A study carried out in Malawi recently by team of researchers from World Bank showed that cash payments given to randomly selected young women helped to reduce transmission of HIV infections and sexual diseases. According to the study the cash handouts given to the girls helped in behaviour change and reduced temptations from men than those who had not been given the cash.

The issue of poverty seems to be the real cause for high HIV infections amongst young women leading to a suggestion that young women who come from economically disadvantaged families are at a high risk of being exposed to HIV infections and sexually transmitted diseases.

The Herald recently reported that “bigwigs” aren’t paying their electricity bills. Below is a response from a Kubatana subscriber … a good illustration of the disgust many ordinary Zimbabweans feel toward politicians in this country ….

In light of the revelations by the Minister of Energy and Power Development that quite a number of top government officials and Ministers owe ZESA amounts not less than US$10 000 in unpaid bills, it is saddening to note that the same people sit and discuss how underperforming the institution is yet they are the main cause of our worries. We have suffered a lot as a result of load shedding and being disconnected yet the ‘haves’ ie the rich continue to evade paying their bills. For how long shall the ‘have not’ ie the poor continue to subsidise the rich in the name of the agricultural revolution? It is a fact that when they applied for land they indicated they had the financial muscle to carry out farming activities, what has happened now? An investment in a mini hydro power worth US$100 000 in the Himalaya area in Manicaland has benefited more than 200 household’s with each household paying not more than US$5 per month in electricity bills. If the monies owed to ZESA were to be invested in such initiatives how many households would benefit and how much in savings would be raised for the betterment of the common person on the street. It is so sad to be urinated on whilst we are alive.
- Percy, Harare

Just when I was beginning to believe that all politicians were corrupt, money grabbing charlatans, and that politics was a misnomer for profit-making exercise, along comes Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Eric Matinenga.

Matinenga is holding his peers in government and Parliament accountable for the public funds disbursed to them from the Constituency Development Fund. Unlike members of Parliamentary Portfolio Committees that investigated shady land deals and the disappearance of diamonds Mr Matinenga is doing what he was mandated by the people of Zimbabwe to do – his job.

This morning’s papers report that Matinenga’s ministry has reported those legislators who have failed to account for the funds to the Office of the President and Cabinet as well as the Prime Minister’s office. The Anti-Corruption Commission is also expected to investigate the legislators.

The legislators who failed to account for the $50 000 from the fund are:

Sekai Holland – Minister of State for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration, MDC-T Senator, Mabvuku-Tafara
Lucia Matibenga – Minister of Public Service, MDC-T MP for Kuwadzana
Douglas Mombeshora – Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare, ZANU PF MP Mhangura
Marvelous Khumalo  – MDC-T MP, St. Mary’s
Peter Chanetsa – ZANU PF MP, Hurungwe North,
Edward Chindori-Chininga – ZANU PF MP, Guruve South
Naison Nemadziva – MDC-T MP, Buhera South
Franco Ndambakuwa – ZANU PF MP, Magunje
Abraham Sithole – ZANU PF MP, Chiredzi East
Lawrence Mavima – ZANU PF MP, Zvishavane -Runde

Minister Matinenga may not be very popular in Parliament after this, but he’s got my vote.

Where Children Sleep – A gripping, disturbing, poignant photo story juxtaposing children, and their bedrooms, around the world. View more

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.

Social Worker: Medecins Sans Frontiers
Deadline: 17 February 2012

Location: Mbare SGBV Project MSF-OCB
Accountable to: SGBV Field Coordinator with the trial period of 3 months
Start: March 2012

Objectives of the post
To provide community based social services of survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence within applicable legislation in order to protect and improve the social well being and functioning of families and individuals.

Requirements/skills
-University degree in Social Studies
-Certificate in Counseling
-Fluent spoken and written English and Shona
-Knowledge of social work theories, practices and procedures (psycho-social/legal/medical)
-Knowledge and understanding of all pertinent legislation and policies
-Knowledge of case management, case conferencing and investigation and intervention theories and practices
-To be able to respond or assist in emergency situations
-To have very good interpersonal, mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
-Well developed organizational, verbal and written communications skill, interviewing and analytical skills
-Good computer skills
-Flexibility, adaptability and able to work effectively in a variety of settings

Desired
-Speaking Ndebele
-Working experience as a social worker
-Work experience with an NGO or in the humanitarian field
-Work experience with Survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence

Successful applicants should be bale to commence work upon request.

Interested candidates can forward their detailed CVs and motivation letter to: msfocb-harare-sgbv-coord [at] Brussels [dot] msf [dot] org or c/o The Field Coordinator, SGBV Project MSF-Belgium, 9 Bantry Rd, Alexandra Park, Harare.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Membership Growth Coordinator
Deadline: 22 February 2012

We are expanding in order to meet our human rights goals in the country and on the continent. We are seeking to appoint a dedicated and talented social activist to join our team based in Harare.

