Kubatana.net ~ an online community of Zimbabwean activists

Get a job in Zimbabwe: apply today!

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Friday, April 19th, 2013 by Bev Clark

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

Programme Officer: PADARE / ENKUDLENI
Deadline: 26 April 2013

Duty Station: Bulawayo

PADARE / ENKUDLENI is seeking a dynamic programme officer to boost its provincial work in the Bulawayo and the surrounding provinces in an effort to mobilise men and boys in search for practical ways to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls. The Programe Officer will be part of the National Secretariat that coordinates supports and promotes the organization’s national activities. The successful candidate will play a key role in the growth of ENKUNDLENI in the province. The position is initially offered for a period of one year, but may be extended if the partnership continues to develop successfully.

Responsibility
To carry out community advocacy initiatives and training activities which mobilises communities, men and boys in addressing all forms of discrimination against women and girls. Working closely with the provincial structures of men’s groups to enable them carry out local level practical interventions that enable the participation communities, men and boys in responding to the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS and work towards a society with gender justice, where women and girls and young people enjoy their sexual and reproductive health rights. The Programme Officer will be will be responsible for implementing PADARE / ENKUNDLENI programs in Bulawayo and the surrounding provinces.

Strong writing and communication skills, experience in community mobilisation, research and policy analysis, and administrative skills are essential. Experience in gender issues, and in building and working with coalitions is highly desirable. Candidates must be fluent in English, excellent written and spoken Ndebele is highly desirable. The Programme Officer will report to the National Director.

Key responsibilities
-Developing and administrating the organisations community advocacy activities in Bulawayo and surrounding provinces that examine, re-evaluate and challenge sexist thinking in men and society.
-Implement activities in co-ordination with men’s groups, identified stakeholders and implementing and actively participate in relevant gender working groups at district and provincial level.
-Assist in designing and developing plan that create discussion forums for men and boys to analyse and challenge gender discrimination and offer practical community approaches that create and enabling environment for women to participate fully in our society.
-Monitor major policy developments related to advancing gender equality at provincial level and develop appropriate strategies for the community level interventions.
-Assist in producing written materials to support the organisation’s work, including research briefs, website content, advocacy materials, activity reports for all activities undertaken and monthly programme reports.
-Provide logistical and administrative support for the implementation of activities and identify possible fundraising initiatives.
-Assist in developing PADARE / ENKUNDLENI ‘s membership base, including liaising with members, managing the contacts database and identifying potential member organisations.
-Help to develop and implement information-sharing practices between members, their groups and member organisations.
-Manage requests and expressions of interest from the membership, affiliated organisations and the public.

Skills and attributes
-Graduate qualification in a relevant area (such as public policy, development studies, international relations, human rights or gender issues) or proven experience in a related field
-Demonstrated expertise in policy analysis and advocacy on national issues, experience in gender issues and in building and working with coalitions is highly desirable
-Excellent writing and communication skills
-Strong project management skills
-Experience in administrative support and events management
-Willingness to work in a collaborative team and with diverse alliances, including an ability to work in different cultural environments
-Ability to work with minimal supervision, and with a keen eye for accuracy and detail and potential implementation challenges
-Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality
-Excellent written and spoken English, fluency in Ndebele is highly desirable

How to apply
Please send a concise CV and one page cover letter demonstrating how you meet the criteria for this position to kelvin [at] padare [dot] org and jobs [at] padare [dot] org.zw clearly stating “Programme Officer” in the subject line.

Due to the large number of applications expected, we regret that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Be divisive indeed!

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013 by Marko Phiri

I read a Herald headline that said, “Manicaland: Be decisive, Zanu PF urged” and imagined it could have easily read: “Manicaland: Be divisive, Zanu PF urged,” because that is exactly what is happening.

Perhaps the “stalwarts” behind the Manicaland divisions are staring reality in the eye that there really isn’t much to be done about their impending confinement to the much loved “dustbin of history” metaphor. You can only browbeat the peasantry to an extent, that constituency of course being the favourite of Zanu PF’s claim of popularity in the rural areas, yet we know from the violence of March 2008 that this is very much thanks to cudgels and sjamboks as the party’s preferred tools of political persuasion.

