Terms of Reference Consultancy Assignment: Co-creative Water Testing Consultancy

Advertisement: 2 November 2026

Application deadline: 8 November 2026

Assignment period: 11 November 2026 to 30 January 2027

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.

Objective of the Assignment

The overall objective of the consultancy assignment is to generate credible, verifiable, and jointly interpreted evidence on water resources, water quality, competing water demands, and feasible management responses in the two target areas.

Specific objectives:

The specific objectives are to:

1. establish a comprehensive baseline by identifying and mapping existing water sources, assessing groundwater conditions, water quality, and availability, and documenting current abstraction patterns and competing water uses across mining, domestic consumption, and livelihood activities.

2. assess pollution risks, pollution prevention measures, and water-demand management options, including priority water needs of communities and families affected by relocation by examining sources of contamination, existing pollution presentation and control measures, and practical options for sustainable water use and allocation.

3. co-design and operationalise a practical community-based water monitoring system and information-sharing system that enables community members to systematically collect, interpret and communicate water-related information.

4. develop a prioritised Water Demand Management and Community Water Action Plan, that translates baseline findings and community-identified priorities into practical, time-bound actions, alongside concise evidence-based recommendations for policy and institutional engagements.

Scope of Work

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.

How to apply

Apply as the advert says: https://vacancymail.co.zw/jobs/terms-of-reference-consultancy-assignment-co-creative-water-testing-consultancy-70126/