What is the job of an army anymore? Traditionally – defend a countries’ borders against invasion by another country. Fair enough role. But seems every army these days is fighting their own civilians.

India: (maybe not the army, but the government) vs. anti-corruption hunger striker. Gone are the days when he would be accused of being a Pakistani agent, enemy of the people, foreign sympathizer, etc. Now, it seems he can be nothing but a pissed off local boy. One of the common people fighting the government, which, while ‘elected’ does not seem to be ‘of the people’.

Syria: the army is busy in a war against Homs. Which is a Syrian city! Back when I was student, we read about how the Israelis ran rings around the Syrians and took the Golan Heights. Now, the Syrian tanks no longer have to go to the border to be surrendered. They just drive to a nearby town and surrender their tanks there!

Israelis too! The Israeli Air Force is busy flying missions against its own people. (If the Israelis will not let the Palestinians be a separate country, then the Palestinians must be part of Israel, and bombing Palestinians must therefore be bombing their own people.) Even if their ‘own’ people are next door in Egypt, and five Egyptian soldiers get killed along the way. And the Israelis seem no longer interesting in fighting a war against any army in any mountains or on any of their borders.

Libya: there is a case of the Libyan army fighting the Libyan people. Certainly no NATO jets seem to come under threat from the Libyan ‘Defense’ forces. And the Libyan Army seems to be losing, most likely lost, to the Libyan civilians.

The DRC: well, whatever. Who really knows what is going on there, even the DRC citizens and residents! To many countries on the borders. Each with their own cross border opposition forces. The Lord’s Resistance. The Interhamwe. The ZNA diamond mines. The Angolans. The Katangese. One of the best roads I drove on in DRC was built by the Zambians, so Zambians could get from one part of Zambia to another part of Zambia the quickest way!

Cote D’Ivoire: But since Laurent Gbagbo was winkled out of his country – which turned out to be a hole in the ground (underground bunker) in a military camp, (but he still thought of it as ‘his’ country, talk about living with your head up your ass!) – that army is not longer fighting its own civilians. And now that Gbagbo is gone from his hole in the ground, who is the army? Who belongs to the army, or who does the army belong to?

Sudan: finally! Now that South Sudan is a country, there really is an external threat across the border!

So here, it makes you wonder, if Tsvangirai is a threat to national security… who are invading us? The Chinese? Botswana? Or, what is ‘National’ security? Who exactly are the ‘nation’ (he is also a Zimbabwean, isn’t he?) he is making insecure?

So what is role of the ZNA? Why is it any bigger than 15000? Or even that big? The Foreign Ministry keeps us safe from threat of invasion – we are at peace with all our neighbours. Aren’t we? We even had to send the army two countries away to lose a war, in the DRC. And who was the enemy there, what foreign country was invading them? And threatening the ZNA diamond mines?

Which brings to mind a sight, going to the range (The Gun Range, Harare Shooting Sport Complex). To get there, enter though the entrance gate of the Cleveland Ranges, Arcturas Road. The military 1000 meter range. The president’s medal has been held every year, probably going back to Southern Rhodesia days. And since Zimbabwe, RG Mugabe has been handing it out to the best rifle shot in the military.

Suddenly, for the first time since I came here in 1971, and started shooting there in 1976 there is a gate and a boom and gate house and presentation platforms and flags and flag poles (and the HSSC sign has been pushed flat so no one can see it). All this suddenly at President’s medal time, for presentation and all the rest. Who is trying to impress who? Is the Army trying to make Bob feel ‘elevated’, or is Bob throwing money and works at the army to make them feel like they really have anything to do? Or are the Generals throwing stuff at the ranks to make them feel they are part of the ‘big bucks’ going around?

Everyday I have a fight. Everyday I exchange words with some man. Not my own man, just some random guy I won’t remember seeing soon after I’ve finished biting his head off. It’s not my fault though they make me do it. They enrage me! In fact they enrage the entire city.

