The Complete Guide to Project Management in Zimbabwe 2024

• David Njoroge
• 12 Aug, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 5 Mins Read

Business leaders around the world are switching up their tactics. Their focus now is doing more project-based work rather than assign extra roles. Basically, project-based work helps business executives innovate quickly. As a result, they are able to stay in business for longer.

Both for-profit and non-profit organizations in Zimbabwe are in search of project managers. The landlocked southern African nation is undergoing a transformation. Infrastructure projects in energy and transport are among the sectors which show promise. It is precisely why the country needs people skilled in project management.

Mining in Zimbabwe is one of the sectors in need of project managers. The country is rich in deposits of platinum group metals (PGM), gold and diamond. Thus, a Zimbabwean mining company can hire a project manager to coordinate mining activities.

Managing a mining project can also entail the following responsibilities:

• Prepare engineering plans, estimates and reports in line with the project requirements.
• Plan, coordinate and manage special mining projects
• Conduct site inspections
• Work with contractors to resolve public complaints about the mining operation
• Tackle problems together with consultants that arise such as environmental ones
• Prepare project budget and forecast funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials or supplies
• Approve and monitor expenditure and recommend necessary adjustments
• Administer contracts related to the mining operation
• Supervise work of assigned staff and give or coordinate staff training
• Assist developers, contractors, engineers, general public and other stakeholders in the mining project in any way such as sharing relevant information and updates

Project Management Course in Zimbabwe

A resident of Zimbabwe is on target to be a project manager by enrolling in a course and earning a certification in project management. A number of institutions of higher learning that are accredited by the government of Zimbabwe give classes in project management. An alternative path is earning a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification which can pave the way to a job in that field.

Currently, universities and colleges in Zimbabwe which make project management education available, do it in form of a short course. It is plain that private institutions are also involved. Irrespective of the learning center, students are prepared to be project managers who are fully vested in the success of a project.

Here are universities in Zimbabwe offering a short course in project management:

1. Great Zimbabwe University
2. Bindura University of Science Education
3. Midlands State University

Admission Requirements

Here is what is needed during application for either a diploma or certificate in project management in Zimbabwe:

• Pass the General Certificate of Education (GCE) or Ordinary Level in at least five subjects and a minimum grade C in Mathematics, English and a Science subject.

Course Duration and Structure

A Certificate in Project Management programme in Zimbabwe takes six months for full time students. But it can take longer for part-time students. With a view to cater to needs of different students, these universities have a flexible schedule. Other classes are shorter taking just a few weeks.

Here are the common units:

1. Introduction to Project Management
2. Planning, scheduling and controlling
3. Monitoring and evaluation
4. Quality management
5. Risk management
6. Cost management
7. Stakeholder management
8. Team management

Course Fees in Zimbabwe

Tuition fees for a short course in project management in Zimbabwe is between 10,000 Zimbabwean Dollars and 15,000 Zimbabwean Dollars. This money covers the cost of registration, tuition and examinations. Additional costs are meant for students to access university resources like library and internet.

Which is the Highest Level of Education in Project Management in Zimbabwe?

A master’s degree in project management is widely available in Zimbabwe. This kind of degree helps students gain in-depth knowledge and increase their earning potential. There are a few universities in the country that offer this type of graduate degree.

Which Certification is Best for Project Management in Zimbabwe?

It is common for some employers to prefer to hire project managers who hold PMI certifications. This is because PMI is the primary organization offering professional certificates in project management. Many project managers pursue either a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or even both.

How to Become a Certified Project Manager in Zimbabwe

PMI has a branch in Zimbabwe called PMI Zimbabwe chapter. Therefore, an aspiring project manager in Zimbabwe is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by PMI Zimbabwe. It’s the most widely recognized certification in the world.

Here is what it takes to qualify for a PMP certification in Zimbabwe:

• For those who have completed secondary school (high school) education, need to put in 60 months of experience leading projects and 35 hours of project management training or have CAPM certification
• Prepare for the PMP exam by studying. The cost of the classes depends on the institution and the format. A student can be trained either in person or online. There are several authorized training centers alongside accredited institutions in Zimbabwe that offer PMP certification classes.
• Clearly, with a CAPM certification, a student does not need to fulfil the 35-hour education requirement.
• The next step is paying the PMP exam fee. For a PMI member, it costs US405 Dollars (about 130,000 Zimbabwean Dollars) while for a non-PMI member it costs US555 Dollars (about 180,000 Zimbabwean Dollars).
• After paying, a student can schedule their exam. The exam can be taken online or at a testing center in Zimbabwe accredited by Pearson Vue. In case a student fails, they can retake the exam up to three times in one year.
• A student who passes the exam becomes PMP certified. A certified project manager in Zimbabwe must keep their certification active by completing certain stages of continuing education.

Project Management Careers in Zimbabwe

A Zimbabwean can become a project manager after studying project management. Considering that a project manager’s work is to handle a specific project, they can be found in every type of organization. They use their capability to create products and services for an assortment of industries. The sectors where project managers work include:

• Construction and real estate
• Engineering
• Information Technology (IT)
• Manufacturing
• Hospitality
• Transportation and logistics
• Financial services
• Advertising and marketing
• Retail
• Non-profit

Project Manager Salary in Zimbabwe

Project managers in Zimbabwe earn an estimated salary that ranges from 2.4 million Zimbabwean Dollars to 3 million Zimbabwean Dollars a year. Besides, the salary will be different based on level of experience from entry level to mid-level to senior level. The other factor that determines a project manager’s salary is the size of the project and the industry.

Assistant Project Manager Salary in Zimbabwe

Assistant project managers in Zimbabwe earn an estimated salary that ranges from 1.8 million Zimbabwean Dollars to 2.4 million Zimbabwean Dollars. Since they help the project manager in running a project, their salary is less than their immediate supervisor. Project size, nature of the industry and level of experience are also considered in setting their pay.

Job Outlook for Project Managers in Zimbabwe

There is a higher demand for project managers in Zimbabwe than before. On one side businesses in the country are launching projects faster than ever. On the other side, they need professionals to manage them properly. Organizations in Zimbabwe are learning project management practices so as to stay profitable.