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CareersNews
14 Apr 2022

Programme Coordinator : Economic and Development Policy

Opportunity type: Employment
Contract type: Fixed term employment up to 31 March 2024

The Southern Africa Trust was established in 2005, to support civil society organisations in Southern Africa to participate effectively and with credibility in policy dialogue so that the voices of the poor can have better impact in the development of public policies. Our mandate is to work on a non-profit basis, to engage in activities that contribute to the reduction of poverty & inequality. In delivering this mandate, we strive to strengthen the voices of poor people in public policy processes. Africans deserve an economy that allows each person to lead a dignified and meaningful life. We believe inclusive economies are critical for reducing poverty and inequality and unlocking the potential of regional integration to generate jobs, drive innovation, protect the environment and generate economic opportunities for all.

The Southern Africa Trust seeks to recruit a Programme Coordinator: Economic and Development Policy

Purpose

The main purpose of this role is to drive the implementation of the Southern Africa Trust programme on Economic and Development Policy (EDP). The Coordinator will lead in conceptualisation of our EDP advocacy agenda and implement related projects. The position holder will undertake policy research, track and analyse emerging policy issues in major decision-making spaces i.e regional economic communities SADC, COMESA and national level.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Building stakeholder relations and analysis among policy makers, private sector entities and civil society groups.
  • Providing updates on policy-related developments and support civil society to develop advocacy plans
  • Organizing and facilitating multi-stakeholder policy dialogue events on key policy issues as they emerge and aligned to the Southern Africa Trust strategy
  • Building civic capacity of the region on relevant policy development, shaping the mobilisation engagement agenda and strategy for citizens groups
  • Supporting platform building, monitoring outreach interventions carried out in southern Africa
  • Coordinating and developing a sustained practice of multi-stakeholder policy engagement between civil society organizations, businesses, government, donors and other interest groups in Southern Africa

Competency profile:

The candidate must hold a relevant Master’s Degree in economics, law, development studies, social sciences. 5 – 8 years in development sector, engagement with Regional Economic Communities i.e SADC. COMESA. Knowledge of Economic and Development Policy, policy research, programme implementation and knowledge management. Demonstrated ability in managing stakeholders, developing partnerships and resource mobilisation. Must have project management, problem solving and analysis skills. Excellent presentation, written and verbal communication skills, experience in the NGO sector.

Please forward your curriculum vitae and covering letter explaining of your interest in the work of the Trust to email recruitment@southernafricatrust.org

Please include the full position title you are applying for in the email subject line.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The Southern Africa Trust is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants must be in possession of the appropriate and valid rights to work in South Africa.

The Southern Africa Trust reserves the right to modify this job advert or not to make an appointment.

Opportunity Closing Date: 5th May 2022

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

By info@southernafricatrust.org
CareersNews
14 Apr 2022

Programme Coordinator: Gender Justice

Opportunity type: Employment
Contract type:  Fixed term employment up to 31 March 2024

The Southern Africa Trust was established in 2005, to support civil society organisations in Southern Africa to participate effectively and with credibility in policy dialogue so that the voices of the poor can have better impact in the development of public policies. Our mandate is to work on a non-profit basis, to engage in activities that contribute to the reduction of poverty & inequality. In delivering this mandate, we strive to strengthen the voices of poor people in public policy processes. Africans deserve an economy that allows each person to lead a dignified and meaningful life. We believe inclusive economies are critical for reducing poverty and inequality and unlocking the potential of regional integration to generate jobs, drive innovation, protect the environment and generate economic opportunities for all. The Trust in 2022 to 2024 plans to purposeful engage with gender justice for women’s empowerment focusing on mainstreaming gender across the organisation and its programme.

The Southern Africa Trust seeks to recruit  Programme Coordinator: Gender Justice

Purpose

The main purpose of this role is to provide programmatic and technical support across the Southern Africa Trust work in implementing gender mainstreaming and gender responsive approaches in our thematic focus areas. The coordinator will also advise and develop  women empowerment initiatives and advance gender equality in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Coordinate the Gender Justice Programme portfolio

