Terms of Reference (ToR) for Developing an Issues Paper on Unpaid Care and Domestic Work in Zimbabwe
Consultancy, Research Jobs
- Expires 14 Apr 2025
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
1. Background
Unpaid care and domestic work (UCDW) are essential to the functioning of households, communities, and economies, yet they remain largely invisible in economic planning and decision-making. In Zimbabwe, these activities are disproportionately carried out by women and girls, perpetuating gender inequalities and limiting their participation in economic and public life. The integration of care work into broader macroeconomic and social policy discussions is crucial to achieving gender and care-responsive tax measures as well as sustainable development.
In Zimbabwe, the burden of unpaid care and domestic work disproportionately falls on women and girls, reflecting deeply entrenched societal norms and gender roles. This unequal distribution of labour not only reinforces existing gender disparities but also constrains women's and girls’ access to education, economic opportunities, and participation in public life. As a result, UCDW serves as both a symptom and a driver of gender inequality, limiting progress toward gender equality and sustainable development.
Recognizing the significance of addressing these challenges, integrating care work into broader macroeconomic frameworks, social policy discussions, and development planning is essential. Doing so is a crucial step toward creating a gender and care-responsive tax measures , fostering inclusive and sustainable development. By valuing and redistributing UCDW through targeted interventions, it is possible to reduce inequalities and unlock the full potential of all individuals to contribute to economic and social growth. Building on the momentum from prior projects, this assignment will focus on producing a detailed issues paper to inform policy advocacy, programming, and awareness around UCDW in Zimbabwe
2. Objective of the Consultancy
The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop a detailed issue paper on UCDW in Zimbabwe. The paper will:
• Analyze the current landscape of gender and care-responsive tax policies in Zimbabwe, focusing on its impact on gender equality and economic development.
• Identify key challenges and barriers to valuing and redistributing UCDW.
• Provide actionable recommendations for integrating UCDW into macroeconomic planning, social policy, and development strategies.
• Support advocacy efforts by equipping stakeholders with evidence-based insights and strategies to address challenges affecting UCDW in Zimbabwe.
Duties and Responsibilities
3. Scope of Work
• The consultant will be expected to:
• Conduct a desk review of existing research, policy briefs, and data on UCDW in Zimbabwe and related international frameworks.
• Conduct a review of any existing gender and care-responsive tax policies in Zimbabwe.
• Engage with policymakers, civil society, community leaders, and organizations working on care work and gender equality.
• Use qualitative and quantitative data to establish intersectionality of tax justice and gender equality to the care economy.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing gender and care-responsive tax policies and including the proposed Unpaid Care and Domestic Work Bill 2024.
• Prepare a comprehensive document that includes findings, analysis, and actionable recommendations for stakeholders.
3.0 Expected Outputs/Deliverables
• A detailed document outlining the methodology, work plan, and timeline for the assignment.
• Initial draft of the Issue Paper developed for review and feedback from stakeholders.
• A presentation to key stakeholders highlighting the findings and proposed recommendations.
• A refined draft document incorporating initial feedback, prepared for stakeholder review.
• Finalized Issue Paper integrating stakeholder inputs and providing clear, actionable recommendations.
Qualifications and Experience
4. Qualifications and Experience
The ideal consultant(s) should possess:
• A strong background in gender studies, feminist economics, or sociology.
• Proven experience in conducting research on care work, gender equality, or macroeconomic policies.
• Familiarity with Zimbabwe’s socio-economic and cultural context.
• Strong writing and analytical skills, with the ability to produce high-quality, policy-oriented documents.
How to Apply
5. Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following:
• A technical proposal detailing approach, methodology and work plan.
• Financial proposal
• Current CV
• Samples of previous similar work
6. Submission Deadline
Applications should be sent to procurement315@gmail.com by 14 April 2025