I’m talking of course about combi drivers and/or hwindis. These men have us up in arms over a few small pieces of silver. Fighting our way to and from home, EVERYDAY! They almost always act surprised when you ask them for your change. Before you get into a combi, they treat you so well; asking you if you want to go where they are going, and even helping you carry any luggage you might have. But once you’re in, they reveal their true selves, demanding payment for the trip, with change of course, even before you’ve safely taken a “seat”.

All combi users dread/loath the days when they have no coins or tickets for the journey ahead, because we all know that we will most likely  have to put up a fight for change. Often passengers are given their change, combined with someone else’s (dollar for 2 or kuchatiswa) and left to somehow split this money on their own.

We are faced with such tremendous inconveniences for what should be a purely mundane activity – taking the bus. As passengers, we have had to sometimes become excessively aggressive, even towards each other, in order to walk out of combis with change that rightfully belongs to us. In many instances, these daily battles are fruitless, leaving us frustrated.

I have now taken to praying for peaceful and uneventful trips, because I know that with my terribly short temper, I will NEVER hesitate to lock horns with any hwindi. My anger in these situations usually overrides logic, reason, fear and especially my better judgement. I don’t suffer fools easily, and why should anyone, for that matter.

I thought that the purpose of a hwindi is to collect money from passengers and then sort out the change. Now, if we have to sort out our own change, what then is the point of having a hwindi who takes up valuable space in the combis, adding to our discomfort? I hear that combi drivers in South Africa go it alone. There is no such thing as a hwindi there. Lucky them!

Something needs to be done about this change issue! Below is my personal (and I’m sure, shared) plea to hwindis, combi drivers and owners alike, all over Harare:

Dear combi-people

I’m sure that by now you are aware of the change problem in your industry. What are you doing in order to alleviate some of the stress this is causing us, your ‘valued’ customers, and even yourselves? Aren’t you tired of fighting with us all day, everyday, about the same thing? It’s now time for you all to put your hands together and come up with a convenient and lasting solution to this madness.

I would like to commend the owners and operators for Westgate, Ashdown Park, Mabelreign etc. for managing to organize an official, nearly trouble-free ticketing system for their routes. Why don’t the rest of you follow their example? In fact, why is there not an official, cashable (possibly pre-paid), acceptable ticket for the whole of Harare? Surely that is possible?

Yours truly,
Enraged Passenger

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.

Urgently recruiting for Tripoli, Libya

Various positions: Medicines Sans Frontières (MSF)

-Trauma surgeons (orthopaedic and general)
-Emergency room doctors & General/OT nurses
-Paramedics
-Psychologists
-Logisticians

Willing to work in Libya for short to long-term missions.
Available immediately.

Go to: http://msf.org.za/work-with-us
Email: recruitment@joburg.msf.org

Medicines Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Border (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation providing emergency medical assistance in 65 countries.

Project Manager (Mainstreaming climate change adaptation into agricultural extension): Practical Action
Deadline: 26 August 2011

Practical Action Southern Africa, part of an International technology development organisation head quartered in the UK and with other offices in East Africa, Latin America and South Asia, is seeking to recruit a Project Manager for its Reducing Vulnerability Unit based in Harare, Zimbabwe. The incumbent will report to the Programme Team Leader and liaises closely with Agritex, Practical Action UK and University of Reading partners in designing and delivering the training courses and supporting the training rollout within Agritex.

The objective of the project is to build the capacity of agricultural extensionists to support farmers in adapting their agricultural systems to impacts of climate change. This will be done through the design and development of training courses for Agritex staff to:

a) Build understanding of climate variability and change
b) Enable agricultural extension staff to support farmers in adapting to climate change impacts.

The project is being implemented in partnership with Agritex and the University of Reading, UK. The design and implementation of the training will be managed by a four-member Project Steering Team drawn from the project partners.

