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

Project Coordinator-Conflict Mitigation: Catholic Relief Services – Zimbabwe Program (PVO: 6/2002)
Deadline: 13 March 2013

Location: Harare

The Project Coordinator will lead CRS’ efforts to support people-to-people conflict mitigation and reconciliation projects and activities, which bring together individuals to address the causes of conflict and instability. To this end, CRS and its local implementing partners seek to enhance dialogue and cooperative action for peace and engagement at the grassroots community level. The primary responsibility of the Project Coordinator is to supervise overall planning, implementation, and evaluation of the conflict-mitigation project and ensure, together with partner staff and stakeholders, the strategic objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet technical quality standards. The job entails provision of capacity building support both technically and managerially to partner staff as well as meeting donor requirements and adherence to compliance and financial standards.

Requirements
-Master’s Degree in conflict resolution or peace-building; or, bachelor’s degree in related field with additional commensurate experience
-Knowledge of and experience with standard and cutting-edge theories and practices of peace-building required, with specific knowledge of people-to-people theories and practices preferred
-Experience with advocacy and community-level mobilization and facilitation of technical-related information preferred
-At least five years managing internationally-funded, similar programs required
-Minimum three (3) years experience in budget management
-Proven experience with policies, procedures, and priorities of Bilateral Donors, UN agencies, and other donors
-Proven leadership, inter-personal and analytical skills and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams
-Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages required
-Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences in formal and informal settings
-Experience with participatory methods and partnerships required, with knowledge of Catholic peace-building structures and Catholic Social Teaching preferred
-Public relations skills and flexibility to work both in a team and independently
-Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required
-Excellent reporting (both narrative and financial) skills
-Excellent oral and verbal communication skills in English
-Flexible, reliable, culturally sensitive, ability to work long hours under pressure, a feel for the way CRS operates and our partners and clients.

Those who meet the above criteria are invited to submit their applications together with a motivational letter and detailed Curriculum Vitae that includes the names and contact details (plus email addresses) of three traceable references.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Please submit to: The Country Representative, 95 Park Lane, Harare or 33A Duncan Road, Suburbs, Bulawayo or P.O. Box CY 1111, Causeway, Harare.

Or email: taurai.musakaruka [at] crs [dot] org

Communications Manager: Plan
Deadline: 15 March 2013

Location: Harare

Founded more than 75 years ago, Plan has global presence in 68 countries and is one of the largest children’s development organizations in the world. Plan promotes child rights and lifts millions of children out of poverty, particularly those who are excluded or marginalized, through high-quality programs that deliver long-lasting benefits. Plan commenced operations in Zimbabwe in 1986 and has active development programs in child protection and participation, education, food and income security, child survival and health sectors. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity. Plan Zimbabwe is recruiting suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position on a renewable 2 year fixed term contract basis.

Job purpose
Reporting to the Country Director, the Communications Manager will be responsible for the promotion of a positive image of Plan Zimbabwe through the development and implementation of an effective communications strategy. This includes, raising Plan’s profile and image with key development stakeholders and the general public; compilation, packaging and publishing of program and corporate communications; providing strategic communication direction for all program related activities; development of in country communication policies and systems; developing social marketing strategies for development programs; and building media networks to increase Plan’s visibility as a leading child centered development organization.

Entry qualifications and experience
-A university degree in Mass Communications, Public Relations or Journalism
-A post graduate degree in the related field is desirable
-Proficiency in MS office suite and social media marketing
-At least 5 years relevant experience in development work
-Knowledge of events management and video production
-Writing and editing skills for mass media communications
-Excellent communication, facilitation and networking skills
-Strong research, analytical and crisis solving skills
-Strategic thinking skills

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are required to submit their curriculum vitae & covering letter outlining their suitability for the position to: zwe.recruitment [at] plan-international [dot] org

Plan is committed to keeping children safe from abuse, neglect and any forms of exploitation. In this regard, reference & background checks will be performed including clearances on child related offences in conformity with Plan’s Child Protection Policy.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

2 (Two) vacancies – Caritas Zimbabwe
Deadline: 15 March 2013

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for two positions which have arisen. Caritas Zimbabwe – Diocese of Chinhoyi is the development arm of the Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of Chinhoyi which covers districts in Mashonaland West and Central provinces.

1. Sustainable Agriculture Field Officer
Project Location: Mt. Darwin and Rushinga districts

Overall Purpose
The Sustainable Agriculture Field Officer is responsible and accountable to the Programs Officer for effective planning; budgeting, implementing monitoring and evaluating community based sustainable agriculture and livelihoods interventions. Other duties include, enhancing communities’ capacities in conservation farming, vegetable production, storage and marketing; small livestock production and savings and income lending initiatives.

