CARE began working in Zimbabwe in 1992 in response to a severe regional drought. After establishing a drought mitigation program, CARE began longer term developmental programs with local partners in building small dams, strengthening local microfinance institutions, and launching projects to assist small businesspersons in the rural areas.

CARE Zimbabwe’s overall goal is to empower disadvantaged and poor households to meet their basic needs. Programs promote sustainable livelihoods of poor and vulnerable people.

The organisation seeks to recruit outstanding candidates who are known for their excellence, professionalism, integrity and who are committed to providing support to vulnerable communities in remote locations of the targeted provinces. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position posted below.

The Assistant Country Director – Programmes (ACD-P) is responsible for ensuring that CARE's programmes in Zimbabwe contribute to CARE's vision and mission. The ACD-P is expected to provide strategic leadership in the areas of programme design and proposal development at the same time as implementation, donor reporting, project budget management, monitoring and evaluation of ongoing activities.

The ACD-P will work to ensure that projects support CARE Zimbabwe's programme approach framework and that project interventions make a significant contribution to the programme strategy to reduce vulnerability to drought/disaster and overcome poverty and social injustice.

The ACD-P is responsible for overseeing the development of new business and funding which support programming in Zimbabwe. S/he manages a team of professionals focused on the design, funding, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of multi-donor, multi-sector programmes that include a broad range of livelihood provisioning, protection and promotion activities, along with emergency preparedness/disaster mitigation interventions. The combined impact of the programmes should effectively address the underlying causes of poverty in line with CARE's Programming Principles. S/he must also ensure that systems and people are in place to ensure the proper management of those projects and programmes.

The ACD-P is responsible for overseeing the development, testing and implementation of new and innovative program approaches appropriate for the context of the Country Office. S/he works closely with and is supported by the programme units at CARE USA and colleagues in Southern Africa, as well as with other interested CARE International members.

The ACD-P is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and as such is responsible for leading and supporting Country Office initiatives. S/he is responsible for (along with the Country Director) maintaining good working relationships with host government officials, donors and other partners. S/he may be required to become Acting CD when the CD is out of the country.

RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Resource Mobilization (60%)

The ACD-P will be responsible for the management of fundraising and coordination of donor engagement this will include networking, updating, and liaising with key local and international donors. S/he will also provide effective coordination for the establishment of proposal development working groups with representatives from key stakeholders within and outside.

• Staff management (5%)

The ACD-P will provide proper supervision and management for all direct reports and lead the establishment and functioning of a strong, effective, and coordinated team.

• Program quality (10%)

Oversee the management and strengthening of the Research and Business development unit, which includes MEAL, Business Development, Gender and Communications functions to ensure high quality development and humanitarian programming.

• Program management and compliance (10%)

Provide support to Project Managers/Team Leaders to ensure that CARE programmes and projects are managed in a manner which achieves stated goals and objectives in line with CARE policies and procedures and donor rules and regulations and demonstrate sound resource management.

• Program strategy (10%)

Contribute to CO wide planning process in support to the CD including the preparation and implementation of the overall CO Programme Strategy, Country Presence reviews and Business Plan.

• Communication and visibility (5%)

Ensure communications material such as human-interest stories are developed and approved for both development and humanitarian programming.

• Master’s degree or higher in development studies or a relevant technical field
• 5 years in senior management position in relief/development field in an international setting
• Demonstrated experience in programme and staff management
• Knowledge and experience with financial management
• Extensive conceptual skills including development of programme strategy
• Advanced writing skills in English
• Demonstrated experience in budget development and programme design (including concept preparation and proposal development), implementation and evaluation
• Experience in successfully managing institutional partnerships with national and international NGOs
• Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with donors and government counterparts