Call for Research Consultancy on the Application of Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI)’s standard on Gender in Zimbabwe’s Extractive Governance sector

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Closing date: 23 August, 2021

  1. Background

A local NGO that works to promote good governance, environmental justice and sustainable development in the natural resource sector seeks the services of a consultant to undertake a research on the application of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI)[1]’s requirements on gender to the extractive governance sector in Zimbabwe. In many resource rich countries including Zimbabwe, mining is considered as a springboard for economic growth, stabilisation, social and economic transformation. In Zimbabwe, mining is expected to play a critical role driving economic growth expected to alter the country’s development trajectory towards the achievement of the country’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)[2]. In elevating the EITI and gender agenda, different approaches for advancing gender equality in extractives sector through EITI` implementation. The EITI standard since 2019 has gender related requirements namely women’s needs and voices, women’s participation in decision making, gendered impacts and gender disaggregated reporting. Although Zimbabwe is not an EITI implementing country, it is important to assess how gender equality can be strengthened by borrowing from the EITI environmental reporting standards.

In Zimbabwe, women have been largely excluded from participating in and benefiting from extractive industry, yet they are disproportionately vulnerable to many of the negative social, economic and environmental impacts associated with the extractive industries.  Mining in Zimbabwe has been characterised by a number of challenges including loss of traditional livelihoods, loss of access to land by women, conflicts, criminality and increased risks women experiencing gender based violence, poor renumeration, dispossession of mining claims among other issues. Furthermore, mining has escalated inequalities, exclusive economic growth, weak social protection and worse development outcomes for women who constitute 52% of the Zimbabwe population[3].In most instances, communities hosting mining activities bear the cost of environmental impacts of mining such as land degradation, loss of livelihoods[4] and water pollution.

The launch of the US$ 12 billion mining industry vision in 2019 coupled with the Government’s move to sign several mining deals under the Zimbabwe is Open for Business Mantra clearly indicates the significance of the mining sector to the country’s economic fortunes. While the mining sector’s potential to contribute positively to the country’s development efforts is evident, the negative social, economic and environmental impacts of mining on women remain a source of concern to the country’s development path and a barrier to the sustainable development of the country[5]. Evidence shows that women in mineral resources dependent countries often experience greater wealth and right inequality that those countries that are not resource dependent.[6] As the Government increases its drive to attract more investment in the mining sector, there are risks that violation of women’s rights in the extractive sector may worsen or escalate. As such, there is need for Government to strengthen its governance framework promoting gender equality in the extractive sector.

To make great strides in its efforts to address gender inequality issues associated with extractive industries, Zimbabwe should explore opportunities to learn from international best standards on gender governance such as EITI. In accordance with the 2019 Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI)[7] standard on gender, member countries are intensifying their efforts to address the gender impacts of extractive industries. This is done through instituting measures such as publishing gender sensitive data[8] as part of their EITI reporting.

  • Main Objective of the Study

The main objective of the study is to assess the opportunities to advance gender equality through the expansion of the EITI’s standard on gender. The purpose of the study is to assess the opportunities for Zimbabwe to expand its efforts to improve gender equality in line with EITI’s standard on gender. The research findings will be used to promote CSOs engagement with government, mining companies and other stakeholders on opportunities to advance gender equality in the extractives sector.

  • Specific Terms of Reference
  • To review the gaps in the policy and legislative framework in currently in place to support gender accountability and access to gender information vis-à-vis EITI standard on gender reporting.
    • To establish lessons from other natural resource rich countries on the implementation of gender reporting and the relevance of these lessons to Zimbabwe.
    • To assess gender impact data disclosure framework that exist in Zimbabwe and establish gaps and opportunities for the expansion of the 2019 EITI’s provisions on gender reporting.  
    • To assess voluntary initiatives that mining companies are undertaking to promote gender accountability and establish any gaps and opportunities for advancing gender equality.
    • To provide recommendations that CSOs can utilise to engage Government and other stakeholders on opportunities to strengthen gender equality in the extractive sector.

4.0 Key Deliverables

  • Produce an inception report
  • Conduct data collection and analysis
  • Produce a research report
  • Conduct validation meetings
  • Incorporate feedback from validation meetings and submit the final research report

5.0 Qualifications and Experience

  • Previous experience in EITI and Gender focused studies
  • A minimum of a Masters degree qualification in any of the following fields; law, economics, Gender, Development, political Science, sociology or any other relevant degree qualification
  • At least 3 years of research or information gathering and report writing in the sector
  • Availability to start the research immediately and ability to timely deliver on set targets.

6.0 To apply

Individuals/Consultancy companies with demonstrable experience of conducting similar work are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) which should not be more than 5 pages. The EOI must detail applicant’s understanding of the TORs, budget, a summary of applicant’s skills and experience relevant to in carrying out similar work or assignments, and applicant’s Curriculum Vitae, with names of three referees and their contact details (email and phone). Applications which do not contain meet the above documents will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered. Applications must be addressed to procurementzw@gmail.com by the 23 August, 2021. The title of the consultancy should be clearly stated in the email subject and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.


[1]EITI is an international governance tool that seeks to promote good governance of minerals, oil and gas, through requirements to disclose various forms of information at all the stages of the supply chain

[2] https://www.herald.co.zw/attainment-of-vision-2030-premised-on-mining-sector/

[3] http://www.fao.org/3/i6997e/i6997e.pdf

[4] http://www.zela.org/download/mining-within-zimbabwes-great-dyke/

[5] http://ir.msu.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11408/3377/Thesis.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

[6] https://resourcegovernance.org/blog/extractive-sector-laws-policies-contribute-gender-equality

[7] https://eiti.org/news/eiti-launches-2019-eiti-standard

[8]  https://eiti.org/news/eiti-launches-2019-eiti-standard

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