After all, some political theorists long noted that divisions that emerge within African political parties are their ultimate Achilles heel that author their attrition and thus harbinger or point to their loss of relevance to the national political ethos, Jonathan Moyo should have told them!

But then here we are dealing with a cabal that seeks to defy all laws, from gravity to commonsense, yet we do get solace in knowing that when the big guns fight for the control of the party, it gives other political parties ample time to regroup, set up their own Praetorian guard for the new political dispensation project and invest their energies in the most pressing matter at hand, that is winning the election. It could indeed be yet another lost opportunity if Zanu PF opponents do take advantage of the party’s squabbles. Else, not just history, nay, none but ourselves shall judge hashly the political strategists of these parties.

Madhuku threats should be taken seriously

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 by Lenard Kamwendo

Just a few weeks after Professor Lovemore Madhuku showed some interest to form a political party criticism came in different forms across the Zimbabwe. Some people accused him of trying to dilute votes in the next election and some went further claiming that the Professor is trying seek attention from his former allies in the MDC party. The three parties in the government of national unity know that Madhuku could be a force to reckon with regardless of a poor showing in the just ended constitutional referendum. Small threats like these led to the dilution of votes in the harmonized elections of 2008 when the Mavambo/Kusile party was launched.

Was the referendum a wake up call for Tsvangirai?

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 by Lenard Kamwendo

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.

NGO job vacancies in Zimbabwe

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Wednesday, March 27th, 2013 by Bev Clark

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

Finance and Administration Officer – H/O: Basilwizi Trust
Deadline: 29 March 2013

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced individuals to fill the above position that has arisen within Basilwizi Trust. Basilwizi is a registered NGO working for a sustainable people driven socio-economic development in the Zambezi valley. This is a one year contract with a prospect of renewal based on resource availability and individual performance.

The purpose of the position is to develop, oversee and monitor finance and administration functions for Basilwizi.

Main Duties
-Develop, implement and monitor financial management systems and budgets
-Oversee all financial and administration functions of Basilwizi Trust
-Prepare finance and administration reports to donor partners as well as the board
-Monitor and provide support on budgetary control to programs staff
-Develop sound administrative procedures
-Ensure compliance to the set procedures and policies for Basilwizi Trust
-Lead in human resources recruitment, management and mentoring
-Participate in strategic planning in key areas of Basilwizi work
-Develop, implement and monitor systems that safe guard Basilwizi assets
-Manage staff directly under supervision using set tools
-Develop new tools to enhance Basilwizi systems to comply with internationally accepted standards
-Liaise with the board treasurer as well as auditors in efficient management of Basilwizi resources.

Qualifications and Experience
The successful applicant is expected to have:
-A minimum of a first degree in Accounting from a reputable institution
-Full CIS or ACCA in the absence of a first degree
-Membership of an accounting body is a distinct advantage
-A higher qualification would be an added advantage
-Appreciation of Human resources practices
-At least two years experience in a similar position with an NGO environment
-Appreciation of community development and donor procedures a must have;

Personal attributes
-Team player and leader
-Outgoing
-Good communication skills
-Presentable
-Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines

Remuneration and related benefits will be shared only with short listed applicants.

Applications, with a detailed CV and certified copies of certificates must reach Basilwizi Trust  Director, 14 Edward Rd, Khumalo, Bulawayo or The Director, P.O. Box 3720, Bulawayo or scanned and sent to: info [at] basilwizi [dot] co [dot] zw

Only short listed applicants will be contacted for interviews.

Socio-economic Research and Analysis project Officer: Silveira House
Deadline: 2 April 2013

Silveira House seeks an economic and social analyst to take up the post of Socio-economic Research and Analysis project officer effect from 1st May 2012.

Success in promoting justice, peace and development in Zimbabwe calls for understanding how tomorrow will differ from today and yesterday! From such insights comes opportunity. This is what Silveira House has always tried to do since 1964.

The applicant must
-Be able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of applied economics
-Have a detailed understanding of the economics and politics of Zimbabwe
-Have good communication and writing skills

Qualifications
-Masters in Economics or Economic Development, or equivalent
-BSc in Economics and Social Policy
-Experience in economic analysis
-Fluent in English
-Fluency in at least one Zimbabwean indigenous language in order to understand grassroots research data, results and situations
-Experience in journalism is preferred although not exclusively essential
-Driver’s licence (a must)

Special preference will be given to mature and settled applicants out of studies.

