Location: Zimbabwe
Job Description 1. Introduction Displacement in Zimbabwe occurs in different but sometimes overlapping contexts. Mining and other development projects may require land acquisition or restrict access to land and resources. Infrastructure, energy, water, conservation, commercial agriculture, urban renewal and other public- or private-sector projects may cause physical or economic displacement. Floods, cyclones, drought-related hazards, dam failures, fires, epidemics and other disasters may require temporary evacuation, prolonged displacement or permanent planned relocation. Transition-mineral investments remain an important part of the evidence base. Experiences associated with mining in different locations have raised concerns about consultation, transparency, compensation, livelihood disruption, access to land and natural resources, grievance handling, and the differentiated effects of displacement on women and other groups at heightened risk. These experiences illustrate the need for consistent national standards, but the same safeguards should not be confined to the mining sector. Development-induced and disaster-induced displacement have different legal triggers, responsible actors, timeframes and risk profiles. Nevertheless, affected people require a common minimum standard of protection: prevention or minimisation of displacement; meaningful participation and access to information; lawful and non-discriminatory decision-making; secure tenure; adequate housing; replacement-cost compensation where applicable; livelihood restoration; protection of cultural and social ties; accessible grievance and remedy mechanisms; and long-term monitoring. The Model Guidelines should therefore provide an integrated national framework while clearly identifying context-specific procedures. They should address physical displacement, economic displacement and restrictions on access to livelihood resources, whether temporary or permanent and whether or not affected persons hold formally registered title. They should also address displacement in anticipation of disasters, emergency evacuation, transitional shelter, return, local integration and planned relocation when return is unsafe, unlawful or impracticable. 2. Purpose of the Assignment The purpose of the assignment is to conduct an independent legal and policy review of the draft Model Guidelines and to revise and finalise them as practical, rights-based guidelines applicable to: * mining-induced displacement, including transition-mineral and other mining projects; * other development-induced displacements arising from public or private projects, including infrastructure, energy, water, urban development, conservation, commercial agriculture and similar land-based investments; and * disaster-induced displacement, including evacuation, temporary displacement, return, local integration and planned relocation. The consultant will ensure that the final Model Guidelines are legally sound, internally consistent, accessible to intended users, aligned with Zimbabwe’s constitutional and statutory framework, and informed by relevant regional and international standards. 3. Objectives The specific objectives are to: * Review the draft Model Guidelines from constitutional, legal, policy and institutional perspectives, standardizing terminology throughout the document by using the legally and editorially appropriate terms ‘Guidelines’ and ‘Model Guidelines’. * Broaden the substantive scope of the draft Model guidelines beyond mining-induced displacement to encompass other development-induced displacement and disaster-induced displacement, clarify common minimum safeguards and develop tailored procedures for each displacement context [ including both physical and economic displacement such as loss of or restricted access to land, housing, water, grazing areas, cultural resources, trading spaces and other livelihood assets]. * Clarify institutional mandates, coordination arrangements and responsibilities of State institutions, local authorities, businesses, humanitarian and development actors, traditional leaders and oversight bodies in relation to resettlements * Review provisions on prevention, participation, valuation, compensation, livelihood restoration, tenure security, vulnerable and marginalised groups, grievance mechanisms, remedy, monitoring and accountability and produce final, implementable Model Guidelines supported by a concise legal and policy review memorandum and a stakeholder feedback response matrix.
Job Summary
- Type: contract
- Location: Harare
- Category: Legal
- Closing Date: 2026-09-02
Key Responsibilities
- Review the draft Model Guidelines, relevant stakeholder submissions, consultation records, field findings and supporting documents supplied by the organization.
- Prepare an inception note setting out the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed analytical framework, work plan, document requirements and any issues requiring early resolution.
- Map and analyse Zimbabwe’s applicable constitutional, legislative, regulatory, policy and institutional framework governing property, land acquisition, housing, compensation, environmental and social assessment, mining, local government, civil protection, disaster-risk management and access to justice.
- Identify gaps, overlaps, inconsistencies, mandate ambiguities and implementation risks, including differences between compulsory acquisition, negotiated acquisition, project-related displacement, emergency evacuation and planned relocation.
- Assess alignment with relevant African and international human rights, responsible business conduct, environmental and social safeguard, disaster-risk reduction and internal-displacement standards.
- Recommend how the Model Guidelines should interact with existing law and policy without purporting to amend legislation or create powers that competent authorities do not possess.
- Develop a clear taxonomy covering physical displacement, economic displacement, temporary displacement, evacuation, relocation, resettlement, return, local integration, planned relocation, host communities, livelihood restoration and replacement cost.
