Job
07 Aug 2026
Programme Coordinator — THRIVE Zimbabwe
Posted 13 hours ago
About the Role
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 (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.
- 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 the 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, in close collaboration with the COLEAD Finance and Administration Lead.
- Lead relationship-building efforts with Zimbabwean stakeholders, including competent authorities, private sector actors, professional organisations and academia.
- 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 to build synergies, avoid duplication and leverage 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 is a full-time position based in Harare, with an initial contract duration of one (1) year, renewable. Regular travel within Zimbabwe is expected, plus occasional short-term assignments in the Eastern African region and potential travel to Belgium or key export markets. The ideal start date is September 2026. A competitive remuneration package aligned with market standards is offered; depending on profile and the applicable legal framework, the contractual arrangement may be established through an Employer of Record mechanism or a service provision agreement following COLEAD's internal assessment.
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 (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.
- 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 the 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, in close collaboration with the COLEAD Finance and Administration Lead.
- Lead relationship-building efforts with Zimbabwean stakeholders, including competent authorities, private sector actors, professional organisations and academia.
- 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 to build synergies, avoid duplication and leverage 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 is a full-time position based in Harare, with an initial contract duration of one (1) year, renewable. Regular travel within Zimbabwe is expected, plus occasional short-term assignments in the Eastern African region and potential travel to Belgium or key export markets. The ideal start date is September 2026. A competitive remuneration package aligned with market standards is offered; depending on profile and the applicable legal framework, the contractual arrangement may be established through an Employer of Record mechanism or a service provision agreement following COLEAD's internal assessment.
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/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 SPS measures, public and private standards, and environmental and social safeguards.
- Demonstrated expertise in one or more of: 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) is considered an asset.
Other skills required:
- Strong programme and project management skills, including translating strategic objectives into operational plans, prioritising activities, monitoring progress, managing deadlines, following up on action points and coordinating multiple workstreams simultaneously.
- Proven ability to anticipate implementation risks, identify bottlenecks, propose practical solutions and escalate issues appropriately.
- High level of autonomy, proactivity and ownership; proven leadership and coordination skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication; strong analytical and problem-solving mindset; results-driven with a focus on quality, deadlines and accountability.
- Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills; proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Experience with CRM systems, digital project-management tools and the Zoho suite an advantage.
How to apply: send your CV, cover letter and professional references by Friday 7 August 2026 via the COLEAD recruitment portal (colead.zohorecruit.eu).
- 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/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 SPS measures, public and private standards, and environmental and social safeguards.
- Demonstrated expertise in one or more of: 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) is considered an asset.
Other skills required:
- Strong programme and project management skills, including translating strategic objectives into operational plans, prioritising activities, monitoring progress, managing deadlines, following up on action points and coordinating multiple workstreams simultaneously.
- Proven ability to anticipate implementation risks, identify bottlenecks, propose practical solutions and escalate issues appropriately.
- High level of autonomy, proactivity and ownership; proven leadership and coordination skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication; strong analytical and problem-solving mindset; results-driven with a focus on quality, deadlines and accountability.
- Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills; proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Experience with CRM systems, digital project-management tools and the Zoho suite an advantage.
How to apply: send your CV, cover letter and professional references by Friday 7 August 2026 via the COLEAD recruitment portal (colead.zohorecruit.eu).