Job Description
Oxfam is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. Across regions, from the local to the global, we work with people to bring change that lasts.
OVERVIEW
Title and brief description of the assignment
Rapid Assessment of the market landscape and suppliers of climate change adaptation solutions in Zimbabwe: Empowering Farmers for a Climate Resilient Future Through Market Systems
Assignment location
Zimbabwe: Buhera, Bulilima, Gutu and Mberengwa districts as entry points.
Contract start date
12 January to 31 March 2026
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit:
1. A technical proposal describing how the evaluation will be conducted.
2. Financial proposal
3. CV (s)
4. Work samples of similar assignments, if any.
See section ‘8. Application Process’ for further details
Application deadline
02 January 2026
Specific considerations
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Oxfam and partners are implementing the Sida supported SIMBISO: Empowering Farmers for a Climate-Resilient Future Through Market Systems project targeting 100,000 farmers in Zimbabwe using Buhera, Bulilima, Gutu, and Mberengwa districts as entry points. The project employs a three-pronged strategy addressing: (1) enhancing the capacity of market actors to provide viable and gender-responsive adaptation solutions for farmers; (2) increasing the capacity of farmers and SMEs for local value addition and sustainable market access; and (3) improving the capacity of the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) and Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to generate and disseminate reliable weather, climate, and hydrological information.
The project builds on the Sida supported Climate Adaptation for Rural Livelihoods (CARL) project implemented in two phases between 2018 and 2025 targeting smallholder farmers in the same four districts. Key challenges such as shifting rainfall patterns, increased water scarcity, land degradation, and crop damage from high temperatures reduce both productivity and income for these already vulnerable groups. A variety of innovative technologies and practices, including drought-tolerant crops, smart and solar powered irrigation systems, conservation tillage, agroforestry, integrated pest management, early warning systems, and sustainable livestock practices, have proven effective in reducing the impacts of climate change. Additionally, solutions such as climate risk insurance and microinsurance schemes can help vulnerable groups to mitigate and cushion the effects of climate change shocks on crops and livelihoods.
However, making these solutions accessible and affordable to the most vulnerable populations in marginalized regions remains difficult without sustained funding from development actors. The direct distribution of technologies, products, training and insurance schemes —often tied to project-based funding—can disincentivize local suppliers and private companies from offering these solutions on a commercial basis and in a sustainable manner.
Similarly access to markets for several climate adapted crops and livestock that the farmers are producing remains limited partly because farmers lack information of market needs or are not aware of the available markets.
Simbiso aims to stimulate the local market for products, technology, and know-how on climate change resilience by attracting private sector suppliers and by facilitating commercially viable business models for existing and new actors that can provide these solutions to farmers in Buhera, Bulilima, Gutu, and Mberengwa districts in the long run and beyond the support of Simbiso.
In line with this, Oxfam seeks to hire a local individual consultant to assess the current market landscape of climate change and resilience solutions and private sector suppliers. The rapid mapping will identify current and potential private sector suppliers of climate change solutions in Buhera, Bulilima, Gutu, and Mberengwa districts and explore the challenges and opportunities to facilitate or accelerate business models that support private sector delivery of these solutions in the four districts.
These terms of reference outline the objectives, tasks, and activities related to this assignment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of work
The individual consultant is expected to collect practical and first-hand data on these issues through field observations and semi-structured interviews with companies, buyers, producers and local authorities at national level and in Buhera, Bulilima, Gutu and Mberengwa districts.
The research process will include regular brainstorming sessions with the Simbiso Consortium as well as produce a final report with a comprehensive inventory of suppliers, a practical overview of the agricultural market trends in the four districts and insights on potential business models and market-led interventions to be explored by Simbiso to facilitate market linkages among private sector suppliers and farmers and cooperatives.
Qualifications and Experience
Profile and experience of the consultant
To ensure that the baseline survey is carried out in the most effective manner possible, the consultant must possess the following attributes:
Essential
The company/ individual(s) should have the following competencies:
• At least 5 years of experience in providing technical advisory in climate change, resilience and smart agriculture.
• Demonstrated expertise in engaging with the private sector in Zimbabwe.
• A minimum of a MSc/Mphil/PHD qualification in any of the following areas: Agricultural Economics, Development studies, Economics, Business Administration or equivalent.
• Previous experience in conducting field market research on value chain development and/or climate change solutions.
• Ability to write concise and practical reports in English.
• Demonstrable experience in agribusiness, value chain and market systems approach, gender analysis for development and resilience projects.
• Must have a good understanding of agribusiness in Zimbabwe, climate change and adaptation practices, shifting of social norms, and innovations for resilience building.
• Must have the ability to conduct high quality research, meet deadlines and timeously respond to requests and feedback.
• Should have strong analytical and conceptual skills to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, make actionable recommendations, and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Regional/Country experience and knowledge: in depth knowledge of Southern Africa
• Language proficiency, fluency in English; good command of local languages Shona and isiNdebele
• Should have a strong reputation for independence and should comply with minimum ethical standards including safeguarding that guide research and evaluations.
Desired
The successful candidate(s) will be selected based on the following criteria
• Sound technical proposal
• Financial proposal
• Experience and educational background
While evaluating the proposal the qualifications and experience of the personnel will be considered.
How to Apply
Application procedure
Interested applicants should read the TORS and submit a technical and financial proposal to: Zimtenders@oxfam.org.uk. The expression of interest should be among other things, demonstrate the consultants’ understanding of these terms of reference, proposed approaches, methodologies or techniques and timelines/schedule The deadline for submission of expressions of interest is 02 January 2026 16:30.
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