Background and Context

The commissioning organisation invites applications to undertake a collaborative scientific study of water quality, groundwater and water-demand management in lithium mining communities. The consultancy assignment supports a project promoting a just energy transition, community climate resilience and responsible water governance in critical minerals areas.

The consultancy provides for co-creative scientific water testing and groundwater assessments involving communities, university researchers and relevant authorities. It supports the project’s intended results of stronger community agency, institutional capacity and inclusive water management in critical minerals areas. Its findings will also inform related community resilience, water governance and policy interventions.

The evidence and practical monitoring tools will provide a foundation for subsequent work by the client and other organisations. Scientific credibility, documented methods and stakeholder trust are therefore essential. The study must support constructive engagement with mining companies while preserving independent analysis and the rights and perspectives of affected communities.

Review and baseline assessment: Review available water-management reports of targeted mining companies, abstraction and discharge permits, monitoring records, relevant studies and other information. Map selected surface-water and groundwater sources, boreholes, abstraction points, mining operations and priority community water uses. Assess seasonal availability and groundwater levels using field measurements and available historical records, stating data gaps and the limits of a study undertaken within this assignment period.

Water quality and groundwater investigation: Undertake scientifically justified field measurements and laboratory testing at selected sites in both target areas. Assess groundwater conditions, borehole performance where measurable, potential pollution pathways and risks to community water supplies. Distinguish measured conditions, stakeholder reports and inferred risks. Avoid attributing contamination or groundwater decline to a particular source without adequate evidence.

Water demand and practical management options: Assess mining and community water demand, abstraction arrangements and competing uses. Where data permit, prepare a proportionate water balance, clearly identifying assumptions and uncertainty. Examine demand reduction, process-water reuse and recycling, suitable alternative water sources, rainwater harvesting, storage, groundwater recharge and watershed protection. Prioritise options according to technical feasibility, local operating conditions and community needs.

Community needs and pollution prevention: Map priority water-access and water-quality concerns, including those of families being relocated. Assess pollution prevention measures and identify technically appropriate options for boreholes, storage and other supply improvements. Provide siting and implementation considerations and identify further investigations required. Borehole drilling, infrastructure construction and implementation of recommended capital works are outside this consultancy.

Community monitoring and co-creation: Work with community representatives, participating companies, local authorities, regulators, university researchers and relevant students to select priority monitoring locations and indicators. Co-design a simple system covering water quality, quantity, borehole performance, incident recording, reporting and referral to responsible institutions. Provide practical training and accessible monitoring forms, including safe field procedures, equipment uses and maintenance, and circumstances requiring specialist or laboratory confirmation.

Validation and action planning: Facilitate constructive engagement with participating companies, communities, traditional leaders, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Rural District Councils, relevant water-management institutions and universities. Validate findings and develop immediate, medium-term and longer-term actions with proposed responsible parties, indicative resource needs and indicators. Record agreed actions, unresolved issues and commitments requiring further approval.

Methodology and Stakeholder Engagement

The consultant is expected to design and implement a robust, ethically sound methodology tailored to achieve the objectives of the study. While the final approach will be mutually agreed upon, applicants are strongly encouraged to propose the best-fit-for-purpose methodology within their technical proposal.

The proposed methodology should clearly demonstrate how it will address the core-research objectives and may include, but not limited to, research design, data collection, sampling framework, and data analysis. ZimbabweJob Market

Scientific design and evidence quality

The technical proposal must explain how the applicant will produce authentic, accurate, valid and verifiable findings.

Stakeholder access and professional independence.

Applicants must demonstrate established, credible relationships with critical stakeholders. Provide a stakeholder access matrix identifying each institution or stakeholder group, the relationship, and previous engagement. Explain how these relationships will enable site access, information sharing, participation, and convening.

Deliverables and Assignment Schedule

The following milestones are proposed within the fixed assignment period. Applicants must provide their input and a feasible work plan.

The technical proposal must explain how the applicant will produce authentic, accurate, valid and verifiable findings.

Stakeholder access and professional independence

Applicants must demonstrate established, credible relationships with critical stakeholders. Provide a stakeholder access matrix identifying each institution or stakeholder group, the relationship, and previous engagement. Explain how these relationships will enable site access, information sharing, participation, and convening.

Deliverables and Assignment Schedule

The following milestones are proposed within the fixed assignment period. Applicants must provide their input and a feasible work plan.

The following milestones are proposed within the fixed assignment period. Applicants must provide their input and a feasible work plan.

1. Applications close

Due date: 8 November 2026.

Required output: Applicants submit complete technical and financial proposals.

2. Commencement

Due date: 11 November 2026.

Required output: Start-up meeting with the client and confirmation of coordination arrangements.

