Gender, Economic Development and Policy Adviser

Progressio has made a significant contribution to international development and human rights for more than seventy years. We support poor and marginalised people, especially women, to empower themselves – People Powered Development – by placing development workers to share skills in nine countries, and through our international policy, advocacy and campaigning. Progressio has Catholic roots and works with people of all faiths and none.

Gender, Economic Development and Policy Adviser

Working with a local organisation, based in Harare,Zimbabwe

One year placement (withthe possibility of renewal)

Please note that for this placement we are only able to consider applicants who are fluent inEnglish, Shona and/orNdebele.

The Progressio Development Worker (DW) will play a leading role in advising the organisation and its partners in developing an extractive industry programme on local content development that promotes the improved participation of women in the provision of goods and services. The DW will be working with the Economic Governance and Gender departments to enhance their capacities on mainstreaming gender in the organisation’s efforts to influence local content development in the extractive sector.

BACKGROUND TO PROGRESSIO

Progressio is a UK-based charity working internationally to enable poor and marginalised people in developing countries to challenge and change the situations that keep them poor. We currently work on people’s rights, development and environment in nine countries and have a long history of working in fragile, post-conflict and authoritarian states. We work with people of all faiths and none.

Progressio works in long-term partnerships with local pro-poor organisations and community groups in the global South. We provide training, advice and support through specialist development workers (DWs) and consultants, most from the global South. They know what works and help our partner organisations find lasting solutions to the problems that poor communities face. We also send committed young adults from the UK to engage alongside local volunteers in community development work, through the International Citizen Service (ICS) programme. DWs, Consultants and ICS volunteers help thousands of people in some of the world’s poorest communities to make lasting improvements to their lives.

Because poverty is about unequal power relations and lack of rights, we support poor and marginalised people to empower themselves to change the structures that keep them in poverty. We help strengthen their call for change locally as well as in the UK and mainland Europe. With our supporters, we stand alongside poor communities in demanding that decision-makers give priority to those with least power and least wealth. For more information please visit:

THE PARTNER ORGANISATION

The partner organisation is a public interest law organisation that seeks to promote environmental justice, transparency and accountability, sustainable and equitable utilisation of natural resources, democracy and good governance in Zimbabwe’s natural resources sector. Some of the institutional objectives of the organisation include helping poor and vulnerable communities to assert, claim and demand their environmental, economic, social and cultural rights, promoting the development of policies, strategies and legal frameworks that respond positively to the needs of marginalised communities and calling on government and the private sector to be transparent and accountable in the exploitation and management of revenues in the natural resources sector.

The organisation accomplishes its objectives through the use of innovative approaches,such as systematic and evidence-based research, knowledge-based public policy discourse, litigation and community capacity building actions in Zimbabwe’s mining sector. Some of the projects being implemented include mining contract and revenue flows monitoring, building the capacity of legislators in the extractive sector, training sessions on community rights, community-based human rights monitoring, coordinating regional and international initiatives on contract and revenue transparency in the mining sector and monitoring the trade of high value minerals.

The organisation has carried out evidence-based research activities that have helped to shape and influence national and regional policy and legal processes in the extractive and natural resources sector. It has also helped to create and establish strong community-based groups in resource rich areas. The scope of work of the organisation requires it to recruit and retain highly skilled individuals who can easily carry out economic and financial analysis of the trends, revenues and contracts in the mining sector.

PLACEMENT BACKGROUND

The potential of the mining sector in Zimbabwe to create and expand economic opportunities is identifiable. The Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio –Economic Transformation (ZIMASSET) is hinged on judicious exploitation of minerals resources for the transformation of the socio-economic fortunes of its many poor citizens. Economic opportunities created by mining, which are also expandable, include jobs, procurement of goods and services, technology transfer, human development, physical infrastructure and tax contribution to both local and national governments. All of these have gender-specific impacts that can either promote or hinder women’s equal participation in the economy and their economic empowerment.

