TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) BASELINE STUDY FOR THE “JUST ENERGY TRANSITION AND CLIMATE-RESILIENT PATHWAYS (JETCR) PROJECT”
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Job Description
A. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
A public interest environmental law organisation seeks to engage a qualified consultant(s) to conduct a baseline survey for a three-year project titled "Advancing Just Energy Transition and Climate-Resilient Pathways for Zimbabwe and Southern Africa (JETCR)". The project aims to promote a just, climate-resilient energy transition by strengthening governance of critical minerals, protecting water resources, and enhancing community resilience in mining-affected areas.
Zimbabwe, alongside other mineral-rich African countries such as Zambia, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, and South Africa, occupies a strategic position in the global energy transition due to its vast reserves of critical energy transition minerals, including lithium, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements. As global demand for these minerals continues to rise, their extraction across the region presents both significant opportunities and complex challenges. On one hand, the sector has the potential to stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the region’s integration into global value chains. On the other hand, persistent challenges remain, including weak governance systems, environmental degradation, water insecurity, limited local value addition, and inequitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. Consequently, many mining-affected communities continue to experience livelihood disruptions, increasing land pressures, and exclusion from decision-making processes, raising important concerns regarding the fairness, sustainability, and inclusivity of the energy transition.
For example, these regional dynamics are reflected in different mining districts in Zimbabwe where the expansion of lithium and other mineral extraction is placing growing pressure on water resources, ecosystems, and rural livelihoods, especially in climate-vulnerable areas. At the same time, existing policy, legal, and institutional frameworks remain fragmented and insufficiently coordinated, limiting effective governance of the sector, implementation and enforcement is also a challenge. In addition, a persistent energy paradox remains, despite contributing critical minerals to global decarbonisation, many communities continue to face energy poverty, climate vulnerability, and limited socio-economic benefits. There is also limited integration of circular economy approaches and value addition strategies, which are essential for ensuring long-term, sustainable development outcomes.
The JETCR project responds to these challenges through three interconnected areas of change: Strengthening governance systems for climate-responsive and accountable critical minerals management, enhancing community resilience and agency in mining-affected areas and promoting responsible investment and regional policy influence through evidence generation and multi-stakeholder engagement. While implementation will focus on Zimbabwe, the project will include regional research, policy dialogue, and knowledge platforms to contribute to broader African efforts toward responsible critical minerals governance and a just energy transition. To support effective implementation, the organization seeks to conduct a baseline study that will establish benchmark data across the project’s goal, outcomes, and outputs. The baseline study will be aligned to the project’s outcomes, key results, and indicators under the three outcome pathways focusing on climate-responsive governance, resilient communities, and responsible critical minerals investment and ESG compliance. The study will primarily focus on Zimbabwe, specifically the districts of Gwanda, Insiza, Bikita, and Mberengwa, while integrating a regional research and policy component to contribute to broader African and global discourse on responsible critical minerals governance and a just energy transition. The baseline is envisaged to provide the standing conditions on governance systems, community vulnerabilities, water and environmental conditions, and corporate practices, with insights on regional dynamics influencing Zimbabwe’s policy and investment environment. The findings will serve as a reference point for measuring project progress, inform adaptive management, and strengthen evidence-based advocacy and programming at both national and regional levels throughout the project lifecycle.
Duties and Responsibilities
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE BASELINE STUDY
Purpose
The baseline study seeks to establish benchmark data for project indicators across the goal, outcomes, and outputs of the JETCR project, capturing evidence on governance systems, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices, environmental and water-related impacts, community resilience, participation, and accountability systems in mining-affected areas. Findings will guide implementation, adaptive management, monitoring, learning, and future assessments..
Specific Objectives
1. To assess the current state of policy, legal, and institutional frameworks governing critical minerals, water, and energy transition, including gaps in coordination, enforcement, and accountability in Zimbabwe and other select Southern African countries (Zambia, Mozambique, DRC, Namibia)
2. To assess the status of community resilience, institutional capacity, and the participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in claiming EESCRs, accessing grievance and decision-making mechanisms, and holding duty bearers and mining actors accountable.
3. To assess ESG practices, compliance, accountability mechanisms, and community experiences of benefit-sharing in the extractives sector in Zimbabwe and other select countries
Geographic and Regional Scope
Zimbabwe
Primary fieldwork and indicator measurement will focus on Gwanda, Insiza, Bikita and Mberengwa. These districts were selected due to increasing critical minerals extraction, water stress, climate vulnerability, and socio-economic impacts linked to mining expansion.
Regional Component
The baseline will also integrate regional desk-based research, policy and governance trend analysis, ESG and responsible investment review and knowledge and policy dialogue mapping. This regional component will include selected African countries, that are relevant to the critical minerals extraction discourse, to contribute to broader African and global discourse on responsible critical minerals governance and just energy transition pathways.
C. KEY BASELINE QUESTIONS
Outcome Pathway 1: Stronger Climate-Responsive Governance
The baseline will examine the effectiveness of existing policy, legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks governing critical minerals, climate change, water resources, and energy transition processes. It will assess institutional coordination, accountability systems, enforcement capacity, and the extent to which governance systems are climate-responsive, transparent, and aligned to responsible critical minerals governance principles.
1. What laws, policies, strategies and institutional frameworks govern critical minerals, climate change, water resources, ESG compliance and energy transition in Zimbabwe?
2. What are the key gaps in implementation, coordination, enforcement, transparency and accountability within the extractives sector?
3. What is the current institutional capacity of government agencies, regulators, parliamentarians, and local authorities to govern climate-responsive critical minerals development?
4. To what extent are climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and just energy transition considerations integrated into mining governance systems?