Key deliverables will include:
-Liaison with all partners in the project and membership of the Project Steering Team
-Design, writing and delivering training courses and training materials in collaboration with the project core team, with key responsibility for the practical field training
-Inputs and collaboration on other climate change training components developed by PA-UK and University of Reading
-Design and implementation of follow-up activities to ensure training courses are cascaded down to field level staff
-Evaluation and monitoring of the impacts of the project
-Management and support to ensure timely delivery of project deliverables

Qualifications and Person Specification:
-At least a Masters Degree in Agriculture Vast experience in management of project activities and budgets
-Very good knowledge of smallholder agriculture and experience in training of smallholder farmers and Extension Workers
-Sound understanding of Climate Change
-Training skills should be geared to practical agriculture
-Ability to design and produce training materials
-Self-motivated, responsible and able to work on own initiative

Send applications and detailed CVs to: Human Capital and Administration, Practical Action, 4 Ludlow Rd, Newlands or email to: lovenessm [at] practicalactionzw [dot] org

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Four (4) Accounting Officers: Local NGO
Deadline: 26 August 2011

An NGO is seeking Accounting Officers (4 Posts) with relevant professional qualifications and experience on a one year fixed term contract.

Locations: Harare, Mutare, Lupane, Victoria Falls

Duties
-Preparation of Financial Reports
-Budgetary Control and Monitoring
-Maintenance of Asset Register
-Assist in audit Preparation
-Office Administration

Qualification & Relevant work experience
-Degree or Higher National Diploma in Accountancy, Part ACCA, CIMA or CIS
-1 year relevant work experience
-Highly computer literate
-Class 4 Driver’s Licence a must
-Working Knowledge of pastel prerequisite

Remuneration package to be disclosed to short listed candidates.

To apply submit your curriculum vitae with a motivation letter indicating the preferred station to zwfinancejobs [at] gmail [dot] com

While we value all applications, we can only respond to short listed candidates. Whilst all applicants will be assessed strictly on their individual merits, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply.

National Coordinator: National Association Of Youth Organisations (NAYO)
Deadline: 26 August 2011 (3pm)

The National Association for Youth Organisations (NAYO) is an umbrella body of youth organisations working in Zimbabwe premised on the belief that youths have an integral role to play in the development of the nation. Currently NAYO has 17 members who are youth organisations operating around Zimbabwe. These organisations implement projects and programs in different developmental areas such as HIV and AIDS, Gender Equity and Equality, Human Rights, Climate Change, and Peace Building, among others. The Association is currently looking to fill the vacancy of National Coordinator with a male or female Zimbabwean national under the age of 35. The position will be based in the NAYO Secretariat in Harare, although travel throughout Zimbabwe will be necessary as per programmatic requirements. The National Coordinator will head the NAYO Secretariat and be the overall responsible person for the duties of the Secretariat. This requires the National Coordinator to be flexible about their schedule as working hours are set by management as per need.

Responsibilities:
-Proactively and creatively supporting NAYO to achieve the highest standards of work with regard to internal and external development of the Association
-Manage and support project deliverables in line with programme plans
-Network building, initiation and maintenance of key partnerships
-Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
-Manage and Lead the Secretariat Communicate with membership and key stakeholders -Facilitate the mobilization and coordination of NAYO membership and program activities at country level for timely interventions and enhanced policy influence.
-To develop and maintain efficient operational relationship with relevant key stakeholders in Zimbabwe, such as government, international organizations and non-governmental organizations
-Responsible for program design and proposal development; program implementation and reporting; grant management; financial planning and human resource planning and management.
-In collaboration with the Secretariat members is responsible for generating funding from international and bilateral agencies, corporations and individuals to continue and expand program and activities in Zimbabwe.
-Oversees fundraising planning and implementation including overseeing: identification of resource requirements, research of funding sources, establishment of strategies to approach funders, submission of proposals and administration of fundraising records and documentation

Requirements:
-Strong understanding of development and humanitarian needs and issues of Zimbabwe, especially within the youth and civil society sectors
-Experience in community and/or rural development
-Experience in Peace Building and Conflict Transformation
-Excellent training, presentation, facilitation, team-building and leadership skills
-Excellent analytical, strategic and problem-solving skills
-Demonstrated skills and experience in Gender Sensitivity PCM or RBM experience Demonstrated success in resource mobilisation
-Excellent English oral and written communication skills
-Communication skills in Shona and/or Ndebele preferred
-Proficient in computer packages such as Microsoft Office
-Formal Qualifications and Work Experience
-A University degree in a relevant field

