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Archive for March, 2011

Let’s strengthen Zimbabwe

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Wednesday, March 9th, 2011 by Bev Clark

Hello out there.  Work in and for Zimbabwe. Help grow our nation. Check out the vacancies below. If you’d like to receive this sort of information by email each week drop us a note saying “subscribe” to info [at] kubatana [dot] net

Various vacancies – BroadReach Healthcare

BroadReach Healthcare is a global healthcare solutions company that provides consulting, implementation and program management services. We are dedicated to expanding access to healthcare services across the globe through innovative approaches that combine the best of the private sector and public health. We work with a wide range of partners and clients, including international donor agencies, national governments, civil society, pharmaceutical companies, local NGO partners, and other private-sector companies. We apply our expertise across five core service areas:  Distribution Networks/Product Value Chain, Health Systems Strengthening, Patient Education and Community Mobilization, Public-Private Partnerships, and Strategic Consulting.  Our approach across each of these service areas combines best practices from the public sector with business efficiency and private sector discipline to address international health challenges and opportunities.

We invite you to join our extraordinary team of professionals making a positive impact on peoples’ lives.  We are currently seeking the following candidates for a CDC-Funded program to help support infection control and prevention within healthcare facilities in Zimbabwe:
·    Project Director – (Zimbabwe)
·    Sr. Program Manager – (Zimbabwe)
·    Technical Advisor for Clinical Infection Control – (Zimbabwe)
·    Technical Advisor for Training and Capacity Building – (Zimbabwe)
·    Technical Advisor for Construction and Procurement Management – (Zimbabwe)
·    Technical Advisor for Strategic Planning and M&E – (Zimbabwe)
·    Finance Manager – (Zimbabwe)
For full position description and to apply, please go to: http://www.broadreachhealthcare.com/Careers and click on “BRHC Global Opportunities.”

Only applications submitted through the BroadReach website will be considered.

BroadReach is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


DRR and FFA Technical Advisor: CARE International Zimbabwe
Deadline: 11 March 2011

Job Summary
Based in Harare and reporting to the PRIZE DCOP, the position will work closely with agency based technical FFA staff and PRIZE Programme Managers in designing methodologies for mainstreaming DRR as an overarching methodology for all PRIZE interventions. The incumbent will take the lead in assessing staff and target community districts capacity levels and research on appropriate models and design conceptualized training modules on DRR concepts, suitable for operating environment. The position is responsible for rolling out DRR trainings and conducting subsequent follow-ups to ensure appropriate application of acquired DRR skills in the implementation of Food Security Programme activities across PRIZE districts.

PRIZE has a huge FFA component; the incumbent will co-ordinate design of FFA activities with a DRR lens, provide technical support to agency based staff in the design and application of standardized community led inclusive processes, structural designs and budgeting procedures. The employee will travel extensively to target districts/project sites, interact with stakeholders and communities as appropriate, monitor implementation and convene DRR/FFA technical meetings for progress review and planning. S/he will promote exchange visits for cross-learning and harmonization of approaches, guide and co-ordinate the PRIZE programme in the design and application of standard FFA work norms and payment computation modalities, support development and implementation of common environmental impact assessment tools in liaison with the M&E unit, promote implementation of common environmental protection practices for sustainability, ensure compliance with approved standards and systems, facilitate development of watershed management resource materials, staff capacity development, document and circulate lessons learnt ensuring adoption of good practices. S/he will work with agency staff to establish benchmarks, provide requisite support to ensure targets are met, consolidate and circulate FFA monthly progress reports, the employee provides direction on application of the methodologies consistent with the GoZ stipulations and will attend consortia level meetings.

Qualifications and Competences
·    Degree level qualification in Disaster Risk Reduction or BSc in Civil/Agriculture Engineering or equivalent degree.
·    Strong DM&E, leadership/co-ordination, interpersonal, technical training and facilitating skills.
·    Over 3 years’ work experience in a management position with an NGO, implementing community infrastructure development projects, linked to food security.
·    Strong documentation, representation, analytical reporting (written and verbal) and team spirit attributes.
·    Proficiency in use of computers, including architectural design applications, Excel, Word, Power Point, desktop publishing and database programme.
·    Valid Class 4 driver’s licence and willingness to travel extensively in the field.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit applications and Curriculum to: vacancies [at] carezimbabwe [dot] org