Deliberate efforts by actors such as government, business, industry associations, universities, civil society organisations and grass-root organisations are needed to influence the inclusivity of the mining sector business to improve livelihoods and ameliorate poverty. Within this discourse of leveraging mining for inclusive economic growth and transformative development, focus on poverty reduction must avoid the inherent risk of having gender as a blind spot. Dialogue surrounding the allocation of resources should promote gender-responsive systems of procurement of goods and services, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and community initiatives. As a result, there is a greater chance that all actors and stakeholders fully understand the complex gender dimensions of the extractive industry sector and its relation to other sectors.

THE DW’S ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Cognisant of numerous economic opportunities created by mining, the particular focus of the scope of work for the DW is narrowed to the enhancement of local content development (employment, skills, and technology transfer and enterprise development) for impacted communities through gender lenses, with a particular focus on opportunities for women’s economic empowerment.

The DW will play a leading role in advising the organisation and its partners in developing an extractive industry programme on local content development that promotes the improved participation of women in the provision of goods and services. The DW will be working with the Economic Governance and Gender departments to enhance their capacities on mainstreaming gender in the organisation’s efforts to influence local content development in the extractive sector.

- Specific responsibilities and expected deliverables include:

• Identify and analyse policy, legal and institutional bottlenecks hindering the participation in mining of impacted communities (women and men) and to come up with key policy and institutional reform options for improving their participation and opportunities for women’s economic empowerment and inclusion, by November 2015.

• Map or assess level of participation of impacted communities (women and men; gender disaggregated in terms of type and complexity of activity) in employment and skills development, provision of goods and services to mining and related businesses (downstream, upstream and side stream industries) created by big and small scale mining companies, by December 2015.

• Develop two detailed case studies on actions and experiences by one large scale and one small scale mine to promote the development of local enterprise (women and men, gender-disaggregated), the type of enterprises, support provided, etc in mining impacted communities, by March 2016.

• Capacitate civil society and target communities to identify and tap financial viable business opportunities and on integrating gender perspectives in programming around local enterprise development, by July 2016.

• Offer incubation support to emerging local enterprises (mapping of opportunities, business plans, sourcing of funding, business management, mentorship programmes),ensuring half of these are run and managed by women, May 2016.

In addition, the DWwill work with the community members in various districts and different partner organisation’s stakeholders such as:

• 20 community-based organisations in Zvishavane, Gwanda, Shurugwi, Mhondoro-Ngezi, Mutoko and Marange.

• Publish What You Pay (PWYP) members (10 civil society organisations).

• Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) a faith-based organisation targeting 50 people.

• 100 members from impacted communities (Marange, Mutoko, Mhondoro-Ngezi, Shurugwi, Zvishavane and Gwanda).

-DW Management and counterpart

While the DW will be working with all of the partner organisation’s team members, s/he would be working with a direct counterpart for the sharing of knowledge and skills and mentoring their role for continuity when the DW leaves the programme.

The DW will report directly to the partner’s Director. Overall responsibility for the DW lies with Progressio’sSouthern Africa Sub-Regional Manager.

A tripartite agreement will be established setting out the terms of the placement and partnership between the DW, Progressio Zimbabwe and the partner.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

This section outlines the skills and requirements we seek for this placement, please read it carefully and ensure your application addresses each of these requirements (giving clear examples).

Specification / Essential / Desirable
Education / 1.Master’s degree in Economics, Business Studies, Policy, Marketing, Gender or Development Studies with an extractive industry focus, or in other relevant fields / 21.Background in mining, geological policy and advocacy, environmental, engineering and gender, or relevant fields
Experience / 2.A minimum offive years’ experience working in market analysis, policy advocacy, business development, women’s economic empowerment, or socio-economic surveys, particularly in low-value minerals or closely related sectors or fields
3.Proven experience of mainstreaming gender to enhance inclusive development and a high level of gender awareness
4.Experience in supply chain analysis, especially gemstones and precious metals value chains, and their gendered aspects
5.Previous experience of engaging in high level dialogue with government, mining companies and donors on extractive sector issues / 22.Experience in and knowledge of regional and international NGOs and networks working in the mining sector
Skills and knowledge / 6.Extensive understanding of economic developments in the extractive sector and its differentiated impacts on women and men
7.Proven understanding of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector in Zimbabwe and its gendered aspects
8.Demonstrable ability to use participatory approaches
9.Excellent analytical and writing skills, with an ability to produce high quality analytical reports and policy papers
10.Ability to transfer skills and knowledge through formal or informal training and skill sharing
11.Strong team player with a commitment to team building and a consensus-led approach to work
12.Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including an ability to communicate well with a wide range of people at different levels
13.Maturity and sound political judgement
14.Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to work on own initiative, prioritise, meet deadlines and work with limited support
15.Excellent command of the English language
16.Fluency in Ndebele and/or Shona
17.Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet) / 23.Knowledge of environmental justice and community rights issues
Other / 18.Full employment rights in Zimbabwe
19.Willingness to undertake road travel in Zimbabwe
20.Willingness to travel to rural mining areas / 24.Valid Driving Licence

