Participatory Action Research (PAR) Accompaniment Consultancy
Consultancy, Research Jobs
- Tsuro Trust
- Expires 26 Aug 2026
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
Commissioning Organization
Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe in cooperation with Weltfriedensdienst e.V.
Local Implementing Partners
TSURO Trust, PORETO
Project Location
Chimanimani District, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe
Assignment
Participatory Action Research (PAR) Accompaniment Consultancy
Accompaniment Period
12 months
Project Context
Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe, Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO) and Participatory Organic Research Extension and Training Organisation (PORETO) with support of Weltfriedensdienst e.V. (WFD) are jointly implementing a development project titled, “Bringing back biodiversity and groundwater: Scaling agroecological practices for food security, resilience and environmental protection” in Chimanimani District. This 55-months project is running from 01 June 2024 to 31 December 2028 and it builds on the successes and lessons learned from previous WFD-supported initiatives in the district. The project's overall goal is to improve the resilience of landscapes in Zimbabwe, creating sustainable and resilient livelihoods for smallholder communities whilst enhancing ecosystem services, contributing to the achievement of SDGs 1, 2, 6, 13, 15, and 17. Approximately 13,000 people are direct beneficiaries, and over 800,000 are expected to benefit indirectly.
The initiative is structured around four sub-objectives:
• Sub-objective 1: Improving sustainable livestock and land management through Holistic Land and Livestock Management (HLLM) and agroecology,
• Sub-objective 2: Improving the management of water resources and ecological assets, with a focus on watershed areas and ecologically sensitive zones,
• Sub-objective 3: Expanding value creation, market access, and income generation for smallholder farmers,
• Sub-objective 4: Promoting joint learning, policy change, dialogue, and coordination among stakeholders.
Profile of the commissioning organisation
The Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe is an initiative under the Zimbabwe Institute of Permaculture (ZIP). PELUM Zimbabwe was established in 1995 as a network of civil society organisations, private companies and individuals that are working to upscale participatory ecological land use management “pelum” practices for improved nutrition security, livelihoods and environmental sustainability in Zimbabwe.
In this joint programme with TSURO and PORETO, PELUM Zimbabwe is facilitating Participatory Action Research (PAR), movement building and advocacy. The consultancy being sought under these TORs is for a PAR expert for a 12-month period during which the PAR expert will accompany small-scale farmers working with PORETO and TSURO in Chimanimani in conducting PAR in Chimanimani district.
This PAR initiative is premised on the fact that knowledge about agroecology, its benefits for the population and the environment, remains hidden and not adequately documented as a concept for sustainable agriculture. On the other hand, the capacity to create fact-based content that can be made accessible to policymakers and thus persuade them is lacking in the PELUM Zimbabwe network. These factors are a setback to the growth of a vibrant agroecology movement that is able to influence policy makers to make behavioral, structural, and political decisions to recognize and promote agroecology in Zimbabwe.
In order to generate fact-based content that can then be applied in advocacy work with policy makers, the PELUM Zimbabwe network promotes participatory action research as a way of decolonizing research and giving farmers and their communities the confidence to generate content on their practices and take the centre stage in developing their own solutions to their challenges.
Consultancy Objective
The specific objective of the consultancy is to build competencies on participatory action research for PELUM Zimbabwe and the PAR project partners (PORETO and TSURO Trust) to generate and document evidence for advocacy at local and national levels.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of work
The following constitutes the tasks to be completed as well as the deliverables. The work will take place through PELUM Zimbabwe. A combination of face-to-face and virtual methods will be used.
1. Leveling the playing field/capacity building
The consultant is expected to build the capacity of the consortium and small-scale farmers for effective use of the PAR approach by:
1.1 Conduct practical hands-on training for PELUM ZWE partners (TSURO and PORETO) and smallholder farmers on the application of Participatory Action Research (PAR), focusing on building participants’ capacity to implement PAR in the project through practical exercises rather than extensive theoretical instruction.
1.2 Guide the identification of key focus areas for the PAR based on needs of smallholder farmers focusing on the following thematic areas: Holistic Land and Livestock Management, Water Harvesting, Farmer Field Schools, and Market Linkages.
1.3 Strengthen the documentation and communication of Participatory Action Research (PAR) work across PELUM. Within the first six months (August – December 2026) of the assignment, produce a synthesized case study and one journal article based on data collected by smallholder farmers during the 2025/2026 agricultural season. The case study will focus on the following thematic areas: Holistic Land and Livestock Management, Water Harvesting, Farmer Field Schools, and Market Linkages.
1.4 Over the 12-month period commencing in August 2026, the consultant will accompany and support smallholder farmers engaged in Participatory Action Research (PAR) to co-design research activities, facilitate data collection, and synthesize the findings into five case studies and one journal article. The case studies will focus on the following thematic areas: Holistic Land and Livestock Management, Water Harvesting, Farmer Field Schools, and Market Linkages. The journal article and case studies should be finalized and published by August 2027.
1.5 Create and manage a PAR virtual platform where PELUM partners can interact with each other for peer learning.
1.6 Develop and share research and facilitating tools (handouts) that PELUM partners can use while undertaking PAR.
1.7 Develop a communication mechanism with project partners to strengthen the accompaniment.
1.8 Participate in learning visits and national dialogues (and make presentations) that are facilitated and organised by PELUM Zimbabwe, and that aim to bolster the work done in participatory action research.
2. Data collection, analysis and documentation
To ensure an effective and meaningful process, the Consultant should facilitate the following:
2.1 Design appropriate methodology and tools for the PAR data collection and guide the entire research process to ensure scientifically sound research design, data collection and analysis.
2.2 Train PELUM Zimbabwe partners in indicator development, systematic data collection and documentation.
2.3 Strengthen the capacity of PELUM Zimbabwe project partners in presentation and negotiation skills.
2.4 Participate in PAR agroecology activities building towards the crafting/consolidation of 5 case studies and a policy brief document.
2.5 Participate in designing a concept note/proposal/Press Briefings and Joint statements for long term PAR work by PELUM Zimbabwe.
2.6 Provide technical support as and when needed.
Contract and reporting details
Type of contract. The Consultant will be offered a fixed-price contract to include all the activities and deliverables listed above.
Reporting. The Consultant will report to the Programmes Coordinator of PELUM Zimbabwe for all issues related to the programme and fieldwork, including in-country logistics.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications, experience and skills. The Consultant can either be an individual or team. In the event that the Consultant is a team, the Consultant needs to ensure representation of both men and women. Preference will be given to applicants with the following: At least a master’s degree, in any social science, preferably development studies, evaluation or social research; Proven experience in PAR, including 5 years of working experience in carrying out PAR trainings, demonstrated understanding of Agroecology, good understanding of Zimbabwe, particularly rural contexts within Zimbabwe, ability to speak and understand local languages will be an advantage.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit applications to info@pelumzimbabwe.org by 3:00pm (Harare Time) on 26 August 2026. A complete application should include the following:
• An up-to-date CV;
• Short overview of how the candidate meets the qualifications, experience and skills requirements (no more than one page)
• Technical proposal: Description of proposed approach (not more than 7pages)
• Detailed budget