GIS Officer
Deadline: 11 March 2011

Location: Bulawayo
Position Report to: WASH Project Manager

Major Responsibilities:
·    Oversee all aspects of the mapping that the project aspires to achieve together with partners
·    Liaise with partners, ensuring co-ordination of work as well as progress
·    Oversee and ensure high quality and timely implementation of the GIS component of the projects
·    Update and manage the GIS data base during the project period and ensure that staff for partners are capable of managing the data base by the time World Vision hand over to them
·    Develop/maintain relationships with partners and provide regular updates along with the Project Team
·    Support partners staff with documentation of maps and GIS workings in a manner that would increase management of the utility
·    Manage the coordination of project baseline, interim and final evaluations
·    Must maintain programmatic quality through compliance with donor requirements and international relief standards
Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills
·    University degree in GIS, MIS or related qualification
·    4+ years of urban utility data base management and mapping experience
·    Experience in mapping of water and sanitation infrastructures
·    Experience in providing training on MIS and GIS
·    Thorough knowledge of ARC VIEW, GIS, AUTOCAD, MS Office and Lotus Notes
All applications should be addressed to:

The Manager, People and Culture
7 Birkenhead Road, Belmont
Bulawayo

Or Email to: relief_recruitment [at] wvi [dot] org

NB: Indicate the position being applied for.


WASH Coordinator
Deadline: 11 March 2011

Location: Bulawayo
The Position Reports to: WASH Manager

Purpose of Position: To coordinate the implementation of Water Supplies, Sanitation and Hygiene Programmes in Bulawayo

Major Responsibilities
·    Formulate, plan, coordinate and implement WASH projects and programmes
·    Monitor and evaluate progress on WASH projects
·    Participate in the design and development of appropriate technologies in WASH project proposals and projects
·    Facilitate contract arrangements and monitor the services of contractors engaged in WASH activities
·    Liaise with Government, local authorities, local communities and other agencies on WASH programme activities
·    Participate in staff recruitment, capacity building and performance review
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
·    University degree in Water Engineering or any other relevant field. A relevant Masters degree will be preferred.
·    At least 3 years experience in donor-funded project implementation and management of WASH projects
·    Knowledge of MS Office, spreadsheet and Lotus Notes and possession of a clean Class 4 driver’s licence.
All applications should be addressed to:

The Manager, People and Culture
7 Birkenhead Road, Belmont
Bulawayo

Or Email to: relief_recruitment [at] wvi [dot] org

NB: Indicate the position being applied for.

Programme Assistant: United Nations High Commission for Refugees
Deadline: 11 March 2011

Level: GL 04
Duty Station: Harare, Zimbabwe

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Under supervision of the Programme officer, incumbent performs the following duties:
·    Collect data and other information on development and/or subject matter activities as required in the Programme section
·    Maintain logs, files and update records in prescribed format and subsequent use
·    Process and examine information and data in accordance with instructions received, making necessary abstracts and computation
·    Maintain and keep current registers and control plans on the status of projects at formulation and operational stages
·    Prepare background material, papers and table for briefing and review sessions
·    Summarise information reflecting current obligation and future programme and/or budgetary implications
·    May be required to carry out specific operational/control tasks for Programme/project implementation
·    Perform other duties as required
Qualifications Required
·    University degree Accounting
·    Computer literacy a must
·    Relevant professional experience
·    Excellent knowledge of the local language and very good knowledge of English
·    Ability to establish and maintain good working relations of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds
Added advantages: Certificate in Information Technology/proficiency in the use and practical application of various software and self-motivation.

A covering letter and clearly indicating on the envelope the position sought, together with detailed curriculum vitae should be addressed to: The Representative UNHCR P. O. Box 4565 Harare, Zimbabwe or applications can be dropped in the Tender Box at UNHCR Office, Block 8, Arundel Office Park, Norfolk Road, Mount Pleasant, Harare.

NB: Only short listed applicants will be contacted

Warehouse and Commodities Supervisor (Gwanda): CARE International Zimbabwe
Deadline: 13 March 2011

Job Summary
Reporting to the Logistics Coordinator, the Warehouse and Commodities Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the management of supplies in CARE warehouses and ensuring that the highest possible services levels of programs in stock managements and distribution. As well as supervisory responsibility in their own warehouse, the Warehouse and Commodities Supervisor may be assigned technical responsibility for nearby warehouses. The Warehouse and Commodities Supervisor works in close co-ordination with the Program teams and Procurement, as well as the Commodities Accounting Unit. S/he is responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date computerized and manual records of all food and Non-Food Items (NFIs). Warehouse and Commodities Supervisor will co-ordinate the receipt and dispatch activities related to all supplies in accordance with donor and/or CARE guidelines so that standards of accountability are met and program activities proceed on schedule. The Warehouse and Commodities Supervisor will monitor and supervise all commodity movements at all stages of transport, handling and storage ensuring these are captured in the commodity control systems.

