Background

Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) is a public interest environmental law organization whose mission is to use the law to protect and conserve the environment. The work of the organisation seeks to promote environmental justice in Zimbabwe and Africa through sustainable and equitable utilization of natural resources and environmental protection As the exploitation of mineral resources increases, more ordinary people including women find themselves at the frontlines of defending their environmental rights from violations by State and Corporate actors in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.  These environmental human rights defenders that ZELA works with in mining-affected communities in Zimbabwe and Mozambique are playing a key role in promoting and protecting the rights to a safe, healthy and sustainable environment.Unlike civil and political rights activists whose voices are amplified and mechanisms established for their safety and protection, the work and needs of environmental human rights defender often falls beneath the radar.

It is against this background that this call for a consultancy is being made.

Assignment
ZELA is seeking a consultant who will conduct a legal research into the recognition and protection of environmental human rights defenders in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The research  is intended to document issues regarding the safety, protection and recognition of environmental human rights defenders and also feed into the development of an African Declaration on the Promotion of the Role of Human Rights Defenders and their Protection in Africa as per 432 Resolution of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.

Output/Deliverables

Timeline
The assignment will be conducted between the 1^st July 2020 and 20^th July 2020. The final discussion paper must be submitted to ZELA by 31^st July 2020.

Application procedure

Persons with demonstrable experience of producing similar discussion papers are encouraged to submit: An Expression of Interest (EOI) which is not more than 5 pages. The EOI must detail applicant’s understanding of the TORs and costs; a cover letter summarizing applicant’s skills and past experience relevant to conducting this kind of assignment; applicant’s Curriculum Vitae, with names of three referees and their contact details (email and phone). Applications which do not contain all the above documents will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered. Applications must be addressed to berna@zela.org and cc plaxedes@zela.org by the 26^th June 2020. The title of the consultancy should be clearly stated in the email subject and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.