Consultancy for Developing of a Policy Brief on Housing

After the government of Zimbabwe conducted Operation Murambatsvina clean up exercise in 2005, CSOs and Residents Associations successfully advocated for the inclusion of provisions protecting citizens from the arbitrary eviction and the right to administrative justice among others. During his tenure of office, the former Mayor of Harare, Herbert Gomba lamented that the constitutional provisions were protecting proliferation of illegal houses and making it difficult for the council to enforce city-by laws and protecting land barons. In 2020 the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Special Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President descended on the City of Harare arresting senior officials in the planning and housing departments on allegations of corruption. Furthermore, elected officials were not spared from the arrests which claimed Councillors and the Mayor of the City on allegations of abuse of office on housing stands allocation. On the 18th of November 2020, the Provincial Development Coordinator for Harare Province ordered Harare City Council to effect demolitions on more than 20 Housing Cooperatives that the local authority had obtained High Court Orders to demolish. In compliance with the instructions from the Provincial Development Coordinator, the Local Authority demolished houses for Tembwe Housing Cooperative in Budiriro and Chitungwiza leaving hundreds of residents homeless. In June 2021under the direction of the Provincial Development Coordinator the Chitungwiza and Harare Municipality demolished “illegal structure” even though residents had obtained a Court Interdict to halt demolitions. Most demolitions have been targeting Housing Cooperatives with those living in old locations such as Mbare some backyard structures have been destroyed. Even though the Ministry of Local Government and City of Harare had standing policies not to engage housing cooperatives in house development both the local authority and central government still conduct business with Housing Cooperatives.

Job description

The scope and focus of the consultancy will be to conduct a deep critical analysis of social, economic, legal and political drivers of demolitions in Harare. Under overall supervision of the Director, the Consultant shall be responsible for facilitating the development of the Policy Brief.

Key deliverables

The consultant shall be expected to carry out the following specific tasks: Develop a Policy Brief that contains the following; A deep analysis on the major drivers of demolitions in Harare and identify policy gaps that needs attention and reform and identify weaknesses and gaps of CSO advocacy initiatives on housing delivery; Attend a Housing Delivery Policy Dialogue Forum and present the Policy Brief.

Qualifications

At least a Master’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Policy and Governance or related subjects; Experience in development of factsheets or other relevant communication materials; Proven experience of ability to review documents, interpret information and synthesize information and present it in a creative manner; At least five years of professional experience in similar assignments; High level of written and oral communication skills in English; Proven experience in evidence-based research and policy analysis; Extensive conceptual and practical knowledge of local government operating and strategic principles; Experience of working and collaborating with City of Harare, Ministry of Local Government and civil society in Zimbabwe; Demonstrated ability of analytical and report writing skills and ability to adhere to strict deadlines.