According to the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition’s Dewa Mavhinga, the Zimbabwe Constitution Select Committee (COPAC) has submitted its first draft of the Constitution of Zimbabwe to the Management Committee. This follows the release of several “unofficial” drafts in February and March of this year as part of Zimbabwe’s ongoing Constitution-making process.

Mavhinga writes:

Please find attached the First COPAC Consolidated Constitution Draft which the COPAC team today (30 April 2012) submitted to the Management Committee. There are a number of issues that have not been finalized which the Management Committee is expected to deal with including on citizenship, land, structure of government devolution, number of MPs, among others. Notably, the draft constitution retains an executive president, retains the death penalty, but only for aggravated murder, prohibits gay marriage, abolishes to post of Prime Minister and removes prosecuting power from the Attorney General who becomes only a legal advisor to president while a new National Prosecuting Authority is created.

On the question of gender parity in Parliament the Draft gives with the right hand but takes with the left when it acknowledges 50 – 50 representation but provides that Parliament shall not be rendered unconstitutional by failure to meet the 50 -50.

As civil society we are studying the draft closely with a view in the near future to convene a national civil society all stakeholders conference on the constitution. Earlier today COPAC Co-Chair Douglas Mwonzora of MDC-T addressed Civil Society Leaders at Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Offices where he presented the Draft with a commentary on it.

View the COPAC First Draft

Request for Proposals: Institutional Consultancy Services for Verification of Child Protection Fund (CPF) Utilization in support of the National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children 2011-2015 (NAP II) in Zimbabwe
Deadline: 8 May 2012 (10am)

Request for proposal: ZIM/2012/002-0

The UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Services, invites proposals from interested institutions to undertake the verification of CPF utilization in support of the NAP II in Zimbabwe.  The vision of the NAP II is that by 2020 all children in Zimbabwe will live in a safe, secure and supportive environment that is conducive to child growth and development, and the CPF is the funding mechanism created to support NAP II implementation.

The overall scope and objective of the consultancy is to provide the Ministry and UNICEF access to current, quality information regarding the use of CPF resources and the experience of intended NAP II beneficiaries.

The main work assignments and related deliverables are as follows:

1.Develop a work plan to establish the data verification methodology to achieve a verification target of 3 per cent of reported beneficiaries on a monthly basis.
2.Develop a reporting template that includes both quantitative data (on the degree to which intended resources reached the beneficiary) and qualitative data (on the experience of the beneficiary).
3.Prepare an inception report summarizing the agreed methodology and approach to be utilized during this consultancy, including timeline, reporting format, tools for reporting, partnerships in Zimbabwe with Government, civil society and the private sector, etc.
4.Implement the verification plan through the undertaking of monthly household visits, during which beneficiaries and their families will be asked to verify the receipt of CPF funded resources or services, and share their experience relating to their contact with CPF selected contractors.
5.Prepare monthly and quarterly verification reports, based on the agreed reporting template, will be submitted in both a hard and soft copy to the Ministry and UNICEF within seven working days of the end of each month and quarter.
6.Prepare annual consolidated verification reports, drawing on the monthly and quarterly reports, to be presented at an annual stakeholder workshop convened by the Ministry.

Qualifications
UNICEF is seeking experienced institutions that have preferably conducted data verification and reporting exercises in similar contexts previously. Specialist experience in monitoring and evaluation and working with the local community would be expected.  Ideally institutions would have access to networks of trained data collection personnel to administer field visits and conduct interviews with local households.

How to apply
Interested and eligible institutions are invited to request the complete RFP bidding document by sending an email to emaspero [at] unicef [dot] org with copy to nauyeung [at] unicef [dot] org with subject reference: “UNICEF

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.