Overall purpose of job: The Membership Growth Coordinator will be responsible for growth and activism. He/she will be responsible for taking a lead in communicating and mobilizing members for actions and campaigns

Key responsibilities
-To develop a growth and activism strategy
-To establish forms of activism and establish processes to recruit new members, and supporters for campaigns
-To establish processes that revive and retain existing members, groups and supporters
-To plan and coordinate online and offline actions to organize campaigning events as appropriate
-To build effective working relationships and to maintain regular contact with groups and members engaged in campaigning activities and growth
-To manage routine and effective communication including email and telephone enquires or requests relating to planned actions and campaigns
-To coordinate communication with existing members and supporters through online and mobile technology
-To manage the membership database

Person specification/ideal candidate will possess the following:

Essential attributes
-A Degree or equivalent in a relevant field
-Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to human rights
-At least three years in human rights, communications, marketing, public relations, or experience of a membership organization
-Ability to manage a demanding workload, meeting deadlines and adjusting priorities as required
-Ability to communicate in other local languages
-Experience in establishing and implementing strategies for attracting and retaining members in membership based organizations
-Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including the ability to communicate to a multitude of different audiences and the ability to adjust the language and the form it is conveyed to the audience
-A high level of computer literacy, including at least Microsoft Word and Excel (PowerPoint, Internet)
-Knowledge of uploading and managing web databases, use of mobile technology, social media and social networks, online communication
-Experience of designing and implementing fundraising activities, including the writing of successful project proposals

The following will be an added advantage
-Willingness to travel, possibly at short notice
-Driver’s license

Salary package; revealed to short listed candidates.

Please forward CV together with a covering motivation letter to The Office Administrator, 56 Midlothian Avenue, Eastlea, Harare. Applications submitted electronically will be accepted and should be sent to: staffrecruitmentzw [at] gmail [dot] com

Please be advised that only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Political Specialist: United States Embassy in Harare
Deadline: 23 February 2012

Starting salary: USD$42,311 pa
Grade FSN-11/1

Major duties and responsibilities
1. Monitor and analyze Zimbabwean politics with emphasis on Zimbabwe’s political parties and their relationships with each other; postures of the political parties toward the United States; the Zimbabwean parliament, including legislation; and human rights.
2. Prepare written and oral reports on the political situation for Embassy and State Department officials.
3. Prepare written and oral reports on human rights situation for Embassy and U.S State Department officials.
4. Assist in organizing trips, events and meetings for the Political Section.
5. Build and maintain an extensive network of mid and high level contacts in public and non-governmental sectors.
6. Oversee the Embassy’s unclassified biographical files.

Qualifications required

NOTE: all applicants are instructed to address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each criterion. Failure to 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.

-Bachelor’s degree in political science or degree in law or related field
-Two year’s experience in field related to government, law or human rights
-Level IV (fluent) English speaking and writing ability
-Must be proficient with computers – word processing, data storage and retrieval systems
-Must have basic knowledge of the structure of the U.S government and its policy toward Zimbabwe
-Must have a detailed knowledge of Zimbabwe’s political institutions, leaders, and foreign relations, and general knowledge of political science and government, familiarity with information resources and elements of civil society
-Extensive contacts with a wide range of senior national and sub-national political actors across political parties is strongly preferred

Interested applicants must submit the following:

Universal Application for Employment (UAE) as Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174); obtained from the U.S. Embassy Reception; and a current resume

TO: Human Resources Specialist, Human Resources Office. PO Box 3340, Harare, or 172 Herbert Chitepo Street, Harare or

Email: hararerecruit [at] state [dot] gov

Water and Habitat Field Officer: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Deadline: 23 February 2012

Location: Harare

Key responsibilities

Projects
-Coordinate the work with water authorities, municipalities, health authorities, Zimbabwe prison services, contractors and the communities, and ensure that a good relationship is kept among all stakeholders of the project.
-Review the design and bill of quantities of projects to the ICRC
-When required, prepares project designs and bill of quantities
-Participate to the opening of bids, to their technical and cost analysis and to the selection of contractors
-Be aware of all contractual obligations of the parties to the contract
-Follow up regularly the work progress on site
-Ensure that the work is implemented in a timely manner according to instructions, drawings and technical specifications as per contractual agreement
-Follow up material sampling and testing
-Control or prepare and submit measurement sheets for the periodic payment of the work
-Deal with special cases and propose solutions; take corrective steps when required
-Register and treat information (general and specific) with confidentiality and accuracy

Reporting
-Provide on time sound elements for the Weekly Operations Report
-Follow up and update water and sanitation database
-Prepare minutes of meeting which s/he attends

