Advisor in Zimbabwe

Through its programme “Bringing back biodiversity and water tables – scaling up agro-ecological approaches to ensure food and nutrition security and preserve the environment (7906)” Weltfriedensdienst e.V. supports three non-profit organizations in Zimbabwe: PELUM Zimbabwe, PORET Trust and TSURO Trust. The advisor will work with all three organisations throughout the project period but will formally be hosted by PORET.

The five-year programme (2024-2028) focuses on interventions to address the climate and human-induced degradation of ecological services in Chimanimani. Holistic livestock and land use management expands into regions with high levels of overexploitation and declining biodiversity. Agro-ecological practices are promoted through training and material inputs to smallholder farmers to reduce practices that are harmful to people and nature. The establishment and maintenance of water harvesting systems and wells at farm, village and landscape level aims to raise groundwater levels and provide water for families. Furthermore, market and value chain development activities (value addition, market access) will strengthen sales and thus secure income for smallholder farmers. Finally, joint advocacy and learning activities complete the programme in order to ensure the visibility of agroecology at district, provincial and national levels and to increase synergies between local partners.

The advisor will provide effective support to the project activities and communication between the implementing organizations and WFD. The advisor will work towards strengthening the organisational and human capacity of PELUM Zimbabwe, PORET and TSURO in terms of coordination, creating synergies, processing local successes for advocacy purposes, networking and programme management.

The project area is Chimanimani. It is therefore recommended that the advisor is based in the district or (at the furthest point) in Mutare. Regular travel within the project region and the country is required.

• You will advise local partners on mechanisms to improve coordination and synergies by developing and leading effective coordination mechanisms including meetings, field visits, learning workshops and reporting.
• You will contribute to the improvement of programme management techniques through needs assessment and tailored capacity building (e.g. M&E, finance, planning).
• You will support the production, documentation and publication of success stories and evidence-based data for advocacy purposes.
• You will contribute to enhancing visibility and synergies through increased networking of programme-related issues (such as biodiversity, climate change and agro-ecology), especially at international (and German) level.

• Postgraduate degree in a relevant field, including agriculture, environmental or climate related studies, social sciences, international relations, international development.
• Ideally 5 years of relevant experience in international development, preferably in sustainable agriculture in developing countries. Technical knowledge and experience in biodiversity, agriculture, climate change is an additional asset.
• 2-3 years of relevant experience in designing and implementing project planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning systems.
• 2-3 years of relevant experience in designing and implementing advocacy strategies to influence policy at international, national or regional level and in producing media content (social media, videos, policy papers, etc.). Knowledge of relevant software and production details is an added advantage.
• Experience in organisational development is an added asset.
• Critical thinking and understanding of the value and use of research in development programming and advocacy.
• Strong capacity building training and facilitation skills.
• Strong mediation, facilitation and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, in particular the ability to convey information effectively and write persuasively for a variety of audiences, including policy makers and donors.
• Proficiency in English required.
• Driving licence

• A two-year development worker contract with comprehensive social benefits and prospects for extension (Payments and benefits for development workers)
• A challenging and interesting field of work and a creative, varied workplace within a consortium of local organizations
• A team of highly committed, motivated and qualified colleagues within the partner organizations and the WFD offices in Harare and Berlin.
• A preparatory phase (up to three months) in Germany with additional training opportunities options
• Support for professional reintegration after working abroad through the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Entwicklungsdienste V. (AGdD)

WFD is committed to diversity and quality, and welcomes qualified applications from all, regardless of gender, religion, age or origin. Due to the legal restrictions of the German Development Assistance Act (EhfG), we can only consider applications from EU citizens.

Interested candidates are invited to send their application with all relevant documents (cover letter, CV, certificates and references) to the Programme Coordinator Simone Ramones  ramones@wfd.de by 21^st July 2024 at the latest. Please mention “Application Zimbabwe” in the subject line of your email and let us know how you became aware of this opportunity.

Since 1959 the Weltfriedensdienst (WFD, World Peace Service) has been working with local civil society partners around the world to promote peace, human rights and sustainable development. Advisors with international experience strengthen our cooperation. Our work focuses on the non-violent and equitable use of resources. As one of the seven recognised development agencies, we support critical, grassroots development cooperation.

You can find out more about working as a peace expert in the development service here. Our profile can be found here. You can find out more about the World Peace Service here:

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