Head of Mission – Zimbabwe Full Time

WORK CONTEXT

CESVI is committed to the strategic goal of improving livelihood security for vulnerable families and communities involved in informal and formal economies while increasing the quality of life in human settlements and protecting natural environments. Cesvi has been working in Zimbabwe since 1998, CESVI Zimbabwe’s strategy focuses on boosting entrepreneurship, especially in agricultural and green sectors, by strengthening institutional and business development capability of micro- and small enterprises, group of farmers and their market linkages .

Projects currently ongoing are funded by EU and IKI and an AICS funded project is going to start in a month time. The EU project The objective of this EU-funded project “Improvement of the environmentally sustainable land use for community livelihood “is to contribute to the resilience building of the communities, to support (i) community-based conservation and environmental protection, (ii) implementation of priority community developments which enhance social, livelihood, and ecological resilience and prosperity of beneficiary communities. With the IKI project XESVI plays a key role in Zimbabwe by supporting community-based adaptation (CBA) to climate change. CESVI facilitates access to climate information through Participatory Scenario Planning (PSP), involving communities, local leaders, and climate experts in seasonal risk analysis and action planning. It also supports the development and implementation of Community Adaptation Action Plans (CAAPs), helping communities take informed decisions for climate-resilient livelihoods. Support is provided through training, technical inputs, partnerships with local actors, integration of CAAPs into local development plans, and facilitation of access to future climate financing. CESVI’s approach strengthens local ownership, promotes inclusive planning, and builds long-term resilience. The AICS project in Chiredzi and Bikita aims to boost the sustainable economic growth of agro-sylvo-pastoralist supply chains. It promotes climate-smart practices such as solar-powered irrigation, goat farming, and agroforestry—sectors where women play a key role. The project also supports environmental protection through community engagement in agroforestry, natural regeneration, and fire prevention. Additionally, it encourages women, youth, and local actors to co-develop sustainable land use plans, fostering better environmental governance.

Finally the House of Smiles, opened in 2004 in Harare, provides psychosocial support, hygiene services, basic healthcare, and daily meals. It offers educational and recreational activities, including school support (fees, uniforms, books), vocational training, start-up kits for income-generating projects, job placement assistance, and craft and tailoring courses. The centre also works on family tracing and reunification, as well as identifying foster families, in collaboration with the Department of Social Development to ensure children are placed in safe environments, especially where government structures need reinforcement.

JOB DESCRIPTION
The collaboration will start the 15 of July 2025. 12 months contract renewable

The Head of Mission will be based in Harare with frequent travel to the projects’ areas.

The Head of Mission (HoM) will work under the supervision of the Regional Manager (RM) and the regional team based in Nairobi (Kenya) and in collaboration with the Area Administrative Coordinator (AAC) based in Bergamo (Italy) and the national Project Managers (PMs).

As Head of Mission s/he will be in charge of the overall management of the mission and Lead in the definition and development of the Country Programme strategy.

In further detail:

Coordination and overall supervision of Country’s programmes and procedures:

• Oversee projects and provide support to staff to ensure timely achievement of objectives, adherence to deadlines, and efficient use of resources.
• Monitor both technical and administrative activities in coordination with the Regional Office and the Field Operations Department in HQ, following the established timeline.
• Conduct regular field visits, document observations, and meet with staff to assess project implementation, identify issues, and develop solutions.
• Coordinate staff to ensure timely submission of activity and implementation reports for ongoing and new projects, as well as financial reports to donors, in collaboration with the AAC and Regional Office.
• With the support of Field Operations Department in HQ, supervise the administration and application of CESVI’s internal procedures within the country.
• Work closely with the Administrative Team to verify project accounting, expenses and planning and project cashflow.

Management of CESVI offices, goods, documentation and procurement:

• Ensure efficient supervision and operation of CESVI offices.
• Oversee the management and safeguarding of assets and goods.
• Manage procurement procedures in collaboration with the Regional Office, the HQ and the Administrative Team.
• Supervise the proper filing, archiving, and conservation of project documentation.
• Oversee and coordinate the potential opening of new offices, in collaboration with the Regional Office, to support operations in the country.
• Supervise the monitoring and organization of field operational offices, working with Project Managers and Administrators to ensure their smooth operation.
• Ensure compliance with CESVI’s internal procedures within the country.

