Bodhi Global Analysis is a woman-led international development research consultancy established in London in 2017, with subsidiaries in Nairobi, Singapore, Dar es Salaam and The Hague. The organisation specialises in formative and evaluative research through participatory approaches, serving UN agencies, bilateral donors, INGOs and regional organisations across fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Bodhi is an ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001 certified organisation. National Consultants and Field Coordinators Zimbabwe (Roster) Bodhi Global Analysis is expanding its Zimbabwe consultant roster across two complementary profiles: National Consultants and Field Coordinators .
Job Summary
- Type: contract
- Location: Harare
- Category: Research
- Closing Date: 2026-09-03
Key Responsibilities
- Provide contextual expertise on Zimbabwe’s political, security, governance, social and economic dynamics.
- Contribute to methodology, evaluation matrices and data collection tools.
- Conduct desk-based research and stakeholder mapping.
- Synthesise academic literature, policy reports and institutional data.
- Contribute to analysis, drafting and validation of analytical reports, policy briefs and evaluation deliverables.
- Lead or conduct key informant interviews with senior stakeholders.
- Support inception and validation workshops with national stakeholders.
- Recruit, train and manage teams of enumerators and note-takers.
- Maintain gender balance within field teams.
- Plan and oversee quantitative survey data collection using platforms such as KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO or ODK.
- Facilitate and moderate focus group discussions using gender-sensitive and conflict-sensitive approaches.
- Conduct or support key informant interviews at community and local-authority level.
- Manage field logistics, including scheduling, venues, respondent mobilisation and movement planning.
- Implement daily quality assurance, including spot-checks, back-checks, debriefs and review of submitted data.
- Ensure data collection follows ethical standards, informed consent protocols and safeguarding requirements.
- Provide real-time contextual and security updates and advise on risk mitigation.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
- Minimum five years’ professional experience in research, analysis, monitoring and evaluation or a closely related field, with substantial experience focused on Zimbabwe.
- Demonstrated expertise in one or more relevant thematic areas.
- Proven qualitative research experience, including senior-level key informant interviews.
- Excellent analytical, drafting and synthesis skills.
- Established professional networks across government, civil society, academia and the development community in Zimbabwe.
- Current residence in Zimbabwe.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience in field research and data collection.
- Minimum five years’ experience coordinating primary data collection in Zimbabwe, including quantitative surveys and qualitative methods.
- Established, mobilisable network of enumerators and field researchers across Zimbabwe.
- Demonstrated experience training and managing enumerator teams.
- Experience facilitating focus group discussions and conducting key informant interviews.
- Hands-on experience with digital data collection platforms.
- Strong organisational and logistical management skills.
- Current residence in Zimbabwe with the ability to travel to all regions of the country.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Knowledge of Zimbabwe’s national and local languages is essential for community-level work and a strong advantage throughout.
- Commitment to research ethics, informed consent, confidentiality and safeguarding.
- Reliability, attention to detail and commitment to high-quality, objective work.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a remote, multidisciplinary international team.
How to Apply
To apply, please visit: bodhiglobalanalysis.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications or certifications are typically required for National Consultants and Field Coordinators in Zimbabwe’s research sector?
A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Health, or a related field is standard; many employers prefer postgraduate qualifications (e.g., Master’s) or professional certifications like M&E Practitioner (M&EP) or PMI-CP. Relevant field experience—especially with international NGOs, UN agencies, or local research institutions—is often weighted more heavily than academic credentials alone in Zimbabwe’s competitive research job market.
What does a typical day look like for a National Consultant or Field Coordinator working on research projects in Zimbabwe?
Daily tasks include coordinating field teams across provinces (e.g., Mashonaland or Matabeleland), supervising data collection using tools like KoboToolbox or ODK, verifying survey quality, and liaising with community leaders and district health or education officials. Remote work is common but frequent travel to rural areas—often requiring flexibility with transport logistics and accommodation arrangements—is expected and factored into planning.
How does Zimbabwe’s local work culture influence expectations for consultants and field coordinators in research roles?
Respect for hierarchy, relationship-building before task execution, and adherence to local protocols (e.g., seeking chief’s consent before community entry) are essential and non-negotiable in Zimbabwean fieldwork. Punctuality is valued, but timelines may flex to accommodate communal obligations or logistical delays—so adaptability, patience, and strong interpersonal communication in Shona or Ndebele are practical advantages.
What realistic career progression paths exist for someone starting as a National Consultant or Field Coordinator in Zimbabwe’s research ecosystem?
With 3–5 years’ proven performance, professionals often advance to Senior Consultant, Research Team Lead, or M&E Specialist roles—particularly with organisations like ZIMSTAT, UNICEF Zimbabwe, or local think tanks such as the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP). Some transition into capacity-building roles (e.g., training government staff) or establish registered local consultancies eligible for World Bank or SIDA-funded tenders under Zimbabwe’s Private Sector Development Strategy.
What benefits—such as leave, medical aid, or pension—are typically offered to National Consultants and Field Coordinators engaged through rosters in Zimbabwe?
Roster-based consultants are usually engaged on contractual terms and rarely receive employer-sponsored medical aid or pension contributions unless explicitly stated in the contract; statutory benefits like 21 days’ annual leave apply only to permanent employees under the Labour Act. Some international partners offer limited field allowances, emergency evacuation cover, or reimbursement for approved professional development—but these vary by assignment and funding source.
How should I apply for this role, and what do employers in Zimbabwe specifically look for in candidates’ applications?
Applications must be submitted via the employer’s portal or email with a tailored CV highlighting Zimbabwe-specific fieldwork (e.g., ‘led 2022 ZimVAC assessment in Gutu District’) and clear evidence of stakeholder engagement with local authorities. Employers prioritise candidates who demonstrate fluency in local languages, familiarity with national frameworks (e.g., Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 or NDS1), and verifiable references from past Zimbabwe-based research partners—generic international experience alone is rarely sufficient.