Qualifications and Experience
·    MBA or similar academic certification with focus on SCM.
·    Minimum 5 years’ demonstrable knowledge and experience in warehouse Management with NGOs.
·    Leadership and people management skills.
·    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
·    Excellent computers skills in Excel, Word, Outlook.
·    Excellent reporting skills and ability to organize and absorb pressure.
Interested candidates who meet the above stated qualifications should submit applications and updated CV to: vacancies [at] carezimbabwe [dot] org

Horticulturalist
Deadline: 14 March 2011

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates to fill the above post

Requirements
·    Degree in Horticulture with a minimum of three years experience in the development sector
·    Experience in Marketing of agricultural produce
·    Driver’s Licence – Class 3 essential
Duties
·    Provide technical support Overseeing improved production of horticultural crops.
·    Develop market linkages for horticultural produce for school gardens
·    Provide professional advice on the selection, ordering, planting, and maintenance of horticultural gardens
·    Prepares order for the various horticultural crops, seeds and fertilizers
·    Assists in the preparation of maintenance programs for the control plant diseases and insects
·    Responsible for project field operations
·    Compile reports, publicity materials and other documentation for the projects
·    Identifying and developing new opportunities for the project
·    Determines best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating and harvesting of vegetables
·    Prepare articles provide trainings on horticulture.
·    Performs related duties as required
Deadline and application procedure:

Applicants must submit CVs with certified copies of academic, and professional qualifications, giving date of availability, employment and experience, contact telephone numbers, names and contact details of three referees.

Applications to be submitted to: cadsprojects [at] cads [dot] org [dot] zw or cadsfin [at] cads [dot] org [dot] zw or The Director, No. 1 Wembley Crescent, Eastlea, Harare

Responses will be made to only the short-listed candidates.

Small Livestock Officer
Deadline: 14 March 2011

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates to fill the above post

Requirements
·    Master’s/ Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Livestock Development, Animal Health
·    A minimum of 2 years experience in the development sector
·    Good management and co-ordination skills, with documented experience in technical project implementation
·    High level of analytical skills in planning and project implementation
·    Strong communication, analytical and report writing skills
·    Knowledge skills in computing, demonstrated interpersonal skills in working with multi-disciplinary team.
·    Willingness and enthusiasm for working with rural and vulnerable communities
·    Driver’s Licence – Class 4 essential
Responsibilities
·    Carry out feasibility study of alternative ways of improving small livestock productivity.
·    Preparing monthly, quarterly and annual reports and work plans to achieve the project development objectives
·    Collects baselines information related to small livestock disease, access to animal health services and constraints to service delivery.
·    Ensures communities’ participation in all small livestock related activities
·    Ensures implementation of recommendations of small livestock productivity feasibility study.
·    Facilitates feasibility study to investigate ways of improving small livestock terms of trade and marketing
·    Ensures the implementation of recommendations of small livestock marketing feasibility study.
·    Provides community training for livestock water source management and development
·    Review and compile periodic reports by field officers
·    Ensures systematic documentation of small livestock health nutrition and water so as to provide relevant and up to date information
·    Ensures the communication and documentation of learned concepts within the organization, with relevant stakeholders.
Deadline and application procedure: Applicants must submit CVs with certified copies of academic, and professional qualifications, giving date of availability, employment and experience, contact telephone numbers, names and contact details of three referees.

Applications to be submitted to: or The Director, No. 1 Wembley Crescent, Eastlea , Harare

Responses will be made to only the short-listed candidates.

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Deadline: 14 March 2011

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates to fill the above post

Requirements
·    University degree in management or relevant discipline from a recognized institution.
·    A minimum of 2 years experience in the development sector
·    Good management and co-ordination skills, with documented experience in technical project implementation
·    Experience in writing projects reports and management plans
·    Analytical and report writing skills
·    Willingness to participate in field activities and travel
·    Driver’s Licence – Class 4 essential
Responsibilities
·    Leading the design of and implementation of monitoring framework to track delivery against project goals and objectives
·    Leading analysis of data collected under the monitoring framework for assessment of progress and areas of improvement
·    Provide regularly reports on the project activity implementation status against the project goals and objectives to the director.
·    Ensure collection of relevant and appropriate date which is needed for an effective M&E system which will be utilized in the monitoring of strengths, weaknesses and gaps in the existing programs and services.
·    Making creative and intuitive decisions regarding the production of established M&E reports
·    Documenting all the project activities and generating periodic reports which will guide the project in pursuing mandate.
·    Generating project related research data to inform future programming
·    Ensure that all sub activities are aligned to the project’s main goal.
Deadline and application procedure: Applicants must submit CVs with certified copies of academic, and professional qualifications, giving date of availability, employment and experience, contact telephone numbers, names and contact details of three referees.

Applications to be submitted to: cadsprojects [at] cads [dot] org [dot] zw or cadsfin [at] cads [dot] org [dot] zw or The Director, No. 1 Wembley Crescent, Eastlea, Harare

Responses will be made to only the short-listed candidates.


