Call for Capacity Strengthening Partner for the Urban Futures Project (Zambia and Zimbabwe)

Deadline: 21-Jun-2026

The opportunity from Hivos seeks a Capacity Strengthening and Consortium Governance Support Partner to strengthen coordination, organizational systems, and collaborative learning under the Urban Futures Project. The assignment focuses on improving governance, financial and operational systems, and regional collaboration across Zambia and Zimbabwe to support climate-resilient and inclusive urban food systems.

About the Urban Futures Project

The Urban Futures Project was launched in 2024 by Hivos in partnership with the Botnar Foundation and local implementing partners. It responds to interconnected challenges in urban regions, including:

• Climate change impacts on cities
• Rapid urbanization pressures
• Food insecurity in urban populations

The project promotes:

• Inclusive and climate-resilient cities
• Sustainable urban food systems
• Youth participation in decision-making
• Access to opportunities in food-related value chains
• Availability of healthy, affordable, and attractive food options

The initiative operates across city-regions in Zambia and Zimbabwe, specifically Chongwe, Kitwe, Bulawayo, and Mutare.

Purpose of the Assignment

The assignment is designed to strengthen the overall functioning and effectiveness of the consortium by improving governance, coordination, and organizational capacity.

Key objectives include:

• Strengthening consortium governance structures and coordination mechanisms
• Improving organizational systems and documentation practices
• Enhancing financial planning, budgeting, and reporting processes
• Strengthening communication and collaboration between partners
• Supporting leadership capacity of Lead Partners
• Facilitating collective learning and reflection processes
• Building trust and conflict-sensitive collaboration
• Improving knowledge management systems
• Supporting adaptive management and regional coordination

Scope of Work

The selected partner will provide technical and facilitation support across multiple areas.

Governance and Coordination Strengthening

Activities include:

• Reviewing existing consortium governance structures
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities across partners
• Strengthening decision-making and accountability mechanisms
• Improving communication channels between Lead and Consortium Partners
• Enhancing coordination efficiency across city-regions

Organizational Capacity Assessment

The partner will:

• Conduct participatory assessments of consortium systems
• Review financial, administrative, and operational processes
• Analyze collaboration practices among partners
• Identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement
• Produce a Capacity and Consortium Governance Assessment Report

Capacity Strengthening Planning

Based on the assessment, the partner will:

• Develop tailored capacity strengthening plans for each consortium member
• Design practical tools, templates, and implementation timelines
• Align interventions with organizational needs and consortium roles
• Provide guidance for strengthening internal systems

Financial and Operational Systems Support

Focus areas include:

• Planning and budgeting processes
• Financial reporting systems
• Documentation and compliance systems
• Internal coordination structures
• Staff onboarding processes

Coaching and Learning Support

The assignment includes:

• Remote and in-person coaching sessions
• Support for implementation of agreed action plans
• Facilitation of reflective learning processes
• Strengthening collaboration across partners

Regional Learning and Reflection

The consultant will:

• Organize and facilitate a Regional Urban Futures Reflection and Learning Meeting in 2026
• Support peer learning across Zambia and Zimbabwe city-regions
• Strengthen trust-building and collaborative problem-solving
• Document key lessons and shared insights

Geographic Scope

The assignment covers urban regions in:

• Zambia: Chongwe, Kitwe
• Zimbabwe: Bulawayo, Mutare

Deliverables

The selected partner will be responsible for producing:

• Inception report
• Capacity and governance assessment report
• Organizational strengthening plans
• Facilitation tools and training materials
• Coaching and accompaniment documentation
• Meeting reports from learning sessions
• Final report with lessons learned and recommendations

Budget and Contract Value

• Total contract value: €65,000
• Covers all assessment, facilitation, coaching, reporting, and learning activities

Key Focus Areas (Summary)

This assignment prioritizes:

• Consortium governance and accountability systems
• Financial and operational strengthening
• Organizational learning and adaptive management
• Cross-country collaboration and coordination
• Trust-building and conflict-sensitive cooperation
• Youth-centered urban resilience and food systems

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants are expected to have expertise in:

• Organizational development and capacity strengthening
• Consortium or multi-partner governance systems
• Financial management and planning processes
• Facilitation of multi-stakeholder learning processes
• Urban development, climate resilience, or food systems (advantage)
• Regional or international development programmes

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to work across multiple countries and support collaborative systems strengthening.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Urban regions in Zambia and Zimbabwe face growing challenges linked to climate change, food insecurity, and rapid urbanization. Strong coordination between partners is essential to ensure effective implementation.

This assignment supports:

• Stronger and more transparent governance systems
• Improved efficiency across consortium partners
• Better financial and operational accountability
• Enhanced collaboration and trust
• Stronger learning and adaptation across regions
• More impactful urban food system interventions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is the purpose of this consultancy?
  To strengthen consortium governance, coordination, and organizational capacity under the Urban Futures Project in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• Which countries and cities are involved?
  The assignment covers Zambia (Chongwe, Kitwe) and Zimbabwe (Bulawayo, Mutare).
• What is the total contract value?
  The contract is valued at €65,000.
• What are the main areas of work?
  Governance strengthening, capacity assessments, financial systems improvement, coaching, and regional learning facilitation.
• What will be the main deliverables?
  Reports, capacity strengthening plans, facilitation materials, coaching documentation, meeting reports, and a final lessons learned report.
• What is the role of the selected partner in learning activities?
  The partner will organize and facilitate a regional reflection and learning meeting in 2026.
• What kind of expertise is required?
  Experience in organizational development, consortium governance, financial systems strengthening, and multi-stakeholder facilitation is required.

Conclusion

The Hivos Urban Futures Consortium Governance Support assignment offers a structured opportunity to strengthen collaborative systems across Zambia and Zimbabwe. By improving governance, financial systems, and learning processes, the initiative aims to enhance coordination among partners working toward inclusive, climate-resilient urban food systems with strong youth participation.

For more information, visit Hivos.