Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Strategic Plan 2015-2020 1. INTRODUCTION The ZHRC is a hybrid human rights institution incorporating public protector functions. It is an independent body established in terms of section 242 of the Constitution, with a mandate to protect, promote and enforce human rights and administrative justice. The functions of the ZHRC are stipulated in the Constitution and include the promotion of a human rights culture, receiving complaints, undertaking human rights investigations, monitoring, advising government and supporting the international human rights system. The Commission believes that developing a strategic plan for the entire institution is the most effective way to identify priorities, consolidate activities and craft a comprehensive institutional development plan. The 5-Year Strategic Plan will result in the identification of strategic priorities for the ZHRC as well as development of short and medium-term operational plans. For planning purposes, indicative budgets and financial estimates will be linked to specific activities and programs. The ZHRC is founded on the principles of transparency and accountability, and will endeavor to build and sustain a high level of public trust and confidence. The Commission will therefore use the Strategic Plan as a public document in order to share the vision, and the means by which the ZHRC will set out to deliver on its constitutional mandate, and to demonstrate effective management of the institution’s resources while ensuring that it addresses the legitimate concerns and aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe in respect of human rights and administrative justice. The strategic plan will serve as a blueprint for institutional development, including recruitment and training of new staff, continual development of internal policies, procedures, control systems, and staff manuals. It will also guide the development of external relationships, promotional and training activities, as well as development of provincial and district offices, as may be appropriate. 10