Other relevant qualifications preferred:
-A Masters degree is an added advantage
-The ideal candidate has a minimum of 3 years work experience in Youth Development programmes in Zimbabwe

Remuneration and Benefits
-Remuneration will depend on the candidate’s qualifications and experience NAYO does not offer a benefits package to its employees

Applications:
Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should email a cover letter (including motivation), Curriculum Vitae (including referees) and copies of University degrees and professional certificates to hr.nayo [at] gmail [dot] com or hand deliver to the address 5 Clarendon Circle, Belvedere, Harare. Please note that only the highest quality applications will be contacted. In the case of a successful candidate being found, NAYO will perform reference & background checks. NAYO reserves the right not to fill the position.

Finance Assistant: Musasa
Deadline: 29 August 2011

Musasa, a local NGO is inviting applications for the post of part-time finance assistant based in Chiredzi.

Duties and Responsibilities
-Preparation of cashbook from source documents (i.e capturing of cash receipts, invoices, cheque stubs and bank statements
-Bank reconciliations
-Preparation of the ledger, journal up to trial balance
-Controlling the budgets to ensure limits are adhered to
-Preparing financial reports for donors to account for all received donor funds
-Authorising requisitions to ensure that these are in compliant with stipulated procedures and budgetary provisions
-Acting in the absence of the Finance Manager.

Qualifications and Experience
-Degree in Accounting
-CIS/CIMA/ACCA or HND with part 3 CIS
-2 years experience in accounting and good knowledge of computerized Pastel
-Clean Drivers Licence

Interested candidates should submit their applications together with detailed CVs to:
The Director
Musasa
64 Selous Avenue
Harare

Email: musasaproj [at] musasa [dot] co [dot] zw

Programme Office: Musasa
Deadline: 29 August 2011

Musasa, a local human rights NGO is inviting applications for the post of Programme Officer based in Chiredzi with frequent travel to Chipinge.

Principal Accountabilities
-Designing and plan programme activities around gender violence so as to offer a logical approach to empowering women.
-Identifying staff training needs on gender based violence and gender inequality so as to plan workshops to address these.
-Offering legal counseling in gender based violence in order to address client’s issues.
-Conducting workshops in communities with community groups on gender violence, SRRH and HIV to educate, inform and impart skills to the community to take action on these issues.
-Budgeting the costs for the planned programmes in liaison with the Finance assistant to ensure that there are sufficient resources for their conduct.
-To work with the director and the National advocacy officer to design and deliver Musasa’ core advocacy messages to decision makers and opinion formers and to raise the organization/s profile with parliamentarians.

Qualifications
-Degree in social science /development/Law
-Relevant Postgraduate qualification in Gender and HIV/AIDS will be an added advantage
-Clean class 4 drivers licence

Experience
-At least 5 years experience in development work at supervisory/senior officer
level with a bias towards gender based violence and gender inequality issues.
-Proven experience in gender programming, advocacy and community mobilisation.

Applications with detailed CVs should be sent to:
The Director
64 Selous Avenue
Harare

Email: musasaproj [at] musasa [dot] co [dot] zw

Youth Coordinator, FSN-6: US Embassy Public Affairs Section
Deadline: 30 August 2011

Job Announcement Number: 11-11
Full-time: 40 hours/week

The Embassy in Harare is seeking an individual for the position of Youth Coordinator to be based at the Public Affairs Office.

Basic Function Of Position
The Youth Outreach Assistant helps the Assistant Public Affairs Officer (APAO) and other Public Affairs staff to create, run and evaluate youth-focused programs and initiatives that use all Public Affairs outreach tools, including exchanges, trainings, speaking events, cultural programming and media tools.

A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available in the Human Resources Office.

Qualifications Required
NOTE: All applicants are instructed to address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each criterion. Failure to submit documentary evidence for educational qualifications will be grounds for disqualification. Foreigners/Non-Zimbabweans must attach work permit documentation in order to be considered for employment by the Embassy.

