The consultancy will support organisations responding to crises across Africa, with partner trainings focused on organisations in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) .
About the African Women’s Development Fund
AWDF is strengthening its institutional readiness and capacity to engage effectively with humanitarian funding and support feminist and women’s rights organisations responding to crises across Africa.
Women’s rights and feminist organisations are often among the first and most trusted actors responding to crises within their communities.
Their proximity to affected populations, contextual knowledge, relationships of trust and networks of care enable them to provide locally grounded and responsive support.
However, many organisations face barriers to accessing, managing and implementing humanitarian funding.
These include limited humanitarian technical knowledge, complex donor requirements, safeguarding obligations, security and duty-of-care considerations, monitoring, evaluation and learning requirements, and financial management and accountability standards.
AWDF will implement two complementary online training programmes:
– Online humanitarian capacity-strengthening trainings for AWDF partners in Sudan and the DRC
– Online humanitarian capacity-strengthening trainings for AWDF staff
The trainings will cover humanitarian principles, standards, funding requirements, safeguarding, risk management, monitoring and reporting, while ensuring humanitarian action remains grounded in feminist principles including care, dignity, agency, inclusion, accountability, flexibility, local leadership and power shifting.
Job Summary
- Employer: African Women’s Development Fund
- Job Type: Contract
- Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Category: Training and Development
- Closing Date: 2026-10-02
Key Responsibilities
- Strengthen participants’ understanding of humanitarian principles, standards, systems and funding requirements.
- Build participants’ capacity to design, implement, monitor and manage humanitarian and crisis-response interventions.
- Strengthen understanding and application of feminist approaches to humanitarian action and funding.
- Support participants to identify and manage safeguarding, security, duty-of-care and other operational risks.
- Strengthen crisis-sensitive monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting practices.
- Improve participants’ understanding of humanitarian grant-making, financial management, compliance and accountability.
- Promote peer learning, reflection and knowledge exchange.
- Support AWDF staff to develop a shared institutional approach to humanitarian funding and partner accompaniment.
Requirements
- An advanced degree or equivalent professional experience in humanitarian action, international development, women’s rights, organisational development or a related field.
- At least seven years of relevant professional experience in humanitarian programming, humanitarian funding, capacity strengthening or related areas.
- Demonstrated experience designing and delivering online training.
- Demonstrated understanding of feminist, gender-responsive, locally led and community-centred approaches to humanitarian action.
- Strong knowledge of humanitarian principles, standards, systems and funding requirements.
- Bilingual fluency in English. Knowledge of French and/or Arabic will be an advantage.
How to Apply
About the Company
The African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) is a pan-African grantmaking foundation that supports women's rights organisations across the continent, including in Zimbabwe. Established in 2001 and headquartered in Accra, Ghana, AWDF has provided funding to numerous Zimbabwean women's groups working on issues such as economic empowerment, leadership development, and ending gender-based violence. The organisation channels resources directly to local civil society actors in Zimbabwe to advance women's human rights and social justice. AWDF's grantmaking in Zimbabwe forms part of its broader mission to strengthen the capacity of African women-led organisations and amplify their voices in national and regional policy spaces.
Funding women's rights across Africa, including Zimbabwe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications or certifications do I need to become a trainer for online humanitarian capacity strengthening?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in social sciences, development studies, or a related field, plus proven experience in humanitarian work or training delivery. Certifications in adult learning, instructional design, or specific humanitarian standards like Sphere or Core Humanitarian Standard are highly valued. Experience with online learning platforms such as Zoom, Moodle, or Teams is increasingly essential given the remote nature of this role.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of an online humanitarian trainer?
Daily tasks include designing training curricula, facilitating live virtual sessions, assessing participant learning, and providing technical support to learners across Africa. You will also spend time preparing materials, coordinating with program teams, and reporting on training outcomes. Strong internet connectivity and a reliable power backup are critical given Zimbabwe's electricity challenges.
How does local work culture in Zimbabwe affect this remote training role?
Zimbabwean professional culture values relationship-building and respect for hierarchy, so establishing rapport with participants and partner organizations is important even in virtual settings. Punctuality is expected, though flexibility is often shown around connectivity issues common in the country. Self-discipline and proactive communication are essential since remote roles lack the structured oversight of traditional office environments.
What career progression opportunities exist for humanitarian trainers in Zimbabwe?
Trainers typically advance to senior facilitator roles, training coordinator positions, or move into program management and technical advisory capacities. With experience, some transition to consultancy work with international NGOs, UN agencies, or regional bodies like the African Union. Building a strong portfolio of successful trainings and specialized expertise in areas like protection or gender-based violence programming accelerates advancement.
What benefits should I expect or negotiate for this type of position?
Benefits vary significantly between international NGOs, UN agencies, and local organizations, but may include medical aid, pension contributions, and professional development allowances. Remote positions sometimes provide equipment or internet stipends to support online delivery. Always clarify contract type—permanent, fixed-term, or consultancy—as this affects leave entitlements and job security in Zimbabwe's uncertain economic climate.
How do I apply for this role and what do Zimbabwean employers in this sector prioritize?
Applications typically require a detailed CV highlighting training experience, a cover letter demonstrating humanitarian sector knowledge, and evidence of past training deliveries such as reports or participant feedback. Employers prioritize demonstrated experience over formal qualifications alone, so document any volunteer or community-based training work. Networking through platforms like the Humanitarian Information Centre Zimbabwe or attending sector events can reveal unadvertised opportunities.
