TERMS OF REFERENCE
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
Community Mobilisation Consultant – Critical Minerals Governance
The assignment will involve acting as a liaison between Oxfam and stakeholders at provincial, district and other sub-national levels and conducting targeted mobilisation and engagement of selected communities on the project pertaining to critical minerals in the context of the Lobito Corridor development project.
Assignment location
Solwezi and selected Districts of North-Western province-notably Kalumbila and Mwinilunga
Contract start date
01 July 2026
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit:
1) Cover letter
2) Curriculum Vitae
Application deadline : 25 June 2026
1. PURPOSE OF THIS CONSULTANCY
The scoping mission conducted by Oxfam in 2024 revealed inadequate presence and activity in some parts of areas of interest along the designed route of the Lobito Corridor Rail project in North-Western province of Zambia. Therefore, this consultancy seeks to identify and engage a consultant with vast knowledge of the region and well-grounded in local realities to support to mobilise and engage communities. By so doing, Oxfam will be able to support the work to contribute to the protection of human and environmental rights by strengthening local awareness and agency. Ultimately, implementing major infrastructural and mining projects will work to not only benefit investors but also safeguard human rights of local communities while creating tangible long-term economic benefits for local communities, particularly the youth.
2. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The rush for transitional minerals in Southern Africa has driven interest from both governments and private sector actors to secure key resources such as copper, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements, which are essential for the global clean energy transition. Zambia, as the second-largest producer of copper and cobalt on the continent, plays a crucial role in global supply chains. However, despite these economic opportunities, challenges such as weak governance systems, inequitable distribution of benefits, gender disparities, and environmental degradation persist in the mining sector.
Oxfam in Zambia, in partnership with Oxfam United States, is implementing the project “Transforming Zambia’s Critical Mineral Supply Chains: Advancing Human Rights, Transparency, and Sustainable Development.” The project aims to strengthen governance, promote transparency, and ensure that local communities, especially women and marginalized groups, benefit from Zambia’s mineral wealth. The focus area of the project is Western province, and specific districts along the route of the Lobito Corridor rail project, notably Solwezi, Kalumbila and Mwinilunga.
3. SCOPE OF WORK
Subject to agreed monthly activity plans and deliverables, the tasks related to this scope of work are outlined as follows:
1) Stakeholder and Community Mapping
The Consultant shall identify and map target communities, relevant local structures, and key stakeholders within the project area. This includes community-based organisations, women’s groups, faith-based organisations, environmental groups, local leaders, advocacy networks, private sector actors, and other individuals or partners relevant to project implementation and participatory research activities.
The mapping will support community mobilisation, stakeholder coordination, understanding of local dynamics, and identification of relevant advocacy entry points related to the Lobito Corridor.
2) Community Mobilisation
The Consultant shall lead community mobilisation activities within the project area to support relationship building, local participation, and engagement around issues related to extractive industry and infrastructure development.
Mobilisation efforts should prioritize inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups and support community understanding of issues related to land rights, environmental rights, community participation, and the impacts of the Lobito Corridor.
3) Support to Participatory Community Research
The Consultant shall support implementation of participatory community research activities through community mobilisation, coordination of local participation, information gathering, and facilitation of engagement throughout the research process using prescribed methodologies.
This may include supporting community needs assessments, documenting community priorities and concerns, and providing contextual feedback on emerging findings.
4) Liaison with Local and Traditional Authorities
The Consultant shall liaise with local government authorities, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and other relevant stakeholders in selected communities within the Lobito Corridor.
These engagements will support coordination, community engagement, and dialogue on issues related to the social, environmental, and human rights impacts of the Lobito Corridor.
4. EXPECTED OUTPUTS
Overall objective
The objective of the assignment is to it facilitate sub-national stakeholder engagement and mobilise targeted communities to participate in the project.
Specific outputs
The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:
1) Identify and engage community structures, local networks, and community representatives to support mobilisation, awareness raising, capacity strengthening, and inclusive participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups.
2) Liaise with local authorities, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders on issues related to community, land, environmental, and human rights in the context of extractive industry development.
3) Support participatory community research and information gathering through community mobilisation, coordination of engagement activities, and documentation of community priorities and concerns using prescribed methodologies.
