Terms of Reference for a Rapid Market Assessment on Employment and Livelihood Opportunities in Chipinge and Buhera Districts
Consultancy, Research Jobs
- Terre des Hommes Italia
- Expires 02 Jun 2026
- Chipinge
- Full Time
Job Description
1. INTRODUCTION
Terre des Hommes (TdH) Italy in Zimbabwe, a child centred humanitarian and development organization, PVO 03/2010, intends to support vocational training targeting vulnerable youth, including refugees and host community members in Chipinge and Buhera districts.
TDH intends to support selected youth through scholarships and training support to attend accredited and recognised vocational training institutions within the target districts. Potential training areas include construction, agriculture, renewable energy technologies, smartphone repair, solar system installation and repair, and other sectors identified as viable through a rapid market assessment.
To ensure that scholarship-supported training opportunities are aligned with labour market demand and viable economic opportunities, TDH seeks to engage a qualified consultant or consulting firm to conduct a Rapid Market Assessment (RMA) in Chipinge and Buhera districts. The assessment will identify high-potential sectors, employable skills, and pathways for youth employment, entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, and job placement within both refugee and host community settings.
2. PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY
The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a rapid market assessment to identify labour market demands, viable livelihood opportunities, and market-driven vocational skills that can guide TDH’s scholarship support programme for vulnerable youth in Chipinge and Buhera districts.
The assessment will help determine the most relevant vocational training courses and skills areas offered by recognised training institutions that are likely to lead to employment, self-employment, apprenticeships, or income-generating opportunities for youth. The findings will also support evidence-based decision-making on scholarship allocation and partnerships with vocational training institutions and private sector actors.
Duties and Responsibilities
OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY
The consultant/firm shall:
• Assess the local labour market dynamics and economic opportunities in Chipinge and Buhera districts;
• Identify sectors and occupations with high demand for skilled labour and potential for youth employment and self-employment;
• Identify marketable vocational and technical skills offered by recognised training institutions that are aligned with current and emerging labour market needs;
• Analyse employment trends and opportunities for youth, including apprenticeships, internships, and enterprise development opportunities;
• Assess barriers affecting youth access to employment and economic opportunities, particularly among refugees and vulnerable host community youth;
• Map relevant vocational training institutions, employers, SMEs, cooperatives, and private sector actors that can support skills development and job placement;
• Recommend priority vocational training courses and scholarship investment areas based on market demand and economic viability;
• Provide practical recommendations for strengthening pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and job placement for scholarship beneficiaries.
• Recommend appropriate start-up kits for each identified vocational training area by providing indicative lists of tools, equipment, and materials that can support graduates to transition into self-employment, income generation, apprenticeships, or employment opportunities upon completion of their training.
4. SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant/firm will undertake, but not be limited to, the following tasks:
• Conduct desk review of relevant literature, reports, policies, and labour market information;
• Develop an assessment methodology and data collection tools;
• Conduct field assessments in selected wards/communities within Chipinge and Buhera districts involving at least one representative from the District Development Coordinator’s office and one representative from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training;
• Engage key stakeholders through interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys;
• Assess economic sectors including agriculture, construction, renewable energy, ICT, mechanics, manufacturing, horticulture, retail, and service industries;
• Identify skills gaps and employment opportunities for youth;
• Analyse market systems, value chains, and business opportunities;
• Validate preliminary findings with TDH and relevant stakeholders;
• Produce a comprehensive assessment report with actionable recommendations.
5. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
The consultant/firm is expected to deliver:
1. Inception Report
o Detailed methodology;
o Workplan and timelines;
o Data collection tools.
2. Draft Rapid Market Assessment Report
o Key findings;
o Labour market analysis;
o Sector and value chain analysis;
o Recommended vocational training areas;
o Recommended vocational training institutions;
o Job placement opportunities;
o Strategic recommendations.
3. Final Report
o Revised based on feedback from TDH;
o Executive summary;
o Annexes including tools, stakeholder lists, and raw data summaries.
4. Presentation of Findings
o Stakeholder validation workshop or presentation session.
6. METHODOLOGY
The consultant/firm is expected to propose an appropriate mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative), which may include:
• Desk review;
• Key informant interviews (KIIs);
• Focus group discussions (FGDs);
• Employer and business surveys;
• Labour market scans;
• Value chain analysis;
• Observation visits.
The methodology should ensure inclusion of youth, women, refugees, persons with disabilities, employers, and community stakeholders.
7. DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND TENTATIVE TIMELINE
The assignment is expected to be completed within 25 days from the date of contract signing.
The dates provided indicate the time of submitting the reports for the respective phases:
1. Inception Report 03rd day
2. Draft Rapid Market Assessment Report 18th day
3. Final Report 23rd day
4. Presentation of Findings25th day
Qualifications and Experience
8. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The successful consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:
For Individual Consultants
The consultant should possess:
• An advanced degree in Economics, Development Studies, Labour Economics, Business Administration, Vocational Education, Social Sciences, or related field;
• At least 5 years’ experience conducting labour market assessments, value chain analyses, or socio-economic studies;
• Proven experience working on youth employment and livelihoods programming;
• Strong understanding of vocational training and labour market systems in Zimbabwe;
• Excellent analytical, research, and report-writing skills;
• Experience working with NGOs, refugee programming, or vulnerable communities is an added advantage.
For Consulting Firms
The firm should demonstrate:
• Proven track record in labour market assessments and socio-economic research;
• Availability of qualified multidisciplinary team members;
• Strong technical and operational capacity.
• Experience working with NGOs, refugee programming, or vulnerable communities is an added advantage.
Skills
• Proven communication and behavioural skills to work directly with affected communities
• Experience of planning, organizing and prioritizing work, working under pressure and matching deadlines
• Solid team working and management skills
• Proactive attitude
• Excellent computer literacy skills, including familiarity with research and basic statistical tools
• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of local languages an advantage
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships.
How to Apply
9. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Interested consultants/firms should submit:
1. Technical Proposal including:
o Understanding of the assignment;
o Proposed methodology;
o Workplan and timelines.
2. Financial Proposal detailing all costs.
3. Company/Consultant profile.
4. CVs of key personnel.
5. Valid Tax Clearance Certificate
6. At least three references from similar assignments.
7. Samples of previous related work.
10. HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should send their application package to: tdhcareers@gmail.com, clearly indicating “Rapid Market Assessment – Name.Surname” on the subject of the email.
All applications should be shared not later than 2 June 2026 (COB).
