authorities, relevant ministries, local partners, community leaders and other key stakeholders in areas of operation regarding agricultural value chain assistance.

Skills and Qualifications
-Diploma or University degree in marketing. Specific qualification in agricultural marketing would be an added advantage
-A post graduate diploma in business management would be an added advantage
-At least 2 years working in the private sector on agricultural value chains in Zimbabwe
-Experience in contract negotiation and management of agricultural commodities
-Strong understanding of small holder agricultural and SMEs economy and value chains
-Excellent organizational, project planning, communication and time management skills
-Fluent written and spoken English and Shona

Interested candidates from the private sector are strongly encouraged to apply. Qualified candidates should send their detailed CVs and cover letters to: Zimbabwe [at] rescue [dot] org and write ERD-Marketing Officer in the subject line.

“It doesn’t matter how many months you give,” Tsvangirai told reporters. “If you have not already made a decision, I am sure that even if you are given 10 months you will never arrive at any decision. One month is sufficient.”

These are words of the Honorable Prime Minister himself. Its plain and simple, time doesn’t matter. The undecided mentioned by the Prime Minister need not worry because due to time constraints decision making is a waste of resources so just grab the draft copy being distributed and prepare to join the queue to surrender your vote.

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

ILLEGAL POLICE ACTION MUST BE CHALLENGED

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is astounded by the most recent actions of the Zimbabwe Republic Police on Tuesday 19 February 2013, where through a press briefing, they launched an unwarranted assault on freedom of expression and access to information by purporting to ban citizens from possessing and distributing radios and similar communication devices.

In terms of Section 20 (i) of the Constitution every Zimbabwean is entitled to receive and impart information without any hindrance and the use of common technology such as radio, television or mobile phone is protected by law.

The utterances by the police are patently illegal. This so-called ban has no basis in law. The lengths to which State institutions and actors are now going to deny fundamental rights and freedoms and act outside the law is alarming but is typical of paranoid State authorities who are contemptuous of any diversity of opinion and information.

ZLHR is deeply committed to freedom of expression and access to information. It is also our firm and unshakeable belief that the police are the least expected to act outside the law considering that they are mandated in terms of Section 18 (1) to act lawfully and uphold the Constitution. We refuse to be passive spectators of such blatant violations and impunity, and as such ZLHR is preparing to challenge this purported ban through the courts imminently.

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