According to preliminary research findings carried out in 2011by the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL) some Zimbabweans showed ignorance on the right of access to information.  This ignorance isn’t helped by the Access to Information and Protection of Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), which has no clear request and appeals procedures. This legislation has been blamed for focusing on media regulation rather than the promotion of access to information. Access to information should not be a preserve of the ministry of information and publicity and the media, as what was noted in the survey. Also access to information is not only about democracy and the media but also about the survival of the people. For example, information on health issues such as the current typhoid outbreak, which the country is experiencing at the moment, has not been made available to the public making it difficulty to hold the government accountable.

Today ANCL presented its findings at a meeting held in Harare highlighting that some of the objectives of the survey were to identify the existing legal framework for access to information in Zimbabwe, also assessing government responsiveness to access to information and recommendations for advancing the agenda of access to information.
Though these findings may be subject to debate, with some people arguing that politicization of public institutions has resulted in many people failing to access information of public interest in nature, and this information has not been made available due to bureaucracy and the culture of secrecy in government departments. In neighboring South Africa the government has the South Africa Government Services, which makes information of public interest available as stipulated under its Promotion of Access to Information Act. The department was created so that citizens can exercise their constitutional right to access any information held by the state.

Under AIPPA access to information from government institutions by members of the public has not been easy due to the arbitrary classification of state held information which some people have recommended that government should come up with a manual on what kind of information can be accessed from each department. The current constitution reform process presents opportunities for promoting access to information through the enhancement of state-citizen engagement.

Members of civil society and journalists in Zimbabwe have not been spared by AIPPA as many have been arrested for participating in civic education, and publishing stories that contain public interest information. The continued infringement on the right to access to information has resulted in many Zimbabweans losing interest in information coming from state run newspapers and broadcasters due to politicization of the content, preferring foreign and independent newspapers, TV and radio stations.

In the papers today we’re told that toll fees are to go up in Zimbabwe. This is because the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) is implementing “state-of-the-art toll plazas on the country’s highways.” And with improved conditions at the toll plazas, “The US$1 charged on small vehicles will be sub-economic and we are likely to increase the current fees,” according to the ZINARA spokesperson.

Because the plaza is really where this money should be going anyway?

As yesterday’s Financial Gazette article points out, Zimbabwe’s road network is stalled. The priority for ZINARA’s toll revenue should be fixing the roads, not fixing up the “toll plazas” where the tolls are collected.

The president of South Africa Jacob Zuma has been framed again in another painting on show in Cape Town at AVA gallery. In the painting Zuma is dressed in traditional wear with his privates exposed. The artist, Ayanda Mabulu, titled the painting Umshini Wam (Weapon of Mass Destruction). To him it’s dedicated to the miners who died. It intends to strip Zuma of his suit and tie and bring him to the level of ordinary people who suffer daily according to the report in The Star. The artist claims that the painting did not show a lack of respect for Zuma saying:

“He is not naked; I did not paint him with an uncircumcised penis. This is a metaphor that shows he is not a boy; he is a man, an elder, a father, a leader … Through this painting, I respectfully, as one of his children, ask my father why he is starving us. Why he is negating his duties to his children, the citizens of South Africa.”

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.

Programme Officer, Market Development: Christian Aid
Deadline: 7 September 2012 (5pm)

Job Reference: ZIM/POMD-712/TS

Christian Aid is looking for a Programme Officer, Market Development to provide support to the Zimbabwe programme, particularly but not exclusively, the DFID Programme Partnership Arrangement (PPA) on pro-poor market development. The post holder will provide direct support to partners implementing the PPA programme and work closely with the Zimbabwe Christian Aid team to ensure PPA funded work is well integrated to strengthen performance of the country programme. The post holder will also support the development of Christian Aid work on pro-poor market development (PPMD), particularly applying the participatory market system development (PMSD) approach. This position requires extensive engagement with the private sector, markets, business associations and networks, as well as other relevant market stakeholders, including government. The Programme Officer will also coordinate, monitor and provide technical support to Christian Aid partners to ensure quality programme performance in accordance with PPA requirements. The Programme Officer will network with market and value chain stakeholders to keep abreast of market developments, as well as sharing experiences and best practices.

Reporting to the Senior Programme Officer, Markets and Value Chain Development, the Programme Officer will be working closely and liaising with other Programme Officers working on livelihoods, advocacy and monitoring and evaluation on the Zimbabwe programme to ensure PPA work is well integrated into the Country programme.

You will need to have a university degree in a relevant discipline, skills and knowledge of markets and value chain development, understand the partnership approach to development and be familiar with programme cycle management approaches and tools, documentation, networking and advocacy. You should have significant experience in development work, particularly involving markets, value chain development or enterprise development, proven ability in promoting and collaborating closely with multi-level stakeholders, strong writing skills in English, as well as IT skills and ability to communicate effectively in English and Ndebele or Shona, excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in team situations. It would also be desirable that candidate appreciates gender and social exclusion issues, have facilitation skills and some experience of working on markets. This is a fixed term contract for up to 18 months, renewed annually depending on funding. You will start as soon as possible after interviews.

