Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
Harare City Council is set to get experts from Germany, who will work on a voluntary basis to assist in turning around the fortunes of the city, which is struggling to provide basic services such as portable water. Harare has a twinning arrangement with German City, Munich.

Harare City Council has been receiving technical assistance from City of Munich in implementing its Geographical Information System. In an interview, Harare mayor Councillor Bernard Manyenyeni said the city was looking for areas of interest as the German Senior Expert Service (SES) had a wide pool of experts.

“The city in its quest to upscale must draw on global best competencies,” he said. “Our German ties are creating such an opportunity.” Responding to the city’s request, German Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Thorsten Hutter said in a letter that the SES had a data base of more than 12 000 retired experts from all sectors of the economy, which included small and medium enterprises, education, health, culture and media.

“In addition, the data base contains 265 retired English speaking experts with experience in municipal administration. There is a large number of experts in other areas as well, which might be of interest to you, finance, waste management, sewerage, water supply and renewable energy, among others,” he said.

“The duration of these honorary assignment usually ranges from three to six weeks. The maximum duration is six months. A senior expert can be requested for follow-up assignments to ensure the sustainability of his/her support. Training of local staff in order to achieve self-sustainment is in focus. The experts do not take on any executive or line functions.”

Mr Hutter said the experts worked on a voluntary basis and the client generally had to bear the local accommodation, transport, food and a daily allowance of seven Euros. He said SES experts were dedicated people who wanted to achieve the maximum for their client during their assignments.

“One major aspect is the realisation of quick gains right at the beginning of the assignment,” said Mr Hutter. “In most of the cases, the feedback is absolutely positive. I fully support the activities of the SES and can only recommend Your Worship (Cllr Manyenyeni) to make use of their service. This will definitely improve the efficiency of administration and image in the public.”

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