4) Identify emerging issues and advocacy opportunities related to the social, environmental, and human rights dimensions of the Lobito Corridor and support Oxfam’s engagement in multi-stakeholder dialogues with government institutions, CSOs, community representatives, private sector actors, and international partners.
5. DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Remuneration is based on submission of final deliverables according to the schedule below.
No
DELIVERABLE 1
Time-bound, 6-month detailed activity plan (drawn from the stipulated scope of work).
By end of Week 1
20% total budget
2
DELIVERABLE 2
Support identification and mobilisation of communities.
By end of Week 3
3
DELIVERABLE 3
Mobilise community members in targeted areas in harmony with existing structures.
By end of Week 4
40% total budget
4
DELIVERABLE 4
Support design and implementation of participatory research on outcomes of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).
By end of Month 2
5
DELIVERABLE 5
Report on pertinent and emerging issues and advocacy opportunities related to the social, environmental, and human rights dimensions of the Lobito Corridor.
End of Month 5
6
DELIVERABLE 6
Report on community and sub-national institutional stakeholder information dissemination and dialogue.
End of Month 6
40% total budget
TOTAL
100%
6. PROFILE REQUIREMENTS
The company/ individual(s) should have the following competencies:
Essential
· Degree in Environmental Studies, Development Studies or similar field.
· Proficiency in English, Bemba and Kaonde.
· Minimum of 5 years’ experience in methodologies and tools for participatory research and community engagement in natural resource governance and mining projects in particular.
· Knowledge of the operating context of North-Western province.
· Excellent report writing skill.
Desired
· Experience with Oxfam projects and partnerships.
· Communicative articulation in Lunda.
7. APPLICATION PROCESS
Submission deadline
Quotations and applications must reach Oxfam no later than 17:00hrs on 26/06/2026.
Submission instructions
Responses must be submitted electronically to: Zimtenders@oxfam.org.uk OR Zambialogistics@oxfam.org.uk
The subject of the mail should be: Community Mobiliser-North-Western Province
Clarifications
Any questions, remarks or requests for clarification can be sent up to 7 days before the submission deadline in writing. The (anonymised) questions will be answered to all applicants.
Administrative compliance (list of documents to be submitted)
Responses must be submitted and prepared in English and received by the deadline.
To be shortlisted for evaluation against award criteria, the following documents must be included in the application:
Administrative Criteria Importance
- Letter of Expression of Interest or competency statement
Mandatory
2. Financial offer (daily consultancy rate in Zambian Kwacha)
Mandatory
3 Curriculum Vitae(s) (CV) of the proposed consultant(s), proving relevant skills, experience in similar work and qualifications.
Mandatory
4.Two relevant references (minimum) for previous comparable assignments
Mandatory
5. Proof of valid Tax Payer Identification Number/Certificate
Mandatory
Oxfam withholds the right to conduct interviews with one or more potential suppliers before an award decision is made. The purpose of the interview is to seek further clarification on the submitted quotations and learn more about the background and previous experiences of the potential suppliers and their teams.
8. OTHER CONDITIONS
Issuance of this Terms of Reference does not constitute an award commitment on the part of Oxfam, nor does it commit Oxfam to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a bid.
The attached Annexes are an integral part of this Request for Proposals – see section 12.
Oxfam may contact bidders to confirm contacts, addresses, bid amount and to confirm that the bid was submitted for this solicitation.
Right to Select/ Reject
Oxfam reserves the right to select and negotiate with those firms it determines, in its sole discretion, to be qualified for competitive proposals and to terminate negotiations without incurring any liability. Oxfam also reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received without explanation.
Reserved rights
All applications and quotes become the property of Oxfam, and Oxfam reserves the right in its sole discretion to:
· Disqualify any offer based on applicant’s failure to follow solicitation instructions.
· Waive any deviations by the applicant from the requirements of this terms of reference that, in Oxfam’s opinion, are considered immaterial defects requiring rejection or disqualification; or where such a waiver will promote increased competition.
· Extend the time for submission of responses after notification to all applicants.
· Terminate or modify the process at any time and re-issue the request for quotation to whomever Oxfam deems appropriate.
· Issue an award based on the initial evaluation of offers without discussion.
· Award only part of the activities in the solicitation or issue multiple awards based on solicitation activities.
9. CODE OF CONDUCT
Oxfam is committed to integrity in its operations and supply chains and ensuring high ethical standards. Complying with all laws and regulations and ensuring fair competition are fundamental to this commitment. We actively promote these principles and standards, and expect all Oxfam suppliers to demonstrate commitment towards them.