To apply for this post, you need to access the full advertisement on the Christian Aid website and download the application form and role profile.

Please email your completed form to zimbabwerecruit [at] christian-aid [dot] org quoting the reference number for the post.

Preference will be given to applicants who are Zimbabwean nationals or who are eligible to work in Zimbabwe and can drive themselves to project sites.

Please note that CVs will not be accepted and that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you have not been contacted by 14 September 2012 please assume your application was unsuccessful.

Interview date: Week commencing 10 September 2012

Christian Aid values diversity and aspires to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

Strategic Information & Evaluation Officer: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)
Deadline: 8 September 2012

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) with its Family AIDS Initiatives (FAI) implementing partners and in collaboration with the National PMTCT Unit of the MOHCW AIDS and TB programme seeks to support virtual elimination of pediatric HIV in Zimbabwe. This will be done using the implementation of the WHO 2010 PMTCT guidelines as a catalyst. All implementation will be guided by national health strategy.

Note:
-This will be a fixed term contract with possibilities of renewal.
-EGPAF is an equal opportunity employer.
-This position is full time.

Job Summary
The Strategic Information and Evaluation Officer is a key member of the Technical Department and Strategic Information and Evaluation team responsible for development and implementation of a community M&E system in PMTCT, community M&E data collection, enhancing data analysis and utilization in the EGPAF-Zimbabwe country program and compilation of various program reports. The SIE Officer will be working closely with other SI&E Officers in Zimbabwe and EGPAF-HQ as well as the MOHCW, reporting to the Strategic Information and Evaluation Manager in Zimbabwe.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
-Develop and implement a community M&E system for the PMTCT community interventions strengthening program
-Ensure maintenance of an up-to-date inventory of sites implementing the PMTCT community intervention strengthening program using the Foundation’s database; Global AIDS System for Evaluation and Reporting (GLASER)
-Ensure timely collection of indicator data from the sites implementing the PMTCT community intervention strengthening program and maintenance of up-to-date data for all the sites using GLASER
-Institute and implement data quality assurance measures and regularly perform data quality checks on all the data collected and reported for the program
-Conduct periodic site support visits for routine data quality assessments and review program implementation at the sites, working closely with other technical officers and PMTCT district focal persons in the MOHCW
-Organize and conduct trainings for health workers in monitoring and evaluation for MOHCW
-Ensure data reports submitted in the program from supported sites are also available at the MOHCW
-Lead in overall data analysis and utilization for the EGPAF-Zimbabwe PMTCT program to enhance evidence-based program planning, management and decision-making
-Actively contribute to compilation of quarterly reports, annual reports and other reports requested by management, donors and stakeholders from time to time and documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and abstracts for international information dissemination
-Participate in national M&E meetings and other national M&E activities when requested to
-Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the Strategic Information and Evaluation Manager.

Qualifications
-Master’s Degree in Biostatistics, Epidemiology or Public Health with a strong bias towards statistics
-Minimum 3 years working experience in public health work including monitoring and evaluation,

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
-Knowledge of PMTCT community issues and ability to develop high quality national data collection tools including registers and reporting tools
-Knowledge of databases and demonstrated ability to analyze data using advanced statistical packages especially STATA
-Strong and demonstrable proficiency in report writing and data presentation using information processing computer software including Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point
-Good oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
-Ability to engage and work with MOHCW senior staff in various M&E related activities
-Ability to work positively and effectively in a large team and dynamic and fast-paced environment
-Ability to travel locally approximately 50% of the time

Application Procedure
To apply please email cover letter and CV to: zimrecruiting [at] pedaids [dot] org In the subject line, please state the name of the position you are applying for.

Paralegal: Legal Resources Foundation (LRF)
Deadline: 14 September 2012

The Legal Resources Foundation, a local legal services NGO invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the post of Paralegal based in KweKwe.

Primary duties and responsibilities
-Giving legal advice to the vulnerable and marginalized members of our community
-Conducting education outreach meetings
-Conducting community workshops; and
-Report writing and networking

Qualifications and experience
-Applicant must have at least 5 “O” Levels, including English Language
-Applicant must be a mature and reliable individual of at least 25 years of age
-Applicant must be self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision
-Applicant must have experience with community work and be a team player
-Applicant must have the commitment to assist the disadvantaged and marginalized
-Applicant must have strong ties in Kwe Kwe
-The ability to communicate in Shona & Ndebele would be an added advantage.

How to apply
Please send your application letter and CV to:
The Centre Director
P. O. Box 1470
Gweru

Or they can be sent by email to: myglpc [at] gmail [dot] com

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Spotted on a run yesterday – This beware of blood thirsty Dachshund sign outside someone’s gate is up there with the Beware of Labrador sign.