3. Inception report

Due date: 16 November 2026.

Required output:

* Study design.

* Stakeholder access matrix.

* Sampling and quality assurance plan.

* Laboratory arrangements.

* Work plan.

* Data needs.

* Consent and risk procedures.

4. Baseline and field-assessment package

Due date: 11 December 2026.

Required output:

* Source and use maps.

* Water-demand assessment.

* Field and engagement records.

* Training records.

* Preliminary findings.

* Data register.

* Laboratory results.

5. Draft report and action plan

Due date: 8 January 2027.

Required output:

* Integrated findings supported by validated laboratory results.

* Groundwater and demand analysis.

* Management options.

* Draft monitoring system.

* Prioritised action plan and policy recommendations.

6. Joint validation session

Due date: 15 January 2027.

Required output:

* Facilitation of a session with representatives from both target areas and relevant institutions.

* Accessible presentation.

* Attendance and feedback records.

* Agreed actions and unresolved issues.

7. Final package

Due date: 30 January 2027.

Required output:

* Final report and executive summary.

* Action plan.

* Policy brief.

* Community monitoring toolkit.

* Cleaned data and metadata.

* Quality records.

* Maps.

* Validation record and response to comments.

Reporting and Acceptance

The consultant will report to the client’s designated technical focal person, to be confirmed at contracting.

The client will review deliverables for coverage of both locations, methodological compliance, traceable evidence, technical validity, community participation and practical usability.

Reporting and Acceptance

The consultant will report to the client’s designated technical focal person, to be confirmed at contracting. The client will review deliverables for coverage of both locations, methodological compliance, traceable evidence, technical validity, community participation and practical usability.

Consultant Qualifications and Experience

Applications may be submitted by individuals, teams or firms able to provide the full combination of skills. Identify a lead specialist and the responsibilities, availability and level of effort of each proposed person.

• Relevant qualifications in hydrology, hydrogeology, water resources, environmental science, water-quality assessment or a closely related discipline, with demonstrated competence across hydrology, groundwater assessment and water testing within the proposed team.

• Proven delivery of comparable studies in mining-affected communities, including field sampling, laboratory coordination, quality assurance, water-demand assessment and practical management recommendations.

• Demonstrated capacity to facilitate community engagement, convene companies and public institutions, communicate scientific findings accessibly and manage sensitive relationships independently.

• A credible mobilisation plan, personnel availability, suitable field equipment and laboratory access, sufficient to meet the proposed scope and timetable. State ownership, hire or subcontracting arrangements and laboratory turnaround times.

Evaluation Criteria

Technical proposals will be assessed out of 80 points. Only applicants achieving at least 56 technical points and meeting the essential requirements below will proceed to financial assessment. The total score is out of 100.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Technical proposals will be assessed out of 80 points. Only applicants achieving at least 56 technical points and meeting the essential requirements below will proceed to financial assessment. The total score is out of 100.

1. Technical expertise and delivery capacity – 20 points

Evidence to be assessed:

- Qualifications, role coverage, available personnel, equipment and laboratory arrangements.

2. Comparable experience – 15 points

Evidence to be assessed:

- Two to three relevant assignments, applicant’s specific role, outputs and contactable references.

3. Stakeholder access and convening – 15 points

Evidence to be assessed:

* Verifiable relationships relevant to both areas.

* Realistic permissions and access plan.

* Independence and contingency measures.

4. Collaborative methodology – 15 points

Evidence to be assessed:

- Understanding of scope, community inclusion, co-creation, training, validation and achievable workplan.

5. Data quality and technical credibility – 15 points

Evidence to be assessed:

- Sampling justification, laboratory methods, quality controls, data validation, documentation and limitations.

6. Financial proposal and value for money – 20 points

Evidence to be assessed:

- Complete, realistic and comparable cost for the proposed scope and quality.

Financial score = Lowest evaluated responsive price ÷ Applicant’s evaluated price × 20.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Essential requirements are demonstrated hydrology and water-quality competence, a credible field and laboratory delivery arrangement, and a verifiable access and engagement plan for both areas.

Strong relationships do not compensate for inadequate technical capacity.

Interested applicants must submit the following by 8 November 2026:

1. Technical proposal: Setting out understanding of the assignment, methodology, sampling and quality assurance approach, stakeholder engagement and community participation, workplan, risks, deliverables and personnel inputs.

2. Relevant qualifications and CVs: For all proposed key personnel, with assigned roles; a company profile where applicable.

3. Comparable assignments: Two to three examples of comparable assignments, preferably hydrology, collaborative water testing or water management in mining-affected communities.

4. Stakeholder relationships: Evidence of existing stakeholder relationships and the…

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