Finance and Administration Officer (Masvingo Office) – Batanai
Deadline: 16 March 2011

Batanai HIV and AIDS Support Group is a Private Voluntary Organisation under the Department of social welfare. Batanai exists to empower people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS by providing services that will enable them to improve the quality of their lives. A vacancy for Finance and Administration Officer has risen within its Masvingo Office. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with the Coordinator, and the Programme/Project Officers. The key deliveries for the position include general financial control, Human Resources, general administration, financial management and budgetary functions.

The ideal candidate will have:
·    At least a Bachelors degree in Accounting. Professional qualifications such as CPA, ACCA or CIMA would be an added advantage.
·    Minimum of 3 yrs experience as an accountant
·    IT proficiency in MS packages and  knowledge of Pastel is a plus.
·    Working Knowledge of  Belina payroll system.
·    Strong verbal & written communication skills and analytical detail oriented.
·    Ability to multitask and meet deadlines
·    Demonstrable working knowledge and expertise in an accounting, audit and administration role.
·    Knowledge of fund accounting, procurement and financial management of donor funds.
In return we offer a competitive salary and package commensurate with education and experience.

Full job description available on request from sheilla [at] kfm [dot] co [dot] zw

To apply: Email your cover letter and detailed CV to sheilla [at] kfm [dot] co [dot] zw with the “Finance and Administration Officer” in the subject line.


Several posts: Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis and Research Unit (ZEPARU)
Deadline: 21 March 2011

Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis and Research Unit (ZEPARU) has received a grant from the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) to support ZERAPU Phase Two Project (ZEPARU II), and intends to apply part of the grant proceeds for hiring the following research professionals.

1. Principal Researcher (1 post)

The Principal Researcher is expected primarily to spear head the research, consultancy and training programmes. Specific responsibilities include:

- Managing the Research and Policy Analysis and training program;
- Implement and monitoring the progress of the overall research and consultancy programme against agreed Benchmarks;
- Working with the Management Team in the formulation of the research agenda, developing the annual work plan and budgets and strategic direction of ZEPARU;
- Leading and managing the Research teams to ensure that objectives are timely met;
- Providing monthly activity reports, quarterly reports against plan and budget and recommend changes to agreed plans and budgets where necessary to ensure that targets can be achieved;
- Contributing in the establishment of new research partnerships and networks in the country and beyond;
- Negotiating, drafting and monitoring contractual arrangements with patrons, clients and suppliers;
- Leading and training Research Fellows in proposal writing as part of resource mobilisation for the organisation;
- Undertaking performance reviews and regular appraisals for research fellows to ensure organisational and personal goals are synchronized;
- Identifying skills of individual team members and of the team as a whole and ensure that these are developed through practice and training;
- Undertaking other tasks as necessary to contribute to ZEPARU’s objectives.

The candidate must be a highly qualified and technically competent economist with knowledge and experience of the government policymaking process. In particular the candidate should have:
- A PHD qualification in a relevant field of economics;
- Proof of first authored and peer reviewed articles;
- Familiarity with a wide variety of research methodologies and techniques, statistical analysis, quantitative and qualitative methods, writing and speaking skills, and analytical and critical thinking skills;
- Practical experience in proposal writing and be able to provide proof of successfully funded projects;
- Competence in economic modeling, macroeconomics and sectoral policy analysis;
- Excellent writing and presentation skills, including experience in presenting workshop and conference papers;
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and self-motivated.

2. Senior Research Fellow (1 post)

The Senior Research fellow is expected to:
- Undertake empirical macro/sector and micro economic policy analysis;
- Assist the Principal researcher to lead and supervise research teams;
- Play a leading role in monitoring and evaluating research from research fellows in ZEPARU;
- Undertake research and training assignments and reviewing research papers produced by research fellows.

The candidate is expected to be a qualified and technically competent economist with knowledge and/or experience of the government policymaking process. In particular the candidate should have:

- A Masters degree in a relevant field of economics with a strong background in statistical analysis; mathematical and/or econometric modeling. A PHD would be a distinct advantage;
- Competence in empirical macroeconomic and sectoral policy analysis;
- Skills required include the ability to contribute meaningful ideas and work productively with other research team members as well as on independent assignments;
- The candidate should have proof of first authored and peer reviewed articles;
- Excellent writing and presentation skills, including experience in presenting workshop and conference papers;
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and be self-motivated.

3. Research Fellow (1 post)

Research fellows are expected primarily to undertake economic policy analysis and research.

The candidate should have:
- A Masters degree in Economics or related field with practical research experience.
- Competent in using econometric and statistical analysis software packages.
- Proof of recent independent research papers.
- Knowledge in economic modeling will be an added advantage.

4. Interns (3)

The internship programmes caters for recently qualified Masters Students in Economics, Finance, Agricultural Economic whose dissertations have relevance to economic policy. The internship programme will provide these students with an opportunity to deepen their research experience and develop a research career. Prospective candidates should submit an abstract of their dissertation together with their application letter.

