TERMS OF REFERENCE (TORs): Recruitment of a Policy Consultant
Consultancy, Research Jobs
- PELUM (Participatory Ecologic…
- Expires 20 Jul 2026
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
National Policy Engagements and Targeted Advocacy Initiatives on Agroecological Entrepreneurship (AAEs) and Territorial Markets (TMs) in Zimbabwe
African Agroecological Entrepreneurship (AAE) Initiative
1. Context
Zimbabwe's agriculture sector remains central to national food security, rural livelihoods, employment creation and economic growth, with the majority of rural households dependent on smallholder farming. The sector continues to face challenges including climate variability, recurrent droughts, declining soil fertility, biodiversity loss, limited access to markets and weak value chain coordination challenges that disproportionately affect rural communities, women, youth and small-scale producers.
In response, the Government of Zimbabwe has prioritized agricultural transformation, food systems resilience, and rural development through national policy frameworks such as the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2 2026-2030), the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2 2026-2030), the Food and Nutrition Security Policy, and the Rural Industrialisation and SME Development Strategies. These frameworks emphasize agriculture, sustainable natural resource management, inclusive value chains, food and nutrition security and increased participation of smallholder farmers in formal and informal markets.
Despite this enabling policy environment, engagement around Agroecological Entrepreneurship (AAEs) and Territorial Markets (TMs) remains fragmented, under-coordinated and insufficiently informed by grassroots evidence and lived community experiences. There is limited structured engagement between policymakers, farmers, civil society organisations, private sector actors and local market systems.
Through the National Policy Engagements and Targeted Advocacy Initiative on AAEs and TMs, a National Advocacy Coordination Platform is being established to strengthen multi-stakeholder policy engagement, evidence generation and coordinated advocacy. A key output of this initiative is the development and refinement of evidence-based policy advocacy materials that translate grassroots evidence and stakeholder consultations into clear, actionable messages for decision-makers. To deliver this output, the initiative is seeking to engage a qualified Policy Consultant.
Assignment Profile
Assignment title
Development of 1 Policy Brief and 1 Position Paper on AAEs and Territorial Markets in Zimbabwe and Facilitate Capacity Building on Integrating Agroecology into Territorial Markets (TMs) in Zimbabwe
Commissioning Organization
PELUM Zimbabwe
Overall project objective
To strengthen inclusive policy engagement and advocacy processes that promote the recognition and integration of Agroecological Entrepreneurship and Territorial Markets within Zimbabwe's policy frameworks.
Target stakeholders
Members of Parliament and Portfolio Committees; Ministries of Local Government and Public Works, Agriculture, Mechanization and Water Resources Development, Industry and Commerce, and Women Affairs and SMEs Development; civil society and farmer networks (FiBL, ZIMAEKN, My Food is Zimbabwe Alliance, ZIMSOFF); territorial market leaders; academic institutions
Assignment period
July to October 2026
Profile of Commissioning Organization
The Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe is an initiative under the Zimbabwe Institute of Permaculture (ZIP). PELUM Zimbabwe was established in 1995 as a network of civil society organisations, private companies and individuals that are working to upscale participatory ecological land use management “pelum” practices for improved nutrition security, livelihoods and environmental sustainability in Zimbabwe.
Consultancy Objective: Development of 1 Policy Brief and 1 Position Paper on AAEs and Territorial Markets in Zimbabwe and Facilitate Capacity Building on Integrating Agroecology into Territorial Markets (TMs) in Zimbabwe
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work:
i. Review key background documents, including relevant concept notes, national policy frameworks, stakeholder mapping outputs and prior advocacy materials.
ii. Conduct a policy and regulatory analysis to identify gaps, opportunities and entry points for advancing AAEs and TMs within national policy frameworks.
iii. Conduct consultations (key informant interviews, focus group discussions and/or desk-based engagement) with relevant stakeholders, including government ministries, Members of Parliament, farmer organisations, territorial market leaders, civil society networks (e.g. ZIMAEKN, My Food is Zimbabwe Alliance), private sector actors and academic institutions.
iv. Draft 1 (one) policy brief, each addressing a distinct thematic priority area related to AAEs and/or TMs (e.g. market recognition and formalisation, agroecological production, inclusive value chains, gender and youth participation).
v. Draft 1 (one) position paper consolidating multi-stakeholder positions and advocacy asks for use in structured engagements with Parliament and Ministries.
vi. Present draft advocacy materials to the Advocacy Subcommittee and relevant stakeholders for review and validation.
vii. Revise and finalise the policy brief and position paper based on stakeholder feedback.
viii. Conduct a national-level training that seeks to translate regional learning into practical capacity strengthening for local stakeholders involved in Territorial Markets.
• Strengthen capacity of Territorial Market actors in Zimbabwe to integrate agroecology and Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) into market systems, governance structures, and value chains.
• Enhance participants’ knowledge and application of PGS as a practical tool for building trust, transparency, and credibility in agroecological markets.
Submit a final compiled package of all advocacy materials, together with a short report summarising the process, methodology and key policy recommendations.
Approach and Methodology
The Consultant is expected to propose a robust and participatory methodology for the assignment. At a minimum, the approach should:
• Be evidence-based, drawing on documented case studies, baseline data and stakeholder consultations.
• Be participatory, ensuring the voices of smallholder farmers, women, youth, persons with disabilities and territorial market actors are reflected in the materials.
• Align with the objectives and stakeholder mapping of the National Advocacy Coordination Platform.
• Ensure validation of draft materials through consultative review processes before finalisation.
• Ensure all materials are written in clear, non-technical, decision-maker-friendly language, with technical/simplified versions produced for wider public communication.
Key Thematic Areas to Guide the Policy Brief and Position Paper
While the Consultant may refine these in consultation with the Advocacy Subcommittee, the materials are expected to address:
• Recognition and formalisation of Territorial Markets within local government and market governance frameworks.
• Integration of agroecological principles and Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) into market systems and value chains.
• Strengthening inclusive value chains and market access for smallholder agroecological entrepreneurs.
• Agroecology, sustainable natural resource management and food and nutrition security.
• Inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities and marginalised producers in AAEs and TMs.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications and Experience
The Consultant (individual or firm) should demonstrate:
• A relevant postgraduate qualification in agricultural economics, public policy, development studies, food systems, law or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in policy analysis, policy brief and position paper development, preferably within agriculture, food systems or agroecology sectors.
• Demonstrated understanding of Zimbabwe's agricultural and rural development policy environment.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation and consultation skills.
• Excellent analytical and policy writing skills, with a proven portfolio of policy briefs, position papers or similar advocacy products.
• Familiarity with agroecology, Territorial Markets and/or Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) will be an added advantage.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
Complete applications should be submitted to info@pelumzimbabwe.org by 20 July 2026. A complete application should include:
i. A detailed technical proposal, including proposed methodology, work plan and timeline.
ii. An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae with traceable references, including relevant academic and professional qualifications and a portfolio of previous policy brief/position paper.
iii. A one-page cover letter expressing interest and relevant qualifications (not more than one page).
iv. A detailed budget, including any travel, consultation and communication costs.
v. Any other relevant supporting documents.