-Completion of High School Diploma or 2 “A” Level passes.
-Two years experience in events management, campaign development, marketing, communications, advocacy or public relations.
-Level IV (Fluent) in written and oral English; Shona and /or Ndebele is required.
-High degree of computer skills is required.

Selection Process
When equally qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (AEFMs) and U.S. Veterans will be given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate address the required qualifications above in the application.

Additional Selection Criteria
1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
2. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
3. Currently employed US Citizen EFMs who hold a FMA are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment.
4. Currently employed NORs hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless currently hired into a position with a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.

To Apply
Interested applicants for this position must submit the following or the application will not be considered:

1. Application for U.S. Federal Employment (OF-612); or
2. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as an OF-612; plus
3. Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.
4. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
5. Universal Application for Employment LES/EFM Form or American Embassy Harare Application Form.

Submit Application To:

Human Resources Office
P O Box 3340
Harare

Or email: hararerecruit [at] state [dot] gov

Point Of Contact
Human Resources Office
Telephone: 263-4-250593 Ext 4622 or 4991
FAX: 263-4-796488

For more information, including helpful definitions such as US Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM): please click here

Finance Associate: UNWOMEN Zimbabwe
Deadline: 31 August 2011

Type of Contract: Local: Fixed Term Appointment
Level: GS-6
Post Number: 00055132

To apply for this post kindly click here

Three (3) positions vacant: Zimbabwe Aids Prevention Project Department Of Community Medicine, University Of Zimbabwe
Deadline: 31 August 2011

The Zimbabwe AIDS Prevention Project, a Department of Community Medicine, University of Zimbabwe project has funding to conduct a PMTCT program in Mashonaland Central Province. The Program is aimed at strengthening health facilities as well as increasing ANC uptake through enhancing community level knowledge of PMTCT. PATH is funding the program through Population Council, South Africa.

We are therefore looking for candidates to fill in the following positions:

1) Project Officer

Based in Mashonaland Central working in 21 health facilities in the 8 districts.

The Project Officer is responsible for providing training and supervision for community mobilisers in PMTCT related activities including clinical psychosocial support. The Project Officer will report to the Project Coordinator for work schedules and other logistics issues and to the M&E officer for data collection issues.

Responsibilities and Tasks

-Ensuring efficient and effective implementation of PMTCT activities at the 21 sites.
-Maintaining proper documentation on all program forms and as per national monitoring and evaluation tool.
-Training and supervision of community mobilisers in all PMTCT activities.
-Supervising all mother-infant follow up clinics and follow up visits.
-Ensuring access to psychosocial support services for PMTCT beneficiaries and their families.
-Assist in planning and organizing workshops for PMTCT activities in Mashonaland Central.
-Liaise with Coordinator; sisters in charge and other relevant organizations for PMTCT related activities.
-Compiling reports on all PMTCT related activities in Mash Central.

Qualifications and experience

-Diploma/ Degree in nursing with midwifery qualification.
-Community Nursing/ Health Promotion qualification would be an added advantage.
-Self motivated individual with proven background in PMTCT and HIV & AIDS prevention.
-Care and treatment issues.
-At least 2 years’ experience in program planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation.
-Current GCP and Ethics training certificate is an added advantage.
-Computer skills in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
-Holder of a clean class 4 driver’s licence.

2) Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Based in Harare

The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will be in charge of all monitoring and evaluation data collection activities, survey work and analytical sessions for this PMTCT program. The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer is expected to work closely with ZAPP-UZ and CHAI and will be answerable to the National PMTCT Coordinator.