5. Associate Research Fellows

ZEPARU seeks to create a database of Associate Research Fellows who will be engaged to undertake independent/collaborative short-term research assignments as and when they arise. Prospective candidates are expected to be highly qualified and technically competent economists with knowledge and/or experience of the government policymaking process. Minimum qualification is Masters Degree in a relevant field of economics with strong research experience.

A competitive remuneration is on offer to successful candidates. Female candidates are encouraged to apply. Suitable candidates are invited to forward their CVs indicating clearly which post they are applying to the Executive Director on the following email address: administration [at] zeapru [dot] co [dot] zw

Grants/Contracts Officer: International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Deadline: 22 March 2011

Background
With the guidance of the Finance Manager the Grants/Contracts Officer is responsible in keeping with IRC policies and procedures and donor requirements in regards to contracts, sub-contracts, and sub-grants with a specific focus on compliance. This position will report to the IRC Finance Manager and will be based in Harare.

Specific Duties And Responsibilities:

Grants and Contracts
·    Facilitate/oversee partnership arrangements/agreements;
·    Review sub-contracts and sub-grant agreements for SMT;
·    Review contracts in coordination with logistics and provide feedback;
·    Support to program staff and operations staff in regards to sub-contract and sub-grant management (compliance);
·    Advise and guide Coordinators and appropriate support managers/officers on procurement planning and transactions for sub-contract and sub-grants, in keeping with donor requirements and IRC policies, procedures, and standard practices;
·    Monitor and check regularly balance sheet accounts reconciliations of sub-contract or sub-grant partners.  Identify differences or discrepancies and follow up as appropriate, in keeping with IRC policies, procedures and standard practices;
·    In coordination with the Finance Manager, review all finance reports of sub-contracts and sub-grants and ensure reports are submitted according to formats required.
Project Design and Project Monitoring
·    In consultation with and in support of the Program Coordinator, Field Coordinators and sector Coordinators, lead the design of budgets for new proposals in IRC and donor format in keeping IRC policies, procedures and standard practices; Calculating of Shared program cost as grant budget develops and for actual charges; Linking budget from Internal format to the donor format; and Following financial reviews of budgets by Sector Coordinators, Senior Management, New York and London, offices, incorporate suggestions and modifications into drafts.
·    Generate draft donor reports.
·    Analyze actual results to budget figures and provide monthly feedback to Coordinators and other senior managers.  Develop or modify detailed budgets in SUN format, to enable the generation of donor reports;
·    Develop pipeline analysis spreadsheets for budget realignments or modifications such as NCE/CE, exceeding flexibility, etc.
·    BVA analysis: become familiar with all programs and check BVA for accuracy and errors across grants;
·    Assist program managers and coordinators to develop spending plans and monitor for progress and adjust as necessary;
·    Raise issues in program implementation that may affect compliance to Finance Manager, Field Coordinator and Program Coordinator.
Training
·    Train field staff on the use of Budget Versus Actuals (BVAs), spending plans and other financial project management tools;
·    Support field staff with training on compliance and sub-grant management.
Other
·    Support the Finance Manager with carrying out bank reconciliations, as necessary;
·    Represent IRC positively and professionally in both internal and external relations and situations;
·    Contribute to the development of the IRC team by modeling positive and productive professional work relationships;
·    Participate in professional development activities, as needed or requested;
·    Perform other duties, as necessary and/or as requested.
Qualifications
·    Graduates of Accounting/Finance, ACCA, CA or any related field;
·    Excellent Accounting and Budgeting Knowledge;
·    At least 3 years prior experience in an IO/NGO in the similar position;
·    Proven prior experience with donor compliance.  Knowledge of USG (USAID, BPRM), European (DFID, EU, SIDA, etc…) and United Nations (UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, etc.) donor requirements and procedures a significant plus;
·    Good Communication skills as well report writing skills;
·    Excellent organizational skills and ability to determine priorities and respect deadlines a must;
·    Detail-oriented with good multi-tasking abilities;
·    Willingness to travel to the field.
Kindly submit CV and cover letters to zimbabwe [at] theirc [dot] org and write Grants/Contracts Officer in the subject line.


Finance and Administration Officer: Local human rights NGO
Deadline: 23 March 2010

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Finance and Administration Officer will be responsible for the following:

- Maintain financial and programme records for all grants according to the organisation’s financial, accounting and programme policies and ensure compliance,
- Prepare appropriate documents for payments and review all financial correspondence for proper clearance prior to the Executive Director’s signature,
- Maintain up-to-date cash books, post entries to the cashbooks and ledgers and produce trial balance and all financial statements as appropriate and prepare bank reconciliation for all accounts,
- Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports and management accounts for all grants and monitoring variance analysis for the director and board,
- Prepare and administer payroll,
- Maintain a fixed assets register and being the custodian of the organizations assets,
- Support the Executive Director in facilitating his/her interaction with various partners for finance related matters,
- Liaise with auditors during the conduct of internal and external audits,
- Prepare relevant audit schedules as per requirements,
- Ensure audit findings and recommendations are reviewed and corrective action taken within immediately or within the set limit for action.

