Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union

Deadline: 30 April 2021

Location: Harare

Introduction

The Zimbabwe Farmers' Union (ZFU) is the largest farmers’ interest organization in Zimbabwe, and it represents over a million farming households. The Union draws its membership from the following sub sectors; communal, resettlement, small-scale commercial, peri-urban plot holders, emergent and large-scale commercial farmers. The main mandate of ZFU is to promote and advance farmers’ interests and welfare through policy lobby and advocacy, commercialisation of agricultural enterprises and linking farmers to the markets. In addition, ZFU responds to farmers needs through development of demand driven member services.

The Economist is key in fulfilling ZFU Union’s mandate. She/he is the technical advisor to the Union pertaining to national policies, programs and strategies. She/He is a policy analyst, analysing policies and championing engagement with key audiences including Government Ministries and Departments, Parliamentary Portfolio Committees and Local Government entities that can collaborate to champion the Union’s cause. She/He identifies and forges partnerships with key allies in agricultural value chains for a strong and effective advocacy front.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include to: Generate commodity enterprise budget models, cash flows and project proposals for ZFU members and clients; Analyse and provide feedback on national policies, strategies and programs; Conduct policy research/ surveys and develop evidence-based position papers, policy briefs and working papers to inform and influence national policy; Gather, document and analyse national production statistics; Monitor and report on developments under Regional Economic Communities including SADC, COMESA, etc; Analyse how members can benefit from international trade protocols; Initiate stakeholder policy dialogue platforms e.g., agribusiness chamber, farmer forums, CSA advocacy meetings and outreach meetings; Participate in existing policy advocacy platforms e.g., Business Council of Zimbabwe, Market Linkages Association, Livestock Meat and Advisory Council, Horticulture Development Council, etc; Forge partnerships with commodity value chain stakeholders for the benefit of members including negotiating for member discounts for agricultural equipment, inputs and services

Core competencies

Ethics and Values - Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity; Organizational Awareness - Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment; Development and Innovation - Take charge of self-development and take initiative; Work in teams - Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different ethnic backgrounds; Communicating and Information Sharing - Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication; Self-management and Emotional Intelligence - Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behaviour towards others; Conflict Management - Address conflicts proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution; Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing - Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge; Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making - Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Functional competencies

Demonstrated development/programming skills particularly those that are pertinent to the Zimbabwe Farmers Union strategic priorities on gender equality and women’s rights; Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects; Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them for development results; Ability to establish and maintain broad strategic networks and partnerships with private and public entities to promote partnership and build alliances to advance organizational interests and competencies; Ability to advocate and provide policy advice; Demonstrated good oral and written communication skills.

Qualifications

The Applicant should have a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics or related field.