Job Summary
- Type: contract
- Location: Harare
- Category: Community Development
- Closing Date: 2026-09-01
Key Responsibilities
- Training beneficiaries in agribusiness, environmental management, horticulture production, value addition, marketing, market research, Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB), and small livestock production, particularly traditional chickens and goats.
- Monitoring horticulture plots and small livestock production activities.
- Assessing horticulture and small livestock value chains and advising farmers on appropriate and viable market opportunities.
- Facilitating beneficiary identification and selection in collaboration with community structures and local leadership.
- Organising and supporting the implementation of project activities within assigned operational areas.
- Conducting regular field monitoring, assessments, data collection and documentation to support reporting requirements.
- Supporting effective implementation of project activities in line with approved plans and organisational procedures.
- Collecting, documenting and sharing stories of change and other evidence of project impact.
- Engaging and maintaining effective working relationships with district-level stakeholders, including government departments, local authorities, development partners and civil society organisations.
- Preparing timely field reports and providing regular feedback to the supervisor.
- Facilitating networking and collaboration with development partners and other relevant actors at district level.
- Representing ZWB at relevant district meetings, workshops, conferences and stakeholder engagements.
- Organising and facilitating exchange visits for beneficiary groups.
- Facilitating community meetings, trainings, workshops and other project events.
- Supporting field arrangements for project visits, assessments and monitoring activities.
- Supporting the preparation and use of project documents, data collection tools, registers and other implementation materials.
- Following up on complaints and feedback received from beneficiaries and communities and maintaining accurate records.
- Establishing and supporting effective beneficiary follow-up mechanisms.
- Facilitating or supporting training on irrigation scheme management, livestock production and natural resource management.
- Managing and safeguarding project assets, facilities and financial resources entrusted to the field office.
- Supporting proper documentation, accountability and utilisation of resources.
- Supervising and coordinating community volunteers and monitoring progress against agreed project targets.
- Performing any other duties reasonably assigned by the supervisor.
Requirements
- At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture, biodiversity, agroecology, community development, livelihoods programming or a related field.
- Demonstrable experience working directly with smallholder farmers and rural communities .
- Practical experience in horticulture production and small livestock production , particularly traditional chickens and goats.
- Experience in project implementation, field monitoring, data collection and reporting.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement and working with government, private sector and civil society partners.
- Proven ability to ride a motorbike .
- Ability to train adult learners.
- Strong organisational, planning, interpersonal, facilitation and networking skills.
- Ability to build and work within private sector, public sector and civil society partnerships.
- Professionalism, integrity and commitment to the organisation’s mission and values.
- Ability to work effectively and meet deadlines.
How to Apply
About the Company
The Zimbabwe Women's Bureau (ZWB) is a Zimbabwean non-governmental organization (NGO) established in 1978. Founded by black Rhodesian academics, activists, and businesswomen to raise awareness among women, it has evolved into a national organization. Its programs focus on livelihoods, sustainable agriculture, climate change, and social justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications or certifications are typically required for a Field Officer role with the Zimbabwe Women’s Bureau?
A minimum of a Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Community Development, or a related field is usually required. Relevant short courses in gender-based violence response, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), or HIV/AIDS programming—often offered by institutions like UZ, MSU, or ZIMCODD—are highly valued. Prior experience with NGOs or government gender desks in Zimbabwean districts strengthens applications.
What does a typical day look like for a Field Officer based in Gutu?
Daily tasks include facilitating women’s savings groups, conducting community dialogues on gender equality, and supporting local leadership structures like Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and Ward Development Committees. Travel across Gutu’s wards—often by bicycle or public transport—is common, and documentation of activities using ZWB’s standard reporting templates is expected weekly.
How does workplace culture and expectations differ for this role in Zimbabwe compared to international NGOs?
Respect for local hierarchies—such as consulting headmen, chiefs, and church leaders before initiating activities—is essential and deeply embedded in practice. Punctuality is valued, but flexibility around community events, agricultural cycles, and transport delays is expected; rigid office hours are uncommon in rural field roles.
What realistic career progression paths exist for Field Officers within Zimbabwe’s gender and development sector?
With 3–5 years’ experience, officers often progress to Senior Field Officer or District Coordinator roles within ZWB or partner NGOs like WOZA or Musasa Project. Some transition into training roles with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs or pursue further studies supported by scholarships from UN Women Zimbabwe or the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education.
What benefits (leave, medical aid, pension) can I realistically expect in this role?
Most reputable employers offer at least 21 days annual leave, sick leave per the Labour Act, and basic medical aid through schemes like NSSA or private providers such as FBC Health. Pension contributions follow NSSA requirements, though full employer-sponsored pension plans are rare outside larger NGOs or government-linked entities.
How do I apply, and what do Zimbabwean employers specifically look for in candidates for this role?
Applications are usually submitted via email or in person to ZWB’s Harare office or provincial offices, with certified copies of certificates, a CV, and two local referees—preferably from community leaders or past supervisors in Zimbabwe. Employers prioritise demonstrated grassroots engagement in Gutu or similar districts, fluency in Shona, and evidence of navigating cultural norms around women’s participation in community decision-making.