Personal Specification

- Degree in Accounting
- Undertaking continuous development studies with ICAZ, ACCA, CIMA and/or other professional accounting body
- Minimum 3 years’ experience of progressive responsibility in project management, finance accounting and/or administration in support of programme work in an NGO environment is a prerequisite
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
- Class four driver’s licence

Those persons who meet the above mentioned specifications should submit applications with detailed CVs with at least three traceable references to: recruitmentpo [at] gmail [dot] com

Programme Officer – Campaign Against Torture: Local human rights NGO
Deadline: 23 March 2010

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Programme Officer – CAT will undertake the following:

- Prepare and implement strategic and operational plans for the organization’s project on torture
- Ensure smooth organization, implementation and coordination of the activities and logistics of the project
- Build and maintain the profile of the project with partners and within communities
- Ensure liaison between all stakeholders as necessary
- Prepare progress and other reports on the implementation of the project
- Regular and timely reporting (internal and external) on project activities

Personal Specification

- A degree or equivalent qualifications in Social Sciences,
- Good general knowledge of human rights and specifically torture,
- Excellent knowledge of the current political and social climate in Zimbabwe and the history of torture in the country,
- Two years work experience in a similar work environment,
- Maintenance of highest degree of confidentiality and maturity in handling sensitive matters,
- Good writing and editing skills with the ability to abstract and synthesize information from a range of sources,
- Able to work under pressure and in emergency situations,
- Ability to travel frequently according to the particular travel requirements of the project
- Class four driver’s licence

Those persons who meet the above mentioned specifications should submit applications with detailed CVs with at least three traceable references to: recruitmentpo [at] gmail [dot] com

Women forced to strip for commemorating International Women’s Day

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Wednesday, March 9th, 2011 by Amanda Atwood

Yesterday was the 100th commemoration of International Women’s Day.

But after 100 years recognising the need for women’s rights and gender equality, what do women have to show for it?

In Zimbabwe, not much.

Female participants in a Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) march in honour of the day were forced to strip by male police officers.

According to SW Radio Africa:

Three women who participated in a Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) protest march were forced to strip off their clothes in the city centre of Bulawayo by the police, their regional leader has said. One of the three is heavily pregnant. The women were part of a march to commemorate International Women’s Day, which saw a total of 34 members of the group arrested, despite a High Court order saying the march could go-ahead. Barbara Tanyanyiwa of the ZCTU’s Regional Women’s Advisory Council, said trouble began when the police appeared and began dispersing them, and then three of their members were apprehended. “When they were going to the gathering point, that is Jason Moyo and Third Avenue, they were confronted by plain clothes policemen who said they should remove their ZCTU t-shirts.

Read more from SW Radio Africa

Also in Bulawayo, three members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise who were arrested at a 7 March Women’s Day protest were held in custody for the second night in a row – even though the police had refused to prosecute the case. The three were held in Bulawayo central police station. According to WOZA, “There is no flushing toilets; no food and we have to bring food in to every meal and risk theft of this food by officers; no blankets; no access to medication by those on anti retrovirals; no access to water; filthy cells and harassment by police officers.  They have not had the right to see a lawyer.” Read more from WOZA

What difference has 100 years of women’s days made if even on this one day of the year women continued to be harassed, victimised and mistreated?

The Arts, Social Media, and Cultural Activism for a Creative Civil Society

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Tuesday, March 8th, 2011 by Upenyu Makoni-Muchemwa

The Arts, Social Media, and Cultural Activism for a Creative Civil Society
24 – 25 February 2011

HIVOS in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy conducted a workshop with artists, activists and journalists in order to encourage and promote the use of social media tools such as blogs, Twitter and Facebook amongst arts and media practitioners. With traditional media being state controlled there is little room for alternative voices to be heard by ordinary Zimbabweans.

The aims of the workshop were to examine the relationship between the arts, media communication and technology, as a catalyst for national dialogue and active civil society participation; to explore all possible ways in which new media could be used to disseminate information that supports the democratisation process in Zimbabwe, and finally to encourage dialogue between artists, arts organisations, media practitioners and civil society organisations. Among the presenters were Chris Kabwato, media activist Takura Zangazha, and protest poet Farai ‘Cde. Fatso’ Munro.

Chris Kabwato from Rhodes University gave a presentation on social and new media tools and their uses. He noted the problems of access, and that it was drawn along gender and economic lines, with greater access being afforded in urban areas. Mr. Kabwato also said that the new technology brought with cultural and political changes as in the cases of Tunisia and Egypt. “The Internet is also changing our business models, in the publishing industry it is changing our production, publication and distribution models.” He further noted. He described how these tools had become communications game changers and gave the example of Wikipedia, whose users generate the sites content. It had changed the site’s audience from being passive consumers of information to active producers of content. He went on to discuss Craig’s List, a free classified ads site that was changing the business model for newspapers and magazines. He stated that advertising had moved from print to the web, and it was no longer supporting content.