The successful applicant will initiate research to track emerging economic, social and political issues specifically affecting the lives of the people of Zimbabwe and provide us with thorough, in-depth analysis and forecasting. He/she will occasionally travel to the different provinces of the country and have regular contact with both local and national government, non-governmental organisations, business communities, media and most important of all, the ordinary citizens at grassroots level.

We offer the opportunity to work in a challenging, fast-paced environment where enthusiasm and creativity from the subject are the norm.

Salary is dependent on experience and qualification, and you will enjoy some excellent benefits.

Please send in your CV with a covering letter and details of current salary and employment to: director [at] sliveirahouse [dot] org

Or by post to the Director at Box 545, Harare

Two (2) Project Officers: Silveira House
Deadline: 2 April 2013

Silveira House seeks two qualified and experienced people to take up the posts of project officers in the Community Development programme which promotes leadership training, community development projects, citizens’ participation in economic and political processes, conflict management and youth formation/development. The successful applicants are expected to start work on 1st May 2013.

Main Objective of the job
The main objective of the job in question is to ensure the achievement of Silveira House goal and objectives by implementing programme and project activities as in the strategic plan and the programme operational plan.

The applicant must
-Be able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the politics and social configuration of Zimbabwe
-Have a detailed understanding of development issues affecting poor areas of Zimbabwe
-Have good communication and writing skills

Qualifications
-At least 3 years of experience in community development work
-Masters in Community Development or Development Studies or Sociology
-Fluency in English and at least one local Zimbabwean language
-Experience in facilitating workshop trainings
-Driver’s licence (a must)

Special preference will be given to mature and settled applicants out of studies.

The successful applicant will plan and implement project activities with colleagues in the programmes, read and research on relevant issues affecting communities or various targeted groups in Zimbabwe to update our knowledge base, reflect on the situation on the ground in order to identify new areas of intervention, and prepare community conscientisation and community mobilisation material for workshop trainings. He/she will travel to the different provinces of the country and have regular contact with both local and national government, non-governmental organisations, business communities and most important of all, the ordinary citizens at grassroots level.

We offer the opportunity to work in a challenging, fast-paced environment where enthusiasm and creativity from the subject are the norm.

Salary is dependent on experience and qualification, and you will enjoy some excellent benefits.

Please send in your CV with a covering letter and details of current salary and employment to: director [at] sliveirahouse [dot] org

Or by post to the Director at Box 545, Harare.

Beatrice Mtetwa: The human rights defender you should know

del.icio.us TRACK TOP
Thursday, March 21st, 2013 by Lenard Kamwendo

Mentioning this name to anyone who is an avid follower of Zimbabwean news what quickly comes to mind is human rights. With an outstanding law practice background spanning almost thirty years Beatrice stood out to be one of the most fearless women Zimbabwe has ever produced. Even her profile on wikipedia portrays a history of activism complemented with multiple awards for her work. Today she finds herself being bundled into a prison van and wearing a green prison garb similar to those worn by female prisoners in Zimbabwe. Some of the women who wore this same uniform are now free after she successfully defended their rights in the courts of law.

Caught up in her line of work while trying to defends the rights of Prime Minister’s staff during a police raid has led her to appear before a local magistrate at a lower court answering charges of obstruction of justice after a High Court order for her release was ignored. Prison time weakens some and makes other come out strong and I believe Beatrice’s incarceration will make her strong.

I used to read about Beatrice Mtetwa in the papers and my first encounter with this fearless woman was when I found myself at the notorious law and order section at Harare Central Police station. It was in the middle of a grueling and nerve breaking moment when she arrived in the company of members of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights team and I could see hope and confidence coming back to the faces of my colleagues, both men and women. Even though she was not assigned to our case she managed to come in to where we were being grilled to check on us. It was a tense situation, which no man would want to be associated with at that time but Beatrice’s presence changed the tense atmosphere.

In Zimbabwe lawyers like Beatrice have managed to defend successfully the rights of the vulnerable and as the accused yesterday she had her rights fought for by fellow human rights defenders. And if you value the work she has been doing show your support by signing a petition to set her free.