  • Provide strategic and technical support to the Southern Africa Trust for mainstreaming gender across the organisation and its programmes
  • Gender responsive project development, coordination and implementation
  • support and coordinate the development of policy research; and the tracking and analyzing of emerging policy matters
  • Organizing and facilitating multi-stakeholder policy dialogue events on key gender policy issues as they emerge from the Trust’s programme areas
  • Identify, initiate and maintain stakeholder relations that are critical for advancing gender justice at a national, continental and international level.
  • Cultivates collaborations on gender issues, identifying project opportunities, advising or designing projects,
  • Provide technical support to the development of partnerships and resource mobilization strategies
  • Research, develop and manage knowledge products and tools on gender themes i.e. gender-based violence, gender responsive strategies and sustainable development
  • Develops the Trust’s gender analysis, learning and strategies for multi-stakeholder approaches to policy development in close cooperation with other programme areas of the Trust
  • Providing support  in advocacy campaigns by engaging the media to gain exposure and credibility
  • Monitor the implementation of activities and the expenditure of funds by partners and conduct regular monitoring visits

Competency profile:

The candidate must hold a  relevant Master’s Degree in gender studies, development studies or social sciences.  with 4 – 8 years  experience in the advocacy space. Knowledge and working experience with Gender Justice approaches, policy research, programme implementation and  policy analysis and knowledge management. Demonstrated ability in managing stakeholders, developing partnerships and resource mobilisation. Must have project management, problem solving and analysis skills. Excellent presentation, written and verbal communication skills, experience in the NGO sector.

Please forward your curriculum vitae and covering letter explaining of your interest in the work of the Trust to email recruitment@southernafricatrust.org.

Please include the full position title you are applying for in the email subject line.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The Southern Africa Trust is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants must be in possession of the appropriate and valid rights to work in South Africa.

 The Southern Africa Trust reserves the right to modify this job advert or not to make an appointment.

Opportunity Closing Date:  5 May 2022
Location:  Johannesburg, South Africa

By info@southernafricatrust.org
CareersNews
14 Apr 2022

Chief Executive Officer

Three-year fixed-term contract

The Southern Africa Trust was established in 2005, to support civil society organisations in Southern Africa to participate effectively and with credibility in policy dialogue so that the voices of the poor can have a better impact on the development of public policies. Our mandate is to work on a non-profit basis, to engage in activities that contribute to the reduction of poverty & inequality. To learn more about our organisation and our mandate go to: https://www.southernafricatrust.org/

Based in Johannesburg, the Board is looking to appoint an exceptional individual to contribute to our exciting agenda at a time of unprecedented challenge and opportunity for the region and sector. The individual must demonstrate a track record of achievement in leading an organisation, with the confidence and capability to challenge and inject vibrancy and strategic thinking at the executive level. The candidate is expected to fully subscribe to the Southern Africa Trust values and principles and be prepared to be part of a team that will drive the Trust’s sustainability.

The CEO will lead the Trust providing strategic leadership and direction, detailing the short and long-term strategic objectives to deliver on the mandate of the organisation. The position will:

  • lead and oversee resource mobilisation for the Trust;
  • manage key stakeholders;
  • provide strategic risk management and governance oversight;
  • be accountable for all functions and oversee a profit-making entity for organisational
  • sustainability;
  • influence and profile the Trust as a recognised, sustainable and preferred strategic
  • partner by all its stakeholders.

We are looking for a candidate who is an established leader with experience in international organisations, solid resource mobilisation experience, knowledge of the SADC region’s social, political, environment and economic context, people and diversity management, sound understanding of poverty challenges and human rights development, civil society with grassroots groups and networks. Must have a relevant Master’s degree with 10 years of relevant experience, at least 5 years at an Executive Management level.

The Southern Africa Trust is an organisation that promotes inclusivity and particularly encourages young people and women to be part of the team. Please forward your curriculum vitae and covering letter explaining your interest in the work of the Trust to email recruitment@southernafricatrust.org. Please include the full position title you are applying for in the email subject line. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

The Southern Africa Trust reserves the right to modify this job advert or not to make an appointment. Closing date: 30 April 2022.

By info@southernafricatrust.org
News
12 Jan 2022

Advancing Climate Justice Accountable Natural Resources Governance in Southern Africa

The Southern Africa Trust invites applications for grants to commission research, convene stakeholder or policy dialogues and build capacity to strengthen alliances and coalitions to advance climate justice and accountable natural resource governance in southern Africa. The Trust supports civil society organisations and marginalised groups through building regional networks and promoting interconnections to fight poverty and inequality in the region. Organisations from grassroot levels, movements, civil society groups, alliances and coalitions focusing on climate justice and natural resource governance in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa and Malawi may apply. Applications close at midnight CAT on 4th February 2022. For any queries, please contact grants@southernafricatrust.org. To read the full concept note, click here.
Apply for Grant
By info@southernafricatrust.org
News
16 Dec 2021

SADC member states urged to increase funding towards social-protection

The Southern Africa multi-stakeholder regional dialogue has today opened in Johannesburg, South Africa with a call for governments to devise ways of mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the marginalized. Opening the meeting, Southern Africa Trust programme coordinator on economic policy development programmes Shamiso Chigorimbo said the meeting aims to discuss the potential long-term effects of Covid-19 on the key economic activities, discuss key policy issues in relation to the recovery among others.