In his remarks media activist Takura Zhangazha pointed out that media arts and culture were about freedom of expression. In their attempts to retain power, governments both before and after independence limited this freedom through several pieces of legislation. Currently this included POSA, AIPPA, BSA, the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act. As such the placement of Freedom of Expression was in a highly politicised, repressed and difficult space. With the environment being so polarized between political parties, media and arts practitioners also found themselves self-censoring to survive. Mr. Zhangazha stated that a key problem in Zimbabwe today was the way in which the economic environment has affected the creativity of artists, and noted the influence of civil society organisations as well as political parties, which led artists to create to an agenda. He went on to describe the competing hegemonic agendas of political parties and how the media and artists were complicit in their formulation and promulgation.

In his presentation, titled the revolution via twitter – the role of new media in arts and activism, protest poet Cde Fatso began by defining the meaning of social and new media. He briefly reflected on the role played by social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter in the revolutions in North Africa. Finally he showed how he had incorporated other less well know tools such as Reverbnation and CrowdFunder into his business model as an artist.

Thugtatorship

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Tuesday, March 8th, 2011 by Upenyu Makoni-Muchemwa

In a recent edition of Pambazuka news, Alemayehu G. Mariam introduces Africa’s leading ‘thugtators’ – those leaders who cling to power ‘solely to accumulate personal wealth for the ruling class’.

If democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people, a thugogracy is a government of thieves, for thieves, by thieves. Simply stated, a thugtatorship is rule by a gang of thieves and robbers (thugs) in designer suits. It is becoming crystal clear that much of Africa today is a thugogracy privately managed and operated for the exclusive benefit of bloodthirsty thugtators.

In a thugtatorship, the purpose of seizing and clinging to political power is solely to accumulate personal wealth for the ruling class by stealing public funds and depriving the broader population of scarce resources necessary for basic survival.

In March 2008, Robert Mugabe declared victory in the presidential election after waging a campaign of violence and intimidation on his opponent Morgan Tsvangirai and his supporters. In 2003, Mugabe boasted, ‘I am still the Hitler of the time. This Hitler has only one objective: justice for his people, sovereignty for his people, recognition of the independence of his people and their rights over their resources. If that is Hitler, then let me be Hitler tenfold. Ten times, that is what we stand for.’ No one would disagree with Mugabe’s self-description. In 2010, Mugabe announced his plan to sell ‘about $1.7 billion of diamonds in storage’. According to a Wikileaks cablegram, ‘a small group of high-ranking Zimbabwean officials (including Grace Mugabe) have been extracting tremendous diamond profits.’ Mugabe is so greedy that he stole outright ‘£4.5 million from [aid] funds meant to help millions of seriously ill people.’

The story of corruption, theft, embezzlement and brazen transfer of the national wealth of African peoples to European and African banks and corporate institutions is repeated elsewhere in the continent. Ex-Nigerian President Sani Abacha, who was judicially determined to be a member of a criminal organisation by a Swiss court, stole $500 million. Ben Ali of Tunisia and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt also have their stolen assets in the hundreds of millions of dollars frozen in Switzerland and elsewhere. Other African thugtators who have robbed their people (and pretty much gotten away with it) include Nigeria’s Ibrahim Babangida, Guniea’s Lansana Conte, Togo’s Gnassingbe Eyadema, Gabon’s Omar Bongo, Equatorial Guniea’s Obiang Nguema, Burkina Faso’s Blaise Campore and Congo’s (Brazaville) Denis Sassou Nguesso, among others.

THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THUGTATORSHIPS

Thugtatorships in Africa thrive in the political economy of kleptocracy. Widespread corruption permeates every corner of society. Oil revenues, diamonds, gold bars, coffee and other commodities and foreign aid are stolen outright and pocketed by the thugtators and their army of thugocrats. Public funds are embezzled and misused and state property misappropriated and converted to private use. Publicly-owned assets are virtually given away to supporters in ‘privatisation programs’ or secretly held in illegal transactions. Bank loans are given out to front enterprises owned secretly by the thugtators or their supporters without sufficient or proper collateral.

Businessmen must pay huge bribes or kickbacks to participate in public contracting and procurement. Those involved in the import/export business are victimised in shakedowns by thugocrats. The judiciary is thoroughly corrupted through political interference and manipulation.

One of the common tricks used by thugtators to cling to power is to terrorise the people with warnings of an impending Armageddon. They say that if they are removed from power, even after 42 years, the sky will fall and the earth will open up and swallow the people. Thugtators sow fear, uncertainty and doubt in the population and use misinformation and disinformation to psychologically defeat, disorient and neutralise the people.

