Opportunity
Terms of Reference
Due Date: 14 October 2022
Background and introduction
Zimbabwe is on a drive to achieve a US$12 Billion mining industry which is expected to help the mineral sector-led economic development of the whole country. The country can leverage the massive potential of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining sector particularly the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector in helping to revive the country’s economy by broadening its revenue base and improving the socio-economic development of Zimbabwe. Corruption and gold smuggling among other issues continue to cripple the country’s efforts to leverage its mineral resources, particularly Gold for economic growth.
Despite underpinning the country’s social and economic growth prospects in the ASGM sector, Conflict and violence have engulfed the sector’s major gold-producing districts, frequently flaring up on closed gold mines and gold rush hot spots. The informality of the ASGM sector, plays a central role in triggering, fanning and sustaining disputes and conflicts. Mining-related disputes in the artisanal and small-scale sectors may become violent or subtle depending on the circumstances, Conflict in the ASGM revolves around claim ownership, criminality, and theft. These conflicts are usually between farmers and miners, miners and miners, miners and the police, miners and politicians, miners and the community, and miners versus local businesspeople sometimes the mining communities end up not benefiting from the discovery of the mineral in their area. Obsolete mining rights systems that do not take into account population growth, new economic conditions and the demand for jobs contributes to conflicts.
These conflicts sometimes lead to gross human rights abuses, inhibit development efforts, subvert peace and security and destabilize resource management and conservation regimes. The socio-economic gains of ASGM are now overshadowed by malignant violence in ASGM. As a result of increased violence in ASM, Zimbabwe is open-for-business Agenda might have suffered a huge dent in the eyes of local and international investors and the market who are keen on responsible mineral supply chains. Despite all this negativity, we must not forget, the ASM sector has huge transformative potential to the local and national economy – employment creation, income generation and community enterprise development are some of the benefits that can be reaped from ASM
There is a need for policy, and legislative practice reforms in the gold sector in order to protect and empower marginalised groups and communities to defend their rights and to promote actions that secure community livelihoods. In order for this to be realized, communities should be involved in monitoring conflicts, violence and responsible sourcing in their area and share the information with parliament and other stakeholders responsible for curbing conflicts, and violence. It is against this background that the organization is developing a monitoring toolkit for the Artisanal Small Scale Gold sector. The tool seeks to provide an understanding of what violence, conflicts and irresponsible sourcing are, the nature of violence, conflicts and irresponsible sourcing practises in the ASM sector, the steps that are supposed to be followed when communities monitor conflicts, violence and irresponsible sourcing issues, laws and policies in place to address these issues, best practises or standards that have been adopted by other countries in dealing with the issues, the roles played by different strategies in addressing all the forms of conflicts, violence and irresponsible sourcing practises and strategies that community monitors or someone affected should pursue to address conflicts and violence including engagement with parliament.
Key Deliverables
The consultant will submit a toolkit in both an electronic version and a signed hard copy. The document should be very precise and address each specific objective.
To apply
The desired specification and qualities of the consultant(s) are as here under:
Postgraduate in Social studies or Development Studies, Law, Mining or a related field. A strong understanding of gender justice and human rights, development, humanitarian and protection issues and the social, cultural, and economic context.
At least 5 years of experience in conducting comprehensive studies or assessments on various aspects, preferably in ASM-related fields, using advanced research methodologies.
Knowledge and experience in mining, environmental management, chemical usage and assessment in training needs on safety, gender and formalization in the ASGM sector
Demonstrated experience in conducting assessments in the ASM sector.
Experience in effective interaction with private and national institutions, both government and financial on violence and protection issues.
Be conversant with current laws, policies, and practices in Zimbabwe.
Practical application of cross-cutting themes like climate change, child labour, gender, people with disabilities gender, M&E, and Advocacy.
Excellent report writing and quantitative and qualitative data collection and analytical skills.
Experience in working with international and national organizations to work within a limited time frame
Demonstrated track record in the preparation of toolkits
In-depth knowledge and experience in using participatory research methods (household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions).
How to apply
Interested individuals or organizations are to email their expression of interest, with clear specific objectives, methodology, time frame and budget to procurementzw@gmail.com not later than 14/October/22 with a must-include list of traceable references of three (3) reputable companies/organizations. Individuals or organizations should submit toolkits which they have developed before which are relevant to the assignment.