5. What mechanisms currently exist for stakeholder participation, transparency, and accountability in critical minerals governance and decision-making processes?
6. What challenges and opportunities exist for strengthening governance systems in water-stressed and mining-affected areas?
Outcome Pathway 2: Resilient and Empowered Communities
The baseline will assess community vulnerability, resilience, livelihoods, water security, environmental conditions, participation in governance, and awareness of rights in mining-affected districts. Special focus will be given to climate resilience, access to water resources, community accountability mechanisms, and the experiences of women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
1. What are the main livelihoods s and socio-economic vulnerabilities in mining-affected communities in Gwanda, Insiza, Bikita, and Mberengwa??
2. What is the current state of water access, quality, governance, and water-related conflicts in target communities??
3. How are mining activities affecting ecosystems, water resources, livelihoods, and climate resilience at community level?
4. What coping and adaptation mechanisms exist for climate shocks, environmental degradation, and mining-related impacts?
5. What is the level of awareness of environmental, social, economic, cultural, and resource rights (EESCRs) ?
6. What formal and informal grievance redress, participation, and accountability mechanisms currently exist? Probe on how accessible and effective they are
7. To what extent are communities (including women, youth and other vulnerable groups) able to participate in environmental governance, mining-related decision-making, and accountability processes?
8. What barriers affect inclusive participation and equitable benefit-sharing in mining governance and local development processes?
9. What is the adaptive capacity of local institutions and communities to manage climate, environmental, and mining-related risks?
Outcome Pathway 3: Evidence, Regional Influence, ESG and Responsible Investment
The baseline will assess the current state of ESG compliance, responsible investment practices, corporate accountability systems, regional policy engagement, and evidence-generation mechanisms related to critical minerals governance. The study will also examine regional coordination opportunities and policy influence platforms that contribute to broader African and global discourse on responsible critical minerals governance and just energy transition pathways.
1. What is the current state and alignment of policy and governance frameworks for critical minerals and energy transition across target countries (Zambia, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Namibia?
2. To what extent are gender equality and social inclusion considerations integrated into existing policy and governance frameworks for critical minerals and energy transition across the target countries? ?
3. To what extent are ESG standards, corporate accountability, and responsible sourcing practices adopted and enforced and monitored among mining companies and value chain actors in the region?
4. What regional platforms, networks, and processes exist to influence critical minerals governance including gender or youth focused platforms? Probe on their effectiveness
5. What are the key evidence and coordination gaps limit effective regional policy engagement or influence on responsible critical minerals governance and a just energy transition?
6. What opportunities exist for strengthening regional collaboration, policy influence, and knowledge-sharing on critical minerals governance and ESG compliance?
7. Which main Stakeholders are involved in the critical mineral value chain and what is their role?
D. SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant will undertake a comprehensive baseline study combining field-based data collection, national-level policy analysis, and a light regional scoping component.
• At the sub-national level, the consultant will conduct primary fieldwork in the project’s core implementation districts of Bikita, Mberengwa, Gwanda, and Insiza. The focus will be on understanding community-level conditions, including livelihood systems, climate vulnerability, and resilience, as well as the status of water access, use, and governance in the context of mining activities. The study will also assess levels of legal awareness, community participation, and accountability mechanisms, alongside the capacity of local institutions to manage natural resources and respond to emerging challenges linked to critical minerals extraction.
• At the national level, the consultant will analyse the broader policy, legal, and institutional landscape governing critical minerals, water resources, climate change, and energy transition. This will involve reviewing relevant laws, policies, and strategies, and engaging key stakeholders such as government ministries, regulatory agencies, parliamentarians, and civil society actors to assess coordination, implementation gaps, and opportunities for reform.
• At the regional level, the consultant will undertake a light-touch scoping exercise to include a desk-based analysis of governance trends, ESG practices, and policy developments in selected countries, including Zambia, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Namibia, with a view to identifying regional opportunities for learning, alignment, and policy influence.
Qualifications and Experience
E. METHODOLOGY
The baseline study will adopt a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the project context. Quantitative methods will be used to establish measurable baseline values for key indicators, while qualitative approaches will capture community perspectives, lived experiences, and institutional dynamics.
The consultant is expected to undertake a desk review of relevant literature, including laws, policies, existing studies, and project documents. This will be complemented by household surveys in the target districts to generate statistically relevant data on livelihoods, water access, and resilience indicators.
To deepen analysis, the consultant will conduct key informant interviews with stakeholders such as government officials, regulators, civil society organisations, private sector actors, and traditional leaders. Focus group discussions will be used to capture diverse community perspectives, ensuring representation of men, women, youth, and other relevant groups, including those directly affected by mining activities.
Participatory tools should be applied where appropriate to enhance inclusivity and community ownership of the findings. The methodology must also be gender-sensitive and inclusive, ens
H. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
The assignment requires a consultant or team with:
• Demonstrated experience in conducting baseline studies or applied research in areas related to natural resource governance, climate change, and extractives.
• Strong expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including surveys and participatory research.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including communities, CSOs, government institutions, and the private sector.
• Experience in Zimbabwe or the Southern African region is essential,
• Solid understanding of ESG frameworks, environmental governance, and just energy transition issues.
• Demonstrated strong gender and social inclusion analysis skills,
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, and report writing abilities.
How to Apply
I. APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested and qualified consultants/teams should submit applications by the 27th of May 2026 to procurementzw@gmail.com (subject line: JETCR Baseline Survey Consultancy), including:
• Technical and financial proposal (max. 8 pages) outlining methodology, sampling, timeline, and budget.
• CV(s) of Lead consultant(s) with traceable references.
• At least 2 examples of previous baseline/research reports of similar scope.
• Please submit all your documents in one pdf document except for samples of previous work.
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