Chigorimbo: Finds ways to mitigate impact of Covid-19

Making his presentation, Gabriel Pollen from the University of Zambia cited the need for governments to increase funding towards social protection initiatives to mitigate challenges faced by the poor community exacerbated by the pandemic. Pollen further called for the need to formulate coordinated policies particularly on trade and the transport sector to ensure the continuation of cross-border trade even during a pandemic. 

Southern Africa People’s Solidarity Network regional coordinating committee member, Joy Mabenge, called on SADC member states to increase funding in the health sector and adhere to the Abuja declaration where leaders pledged to commit 15 percent of the national budget to the health sector. About 30 representatives from various sectors and organizations from Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and beyond are attending the two-day conference taking place under the theme” ‘Are we building back better towards an economic recovery?’

By info@southernafricatrust.org
Gender Justice
3 Dec 2021

Upholding democracy, human rights and conservation

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By info@southernafricatrust.org
News
15 Nov 2021

How can agroecology deliver climate justice in Africa? A farmer’s perspective

By info@southernafricatrust.org
News
15 Nov 2021

Vaccine hesitancy in SADC worries policymakers

 

Delegates to the southern Africa multi-stakeholder regional dialogue have expressed worry over Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy among citizens in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, saying the trend will likely derail economic recovery in the region.

The experts made the call on Tuesday in Johannesburg, South Africa at the end of a multi-stakeholder regional dialogue.

There has been a low uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine in SADC members States, including Malawi with latest statistics showing that 933 856 have received at least one dose while 540 186 have been fully vaccinated, representing 4.9 and 2.8 percent, respectively.

Caption: Gondo: We looked at various issues affecting young people.

In Mozambique, 6.5 percent of the targeted population has been vaccinated while in Tanzania only 1.5 percent of the population has been vaccinated. Zambia is at 1.7 percent while South Africa is at 20 percent. However, Seychelles is leading Africa with 81 percent.

Southern Africa Trust (SAT) programme coordinator on economic policy development, Shamiso Chigorimbo, said the problem of vaccine hesitancy requires urgent attention, calling for more awareness in all sectors to ensure that more people get vaccinated and that the region reaches herd immunity.

She said: “Among the issues that came out is vaccine hesitancy, we want to work together and see what policies can be implemented to address this challenge if we are to defeat the virus and get back to normal.”

Southern Africa Youth Forum regional coordinator Misheck Gondo described the conference as a co-creation of ideas which allowed stakeholders to enhanced strategies on how best they can rectify some of the common challenges facing the region.

He said: “We looked at various issues affecting young people in the region and we clustered them within the economic, technological, social and political groups. “

 Malawi targets to vaccinate 60 percent of the population or 11 million to reach herd immunity.

In September this year, the country failed to vaccinate 1.1 million to reach the 10 percent target since the vaccination campaign began in March.

Commenting recently on the vaccine uptake, Physicians Assistants Union of Malawi president Solomon Chomba said Covid-19 vaccines have, so far, proved effective and are providing a clear roadmap for economic recovery.

But he warned that if Malawians continue to shun the jab, the country risks being seriously hit by another wave by December this year.

About 30 representatives from various sectors and organizations from SADC attended the two-day conference, which was held under the theme, Are we Building Back Better Towards Economic Recovery?

The participants, among other issues, discussed common challenges facing the region such cross-border challenges, food insecurity and lack of social protection to the vulnerable people

By info@southernafricatrust.org
News
15 Nov 2021

Women in the informal Economy Key Discussion

Introduction

When news about the COVID-19 first broke in December 2019, many countries in the world particularly, African countries did not give it much thought because of the fact that the first cases were recorded in Wuhan China. Which was far away from the shores of the African continent for many this was going to be a virus that would come and go just as many others such the first Severe Acute Respiratory condition (SARs) fever that broke out in the past. Covid-19 as a news item got very little attention and if at all, anything about it was reported it would be a very small component in our foreign news segment. In January 2020 the world health organization WHO declared the COVID- 19 a global health emergency because at this point, the covid-19 infection rate was on the sharp rise and this meant that countries across the globe would have to brace themselves for an unprecedentedly devastating global pandemic yet.