Responsibilities and Tasks

-Conducting Provincial & district training on M&E for HCW and Community Mobilizers working on PMTCT.
-Liaising with field staff, coordinate and ensure timely submission of monthly PMTCT statistics and reports.
-Review the data for data accuracy and completeness.
-Collate and analyze data from the sites.
-Conducting at least 1 field visits/quarter to the facility and community in the implementation sites.
-Collaborating the collection of site level data, analyzing the data and preparing quarterly consolidated progress reports for submission to the National PMTCT Coordinator and through her to the ZAPP-UZ Project Coordinator and CHAI Country Director in accordance with approved reporting formats.
-Collaborating with MOHCW site staff, Community Mobilizers and other stakeholders to develop feasible and effective discussion events where M&E data are analysed and corrective actions agreed upon and implemented.
-Representing the ARISE project and the National PMTCT program in M & E forums at national, regional and international level.
-Liaising with the NMRL to ensure EID test and results are reaching the laboratory and facilities.
-Participating in tools development, proposal writing and resource mobilization.
-Assists in documenting lessons learned and ensure dissemination of the best practices.

Qualifications, attributes and experience

-Minimum degree in statistics, demography, or public health.
-3 years experience in setting up and implementing monitoring and evaluation activities for HIV and AIDS, RH or MCH in a developing Country will be an added advantage.
-Knowledge of operational research and other research to guide evidence-based HIV and AIDS, Reproductive Health programming in prevention, treatment, care and support.
-Strong interpersonal and communication skills, significant technical expertise and willingness to learn how to manage complex, multi-partner and multi-sectoral HIV and AIDS and RH/FP Programs.
-Proficiency in using the following software packages – SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Scientists), STATA.
-Highly motivated and able to work without supervision.
-Willingness to travel nationally.
-Good contextual knowledge of local issues, community priorities, organisational relationships, social and cultural constraints and realities, and environmental conditions.

3) Driver

Based in Mashonaland Central

The successful candidates will have previous experience working as a driver for a project that required urban and rural driving experience. Drivers will need to ensure that their vehicles are in proper working condition, are serviced according to schedule and should report any faults to the office administrator or project coordinator as they arise. Drivers will be responsible for logging all mileage and fuel usage. Drivers will be responsible for the safe passage/travel of the project staff.

Duties and responsibilities
-Reporting to the Programme Coordinator the driver will be responsible for driving the project staff.
-Transporting specimens and equipment as per the standard operating procedures.
-Maintaining vehicle logbooks, recording mileage and fuel usage.
-Reporting vehicle defects to administration staff and keeping a schedule of vehicle maintenance.

Qualifications and Attributes
-5 Ordinary Level Subjects
-A clean class four driver’s license; a mature person, who is well organized
-Ability to work independently but within a team framework
-Fluent in English and Shona
-Defensive driving certificate
-GCP certificate an added advantage

Please send your application including detailed CV, copies of qualifications to the Zimbabwe Aids Prevention Project-University of Zimbabwe, by post, email or hand delivery using the following contact details:

The Programme Coordinator (Arise Project)
ZAPP-UZ
92 Prince Edward Road
Milton Park
Harare

Email: hr [at] zappuz [dot] co [dot] zw

Please note that only short listed candidates will be notified.

Planning and Monitoring Specialist: UNICEF
Deadline: 4 September 2011

Vacancy Notice No. 2011:17

NO-C Level based in Harare
This Specialist will be based in the Child Protection Section

Note: Position being re-advertised and previous applicants will be considered, no need to reapply.

UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s rights organization, has an opening for passionate and committed professionals who want to make a lasting difference for children in Zimbabwe. We are seeking people with a commitment for women and children, high drive for results, demonstrable embracing of diversity, integrity, demonstrable teamwork, good self-awareness and self-regulation.

Purpose of the post

Under the supervision of the Chief of Child Protection, responsible for the planning, monitoring, evaluation and overall operational research initiatives led by the Child Protection Section, in coordination with other sections and the Collaborative Center for Operational Research (CCORE). The successful candidate will be responsible for leading, managing and coordinating overall Child Protection and Social Protection research, monitoring, planning and evaluation activities in the section in close collaboration with other sections in UNICEF, Government and civil society partners. He or she will also be responsible for providing technical leadership and organization of specific national and other research, surveys and other monitoring and evaluation initiatives including the National Survey on the Life Experiences of Adolescents, the Child Labor Workforce Survey, the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, child protection and justice and other efforts in the Child Protection Section.