Administration and Logistics
-Be aware of, and respect all administrative and logistics procedures
-Take all necessary contacts with projects stakeholders, organize meetings and ensure follow up
-Develop and maintain a list of interlocutors, and share it for compilation within the Wathab Department

Qualifications and Skills
-University degree in Engineering domain
-4 years’ work experience in a similar field
-Fluent in written and spoke English
-Good analytical skills and synthesis capacities
-Good communications skills
-Good computer skills (MS Office, AutoCAD)

Complete applications (CV, letter of motivation, copies of diplomas and certificate, references, etc) can be submitted to:

The Administrator
9 Downie Avenue
Belgravia

Or send online to har_admco [at] icrc [dot] org clearly marked “Watsan Field Officer” before of close business on 23 February 2012. Only short listed candidates will be responded to.

Human Resources Coordinator: ZVITAMBO
Deadline: 24 February 2012

Key duties
-Coordinate and oversee human resources
-Proven experience in managing all human resources issues in a mid sized organization

Requirements
-Social Science degree plus a professional diploma in labour relations management such as IPMZ
-At least 6 years relevant work experience in a reputable organization
-Sound knowledge of local labour law and disciplinary procedures are critical

Contract: One-year renewable

Reply with CV and references to:

Attention:
Human Resources Coordinator
No 1 Borrowdale Road
Borrowdale
Harare

Tel: 04 850732/3 or 851333

Or email: applynow [at] zvitambo [dot] co [dot] zw

Economic Justice Policy and Campaign Coordinator – Southern Africa region: OXFAM
Deadline: 24 February 2012

Salary: ZAR 478,597 gross pa + benefits
Location: Pretoria

This position is only open to South African citizens or those with permanent residence status in RSA.

We are striving to make the world a fairer place. Campaigning for economic justice for all is a huge part of that. Develop the strategies that create a level playing field in Southern Africa, and you’ll help local people reap the rewards of their hard work and help us to influence policy at a regional and sub-regional level. Collaborating with institutions across the region and with key research partners and CSO networks, your long-term vision will help steer our economic justice agenda. Your aim? To define and deliver the strategy behind our regional economic justice objectives and to create a seamless link with the work of other Policy Coordinators in Governance and Gender. You’ll already be familiar with the economic models of the region currently in place, as well as the wider social and political contexts they’re used within. With experience in synthesizing policy positions and the ability to develop campaign strategies, you’ll be dealing with complex problems and make a real difference at a host of different levels.

For more information and to apply, visit our website and quote ref: INT5180
www.oxfam.org.uk/jobs

Fundraising Manager: Practical Action
Deadline: 28 February 2012

Practical Action Southern Africa, part of International Technology Development Organization head quartered in the UK and with offices in East Africa, Latin America and south east Asia is seeking to recruit a Fundraising Manager for its Southern Africa office based in Harare.

This is a senior regional position in a well-established, progressive and leading development organization operating in Zimbabwe since 1989.

Reporting to the Regional Director, the incumbent will be responsible for the delivery of the following key deliverables inter alia the:
-Development and execution of the regional fundraising strategy supportive of the Group and Regional
-Monitoring and analyzing the external environment and trends and identify prospective donors
-Donor intelligence gathering
-Fundraising, monitoring and managing restricted funding
-Coordinating opportunities to calls for proposals
-Identify and secure opportunities for Practical Action consulting to extend its services and influencing to develop partners and institutions elsewhere in the region
-Coordinating responses to EOI’s (Expression of Interests) in liaison with technical experts
-Coordination and information sharing with management
-Capacity building the skills of programme staff and partners to fundraise
-Management of external donor relations

Person Specification
-Master’s degree in business management, marketing and administration, international development
-Knowledge of international development and a good understanding of current donor trends and their implications on NGO funding
-7+ years of experience and proven success working within and/or seeking funds form complex institutional funders such as (DFID, USAID/OFDA, DANIDA, EU, World Bank/International Finance Corporation, African Development Bank), foundations and corporates
-Proven experience with strategic planning, project management
-Experience working in multi cultural environment and clear understanding of the SADC region/sub Saharan Africa

In addition to the above, the following are also pre-requisites for the incumbent
-Strong contact base in the southern Africa region
-Ability to deal with diverse clientele in the context of racial, ethnic and cultural diversity
-Excellent interpersonal communication and negotiating skills a must
-Proven expertise and knowledge in development of winning proposals, contract delivery and management
-Ability to work as part of a locally based team as well as the wider international team
-Strong leadership and contract management skills a prerequisite

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

Female applicants are urged to apply and in case of those applicants requiring work permits, the responsibility solely lies with them.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

HIV/AIDS Programme Manager: OSISA
Deadline: 29 February 2012

The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) is an African institution committed to deepening democracy and human rights in southern Africa. OSISA’s vision is to promote and sustain the ideals, values, institutions and practice of open society, with the aim of establishing a vibrant southern African society in which people, free from material deprivation, understand their rights and responsibilities and participate democratically in all spheres of life.

