Programme Coordinator - THRIVE Zimbabwe

As part of the implementation of its new
programme entitled "THRIVE Zimbabwe Programme : Transforming Horticulture
for Resilient, Inclusive & Value -driven Exports" COLEAD is looking for a Programme Coordinator.

The specific objective of this new intervention
is to build and secure the capacity of horticulture farmer groups/cooperatives
and MSMEs to comply with stringent quality and safety standards in order to
access regional and international export markets.

The Programme Coordinator will be based in Harare (Zimbabwe) and
will work closely with COLEAD's programme management units in Nairobi (Kenya),
Brussels (Belgium) and Lomé (Togo).

As Programme Coordinator, you will be responsible for the smooth,
timely and effective coordination of programme activities, translating the
programme strategy into operational workplans, monitoring implementation
progress, anticipating risks and bottlenecks and facilitating coordination
between COLEAD teams, Zimbabwean stakeholders and institutional partners. More
specifically, the Programme Coordinator will be expected to
(non -exhaustive list):

• Lead the
  day -to -day coordination and operational follow -up of programme implementation,
  ensuring that activities are planned, sequenced, delivered and monitored
  effectively in close collaboration with COLEAD’s technical departments, in
  particular Technical Assistance and Training departments.
  
• Provide
  strategic and operational oversight of the programme workplan, identifying
  priorities, interdependencies, implementation risks and bottlenecks, and
  proactively proposing corrective measures where needed, in close coordination
  with COLEAD management.
  
• Coordinate the preparation,
  execution, monitoring and reporting of the annual and periodic workplans,
  including monitoring of the logical framework, operational performance
  indicators, milestones, risks and deliverables.
  
• Ensure the timely and quality completion
  of programme outputs by actively coordinating inputs from COLEAD’s different
  implementation units, consultants, experts, partners, and beneficiary
  organisations.
  
• Supervise
  the design, implementation, and follow -up of individual development projects
  for partner -beneficiaries across the private, public, and support services
  sectors, in accordance with COLEAD procedures and in close coordination with
  COLEAD’s Technical Assistance Department.
  
• Ensure
  structured follow -up of decisions, action points and commitments arising from
  internal coordination meetings, stakeholder consultations, missions, steering
  mechanisms and partner exchanges.
  
• Contribute to the preparation for
  the expenditure verification procedure(s) and implementation of potential
  recommendations – where appropriate, in close collaboration with COLEAD Finance
  and Administration Lead.
  
• Lead relationship -building efforts
  with Zimbabwean stakeholders, including competent authorities, private sector
  actors, professional organisations, and academia, among others.
  
• Represent the programme and COLEAD at national
  and regional technical,
  policy and institutional events,
  workshops, and forums, where deemed necessary.
  
• Ensure continuous liaison with
  institutional partners, notably the EU Delegation, relevant Zimbabwean
  ministries, and development partners, as well as sector associations such as
  the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) and ZimTrade.
  
• Coordinate with third -party projects
  and programmes operating in similar thematic or geographic areas, with a view
  to building synergies, avoiding duplication and leveraging complementary
  support.
  
• Contribute to information -sharing, visibility
  and communication activities in coordination with COLEAD’s communication team,
  ensuring alignment with EU Delegation expectations and EU communication and
  visibility guidelines. 
  

This list of responsibilities is non -exhaustive
and may be adapted in line with the operational needs and strategic priorities
of the programme’s implementation context.

Requirements

• Higher education degree in a
  relevant scientific or technical field (e.g., agronomy, agricultural sciences,
  environmental science and technology, economics, management, project
  management, or a related discipline).
  
• At least
  ten (10) years of professional experience in Zimbabwe’s horticulture or
  agri -food sector, including substantial experience in managing or coordinating
  complex projects or programmes involving multiple stakeholders, technical
  workstreams, budgets, reporting requirements and institutional partners.
  
• Demonstrated
  experience in work planning, results -based management, monitoring of
  indicators, risk management, reporting and coordination of multidisciplinary
  teams or experts.
  
• Established
  working relationships with key public and private stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s
  horticulture sector, including government institutions, sector associations,
  exporters, farmer organisations, service providers and/or development partners.
  
• Strong
  understanding of agri -food value chains, from production to processing and
  distribution, with a particular focus on export -oriented markets.
  
• Proven experience in enhancing the
  competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of agricultural systems,
  including compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, public and
  private standards, and environmental and social safeguards.
  
• Demonstrated expertise in one or
  more of the following areas: business and human resources management, plant
  health, food safety, or regulatory compliance.
  
• Prior experience in international
  cooperation or multicultural environments, including collaboration with
  international teams, remote coordination and engagement with institutional
  partners.
  
• Fluency in English is required.
  Proficiency in other Zimbabwean languages (Shona, Ndebele) and other COLEAD
  working languages (French, Spanish, or Portuguese) are considered an asset.
   

• Strong programme and project
  management skills, including the ability to translate strategic objectives into
  operational plans, prioritise activities, monitor progress, manage deadlines,
  follow up on action points, and coordinate multiple workstreams simultaneously.
  
• Proven ability to anticipate
  implementation risks, identify bottlenecks, propose practical solutions and
  escalate issues appropriately when decisions or additional support are
  required.
  
• High level of autonomy, proactivity
  and ownership, with the ability to move tasks forward independently, seek
  relevant information, engage stakeholders constructively and maintain momentum
  across teams and partners.
  
• Proven leadership and coordination
  skills, with the ability to foster collaboration and guide multidisciplinary
  teams, consultants, experts and partner organisations towards shared objectives.
  
• Excellent communication abilities,
  both written and oral, in face -to -face and digital environments, including the
  capacity to write clearly, summarise complex information effectively, and
  present information in a structured and compelling manner.
  
• Strong analytical and
  problem -solving mindset, with a solution -oriented and constructive approach.
  
• Results -driven, with a strong focus
  on quality, deadlines, accountability and achievement of programme objectives.
  
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic
  skills, with the ability to engage credibly with public institutions, private
  sector actors, development partners and technical experts.
  
• Proficiency in basic IT tools,
  particularly MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Prior
  experience with CRM systems, digital project management tools and the Zoho
  suite would be considered an advantage.
  

Benefits

This is a full -time position based in Harare,
with an initial contract duration of one (1) year, renewable.