Silveira House – Jesuit Socail Justice and Development Center

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultancy for the Development of a Policy Brief on the Revitalisation of Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs) / Community Economic Empowerment Trusts (CEETs)

1. Background

Silveira House (SH) seeks to collaborate with the Government of Zimbabwe on the revitalisation of Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs), now referred to as Community Economic Empowerment Trusts (CEETs). The Government is in the process of developing a new policy framework to guide the operation, governance, and sustainability of CEETs. Recent engagements with stakeholders have highlighted gaps in consultation and uncertainty in policy direction. SH seeks to contribute to the ongoing policy development process through a policy brief informed by a desk study and structured evidence generating consultations with selected CSOTs.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to:

  1. Conduct a comprehensive desk review of the current and previous policy and regulatory frameworks governing CSOTs/CEETs.
  2. Analyse institutional, governance, fiscal, and operational challenges affecting CSOT performance.
  3. Synthesize evidence from literature and stakeholder consultations.
  4. Produce a high-quality policy brief with practical and actionable recommendations for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

3. Objectives

The specific objectives are:

  • To assess strengths and weaknesses of the existing CSOT framework.
  • To analyse lessons learned from functioning, partially functioning, and non-functioning CSOTs.
  • To benchmark Zimbabwe’s experience against regional and global community ownership and benefit-sharing models.
  • To generate policy options for governance, accountability, transparency, and operational sustainability.
  • To develop a concise policy brief aligned to Government of Zimbabwe policy presentation standards.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

4.1 Desk Review

  • Review legal instruments, statutory provisions, Cabinet resolutions, and policy documents governing CSOTs/CEETs.
  • Review previous evaluation reports, academic literature, and development partner analyses.
  • Examine governance structures, funding models, dividend mechanisms, and accountability systems.
  • Conduct comparative analysis of community benefit-sharing frameworks in selected SADC countries.

4.2 Field Consultations

Support and technically guide consultative meetings with CSOTs in:

  • Zvishavane
  • Gwanda
  • Tongogara
  • Mhondoro-Ngezi
  • Marange-Zimunya

The consultant will:

  • Develop consultation tools (discussion guides, analytical templates).
  • Analyse field reports and synthesise stakeholder inputs.
  • Identify cross-cutting governance, legal, fiscal, and institutional challenges.
  • Distil stakeholder-informed reform proposals.

4.3 Drafting of Policy Brief

The consultant will draft a policy brief that:

  • Clearly articulates the policy problem.
  • Summarises key evidence and findings.
  • Presents policy options with comparative analysis.
  • Recommends specific reforms.
  • Aligns with Government policy drafting conventions.

The brief should be concise (10 pages maximum), technically sound, and decision oriented.

4.4 Peer Review and Finalisation

  • Incorporate peer review comments.
  • Ensure policy coherence and clarity

5. Deliverables

Inception Report (methodology, work plan)

Desk Review Report

Field Consultation Analytical Report

Draft Policy Brief

Final Policy Brief (post peer review)

6. Methodology

The consultant is expected to apply:

  • Qualitative policy analysis
  • Institutional and governance analysis
  • Comparative policy benchmarking
  • Stakeholder analysis
  • Political economy analysis

The approach must ensure analytical rigor, neutrality, and production of evidence-based recommendations.

7. Duration of Assignment

The consultancy is expected to be conducted over a period of 4 weeks from the date of contract signature.

8. Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should have:

  • Advanced degree in Public Policy, Development Studies, Law, Economics, Governance, or related field.
  • At least 5 years’ experience in policy analysis and institutional reform.
  • Proven experience in drafting policy briefs.
  • Strong understanding of Zimbabwe’s mining governance, decentralisation, and community benefit-sharing frameworks.
  • Demonstrated analytical and report writing skills.