Key result areas for this senior level post include

-Acts as a knowledge manager for the section to ensure appropriate programmatic, policy and advocacy follow-up to monitoring and evaluation activities, including communications and media liaison, drafting management responses, influencing programme design proposals, creating website postings of final studies and other creative opportunities.
-Regularly liaises with UNICEF’s CCORE to collaborate on joint studies, capacity development exercises and operational research specific to Child Protection and Social Protection.
-Works closely with Government authorities to undertake monitoring and evaluation work related to the Child Protection Fund managed by UNICEF, in support of the National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children II, as well as other research and monitoring activities for example data generated by the Victim Friendly System.
-Identifies training needs for the purpose of capacity building in monitoring and evaluation for Government and civil society partners and helps to carry out learning opportunities that strengthen partners’ ability to deliver quality monitoring and evaluation activities.
-Regularly, collates, analyzes and evaluates data to ensure achievement of expected results taking into account resources expenditures and recommends corrective actions, when necessary.
-Participates in mid-term review, annual reviews, previews, joint sector reviews, and meetings including presentation of data in appropriate formats.
-Provides written reports as required, including précis of detailed technical information for production of fact sheets, and concise executive summary for broad dissemination.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience Required
-Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations or Development Studies
-At least five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in programming in the social sectors (Health, Protection, Social Protection, Education, etc)
-Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate research into practical programming required.
-Project management experience (including designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating) projects required.
-Demonstrated experience of working with Government authorities in Zimbabwe.
-Ability to show-case success in reporting on donor funding an asset.
-Specific programming expertise related to child and/or social protection an asset.
-Practical experience in statistics methods and data management an asset.
-Knowledge of computer management skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.

If you have experience of working in a similar capacity, meet the above profile and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send your application quoting vacancy notice number to the following address.

HR Specialist
(Vacancy Notice No. Zim2011/17)
UNICEF, 6 Fairbridge Avenue,
P O Box 1250
Belgravia, Harare

Or email: hararevacancies [at] gmail [dot] com

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Let’s hear it for Ocean Marambanyika. Writing for The Standard Ocean suggests that well-managed diamonds can make a difference – to the lives of the citizens of Zimbabwe. It really is time for Zimbabweans to reject nontransparent and unaccountable political leadership.

Well-managed diamonds can make a difference

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/

Sunday, 21 August 2011 14:36

The discovery of the Marange diamond fields in eastern Zimbabwe should be a milestone in the history of the nation. The discovery should NOT be a catastrophe.

Various media reports point out that the Marange diamonds might be roughly
20% of all global diamond deposits. If this is true, then it is a God-given chance to turn around the fortunes of the country, especially considering that the global economic crisis favours minerals such as gold and diamonds.

The Earth Times reported that, “The hugely prolific Chiadzwa fields are regarded as the world’s biggest diamond find in more than a century”. The New York Times quoted a United Nations-related expert Mark Van Bockstael as saying: “This (Marange) is a world-class deposit, no doubt about it.” He added, “The deposit is a freak of nature.”

If this is true, then imagine how wonderful it would be if the diamonds were properly managed and put to good and transparent use. Maybe Zimbabweans can learn from how other nations managed their precious resource finds. There are many examples that we could learn from. We could take for instance the discovery of oil in Norway and how the Norwegian government managed its oil resources.

Oil has netted in billions of dollars for Norway and as the United Nation index says, Norway is rated as the country with the best living standards in the world. This is mainly due to its oil and gas revenues.

Zimbabwe does not need to waste time thinking about how to manage the diamonds and the gold for the benefit of its citizenry.  It can simply learn from examples such as Norway. The lesson is that Zimbabwe should have ownership of its strategic resources. By Zimbabwean ownership, it is meant a transparent, democratic system accepted by and accountable to the citizens of the country through constitutionally recognisable provisions.  Below are some quotes on how the oil structure works and benefits Norway.

In 2009, Norway’s petroleum sector accounted for 21% of value creation in the country. This is three times the value creation of the manufacturing industry and around 22 times the total value creation of the primary industries.