- Establish cross-cutting minimum safeguards that apply to all forms of displacement.
- Develop differentiated pathways, decision criteria and procedural steps for mining-induced, other development-induced and disaster-induced displacement.
- Address persons without formal title, customary tenure, tenants, occupiers, informal traders, workers, users of common-property resources and mobile or seasonally dependent livelihood groups.
- Integrate gender-responsive, age-sensitive, disability-inclusive and culturally appropriate measures, with particular attention to children, older persons, persons with disabilities, women-headed households and other persons at heightened risk.
- Strengthen provisions on host-community impacts, social cohesion, community infrastructure, public services, cultural heritage, graves and sacred sites.
- Clarify the roles, responsibilities and coordination obligations of responsible authorities and non-State actors before, during and after displacement.
- Set out procedural requirements for screening, alternatives analysis, impact assessment, eligibility and census processes, cut-off dates where appropriate, consultation, disclosure, valuation, compensation, relocation planning, livelihood restoration, implementation and completion audits.
- Define emergency-specific safeguards for evacuation, registration, family unity, protection, shelter, essential services, property access, communication, return and decisions on permanent relocation.
- Develop accessible grievance, appeal, mediation and remedy pathways, including measures to prevent retaliation and to enable independent review.
- Propose monitoring indicators, reporting requirements and post-relocation support arrangements capable of measuring whether living standards and livelihoods have been restored or improved.
- Engage selected legal, policy, technical and stakeholder experts agreed with ZELO to test the legality, clarity and practicality of proposed revisions.
- Present the revised draft at a validation session convened by ZELO and systematically address the feedback received.
- Prepare a response matrix recording substantive comments, the action taken and the reason where a recommendation is not adopted.
Requirements
- have an advanced degree in law, public policy, human rights, development studies, disaster-risk management or a closely related field
- demonstrate substantial knowledge of Zimbabwean constitutional, land, environmental, mining, local-government, compulsory-acquisition, housing and/or disaster-management law and policy; displacement/resettlement, compensation, livelihood restoration, internal displacement, disaster risk reduction and responsible business conduct issues and regulatory frameworks.
- demonstrate proven experience in legal and policy drafting, legislative or regulatory analysis, and the development of operational guidelines
- be familiar with applicable African and international human rights and environmental and social safeguard standards
- have experience facilitating multi-stakeholder review processes and incorporating divergent feedback
- possess excellent analytical, drafting and communication skills in English. Knowledge of relevant local languages will be an advantage.
How to Apply
About the Company
Choi Jun-hong, known professionally as Zelo (젤로), is a South Korean rapper and dancer best known as the member of the South Korean boy group B.A.P. He made his recording debut with the single "Never Give Up" under B.A.P's sub-unit Bang&Zelo in November 2011. He departed TS Entertainment in December 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for this legal consultancy role in Zimbabwe?
A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a Zimbabwean university or equivalent recognised qualification is essential. Registration with the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) is mandatory to practise law, and experience in policy drafting or public sector legal advisory work is highly valued. Additional postgraduate qualifications in public policy, governance, or human rights may strengthen an application but are not always required.
What does a typical day look like for someone working on this consultancy project in Zimbabwe?
Day-to-day tasks include reviewing existing model guidelines against Zimbabwean legislation (e.g., Constitution, Statutory Instruments), consulting with government stakeholders, and redrafting provisions for clarity, compliance, and local applicability. Field engagement may involve workshops with provincial officers or ministries, requiring adaptability to bureaucratic timelines and documentation standards common in Zimbabwe’s public sector.
How does Zimbabwe’s local work culture affect expectations for consultants in this role?
Consultants are expected to demonstrate respect for hierarchical structures, especially when engaging with senior civil servants or ministry officials, and to navigate formal approval processes patiently. Punctuality, professional dress, and adherence to official communication protocols (e.g., written submissions via official channels) are standard expectations across government-linked legal consultancies.
What realistic career progression opportunities exist after completing this type of legal and policy consultancy work in Zimbabwe?
Successful consultants often transition into permanent roles within line ministries, statutory bodies like the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, or international development partners operating locally. Others leverage this experience to establish independent legal advisory practices focused on governance reform or to pursue advanced roles in regional bodies such as the SADC Secretariat, depending on demonstrated expertise and networks.
What benefits can I realistically expect as a consultant on this assignment in Zimbabwe?
Benefits depend on the contracting entity — government ministries typically offer limited statutory benefits, while international donors or NGOs may provide medical aid, annual leave (22–30 days), and sometimes pension contributions through approved schemes like NSSA. Consultants engaged on short-term contracts often receive no employer-sponsored benefits and must arrange their own medical cover and retirement savings.