Based in Johannesburg with a mandate that includes operating in ten countries in the region, including four that are in crisis and/or transition from conflict, OSISA requires individuals who are able to operate in a fast paced environment, demonstrating superior leadership skills and ability to multi-task.

OSISA is seeking a Programme Manager to run its grant-making programme on HIV and AIDS, with a particular focus on human rights and access to services by marginalized groups. Key responsibilities include programme development i.e. leading in the strategic visioning, planning and implementation of OSISA’s HIV/AIDS programme, building active partnerships with different stakeholders and donors and engaging in advocacy at a regional and national level where appropriate. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of a Master’s degree preferably in Public Health, Communication Studies, Development Studies, Gender and or any other post-graduate qualification. In addition, the candidate will have at least seven years experience in successful implementation of development programmes in HIV and AIDS or a related sector in the SADC region and will have an advanced understanding of the HIV and AIDS issues affecting the SADC region. The successful candidate will have at least five years experience in programme management, and will have worked in a donor organization in a project management or programme quality development role. The candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to facilitate consultative processes. Fluency in written and spoken English is pre-requisite and knowledge of some African languages spoken in the region, and French and Portuguese, is desirable.

A competitive remuneration package, commensurate with experience is applicable. This job is offered on a two-year (renewable) contract. Interested and qualified candidates who match the above profile are invited to submit their detailed CV and letter of interest to: Mrs. Prava Singh, Human Resources Manager at humanresources [at] osisa [dot] org

Only short listed candidates will be contacted by OSISA.

OSISA is an equal opportunities employer.

Project Coordinator, SADC Initiative: OSISA
Deadline: 29 February 2012

Location: Gaborone, Botswana

OSISA is seeking a Project Coordinator: SADC initiative to coordinate its work at the regional level working with the SADC secretariat, with a specific interest in and focus on enhancing the capacity of non-state actors to influence and promote long term systematic change in regional policy making and related monitoring and oversight. Based in Gaborone Botswana in close proximity to the SADC headquarters and regional civil society networks, the Project Coordinator will join a dynamic team of peers at OSISA to proactively engage the state at a regional level in the pursuit of open society ideals.

Reporting to the HRDB Programme Manager, the Project Coordinator will have direct responsibility for working with civic actors to support them in accessing and navigating SADC structures. As OSISA’s contact point at the SADC headquarters, they will also play a key role in facilitating networking amongst OSISA partners, and key stakeholders in the human rights and governance sector, and in convening spaces for policy dialogue and debate, as part of OSISA’s overall mandate of advocating and nurturing open societies. The Coordinator will also be expected to play a key role in shaping debates and contributing to public discourse at regional level, including supporting the respective work around Angola, the DRC, Swaziland and Zimbabwe in particular.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of a Master’s degree preferably in Development Studies, Sociology or any other appropriate degree in Humanities with an emphasis on research, monitoring and evaluation. He/she will have at least five years experience in programme management, and will have worked in a donor organization in a project management or programme quality development role.

A competitive remuneration package, commensurate with experience is applicable. This job is offered on a two-year (renewable) contract. Interested and qualified candidates who match the above profile are invited to submit their detailed CV and letter of interest to: Mrs. Prava Singh, Human Resources Manager at humanresources [at] osisa [dot] org

Only short listed candidates will be contacted by OSISA.

OSISA is an equal opportunities employer.

Human Resources Manager: OSISA
Deadline: 29 February 2012

OSISA is looking for a Human Resources Manager, whose key role will be to plan, formulate and drive HR strategy so as to create a positive working environment for staff and ensure that staff are appropriately supported to achieve the overall objectives of the foundation. As such, the HR manager will be responsible for developing and aligning the HR strategy to the overall five year strategic plan of OSISA, ensuring that HR policies, procedures, practices are in place and are applied consistently, drive the performance management process and proactively identify and mitigate against HR risks, including in relation to compliance with laws in South Africa and in the countries in which OSISA employs staff.

We therefore are looking for an individual with a background and qualifications in labour law, industrial relations and psychology, or in finance and administration with a particular focus on management. A minimum of 10 years experience in HR is requested, either within the non-profit or the private sectors.

A competitive remuneration package, commensurate with experience is applicable. This job is offered on a two-year (renewable) contract. Interested and qualified candidates who match the above profile are invited to submit their detailed CV and letter of interest to: Mrs. Prava Singh, Human Resources Manager at humanresources [at] osisa [dot] org

Only short listed candidates will be contacted by OSISA.

OSISA is an equal opportunities employer.