Part-time translators and editors: COPAC
Deadline: 3 May 2012

Part-time Translators

Report to: National Co-ordinator

Job purpose: To provide accurate translation services to ensure that nothing is lost in the process of translating important documents from English to the following vernacular languages: Shona, Ndebele, Nambya, Tonga, Sotho, Chewa, Kalanga, Venda, Xhosa, Shangaan

Minimum qualifications, skills and experience
-A Diploma or Degree in Linguistics or the relevant language
-Previous translation experience
-Ability to work under pressure
-High levels of integrity and professional ethics
-Maturity and ability to maintain confidentiality

Part-time Editors

Report to: National Co-ordinator

Job purpose: To provide accurate translation services to ensure that legal aspects of documents are maintained during the translation process from English to the following vernacular languages: Shona, Ndebele, Nambya, Tonga, Sotho, Chewa, Kalanga, Venda, Xhosa, Shangaan

Minimum qualifications, skills and experience
-A Diploma or Degree in Linguistics, Law or the relevant language
-Knowledge of vernacular languages
-Editing experience is a pre-requisite
-A legal background will be an added advantage
-Ability to work under pressure and provide efficient editing services
-High levels of integrity and professional ethics

Interested candidates should send their applications with detailed CVs to the Acting National Co-ordinator, 31 Lawson Avenue, Milton Park, Harare or send an email to gloriagani [at] yahoo [dot] com

Project Assistant: Oxfam
Deadline: 4 May 2012

Level: E2
Contract: 6 Months

Oxfam Purpose: To work with others to overcome poverty and suffering.

Team Purpose: To work directly with Oxfam’s beneficiaries and partners to overcome poverty and suffering and to advocate and campaign for policy, knowledge, attitude, and practice change to help achieve Oxfam’s strategic change objectives.

Job Purpose: Support project implementation in the wetlands areas through community interventions, facilitation and mobilisation.

Dimensions
-Most tasks will be defined within objectives set by manager with some routine reactive work in response to requests
-Work patterns are mainly routine
-Reactive work requires common sense to make judgements about basic adjustments to own routine but also contributes to improvement of programme’s services
-Impact mainly with own team. Planning usually short-term
-Communicates widely within the programme, with project and partner staff

Key Responsibilities
The Project Assistant will be expected to conduct the following specific tasks in view of project implementation and monitoring
-Mobilize and engage communities around sustainable wet land management
-Work closely with Environmental Management Agency in developing an Environmental Impact Assessment for the project
-Identify community training needs and conduct on site training to enhance local capacity and project sustainability
-Assist in the development of a rapid assessment of the best practices in wetlands and keep records of project documentation
-Assist in the engagement of key duty bearers to influence policy development around wetlands and preparations to exhibit in the Environmental Expo and other related national events
-Facilitate the implementation of conservation works and support with the rolling out of the Collection Information Centre model for marketing
-Support the partners and key stakeholders on related advocacy work

Skills And Competence

Essential:
-Relevant educational qualifications with two years practical experience in environmental management and agriculture support to rural communities
-Experience in environmental management and working with rural communities
-Excellent verbal and written communications skills
-Team working skills
-Flexibility in tasks undertaken
-Ability to work under pressure and deadlines
-Good oral and report writing skills
-Good appreciation of gender and HIV/AIDS issues
-Excellent working knowledge of computers
-Knowledge of Access databases an advantage
-Commitment to humanitarian principles and action
-Sympathy with the aims and objectives of Oxfam

Proficient
-Works with minimum supervision
-Reliable team member
-Fully capable of performing all aspects of job

Outstanding
-Eager and able to assume more difficult work
-Initiative and creative
-Proactive approach to problem solving

Kindly forward an application letter and CV to: bchapfunga [at] Oxfam [dot] org [dot] uk

Project Administrator: UN
Deadline: 8 May 2012

Contract: 1 year

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Working in conjunction with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development, the Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management of Support for Peace Building and Increased Access to Sustainable Livelihoods in Zimbabwe Project. Also, as part of his or her functions, the Project Officer is responsible for analysing local level economic trends and he or she leads formulation, management and evaluation of project activities with local authorities. The Project Officer works in close collaboration with local government authorities, community leaders, project staff in other development agencies, including multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful project implementation.

