Terms of Reference: Consultancy for the Design, and Implementation Road-map for the Establishment of Specialized Environmental Courts (ECs) in Zimbabwe.
Consultancy, Research Jobs
Job Description
Project Objectives
The primary objective of this consultancy is to provide the organisation and the relevant Ministries with a comprehensive, actionable, and costed plan for the successful establishment and operationalization of specialized Environmental Courts in Zimbabwe.
The specific objectives are:
1. Legal and Institutional Review: Conduct a thorough analysis of the current system and propose the necessary legislative and procedural changes required to legally establish the ECs and clearly define their jurisdiction, powers, and relationship with existing courts.
2. Court Model Design: Develop a context-specific and sustainable model for the ECs, incorporating the proposed structure of permanent courts in Harare and Bulawayo and the mechanism for visiting courts in other provinces.
3. Capacity Development: Propose a targeted and comprehensive training strategy for judicial officers (judges and magistrates), prosecutors, and supporting court staff on specialized environmental law, science, and jurisprudence.
4. Financial and Resource Planning: Develop a detailed funding mechanism and budget, outlining resource requirements (human, physical, and financial) and a strategy for initial resource mobilization, engaging the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, and Development Partners.
5. Implementation Road-map: Develop a detailed, phased action plan for EC establishment, including a strategy for engaging and sensitizing all key stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
. Scope of Work
The Consultant/Consulting Firm shall undertake the following tasks:
Scope Area AND Description of Tasks
Legal & Regulatory Framework
Review all existing legislation (e.g., EMA Act, Magistrates Act, High Court Act) to determine the legal mandate, jurisdiction, and procedural rules for the ECs. Draft proposed amendments or new statutory instruments necessary for establishment.
Institutional & Structural Design
Define the organizational structure, staffing (Judges, Magistrates, Clerks), operational protocols, and case management systems for the proposed EC model, including the mechanism for the effective operation of visiting courts.
Comparative Analysis
Conduct a focused review of relevant international and regional models of Environmental Courts/Tribunals to inform the Zimbabwean design, ensuring the model aligns with local legal culture and needs.
Judicial Specialization & Training
Design a comprehensive training curriculum that covers environmental law, scientific evidence, restorative justice, creative sentencing, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) relevant to environmental conflicts.
Resource Mobilization
Prepare a detailed, phased capital and recurrent budget for the initial five years of operation. Identify potential funding sources (Government, Development Partners, Environment Fund) and develop a concept note for partner engagement.
Stakeholder Sensitization
Develop a tailored strategy and materials to engage and sensitize the identified target offices, including the Office of the Minister of Justice, the Judiciary, the National Prosecuting Authority, and Parliament.
Final Implementation Plan
Deliver a comprehensive consolidated report inclusive of road-map with clearly defined milestones, responsible parties, timelines, and risk mitigation strategies for the transition to the new court system.
4. Anticipated Results and Deliverables
The Consultant/Consulting Firm is required to submit the following deliverables:
1. Inception Report: Detailed methodology, work plan, and timeline.
2. Legal and Institutional Assessment Report: Analysis of current gaps and proposed draft legislative/regulatory amendments.
3. Environmental Court Design Report: Comprehensive model, organizational chart, staffing plan, and standard operating procedures for the ECs (permanent and visiting).
4. Capacity Building and Training Strategy: Detailed curriculum, costed plan, and implementation strategy for judicial and support staff.
5. Financial Sustainability Plan: Five-year budget, resource mobilization strategy, and draft concept note for funding partners.
6. Final Consolidated Implementation Road-map: Inclusive of Phased action plan, risk analysis, and stakeholder engagement strategy.
Qualifications and Experience
5. Academic Qualifications, Skill and Experience
The Consultancy Team is expected to demonstrate expertise in the following areas:
• Lead Consultant: Must possess an advanced degree in Law, Public Policy, or Environmental Governance, with proven experience (minimum 10 years) in judicial reform and institutional development.
• Team Members: Expertise in Environmental Law/Science, Financial Planning/Public Sector Budgeting, and Organizational Development/Change Management is required.
• Essential Experience: Demonstrated experience working on high-level legal and governmental projects in Zimbabwe or the SADC region
How to Apply
6. How to apply
Submissions of CVs and proposal, with a clearly laid out methodology to execute the task, time frames and a budget should be made to procurementzw@gmail.com by 10 December 2025. The subject on the email must be Establishment of Environmental Courts.