LOCATION

The Development Worker will be based atthe partnerorganisation’s offices, located in Harare, Zimbabwe.

PROGRESSIO'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS

* Placement

The placement is for one year. There is the possibility for this to be extended by mutual agreement between Progressio, the project partner and the DW. Any extension is dependent on the availability of funding and on performance.

* Reports

All Progressio DWs are required to produce regular reports during their placement. Progressio provides a standard format for reporting. Additionally, the DW will be requested to utilise, and report on, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) means of verification tools/surveys associated with Progressio’s Regular Impact and Capacity Assessment (RICA) monitoring and evaluation framework.

* Holidays

Progressio DWs are entitled to 20 days holiday per year (pro rata), plus public and national holidays as relevant in Zimbabwe. DWs are also entitled to the time required to attend twice yearly meetings of the Progressio Zimbabwe Programme.

* Office hours

Normal working hours in Zimbabwe are from 8am - 5pm, five days per week. The DW must be prepared to be flexible and to work outside of these hours when required. Time off in lieu for overtime worked can be taken with agreement.

* Remuneration

The total remuneration for this placement is a monthly allowance of USD$1811.60per month, which is fixed and non-negotiable (this amount includes the living allowance and the accommodation allowance).

* Accommodation

Accommodation will be in Harare. An accommodation allowance is deposited into the DW’s account alongside their monthly living allowance, and from this they are expected to pay for their own accommodation expenses, including utility bills.

* Travel

Occasional visits to other regions within Zimbabwe may be required.

The living allowance is a monthly lump sum figure and is expected to cover: moderate cost of living in the country of placement; costs associated with dependants whether accompanying or not, and National Insurance/Social Security contributions or other provision for the future which a DW may have in their home country.

* Other benefits include

• Essential household equipment (for non-residents of Zimbabwe).

• Pre-departure grant of GBP £500 (for non-residents of Zimbabwe).

• Progressio pays, and makes the arrangements, for air travel (in economy class) to your country of placement on an agreed date. You will receive a single flight back to your country of permanent residence at the end of your placement (for non-residents of Zimbabwe).

• Voluntary emergency health costs support facility (only for emergencies).

• Travel expenses for Progressio business.

Development Workers with accompanying dependants
Please note that if you bring accompanying dependants with you for the duration of your placement the following provisions are made for them:1)travel costs at the beginning and end of placement (for non-residents of Zimbabwe);2)voluntary emergency health costs support facility (only for emergencies), and3)costs associated with pregnancy. Progressio is able to make these provisions for a maximum of two accompanying dependants.
Progressio does not provide an augmented living allowance for DWs with dependants. If you have dependants, you will receive the same living allowance that is mentioned above, which is non-negotiable.

HOW TO APPLY

It is essential that you complete the application form in full, as very specific information is required and will be used to decide whether or not you will be short-listed for an interview. Please note that CVs/resumes will not be considered.
For further information and an application form, please visit:
Closing date: 6 September Interviews (in Harare): Mid-September
Please return the completed application form to:
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Progressio promotes diversity and equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from people regardless of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, age and religion or belief.

Progressio is the working name of the Catholic Institute for International Relations.

Charity reg. no. 294329.

- August 2015 -

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