Consultancy Opportunity: Development of a Model Regulation Framework on Child Marriages
Consultancy, Research Jobs
- Expires 22 Aug 2025
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
1. Background
Child marriage continues to be a critical issue in Zimbabwe, with approximately 34% of girls married before the age of 18. Despite legislative reforms, including the enactment of the Marriages Act (Chapter 5:17), child marriage remains prevalent, driven by socio-economic, cultural, and religious factors, as well as gaps in implementation and enforcement of laws.
At the regional level, the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage provides comprehensive guidance for member states to align their national legal frameworks with international standards. This includes setting the minimum age of marriage at 18 and instituting protective and remedial mechanisms for child marriage victims.
Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) Zimbabwe has made significant strides in highlighting the urgency of this issue, most notably through the report:
"An Analysis of the Laws and Policies in Place for Protection and Support of Victims/Survivors of Child Marriages in Zimbabwe – A Case Study of Epworth, Harare", accompanied by the policy brief, “Imperative Legal, Policy and Institutional Reforms for Enhanced Support and Protection of Child Marriage Victims and Survivors."
These initiatives have gained traction among key stakeholders, including the Law Society of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, who referenced the findings during national dialogues. However, to ensure lasting impact, there is a need to consolidate these insights into a Model Regulation Framework that can drive legal, policy, and institutional reforms aligned with the Marriages Act and international human rights obligations.
Duties and Responsibilities
2. Objective of the Consultancy
The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive Model Regulation Framework that gives full effect to the relevant provisions of the Marriages Act, closes existing legal and policy gaps and aligns with regional and international standards on the prevention of child marriage and protection of survivors.
3. Scope of Work and Specific Tasks
The Consultant will be responsible for:
• Leading the Development of a Model Regulation Framework on child marriages
• Auditing and Analysing existing national laws and policies (with a focus on the Marriages Act) to identify gaps related to child marriage prevention and victim protection
• Reviewing International and Regional Instruments, including the SADC Model Law, to benchmark best practices and compliance levels.
• Recommending Legal and Policy Reforms based on identified gaps and the findings of prior studies
• Consulting with Stakeholders, including government ministries, CSOs, survivors and legal practitioners to validate findings and proposed provisions
• Drafting a Model Regulation Framework that can be used to support policy advocacy and legal reform efforts at national and sub-national levels
• Presenting Key Findings and the draft Framework at a validation meeting for stakeholder review
4. Deliverables
The Consultant is expected to produce the following outputs:
1. Analytical Report covering:
• Legal and policy gaps relating to child marriage
• Compliance analysis with international and regional human rights frameworks
• Challenges faced by victims/survivors of child marriage
• Stakeholder consultation findings
• Actionable recommendations for law and policy reform
2. Comprehensive Model Regulation Framework on child marriages, clearly aligned with:
• The Marriages Act
• The Constitution of Zimbabwe
• SADC and other international standards.
3. Presentation of Findings and Recommendations at a multi-stakeholder validation meeting
Qualifications and Experience
5. The ideal Consultant should possess
• A post-graduate degree in Law, Gender Studies, Human Rights, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in legal research, analysis, and drafting, particularly in areas relating to child rights, gender justice, or marriage laws.
• In-depth knowledge of Zimbabwean law, as well as regional and international human rights instruments.
• Prior experience developing model laws, regulations, or policy frameworks
• Excellent writing, analytical and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within deadlines
How to Apply
7. Application Process
Interested applicants should submit the following:
• A cover letter detailing relevant experience and approach to the consultancy.
• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Samples of previous work (e.g., reports, policy briefs, legal frameworks).
• A proposed work plan and budget indicating consultancy fees and timelines.
Application Deadline: 22 August 2025
Email Submissions to: procurement315@gmail.com
