TERMS OF REFERENCE Title: Gap analysis of climate, energy transition, mining and water laws and policies in Zimbabwe.
Consultancy, Research Jobs
Job Description
Introduction and Background
A local environmental law organisation seeks to conduct research. The background to the call is that the demand for critical minerals is booming. Global efforts to fight climate change are driving up the need for lithium, cobalt, graphite and other such minerals essential for building electric vehicles, solar panels and other clean technologies. This compounds existing demand from the tech sector, where critical minerals are essential for renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, battery storage systems, and digital infrastructure. Africa, including Zimbabwe, holds substantial reserves of these minerals and is increasingly positioned as a strategic supplier in global energy transition value chains. Like all forms of mining, lithium extraction and processing come with several concerning social and ecological impacts. Processing minerals such as lithium is particularly water-intensive because ores must be crushed, chemically treated, and separated. Water is also required to manage toxic waste and prevent dust pollution. Critical minerals mining is highly water-intensive and often occurs in ecologically fragile and water-stressed regions. Waste from mining and processing, including residual minerals and chemicals, can also contaminate water in nearby communities. In Zimbabwe, where many rural communities already face water insecurity due to climate change, recurrent droughts, and weak infrastructure, the expansion of critical minerals mining raises important environmental and sustainable development questions. There is a need to support a just and equitable transition to renewable energies while harnessing critical energy transition minerals for sustainable development. Further, it is imperative to ensure countries and local communities endowed with these minerals fully benefit economically, including through local value addition, while safeguarding the environment.
Consultancy Objective
The research will undertake a gap analysis of Zimbabwe’s current climate, energy transition, water, and mining laws. The research will focus on laws such as the Mines and Minerals Act, Environmental Management Act, the Water Act, Climate Change Management Bill to identify key gaps for reform and alignment with international best practices on energy transition and opportunities for integration of the United Nations Panel on Critical Energy Transitional Minerals’ recommendations and principles into local legislative processes.
Duties and Responsibilities
Specific Objectives
1. To assess the effectiveness of the policies and laws in place on climate, energy transition, mining and water laws and policies in Zimbabwe
2. To identify policy and legal gaps
3. To make recommendations on identified policy and legal gaps to promote sustainable resource extraction that supports a just and equitable transition in Zimbabwe
Key Deliverables
1. Inception Report: outlining the proposed methodology, sampling strategy, data collection tools, and a detailed work plan.
2. Report - Produce a gap analysis of climate, energy transition, mining and water laws and policies in Zimbabwe guided by the following:
• Identify, assess, and document practices in Zimbabwe that are utilised in critical resource mining in Zimbabwe.
• Carry out key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders in critical minerals mining in Zimbabwe
• Conduct a comparative analysis of the local laws with international and regional best practices and identify gaps in the current legal framework.
• Add examples from international standards and cases, including the United Nations Panel on Critical Energy Transitional Minerals’ recommendations and principles.
• Highlight key recommendations to promote sustainable resource extraction that supports a just and equitable transition in Zimbabwe
Qualifications and Experience
Applicant Requirements/ Qualification Details
At least five years’ experience in environmental law, water law, governance, responsible sourcing, environmental social governance and environmental protection. Applications will be considered from applicants with a minimum of a Master's degree in any one or more of the following areas: law, ESG, mining engineering, environmental planning and policy, public policy, or any other relevant field. The ability to research, write, review, and produce high-quality work, and competency in clear, concise documentation in plain English.
How to Apply
To apply
Persons with demonstrable experience in conducting similar work are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), which is not more than 4 pages. The EOI must detail the applicant’s understanding of the TORs and costs; a summary of the applicant’s skills and experience relevant to conducting this kind of assignment; the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae, with names of three referees and their contact details (email and phone). Applications that do not contain all the above documents will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered. Applications must be addressed to procurementzw@gmail.com by 14 June 2026. The title of the consultancy should be clearly stated in the email subject, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