By revenue, Norway’s oil utility Statoil was last year ranked by Fortune Magazine as the world’s 13th largest oil and gas company, and the largest company in the Nordic region by reveue, profit, and market capitalisation.

From oil history and oil management in Norway, people can learn that significant resources like diamonds and gold must be state-owned in partnership with private investors who have the expertise. Success depends on transparency and accountability and the ability of the majority of the citizens to accept the laws governing the natural resource industry. It is critical that laws governing significant natural resources like oil, gold and diamonds are seen as moral and beneficial by the majority of a country’s citizens.

It is rare for citizens to reject government control of a country’s natural resources as long as the citizens feel that they are benefitting through infrastructural developments, improved standards of living, better salaries, better education, health and liberty, among other things. Foreign control of significant and strategic assets like oil, gold and diamonds will rarely develop a nation. Local ownership is a preferred model only when it benefits all its citizens and not a select few. All hopes are that Zimbabwe will strive to exploit the diamonds to uplift the standards of people’s lives in rural areas as well as urban areas.

About the Author Ocean Marambanyika writes from the University of Oslo, Norway.

Yesterday, we sent a text message to our SMS subscribers informing them about the breaking news in Libya: Muammar Gaddafi’s whereabouts unknown, sons detained, and opposition forces taking control of Tripoli.

With reports today of a “defiant regime fightback,” the situation in Libya is clearly still unfolding. But Zimbabweans resonate with attempts to remove a strongman, decades long in power. Here are some of their responses to yesterday’s news:

• Hope the brutal dictator will be captured alive and face trial for other dictators 2 wake up and realise they can b next
• It is very unfortunate that dictators are incapable of reading between the lines of the changing times and hence become victims of political upheavals of our time. May he be forgiven for his hands tainted with human blood. We really wonder which existing dictator will give him refuge. Oh! Leaders never learn that they are mortals.
• Oh. Yipee.  No country belongs to one man. The earth is the lords.
• Bravo to the people of Libya 4 ousting a dictator other dictators should learn from this that people power is mighty you can only delay but not stop people’s revolution
• Mugabe must smell the coffee. The upheaval in Africa e.g. Libya is causing some shivers into his helpless spine.
• Mugabe will never relinquish power. He committed many crimes against humanity.

Another interesting bit I heard, from many conversations, some with people I trust very much.

The Army has let it be known (one source has senior army connections, but is not a soldier) that for the next elections, they will campaign (i.e. ‘count’ the papers) for Zim 1, but no one else. (Zim 1 is the losing party chairman).

All other Zanu PF MP candidates must do their own campaigning. They must pull their finger out and get out there to meet the people, see their constituency, make the political promises, etc. The army does not care for the old incumbents. They are quite happy to see a new crop of ZPF come in.

What does this mean? Only the big guy stands a chance. The rest, very vulnerable to the Jonathan Moyos. In some ways ‘great’. A new crop will mean a new party. ‘Safe’ seats in parliament will flow away and Zim1 will have a whole new struggle. Head of administration verses the government. Who wins will be he (or she) who has power (in most cases, those with the guns). But, the party (the losing party) needs a good clean. Many incumbents are busy jigging the monkey. Chombo I most think of (because he screws around in my area of interest, local government). A nobody, with power, who is making good money out of it – and not even in his area. If he has to service his home constituency, he will find life far more difficult. But many other’s too – the really old guys with liberation war credentials.

On the other hand, what will this do to the party, which itself really has nothing but liberation war credentials? And the party (and Zim1 himself) is the face of legitimacy the military coup regime hides behind. Without it, they are naked as the ‘coup of the ZANLA high command’. And many do not even have liberation war credentials. Who is Brigadier General whatever his name is? Where was he in the struggle? What is his history? How has he serviced his constituency (assuming he can find the balls to take off his uniform and stand for election)? They are really just a gang of friends with power (i.e. guns). In the eastern DRC and Great Lakes region, they would be termed warlords. Power, but no legitimacy.

What is their plan (or Zanu PF’s for that matter) for moving Zimbabwe forward?