Find out more

Programme Liaison Officer: UN
Deadline: 9 May 2012

Contract: 1 year

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director Resource Mobilisation and Project Development in the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

-Facilitates women and youth’s economic empowerment and leadership through strategic project implementation
-Coordinates project activities in six (6) districts, Binga, Gokwe, Insiza, Lupane, Mberengwa and  Umzingwane
-Provides technical advice to MSMECD regarding the implementation of project activities
-Ensures effective management of the project focusing on quality control in implementation and achieving results Assists MSMECD in financial and administrative monitoring and evaluation of the project, and in the identification and development of solutions to operational and financial problems
-Ensures reports on activities, outputs and outcomes are regularly prepared
-Ensures creation and development of strategic partnerships focusing on achievement of the following: Partnerships with Zimbabwe’s development partners, Government Institutions, bilateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society
-Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building in line with the vision of MSMECD Identifies and synthesises best practices and lessons learnt as directly linked to the project activities
-Supports the development of policies that will address country problems and needs in collaboration with Government and other strategic partners
-Attends and represents MSMECD in local authority development committee meetings Initiates new ideas, business opportunities and projects for short term and long term sustainability of the project
-Efficient filling/documentation of project documents, work plans, progress reports, budgets and other implementation documents

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to
-Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD)
-Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country
-Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities
-Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc
-Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers
-Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Competencies
-Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of Government and UNDP
-Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback
-Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
-A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Required Skills and Experience

Education
University degree or equivalent in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Business administration, Social Sciences or related field is preferable. Possession of a Masters Degree would be an added advantage. Fluency in the United Nations and national language of the duty station is mandatory.

Experience
Three to five years of relevant experience at the National or International level in project management, monitoring and evaluation of development projects

Find out more

Twenty (20) Security Guards: Africa University
Deadline: 10 May 2012

Africa University, an International Pan African and United Methodist Church Related Institution in Zimbabwe invites applications from suitably qualified and well experienced persons to fill the position of security guard.

Duties and Responsibilities
-Patrolling premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensuring  security of University property
-Investigating disturbances or reporting hazards, disturbances, unusual and suspicious circumstances
-Preventing passage of prohibited articles into restricted areas
-Writing reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences
-Any other duties as may be assigned by the Security Officer

Qualifications, Experience and Attributes
-5 O’ levels, Mathematics and English included
-Aged between 25 and 50 years
-2 years’ work experience in security, police or army
-Evidence of security training
-Excellent communication skills
-Good health
-No criminal record
-Honesty
-Computer literacy dog handling skills will be an added advantage

Application Procedure
Six sets of applications together with CV, copies of certified certificates, academic transcripts, National ID and at least three names of referees with their email and postal addresses should be forwarded to:

The Assistant Registrar
Personnel and Administration
Africa University
P.O. Box 1320
MUTARE

Don’t know about you but 16 hour long power cuts are starting to get me down. This update from the Zimbabwe Power Company helps to explain the current spate of bad power:

It is with regret that I advise of the fact that we (Zimbabwe Power Company) lost the four producing units at Hwange Power Station yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 25th April). One unit was brought back onto the grid last night and we hope to bring a second, larger unit, back around 4am tomorrow (Friday 26th April). Repair on the third unit is scheduled for completion such that it will be ‘returned to service’ on Saturday morning. Two phase one (smaller) units are having their rotors re-wired in South Africa – this is major work.

Kariba has five units on line with the sixth due back on the grid in mid-May after routine, but critical, maintenance ahead of winter.

The Hwange and Kariba expansion plans remain on program at this time. The tenders are out and close in June. this will be followed by 2 three month periods for tender review and finalisation of funding/award. Thereafter construction will take between three to four years (2016-17).

R. Maasdorp
Chairman ZPC

——

Update from the ZPC Chairman – 10pm 29 April:

Please be advised that the 4 units at Hwange Power Station are now back on the grid. I take this opportunity to thank those, at the station,  who worked extremely long hours to get these units operational. In addition I thank ZETDC technical support staff for the rapid response to this situation.

Okay, so this is nothing like the Kenyan political graffiti we shared recently. But if this wall in Highlands, Harare is anything to go by, Zimbabwean youth are warming up their spray cans and getting ready to express themselves.

Spotted this on a walk the other day. Given that Labradors tend to be about the friendliest dogs you can imagine, no wonder they had to clarify!