All consultants/applicant are required to agree and adhere to the Oxfam Supplier Code of Conduct, whereas individuals (including consultants) must sign the Oxfam Non Staff Code of Conduct[1]. These Codes of Conduct set out the specific standards and principles in the areas of human and labour rights, environmental impact and anti-corruption that suppliers must follow.
Oxfam has the following requirements of its service providers, to ensure integrity in its supply chain:
Bribery and collusion
Oxfam does not tolerate fraud, including bribery or kickbacks, collusion among bidders, bribery or kickbacks. Any firm or individual violating these standards will be disqualified from this procurement and barred from future procurement opportunities.
Employees and representatives of Oxfam are strictly prohibited from asking for or accepting any money, fee, commission, credit, gift, gratuity, object of value or compensation from current or potential vendors or suppliers in exchange or as a reward for business.
False statements
Bidders must provide full, accurate and complete information as required by this solicitation and Annexes. False statements in bids constitutes grounds for immediate termination of any agreement with the supplier. OXFAM takes misstatements, falsification, manipulation, alteration of facts and/or documents very seriously, has a zero-tolerance policy to such behaviours, and may choose to take legal action in a case of misrepresented disclosures by
Conflict of interest
Bidders must provide disclosure of any past, present or future relationships with any parties associated with the issuance, review or management of this solicitation and anticipated award. Failure to provide full and open disclosure may result in Oxfam having to re-evaluate the selection of a potential bidder.
Diversion of funds
Oxfam is determined that all its funds and resources should only be used to further its mission and shall not be subject to illicit use by any third party nor used or abused for any illicit purpose. Suppliers (and their affiliates/group companies, employees, officers, owners, agents and sub-contractors) may be subject to formal screening against global lists of individuals subject to designation or proscription under financial sanctions or counter terrorism regulations.
10. Monitoring
Due diligence: As a charitable organisation, Oxfam must take care to protect its assets and funds, as well as the communities that we work with. One of the steps that Oxfam takes to comply with this legal duty is to conduct adequate and proportionate due diligence on suppliers prior to entering into a contract. This includes checking legal registration and financial solvency, but may also include other checks, such as misconduct/performance reference checks and if working with children or vulnerable adults, a criminal records check.
Important note: Oxfam performs a regular screening check of all suppliers against international sanctions lists.
Audit: Any audit requirements are detailed in the terms and conditions of business
Data protection: Oxfam is legally bound to ensure that all personal details held by the organisation relating to any individual or entity are kept secure and according to international data protection standards.
11. MISCONDUCT REPORTING AND WHISTLEBLOWING
Oxfam’s reporting and whistleblowing mechanisms are available for Service Providers as well Oxfam employees, to ensure that Oxfam continues to operate under the highest ethical standards and principles.
You can use these reporting channels confidentially, anonymously, and in your own language to report any concerns involving fraud, corruption, waste, abuse or safeguarding concerns.
Speak up
Oxfam GB
Oxfam Novib
Oxfam Intermón
Email:
SpeakUp@oxfam.org.uk
integrity@oxfamnovib.nl
buzon.etico@oxfam.org
Online:
Oxfam Misconduct Reporting Webform (including possibility for anonymous reporting)
https://oxfam.clue-webforms.co.uk/webform/misconduct/
Phone:
Global phone number: +44 1249 661808
Check https://speakup.oxfamnovib.nl for local numbers (you can request interpretation)
12. ANNEXES
· Oxfam Supplier Code of Conduct: https://oxfam.box.com/v/Oxfam-Supplier-CodeConduct
· Oxfam Non-Staff Code of Conduct: https://oxfam.box.com/v/Nonstaff-CodeConduct
· Conflict of interest declaration form: https://oxfam.box.com/v/Supplier-COI-declaration
· Safeguarding policy
· (If applicable) Oxfam child safeguarding policy
(Edit if applicable) Example privacy notice : https://oxfam.box.com/s/mo8artt9l8a2x0cnpqrqqrugt8k0r773
[1] Non-Staff Code of Conduct applies for any self-employed individuals or contracted employees of suppliers who are working on Oxfam sites, or who have access to Oxfam materials, or who may represent Oxfam in any manner but are not part of Oxfam’s legal entity)