Profile Specification
-Diploma/Degree in Agriculture, Development with at least 2 years experience in implementing conservation farming or food security or livelihoods programmes.
-Conversant with sustainable agro ecological approaches, micro-irrigated nutrition garden set up and management and a good working knowledge of savings and income lending committees.
-Traceable experience in mainstreaming gender, HIV, disability and risk reduction.
-Excellent analytical and report writing skills
-Excellent computer skills
-Ability and willingness to work in remote and challenging areas
-Class 4 and 3 driver’s license or ability to ride a motorcycle is a must.
-Good team player, flexible and able to work within a Catholic environment.

2. Office Assistant
Location: Chinhoyi

Overall purpose: The Office Assistant is responsible and accountable to the Finance and Administration Officer in undertaking basic administrative, financial and human resources tasks. Key responsibilities include office administration function which includes management of assets, procurement of project and office supplies; cash keeping, recording and reconciling; records keeping and preparation of payment source documents.

Profile Specification:
-Administration/Accounting/Bookkeeping qualification with 2 years relevant experience
-Excellent interpersonal and computer skills
-Strong organizational skills, initiative and creativity in carrying out assignments.
-Working knowledge of Pastel Accounting package an added advantage.
-Good team player, flexible and able to work within a Catholic environment.

Please send CV with covering letter to: The Development Coordinator; Caritas Chinhoyi, 28 R. Manyika Drive, Chinhoyi; or email to: caritasjobs [at] yahoo [dot] com

Applications will not be acknowledged and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

When I heard that I would return to Tunis this year I was delighted. I love their pastries, coffee and carpets! And there’s a lot more to like – dried fruits, nuts, fresh juices … You can see where my interests lie.

My trip to the giant Tunis medina began with a short walk down to the Metro accompanied by a big-hearted, energetic young Tunisian woman called Miriam who’d been attending our conference and happened to be on her way to a meeting near the the medina. The streets and buildings en route were grey and nondescript – the pavements narrow and uneven – not the most attractive part of Tunis. Miriam bought the tickets which cost 500 millimes each (about 30 US cents each) for our short journey and the two of us squeezed into the above ground tram that had just pulled in. Apparently the press of people around us were lunchtime commuters. Miriam said that the trams got fuller still at the start and end of each day which means they must get crammed!

We jumped out at the Metro stop at Place de Barcelone and started to make our way towards the medina. We hadn’t gone far when we found the sidewalk blocked by new rolls of razor wire running alongside the tram lines. This unsightly form of security is used in a number of places in the city to protect strategic buildings and more of it must have been added following the riots in early February 2013. Along the main boulevard you’ll also see the odd tank here and there – a further sign that Tunisia’s democracy is still very new.

The drab grey of the back streets gave way to the trimmed and manicured trees of the cafe-lined boulevard that leads up towards the medina. Progress was slow as the sidewalks were congested with formal cafes and informal street vendors selling food and cheap clothes and trinkets. Having missed lunch we took the opportunity to stop at a vendor and buy a favourite snack of Miriam’s – delicious fresh olive, onion and garlic bread rolls that went down very well.

We chatted a bit and then asked a few folk for advice about where to buy carpets. It seemed the place to head for was the Government Shop which is located in what used to be the King’s Palace. I was in luck, I was told, because today was the last day of the Berber carpet exhibition, an opportunity to buy carpets at wholesale prices (if you’re a large buyer I presume). The medina covers many square kilometres, so there are a maze of alleys in which to lose your bearings amongst the small stalls, plenty of them replicas of each other. And it’s very slow going as the alleys are narrow, the shoppers and sellers many and no one seems to be in a rush to go anywhere.

Since my time was short I set out as fast as I could along the fringes of the market hoping I’d recognise the Government Shop at some point. I hadn’t gone far when I’d already had to stop and puzzle over which alley to take next. To my surprise a man called out from behind me and introduced himself as a security guard from the hotel at which I was staying. Talk about a small world! His father had a small perfume shop near the Government Shop so he said he’d walk me up there. We took a number of twists and turns that I doubt I’d have worked out for myself, so it was a happy coincidence that we’d bumped into each other and I could make it to the shop in quick time.

Before getting down to the business of carpet buying I was given a quick tour of the old building. First to the rooftop which boasts a great view of the city. I was assured I could see as far as Zimbabwe on a good day! The walls up there are covered in beautiful old tiles – supposedly the original tiles that decorated the King’s summer palace. Next was the king’s original double bed – a grand, gilded affair big enough to sleep 5 comfortably (he had 4 wives!). And then finally to the large rooms stocked with thousands of piled and rolled and hung carpets.

I sat on a carpeted ledge and sipped on sweet mint tea as the salesman ran through the main types of Tunisian carpets and the pile in front of me grew higher and higher. His 2 helpers, a small old man and a tall younger man, fetched and unfurled and rolled up carpet after carpet, sometimes standing next to each other to hold up carpets for comparison. So much choice! Which type to buy, which colour to choose, which size to go for. I eventually settled on a nice-sized Berber carpet and a tiny silk carpet, both of which folded up into neat parcels that would fit into my suitcase. I have a feeling I paid way over the top for the carpets – I should have tried to do a bit more homework before I went shopping – but the feeling of being outsmarted was compensated for by having really enjoyed the spectacle and the process.