The first two cases of the covid-19 in Zambia were first reported on 18th March 2020, this was just but the beginning of a long hard fight against a pandemic that would bring the whole globe to a standstill and nothing would prepare the country for what was going happen. The pandemic has had adverse effects not only on the health sector of the country but also on the socio-economic sector of the country. With western countries such as the United States of America and United Kingdom putting in interventions such as total lock downs coupled with the Covid-19 preventive protocols, African countries such as Zambia were not only trying to come to terms with this harsh reality about the existence but the government hard to deal with the following challenges;

  • A good number of people, many in the middle to low income bracket believed that covid-19 was a virus that only affected white people and so not much seriousness attached to it and this consequently led to failure of adhering to the prevention guidelines.
  • The other challenge the government faced was whether to impose a lock down in order to protect the wide spread of covid-19 but this on the other hand meant people would face a bigger problem of starvation. Owing to the fact that majority of the population are in the informal economy and about over 50% are women who live from hand to mouth and have dependents to take care of. Imposing a lock down was going to be more disastrous than the pandemic so government put in place such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently, observing social distancing in a bid to control the spread of the virus but also allow people to go out and conduct business under the new normal.
  • The closure of public places like restaurants, bars, schools and the ban of social gatherings such as weddings and parties, was yet another move that had an adverse effect on the Small Medium Enterprises (SME’s) who would cash in on these events, this consequently led to close of business and loss of jobs for many especially the youth.
  • There was a sharp rise in mental health issues in many people who could not deal with the fact that they either lost a job or closed business and so there was need to address this issue as quickly as possible. The media has been in the forefront to address the issue that has come because of covid-19.
  • The closure of borders and the imposition of travel bans was yet another challenge that came as a result of the covid-19, this had an effect on the cross borders who used to travel to places like south Africa to buy goods for resell and on the other hand commodity prices increased due to low supply. The closure of borders further crumbled the economy because there was no longer an influx of tourists in the country, which then meant that there was going to be a shortage of the much-needed foreign exchange. To curb this government through the ministry of tourism working with different media houses has been encouraging the locals to visit tourists’ sights as a way of boosting the tourism sector.
  • While places like the United States of America and other European countries have been able to vaccinate almost 90% of their population, countries such as Zambia have had to deal with the fact that many people have refused to take the vaccine citing various reason. That include the western world’s plot to wipe out the black race and many other conspiracy theories, still others have blatantly refused to be vaccinated. As far as they know covid-19 does not exist and so this has made it extremely difficult for the government to reach its target of vaccinating over 30% of the targeted 8,000,000 by December 2021, as it stands only 5% of that number have been vaccinated.

 Opportunities

As much as the covid-19 has had a serious effect on the health and socio-economic status of the country, it also has presented many people with opportunities to be able to think outside the box by coming up with innovative ways of doing business such as the following;

  • With government making wearing masks during the pandemic mandatory, many women started making cloth masks for resell to individuals and institutions.
  • Many companies and individuals had to start manufacturing sanitizers and hygiene products to help champion hand washing, which ultimately led to job creation for some.
  • Business owners started to make use of the digital space to be able to sell their goods and services.
  • With a lot of public places such as restaurants and bars being closed, we, saw the birth of courier services in Zambia like never before.
  • The other positive that has come as a result of the pandemic is that we have seen a multi-sectoral approach in the fight against the covid-19. There has never been a time when different stakeholders have together as much as they have come out to fight covid-19.
  • Government together and other civil society organization have been able to give covid-19 relief to families most affected, though many say they have not received this relief support.
  • The government has been on top of things through the Ministry of Health in ensuring that the country is updated on the evolution of the covid-19 in the country.

The Role of the media.

