Job Vacancy City Council Finance Director- Harare
Job Opportunity at Harare City Council – Finance Director Wanted!
Job Title: Finance Director
Employer: Harare City Council
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Application Deadline: Closed (43 applicants already vying for the role)
Are you ready to lead the financial operations of Zimbabwe’s capital city? Harare City Council is in the final stages of selecting a new Finance Director, a critical position that has been filled on an acting basis since 2015. With 43 candidates already in contention, this job opening has become one of the most sought-after positions in the public service sector.
About the Role
As Finance Director, you will take charge of the council’s finances, oversee budgeting, drive financial planning, and ensure the efficient allocation of resources to meet the needs of Harare’s residents. This role requires leadership, integrity, and the ability to navigate a challenging financial and political landscape.
The role has been vacant since 2015, following the suspension of the last substantive director, Mr. Stanley Kwenda, who exited after a prolonged legal battle last year. The position has since been held on an acting basis by Mr. Godfrey Kusangaya, whose contract was recently extended despite allegations of bribery surrounding the renewal process.
However, Mr. Kusangaya has confirmed he is not applying for the permanent position, leaving the race wide open for fresh leadership.
Who Should Apply?
While the application process is now closed, the 43 candidates under consideration represent a range of financial expertise. Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has expressed gratitude for the overwhelming interest in this critical role. “We are humbled by the response,” he said at a council meeting yesterday.
The successful applicant will need to demonstrate:
• Proven experience in financial management and strategic planning.
• Integrity and transparency in managing public funds.
• The ability to work collaboratively with councillors, stakeholders, and residents.
• Visionary leadership to restore confidence in the city’s financial systems.
The Selection Process
The Local Government Board will oversee the next steps, including shortlisting candidates and conducting interviews. The process promises to be rigorous, given the responsibility attached to the role and the controversies that have surrounded it in recent years.
Challenges Ahead
The new Finance Director will face significant hurdles, including rebuilding public trust, streamlining expenditure, and addressing the city’s financial mismanagement. Harare’s residents expect accountability and efficiency, and the council needs strong leadership to meet these demands.
Public Perception
This hiring process has not been without speculation. Allegations of corruption tied to the acting director, Mr. Kusangaya, have raised questions, though Mayor Mafume defended him, stating: “He will be a very generous man to bribe people for a position he did not even apply for.”
What’s Next?
Harare City Council is expected to announce the shortlisted candidates soon, and residents are eagerly awaiting the appointment of a permanent Finance Director who can bring stability and transparency to the city’s finances.
The Harare City Council’s search for a new Finance Director has sparked significant interest and controversy, with 43 candidates vying for the position that has been vacant for nearly a decade. The role, considered pivotal for the city’s financial stability, has been occupied on an acting basis since 2015, most recently by Mr. Godfrey Kusangaya, whose tenure has not been without controversy.
At a full council meeting held yesterday, Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume expressed surprise at the high number of applicants for the position. “Forty-three people have applied for the Finance Director position; we are humbled by the response,” he said. The overwhelming interest highlights the significance of the role, which involves managing the finances of Zimbabwe’s capital city during challenging economic times.
A Role Mired in Controversy
The position has been vacant since the suspension of the last substantive director, Mr. Stanley Kwenda, in 2015. Mr. Kwenda spent years in legal disputes with the council before negotiating his exit package in 2023. Since then, the role has been filled on an acting basis, most recently by Mr. Godfrey Kusangaya, whose contract was renewed earlier this year. However, allegations of bribery linked to his contract renewal have cast a shadow over the process.
Mayor Mafume dismissed the allegations against Kusangaya, stating: “He will be a very generous man to bribe people for a position he did not apply for.” Kusangaya has reportedly expressed no interest in taking on the role permanently, leaving the selection process wide open for fresh leadership.
The Selection Process
The Local Government Board is now tasked with shortlisting the 43 candidates and overseeing the interview process. The council has promised a rigorous and transparent selection process to identify a candidate capable of managing the city’s complex financial landscape.
The Finance Director’s role will involve addressing significant challenges, including Harare’s strained budget, allegations of mismanagement, and public mistrust of the council’s financial decisions. Residents and stakeholders are eager to see whether the council can deliver a competent and accountable leader for the position.
Public Skepticism and Expectations
The hiring process has drawn public scrutiny, with many questioning whether the council can ensure a fair and merit-based selection process given the allegations of corruption. Harare residents, who have faced ongoing service delivery issues, are demanding accountability and transparency from the council.
Critics argue that the Finance Director role is a litmus test for the city’s ability to reform and rebuild trust. With 43 candidates in the running, the council’s decision will be closely watched, not only for its impact on Harare’s finances but also for its implications for governance in the city.
What’s Next?
The Local Government Board is expected to announce the shortlisted candidates in the coming weeks. As the council faces mounting pressure to appoint a capable and ethical leader, Harare residents are left to hope that the process delivers a candidate who can restore financial stability and confidence in the city’s governance.
This is a developing story, and updates will follow as the selection process unfolds.
Related
#Job #Vacancy #City #Council #Finance #Director #Harare #ZimEye