The security guard from the hotel was still there when I finished at the carpet shop, determined to make sure I visited his father’s shop which was indeed very nearby. His Dad sprang into action, dotting my wrists with different scents. Using a lighter to assure me of its oil rather than alcohol base. Eventually steamrolling me into buying a couple of small roll-on bottles. In the end I think the medina shopped me rather than vice versa!

Mayor jailed for US$460 theft, reads today’s Herald headline. The Mayor of Bindura has been jailed for six months for stealing $460 from Bindura. That’s right. One more time. 6 months in jail. For stealing Four Hundred Sixty Dollars.

If you read on, it sounds like actually she’s returned $250 , and her sentence was shortened on the condition she returns the outstanding $210 – so, in exchange for no money at all in her own pocket in the long run, she’ll be serving six months in jail.

It’s worth noting that the Bindura mayor, Ivory Matanhire, got into office on an MDC-T ticket.

On the one hand, it’s great if Zimbabwe’s courts are finally taking corruption seriously. Certainly, jailing a mayor over a bit of misappropriated travel funds sends a message that your position doesn’t protect you from prosecution. Unfortunately, it’s really hard not to feel like it’s just a bit of political posturing.

Just last week, Khadija Sharife, writing for 100 Reporters, exposed worrying allegations on the theft of billions of dollars from Zimbabwe’s Marange diamond fields. A research paper released by Transparency International – Zimbabwe in January shared concerns about theft from Zimbabwe’s gold, diamond and platinum mines.  A 2012 report by the Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa reviews a list of outstanding corruption cases which have not been prosecuted or taken seriously.

Every day, members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police engage in roadblocks which Zimbabweans have taken to calling ATMs – They’re more about the ZRP getting money for their pockets then they are about policing our streets or ensuring road safety.

Unfortunately, in a context like this, the message from the Bindura Magistrate who sentenced Mayor Matanhire isn’t so much “don’t steal public funds or you’ll go to jail.” It’s more like “unless you know the right people, don’t steal public funds or you’ll go to jail.”

A friend of mine in Kenya shared some simple math on the misunderstanding on the issue of votes cast and valid votes, which may lead to an election rerun in Kenya. As reported in the media, results of the votes counted so far in the presidential election stand like this:

” Of those counted at 8:15 am Wednesday, Kenyatta had won just over 2.79 million or 53 percent of valid votes cast against Odinga with 2.20 million or 42 percent, a gap that could still be easily overturned. But a staggering 334,000 ballots were rejected, making up some five percent of votes cast and totaling more than those so far assigned to the third candidate in the race, deputy prime minister Musalia Mudavadi, who has two percent of votes so far.”   – Times of Oman

Here is the math based on the Kenya constitution: Two candidates vying for the position of the Chief. A total of 10 votes are cast. Candidate A gets 4 votes, while B gets 3 votes and 3 votes get rejected. So the valid votes are 7. If you select the winner based on the VALID votes for candidate A you get 4/7×100 = 57%. Candidate B gets 3/7×100= 42%. However, if you calculate based on the total votes cast ( 10) as the constitution says, you get the following: Candidate A gets 4/10 x100 = 40%; Candidate B gets 3/10×100= 30% and the rejected votes ( which also must be counted ) make 3/10X100= 30%. And that is the true picture of the result of this election based on the provisions of Article 138(4)(a)

So according to this explanation I got from her the key words should be votes cast’… and not valid votes. I may not be familiar with the Kenya Constitution but this election law sounds like the one we have here in Zimbabwe.

Broadcasting or publication of false or misleading information related to Zimbabwe’s Draft Constitution and the associated Referendum to be held 16 March can incur a steep penalty, according to Veritas’ Constitution Watch 13/2013:

Broadcasting or Publication of False or Misleading Information

If it comes to the attention of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) that any broadcaster (including the public broadcaster ZBC) or print publisher (newspaper or magazine) that any YES or NO campaigner is publishing information on the Referendum question (YES/NO to the draft constitution) that ZEC thinks is either:
-    materially false or incorrect; or
-    likely to prevent a substantial number of voters from making an informed choice in the Referendum

ZEC may by written notice order the broadcaster or published concerned to cease publishing the information or alter the information to make it accurate and fair, or to retract or correct the information in a way directed by ZEC in its notice.  Failure to comply immediately is an offence attracting a fine of up to $300 or one year’s imprisonment.  (New Referendums Regulations, SI 26/2013, section 12)

Given the power the media can play in influencing opinion and action, certainly legislation that penalises the publication of “Constitution Falsehoods” makes a lot of sense. However, in a context like Zimbabwe’s, the potential for this legislation to be misused, or applied selectively – and prejudicially – is high. With public meetings by the Media Centre, the NCA, and even the MDC to discuss the Constitution being banned by police, there is a risk that legislation like this will move broadcasters and publishers into the role of censors, deliberately withholding information which they fear might incur a penalty from ZEC.