Human Resources management:

• Oversee all local human resources in relation to contracts, ensuring operations comply with local employment laws, including NGO regulations, tax laws, health and safety, insurance, and other relevant legislation. Conduct regular meetings with staff to assess activity implementation, identify challenges, and develop solutions.
• Ensure the consistent application of CESVI’s HR policies, terms, and conditions.
• Organize and supervise capacity-building initiatives and staff development programs in collaboration with the Project Managers and the Regional Office.
• Participate in the final stages of recruitment for both expatriate and national staff, when necessary.
• Provide training and information to local staff on key policies, including CESVI’s Human Resources Policy, Staff Code of Conduct, the Code of Conduct of the host country (if applicable), Safeguarding Policies, Anti-Corruption and Fraud Policies, CESVI’s Ethical Code, and conflict resolution and complaints management procedures.

·Leadership in Defining and Developing the Country Programme Strategy:

• Contribute to the development of the Country Strategy Paper in collaboration with the RM and the Grant and Programming Department in HQ.
• Identify key intervention sectors, areas, and needs in the country in coordination with the Regional Office and in collaboration with the Project Managers.
• Regularly update the Country Strategy Paper and implement related recommendations, in coordination with the RM and Project Managers.
• Ensure adherence to the Country Strategic Plan.
• Keep the Regional Office and the HQ regularly informed about any risks related to the implementation of the country strategy or the need for strategic revisions.
• Collaborate with the Regional Office and the Grant and Programming Department in HQ to develop new programme initiatives, while guiding ongoing emergency operations towards an integrated long- and medium-term regional program.
• Support the evaluation of activities in the country, facilitating the capitalization and dissemination of achievements and best practices within CESVI.

Coordination and representation with stakeholders

• Manage and coordinate relations with local and international partners, particularly with Alliance 2015 members in the country;
• Participate in networking meetings on behalf of CESVI;
• Promote and organize meeting with donors, institutions, NGOs, local government and international agencies, in close collaboration with the Project Managers.

Writing and submitting new proposals, donors’ acquisition

• In collaboration with the Grant and Programming Department in HQ and the Regional Office,monitor calls for proposals relevant to the Country.
• Liaise with potential donors, and collaborate with the Regional team, the Grant and Programming Department in HQ and Project/Program Managers to write and submit new proposals.
• Build and maintain donor relationships by promoting CESVI’s programs through active participation in forums and workshops, as well as organizing ad hoc meetings.
• Develop new project proposals aligned with CESVI’s areas of expertise, in close cooperation with the HQ, regional team, the country team and based on assessments at the national or regional level.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• University degree Project management, International Affairs, Development, International Political Economy or other relevant fields.
• Experience in the Food Security Sector and in Climate Smart Agriculture initiatives.
• Strong background in DRR and preparedness, anticipatory action and humanitarian assistance is a strong asset.
• Minimum 7 years senior leadership experience in international development or humanitarian work, preferably in East Africa and with INGOs.
• Proven ability to lead strategy development and execution in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Good knowledge of main donors’ regulations (EU, ECHO, UN system, AICS – Italian Agency for Development Cooperation).
• Proven success in mobilizing significant resources from institutional donors, private sector, and other non-traditional donors.
• Experience cultivating partnerships with government agencies, partners, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Flexible and with a proactive attitude in problem solving.
• Strategic thinking and innovation.
• Self-motivated, able to take initiative, resilient and able to work independently.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively.
• Highly result oriented with the ability to manage workload and stress.
• Computer literacy, particularly in Microsoft Office Programs (Outlook, Excel, TEAMS, etc.) as well accounting packages & other database competencies.
• Advanced knowledge of English written and spoken

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Prior working experience in East Africa.
• Strong background in DRR and preparedness, anticipatory action and humanitarian assistance is a strong asset.
• Working knowledge and experience in Zimbabwe.
• Capacity building and training skills.
• Knowledge of Italian written and spoken.

SAFEGUARDING

CESVI has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a child or a vulnerable adult by any of our staff, related people or partners.

CESVI commitment to being a safe organization begins with the staff recruitment process which includes meticulous checks, such as criminal records check or check disclosure of previous convictions, to ensure children and vulnerable people are safeguarded and abuse is prevented. Safeguarding checks are part of the selection process performance.

HEALTH SAFEGUARDING

CESVI pays particular attention to safeguarding the health of all the human resources of the Organisation. Therefore, in order to protect its staff, an assessment of their suitability for the position in each mission is carried out before departure. Such assessment is done by the Occupational Doctor of the Organisation, who will also examine the vaccination coverage.

SALARY PACKAGE

Contract duration: 12 months, with possible extension

Salary: €3700 – €4500 monthly/gross

House allowance: €350 monthly

Insurance coverage

1 round-trip flight every 12 months

Tagged as: CESVI - Cooperazione e Sviluppo Onlus, Zimbabwe