Project: Building Adaptive Capacity of Vulnerable Communities to Climate Change in Chimanimani District
Project partner: UFF-Humana
Donor: Civil Society in Development (CISU)
Location: Chimanimani District, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe, with fieldwork in Wards 13 and 21
Application period: 23-27 September 2026
Assignment duration: Approximately 20-25 working days; final dates to be agreed with the selected consultant
1. Project Background
Development Aid from People to People Zimbabwe (DAPP Zimbabwe), in partnership with UFF-Humana and with support from CISU, is implementing a 30-month project titled “Building Adaptive Capacity of Vulnerable Communities to Climate Change in Chimanimani District.”
The project is implemented in Wards 13 and 21 of Chimanimani District, Manicaland Province. It seeks to strengthen the absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity of vulnerable communities and local authorities to withstand and respond to climate-related shocks and stressors, including droughts, floods, cyclones, landslides and environmental degradation.
The project directly targets 1,000 smallholder farmers, comprising 60% women and 40% men, with deliberate inclusion of youth and persons with disabilities. It also engages traditional leaders, councillors, AGRITEX, Ward Disaster Management Committees, the District Civil Protection Committee, the Environmental Management Agency and other district-level stakeholders. Approximately 5,000 household members are expected to benefit indirectly.
The project promotes:
* Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable water-management practices.
* Alternative livelihoods, including beekeeping, fish farming, poultry and goat production.
* Market access, financial literacy, agribusiness and entrepreneurship.
* Agroforestry, tree planting, reforestation, vetiver grass and soil-conservation measures.
* Firewood-saving stoves and sustainable natural-resource management.
* Community-based disaster risk reduction and climate-change adaptation planning.
* Strengthening of Community Climate Change Adaptation Centres and local disaster-management structures.
* Evidence-based advocacy, learning, policy dialogue and dissemination of indigenous climate-adaptation practices.
As the project approaches completion, DAPP Zimbabwe seeks an independent consultant or consultancy firm to conduct a comprehensive end-of-project evaluation.
Job Summary
- Employer: Development Aid from People to People Zimbabwe (DAPP Zimbabwe)
- Job Type: Contract
- Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Category: Monitoring and Evaluation
- Closing Date: 2026-09-27
Key Responsibilities
- Review project documentation, including the project proposal, results framework, work plans, monitoring data, progress reports, financial information, training records, feedback records, policy briefs and learning materials.
- Develop and implement a mixed-methods evaluation methodology combining quantitative and qualitative approaches.
- Conduct field visits to project-supported sites in Wards 13 and 21, including selected Farmers Clubs, community gardens, Community Climate Change Adaptation Centres, agroforestry or tree-planting sites and soil-conservation interventions.
- Conduct Key Informant Interviews with DAPP Zimbabwe staff, UFF-Humana, AGRITEX, local government, traditional leaders, the Environmental Management Agency, disaster-management committees, market actors and other relevant stakeholders.
- Conduct Focus Group Discussions with participating women and men farmers, youth, persons with disabilities, Farmers Club members, step-up farmers and community leaders.
- Assess achievement against the project’s intended results, including adoption of climate-smart agriculture, livelihood diversification, market access, financial literacy, agroforestry, sustainable harvesting, disaster preparedness and local climate-adaptation planning.
- Examine the functioning, accessibility and sustainability of Farmers Clubs and Community Climate Change Adaptation Centres.
- Assess the effectiveness of community feedback mechanisms and the extent to which beneficiary feedback informed project implementation.
- Identify intended and unintended outcomes, good practices, implementation challenges and lessons learned.
- Develop practical, evidence-based and prioritised recommendations for DAPP Zimbabwe, UFF-Humana, CISU and relevant local stakeholders.
Requirements
- A minimum of Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in monitoring and evaluation, development studies, agriculture, climate change, environmental management, disaster risk reduction, social sciences or a related discipline.
- At least seven years of demonstrated experience conducting external programme evaluations, including end-of-project or final evaluations for donor-funded development programmes.
- Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: Climate-change adaptation and resilience programming; Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable rural livelihoods; Disaster risk reduction and community-based disaster preparedness; Agroforestry, environmental conservation and natural-resource management; Food security, market systems, financial literacy or livelihood diversification; Gender equality, youth empowerment, disability inclusion and community accountability.
- Strong experience in participatory and mixed-methods evaluation approaches, including quantitative data analysis, qualitative interviewing, focus-group facilitation, analysis of monitoring data and evidence-based report writing.
- Knowledge of Zimbabwe’s development, agriculture, climate-change and disaster-risk-reduction context is required.
- Full professional proficiency in English is required. Ability to communicate in Shona and/or Ndau will be an advantage.
- Applicants must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest. The consultant must be independent from DAPP Zimbabwe, UFF-Humana and organisations directly involved in project implementation.
How to Apply
REF Code: 24-5365CSP-UI
About the Company
Development Aid from People to People Zimbabwe (DAPP Zimbabwe) is a non-governmental organization operating in Zimbabwe that implements community development programs across education, health, agriculture, and social welfare sectors. Founded as part of the broader Humana People to People movement, DAPP Zimbabwe runs teacher training colleges, vocational schools, and community health initiatives that serve rural and underserved populations throughout the country. The organization employs a people-centered approach, mobilizing communities in Zimbabwe to participate actively in their own development through child aid projects, HIV/AIDS prevention programs, and sustainable farming training. With operations spanning multiple provinces including Mashonaland Central and Manicaland, DAPP Zimbabwe works in partnership with government ministries and international donors to deliver services that address poverty and inequality. The organization is registered in Zimbabwe and maintains its headquarters in Harare, employing both local staff and international volunteers to carry out its mission.
Creating development through the spirit of people helping people
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications or certifications are typically required for a consultant role in monitoring and evaluation with NGOs like DAPP Zimbabwe?
Most employers require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification and certifications such as MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) or Results-Based Management are highly advantageous. Practical experience with evaluation frameworks and data analysis tools like SPSS, STATA, or KoboToolbox is often essential.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of an end-of-project evaluation consultant?
Daily tasks include designing evaluation methodologies, developing data collection tools, conducting field visits to project sites across Zimbabwe, and facilitating stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions. Consultants also spend significant time analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, drafting comprehensive evaluation reports, and presenting findings to project teams and donors. Strong report writing and presentation skills are critical for success.
How does the local work culture in Zimbabwe's NGO sector affect consultants?
The NGO sector in Zimbabwe values relationship-building and community consultation, so consultants must demonstrate cultural sensitivity and patience when engaging rural communities. Punctuality is expected for meetings, though flexibility is often needed due to logistical challenges like fuel shortages or poor road infrastructure in remote areas. Professionalism, adaptability, and respect for hierarchical decision-making structures are highly regarded.
What career progression opportunities exist for M&E consultants in Zimbabwe?
Successful consultants often advance to senior evaluation specialist roles, M&E manager positions, or technical advisory roles within larger international NGOs or UN agencies. Some transition into permanent staff roles as Monitoring and Evaluation Directors, while others establish independent consulting firms serving multiple development partners. Building a strong portfolio of completed evaluations and maintaining professional networks through platforms like the Zimbabwe Evaluation Association accelerates career growth.
What benefits should consultants expect when working with organizations like DAPP Zimbabwe?
Consultant contracts typically vary by duration and funding availability, with short-term engagements often paid as lump sums or daily rates without full employee benefits. Longer-term consultancies may include limited benefits such as transport allowances, per diems for fieldwork, and accident insurance during official travel. Medical aid and pension contributions are generally reserved for permanent staff rather than consultants, so individuals should negotiate terms clearly before accepting assignments.
How should I apply for a consultant position, and what do Zimbabwean NGO employers prioritize in applications?
Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae highlighting specific evaluation experience, sample reports or terms of reference from previous assignments, and contactable references from past clients or supervisors. Employers prioritize demonstrated experience with similar projects in Zimbabwe, familiarity with donor requirements such as USAID or EU evaluation standards, and evidence of independent fieldwork capability. Submit applications through official channels specified in the vacancy announcement and follow up professionally if no response is received within two to three weeks.
