Elections in Zimbabwe came and left so many unanswered questions diffusing victory celebrations for those who won. Every political party engages in elections to win and sometimes the result is not always a favorable one especially when the playing field is biased. Whilst losers lick their wounds and go on soul-searching missions, victors embark on a difficult task of fulfilling election promises. The benefits of winning an election are you doing what you want in your own time even when it harms the nation.

International observers endorsed the recently held election and this has raised questions as to whether the Zimbabwe problem had become a burden for far too long for the regional bodies. At the same civil society in Zimbabwe failed to expose the irregularities in a compelling way to the international community. The blame cannot rest on the shoulders of the civics alone; key political players in the inclusive government had a critical role to play in ensuring, for example, a clean voters roll and the fulfillment of a variety of reforms before engaging in elections. The “participate and protest later” strategy adopted by opposition political parties saw ZANU-PF reigning supreme.

The outcome of the just ended election provides an opportunity to reflect on the role of civil society in Zimbabwe. As calls and accusations of election rigging quickly die a natural death, the new political dispensation offers a great opportunity for success to those who failed in the last election as compared to those won. Of late civil society organizations have been accused of being political appendages to certain political parties. Civil society in Zimbabwe is being criticized for failing to push for a peoples’ agenda. Principles and benchmarks were abandoned during the run up to the July 2013 Harmonized election as some members of civil society became aligned to certain political parties.

At a lively debate dubbed “July 31 Election Outcome: Challenges and prospects for democratization in Zimbabwe” hosted by the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute in Harare panelists from civil society reflected on the just ended election and strategies of moving on as a genuinely people driven movement. Instead of spending time antagonizing over the outcome of the elections civil society was urged to utilize the new space created to regroup, organize and engage the new government in order to reclaim its rightful place in the Zimbabwean political landscape.

Spotted on a seriously-ready-for-adventure looking Land Rover.
More than a little jealous all around.

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Project Coordinator: Oxfam
Deadline: 13 September 2013

Reference Number: INT6500
Grade: C2
Operating Base: Harare

Type of contract: Fixed term one (1) year

- You will Co-ordinate and manage the Oxfam GB component of the Joint Initiative Urban Poverty Reduction Programme to promote, improve and protect sustainable livelihoods for urban and peri-urban communities through effective response and information coordination.
- Candidates will have a Masters degree in a relevant discipline preferably agriculture, development sociology, humanities or substantial experience. Candidates will also have substantial knowledge of operational environment in terms of its political, economic and social trends plus a good understanding of the key development and humanitarian issues in the region with at least 5 years’ proven experience of the programme development including disaster risk reduction and humanitarian work especially in an urban context.

To apply
To find out more about this role and to apply visit www.oxfam.org.uk/jobs and quote reference INT6500. This position is open for both internal and external candidates.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation.  Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Project Officer
Deadline: 13 September 2013

Reference Number: INT6497
Grade: D2
Operation Base: Harare
Type of contract: Fixed term one (1) year

- You will assist and help capacity build communities, partner organisations and local institutions to manage a full range of public health promotion activities. Must have good understanding of the key urban food security issues, preferably food voucher distributions and gardening activities.
- Candidates will have relevant academic qualifications in any discipline relating to public and/or environmental health, social work and community development. Good knowledge of and significant experience in health promotion and management, social work and community development, particularly relating to poor rural and urban communities, with at least 2 years’ practical experience in public health promotion is also required.

To apply
To find out more about this role and to apply online, visit www.oxfam.org.uk/jobs and quote reference INT6497. This position is open for both internal and external candidates.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Two (2) Drivers
Deadline: 13 September 2013

Grade: F1
Operating Base: Harare and Plumtree
Type of contract Harare: Fixed term one (1) year
Type of contract Plumtree: Fixed term one (1) year three (3) months

Oxfam purpose
To work with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering

Country purpose
To significantly reduce poverty, inequality and suffering amongst the poor and marginalised in Zimbabwe, Oxfam will, by working primarily through Partners, focus on:
- Meeting humanitarian needs
- Strengthening local capacities
- Enabling communities

In addition to developing and supporting the strategic and operational capacity of our Partners, we will build alliances and knowledge networks, undertake research and analysis to inform decision making and influence local and global policy makers to facilitate and leverage change.

Team purpose
To provide a professional, business focused finance, logistics and administrative management service, delivering a proactive solutions based approach for resolving issues and ensuring that the operational business requirements are effectively managed to deliver organisational results, which are focused on developing capacity and expertise in partner organisations.

Job purpose
To drive Oxfam vehicles in a responsible manner ensuring the safety of both the passengers and the vehicles and to perform a variety of associated tasks delivering a superior level of service and support.

To apply
Interested candidates, kindly forward your application letter and CV to hrzim [at] oxfam [dot] org [dot] uk

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation.  Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Bulawayo Agenda: Public Accountability Forum

Date: Thursday 12 September
Time: 1500hrs-1900hrs
Venue: Small City Hall, Bulawayo
Theme: Promises from the new government, expectations from the citizens: How do we move forward?

Discussants:

• ZANU PF (TBA)
• MDC-T (TBA)
• ZCTU (TBA)
• Dr Eric Bloc (Economist)
• Residents Association Rep
• Bulawayo City Council Rep
• Ministry of Local Govt Rep

Moderator: Dumisani Nkomo

Bulawayo Agenda will be hosting a meeting in Bulawayo this week. This marks the beginning of the Public Accountability Platform (PAP) program, which seeks to provide platforms where the citizens shall hold the elected and non-elected public officials to account.

The first platform shall focus on the prolonged state of uncertainty, caused by disputed polls, which has affected service delivery and the economy. PAPs will see various stakeholders coming together to share ideas. These include, but not limited to, local authorities, government, civic society, residents’ associations, political analysts and economist.

An estimated figure of 2.2 million people face food insecurity in Zimbabwe. Weather conditions and unavailability of inputs are squarely blamed for this looming disaster. In a nation where almost everyone is now a farmer it’s a sad development to hear reports of imminent starvation whilst tobacco auction floors record high yields of the crop. Funny how our farmers are now opting to invest all their inputs to grow cash crops like tobacco leaving out cereals which make up our staple diet. We can blame inputs and weather for causing hunger to our nation but the fact is simple farming is a business. No farmer is willing to invest in maize when s/he knows that the paycheck will come the next farming season when prices of all inputs have gone up. Late payments and very low producer prices have left farmers with no option but to go for a kill in the golden leaf. Some are now venturing in horticulture where short season crops with a ready market bring in quick returns. Almost every year the nation is now stretching its begging bowl to neighbors to avert starvation on the backdrop of the much-hailed agrarian reform.