• Precious Nkomo
• November 11, 2025November 11, 2025
• 3 Comments on VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE

MINISTRY OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER, AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT     INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT / SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE CLUSTER PROJECT (SACP)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO.           : SACP/ NPC/ 2025

DATE OF ISSUANCE                                    : 09 November 2025

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS            : 21 November 2025

NATIONAL PROJECT COORDINATOR

REPORTS TO:                       PERMANENT SECRETARY

DUTY STATION:                  NATIONAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT, HARARE         

Project Background

The Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP) is a collaborative initiative between the Government of Zimbabwe and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), launched in 2021. The project aims to enhance the productivity and incomes of smallholder farmers by transforming the small-scale farming sector into a more market-oriented and climate-resilient system.

Key Objectives and Components

1. Inclusive Value Chain Development: Organizes smallholder farmers into Agricultural Producer Groups (APGs) and clusters to integrate them into profitable value chains. It provides technical assistance, matching grants, and infrastructure support for APGs, rural micro-enterprises, and value chain lead enterprises.
2. Climate-Proofed Infrastructure: Invests in climate-resilient infrastructure, including small-scale irrigation covering 1,780 hectares, rehabilitation of 89 km of feeder roads, and water and sanitation facilities across 100 wards.
3. Policy and Institutional Support: Promotes private sector-led transformation through policy reform and access to finance, including a Line of Credit for lead enterprises and PPP promotion.

Geographical Coverage

SACP is implemented in 428 wards in 18 rural districts spread across the five provinces of Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Midlands, and Matabeleland North. The project targets approximately 78,240 households (50% women and 30% youth).

Objective of the Assignment

Reporting directly to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the National Project Coordinator (NPC) will head the National Project Management Unit (NPMU) and as such will have overall responsibility for management and coordination of SACP with the objective to achieve an increased smallholder participation in market-oriented and climate-smart value chains in the project area.

The NPC assures that the SACP is implemented along the guidelines provided by the financing agreement, design report, implementation manual and following the guidance given by the lead ministry MLAFWRD, steering committee and supervision missions.

Main tasks and Responsibilities

• To promote efficient coordination within the Joint Management Unit (JMU) and seek synergies and complementarities with the Horticulture Enterprise Enhancement Project (HEEP), implemented under the same unit, assuring, jointly with HEEP National Project Coordinator, in particular the efficient use of shared assets and human resources;
• To ensure an optimum use of SACP resources in achievement of the agreed objectives of the project;
• To expedite and coordinate the timely Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) process at all levels, and ensure that these are developed in a fully participatory manner, learning from previous years
• To direct project implementation in accordance to agreed plans and to report on progress and outcomes in a methodological manner, including technical reports and financial reporting;
• To ensure the project adheres to social, environmental and climate-related safeguards and contributes to gender equity, women’s empowerment and inclusive development;
• To ensure full functioning of the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation system that captures and analyses disaggregated data on gender and social inclusion and make use of the system as a management tool;
• To ensure accurate knowledge management of the project, including information dissemination about project implementation progress and lessons learned;
• To ensure proper financial management, including timely disbursements and comprehensive reporting on expenditures and expenditure forecasts;
• To ensure efficient procurement in line with the Procurement Plans;
• To ensure a strong sense of teamwork within the NPMU and wider JMU and to foster constructive engagement among the partners involved in Project implementation;
• To direct NPCU staff both at Head Office and add provincial level, as well as hired service providers and consultants, to carry out their agreed duties in a way aimed at achieving the Project objectives;
• To maintain liaison with provinces and districts, their leadership and their representatives in the project area;
• To develop, negotiate and implement agreements with project partners, including communities, private sector, government entities and non-government organisations; and others as deemed necessary; and
• To represent the project to all external stakeholders.

Qualifications

 A Master’s Degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Management, or other relevant discipline related to Agricultural Development.

Work Experience

• 15-years’ experience in rural development in Zimbabwe, of which five in a managerial position;
• Experience in Project administration, financial management and reporting, preferably using systems of international institutions;
• An existing network of relations pertaining to community planning, smallholder agriculture; value chains and financial inclusion;
• Experience in collaborating across government ministries and in public-private dialogue; and
• Strong leaderships skills, including the ability to delegate responsibility within the team and to implementing partners.

Mode and Duration of Contract 

• Full-time, one-year renewable contract based on performance.
•  Performance will be assessed annually based on quality of deliverables, compliance outcomes, and timely reporting.
• The incumbent will be based at the NPMU, with field travel to project sites when necessary.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. All applications must be addressed to:

The Chief Director, Human Resources

Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development

Ngungunyana Building

No. 1, Liberation Legacy Way

Private Bag 7701

Causeway

Harare

• Applications containing the following information and must be submitted to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development,Head Office, Human Resources Department, Chief Director Human Resources’ Office not later than 21 November 2025.

1. Full Names (Surname first)
2. Certified copies of National I.D and Relevant Qualifications
3. Detailed Curriculum Vitae with relevant experience, current contact details and and three contactable referees.

• Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements need not apply.

• Please be advised that applications that do not comply with the above requirements and those submitted after the deadline will not be processed.