As the cases of the covid-19 across the globe escalated, with the death toll in Europe, America and South Africa which happens to be very close to Zambia began to sky- rocket there was need for the media to position itself as a key stakeholder in the fight against covid-19 by ensuring that we did the following;

  • Cover stories of how covid-19 was evolving either at home or abroad.
  • Keep the nation abreast with the information about covid-19 as received by the ministry of health.
  • Ensure that we are present at every media briefing by the ministry of health and other stakeholders so that we can effectively disseminate information to the public.
  • We have done our best to ensure that we cover stories about government and other non-governmental organizations efforts to offer relief to the most affected families.
  • We have also been able to cover stories of people who have been worst hit by the pandemic economically, with the hope of getting the policy makers attention and in the end hope; we can be able to see these people receive the much-needed support.
  • Working with the government of the republic of Zambia through the ministry of Health along with other stakeholders such as the Zambian National Public Institute (ZNPHI), Centre for Disease Control CDC Zambia. The media has taken a leading role in informing the public on first the existence of COVID-19. The dangers of it and how to prevent possible exposure by interviewing different experts in the medical field to come and talk about the seriousness of covid-19, how far they have come with the discovery of a cure or vaccine. This has yielded some results because many people will believe a Doctor or medical practitioner seeing that they are qualified to speak on the subject.
  • Among many other interventions we have come up with deliberate programs such as the breakfast shows were, we give the covid-19 daily status update as we receive them from the ministry of health, this is because of the fact that when people hear about something consistently it begins to sink in and becomes a part of them. In doing, this we hope that the public will in the end acknowledge and accept the fact that covid-19 is real. That the vaccine has potential to protect them and their loved one from possible risk of infection and that the vaccine is a huge step in the right direction to economic recovery.

Summary

The COVID-19 global pandemic has had such a negative impact on nations across the globe, despite the fact that most African countries have not experienced very large numbers. In terms of infection and mortality. African countries such as Zambia have been hit economically because of its geographical position of being a landlocked country.  Zambia depends on other countries for imports and the covid-19 has put pressure on the country’s economy. As the world has started to open up, the media becomes key in ensuring that the public is kept abreast with what government policies being put in place to foster economic recovery on the other hand. The media has to position itself to reporting more on issues that affect the public in order to help government make policies that will result in the restoration and recovery of the economy.

By info@southernafricatrust.org
News
29 Apr 2021

Challenging weakening food system caused by COVID19

When one has had a chance to visit the rural areas or villages, you would without effort notice that farming is the main economic activity for many dwellers. In Malawi alone, though characterized by low levels of input and low output levels, small-scale farmers cultivate about 4.5 million hectares of land. With the capacity to produce and ultimately feed the nation, the effects of the COVID19 pandemic has resulted in the drastic weakening of the food system, the estimated 2 million farming families have been excluded from the agri-economy of Malawi.

With the new reality of the pandemic, the smallholder farmers have faced an exacerbation of pre-existing challenges which range from lack of access to land, limited access to credit facilities to purchase equipment, and having little knowledge about advanced technologies and tools that can assist them adapt to climate change and improve agricultural production. This is why the Southern Africa Trust (the Trust) has designed a series of interventions tailored specifically working with farmers associations to facilitate dialogues that help the efforts of governments in the southern Africa region in uplifting the plight of smallholder farmers. This is one way in which the organisation is fulfilling its mandate of uplifting the living realities of the marginalised and vulnerable people across the 16 SADC countries.

To fulfil its work, the Trust is collaborating with numerous civil society technologies and increase input, something which assures increased returns in terms of harvest.

Through the commissioning of extensive research, the Southern Africa Trust has developed a series of policy briefs which have been published and made available to policy makers across SADC governance structures. One such research was commissioned in 2020 in response to the observed impact of the pandemic, was titled “Accelerating the Goal of Food Security For all in SADC by 2025”. In researching for this policy brief, the study found that land should be considered as a key resource for agricultural production recommending for the implementation of fiscal policies that reduce inequalities in the distribution of assets and incomes, so that the benefits of growth are used for the wellbeing of all communities.

Phiri believes African women smallholder farmers can achieve increased agricultural production with the right investment and policies.  The success of the smallholder farmers will eventually result in significant benefits to families, communities and African countries. Writing about women farmers recently, Policy and Programmes Manager for the Trust, Christabel Phiri, called for increased support to farmer’s union and associations. She remarks, “Women farmers who are members of cooperatives or farmers’ unions and associations continue to express satisfaction with some of the benefits of belonging to these platforms. As members of these associations, women farmers have access to farm inputs like certified seed, capacity building skills, marketing information and sometimes ready markets for their produce.”

The long term recovery from the effects of the pandemic in Malawi reply heavily on the production capacity of smallholder farmers. National food security, cross border trade activity, migration employment and stimulus to day to day economy will be much the weaker with a weakened farming sector. The implementation and support of policy recommendations will enable an upswing as Malawians work together to build back better.

By info@southernafricatrust.org