Africa’s thugtatorships have longstanding and profitable partnerships with the West. Through aid and trade, the West has enabled these thugocracies to flourish in Africa and repress Africans. To cover up their hypocrisy and hoodwink the people, the West is now lined up to ‘freeze’ the assets of the thugtators. It is a drama they have perfected since the early days of African independence. The fact of the matter is that the West is interested only in ‘stability’ in Africa. That simply means, in any African country, they want a ‘guy they can do business with‘. The business they want to do in Africa is the oil business, the (blood) diamond business, the arms sales business, the coffee and cocoa export business, the tourism business, the luxury goods export business and the war on terrorism business. They are not interested in the African peoples’ business, the human rights business, the rule of law business, the accountability and transparency business and the fair and free elections business.

Today, the West is witnessing a special kind of revolution it has never seen: a youth-led popular nonviolent revolution against thugtatorships in Africa and the Middle East. Neither the West nor the thugtators know what to do with this kind of revolution or the revolutionaries leading it. President Obama said, ‘History will end up recording that at every juncture in the situation in Egypt, that we were on the right side of history.’ Well, what is good for Egypt is good enough for Ethiopia, Libya, Tunisia, the Sudan, Algeria, Kenya, Bahrain, Djbouti, Somalia and Zimbabwe. The decisive question in world history today is: are we on the right side of history with the victims of oppression or are we on the wrong side with thugtators destined to the dustbin of history?

Power to youths in Africa and the Middle East!

Free the remaining 6 now!

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Tuesday, March 8th, 2011 by Amanda Atwood

Yesterday we shared with our subscribers the news about 39 of the 45 treason charge detainees being released. However, as we noted, Munyaradzi Gwisai of the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) and 5 others remain in custody.

Here are some of the responses we received:

  • This is wonderful news!
  • Great news! We wait for the 6. Keep up the spirit, keep up the fight!
  • Thanks be to God. We pray for the remaining 6 to be granted freedom.
  • Let’s keep on praying for the remaining ones.
  • God is great.
  • Time is on our side, we must be patient.
  • We will win.
  • The Almighty God’s power will deliver them.
  • Acts 12 v 5-11 – I mean the same God who did it then will surely even today. Heb 13 v 8.
  • Surely one day all of us will be free from bondage.
  • The Almighty is a loving and caring Father who is going to lead us out of bondage like he did the Israelites out of Egypt!
  • Thank you. Peace to the remaining 6.
  • We pray for peace and a good government. Can the Almighty God bless all and release poverty and hunger for many of us to remember his Greatness. Amen.
  • God is for us.
  • Thank God.
  • This is ridiculous. It’s meant to frustrate any meaningful activism here. Kuvhunduka chati kwacha.
  • God delivered the Israelites out of Egypt. He is doing it for the second time. The third time will be for all who are living in bondage myself included.
  • They’ll detain even millions. Know your environment and characters. Action!
  • Not fair they must all be relased. God is watching.
  • No to treason. If that is the case we are not yet independent. No freedom. So we will go for it. What I know is God is watching. We are praying for their release.
  • Certainly they’ll win their case because a remote control isn’t a weapon to threaten the security of the nation let alone the government. It’s a mockery of our justice system. Viva Munya.
  • That’s very bad. How is the police force operating just detaining people for the sake of pleasing Zanu PF. Bad recipe.
  • Gwisai demonstrated, so has Mugabe. Free him.
  • We are with you guys. They cannot kill your spirit. Gwisai, the revolutionary fire in you can never be quenched by any force, whehter natural or supernatural. All African dictators must go this year!
  • Shame to the spin doctor, he represents everything bad & evil in this country. To the 45 hang in there we’re with you in our prayers.
  • Thank God let’s hope the remaining 6 will be released too.
  • That’s better now. We hope and pray that the remaining will be released soon. Let justice prevail.
  • Thanks the Almighty and your update.
  • Fear of the people is driving them crazy and most dangerous. The masses keep quiet at their own peril. Todaay it’s Gwisai tomorrow it’s you & me!

39 released – 6 still detained

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Monday, March 7th, 2011 by Amanda Atwood

I am thrilled to report the release of our colleague Lenard Kamwendo and 38 other detainees who had been facing treason charges in the case of the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe)’s Munyaradzi Gwisai and 44 others. In the Magistrate’s court in Harare today, Magistrate Mutevedzi held that there was no reasonable suspicion against 39 of the detainees, and they have been released.

But Gwisai, Hopewell Gumbo of ZIMCODD and 4 others are still being held in custody. They will not appear in court again until 21 March – over a month since they were arrested for holding a meeting in which they discussed recent events in Tunisia and Egypt. They also deserve to be going home today. Free the 6 now.