Deadline: 20-Mar-2026
The World Food Programme (WFP) Zimbabwe has launched a USD 499,999 consortium partnership opportunity in Matobo District, Matabeleland South, to strengthen climate resilience and food systems.
The initiative integrates livelihoods, poultry value chain development, WASH infrastructure, environmental restoration, and gender-based protection.
An experienced cooperating partner will collaborate with WFP, Hamara, and local authorities to implement sustainable, inclusive, and climate-adaptive interventions.
The World Food Programme (WFP) Zimbabwe is seeking an experienced consortium partner to implement an integrated resilience-building programme in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe.
The programme focuses on strengthening rural livelihoods, improving water security, restoring ecosystems, and advancing gender equality through coordinated multi-sector interventions.
Indicative Budget: USD 499,999
Geographic Focus: Matobo District, Zimbabwe
Programme Type: Consortium Partnership
Strategic Objective
The primary objective is to strengthen food systems resilience in semi-arid rural communities affected by climate shocks, water scarcity, and social vulnerability.
The programme integrates four pillars:
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Livelihoods and agricultural market systems
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WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and climate resilience
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Environmental management and ecosystem restoration
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Gender equality and social protection
This integrated approach addresses systemic barriers rather than isolated sector challenges.
Why Matobo District?
Matobo District faces persistent structural challenges that undermine household resilience.
Key challenges include:
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Chronic water scarcity
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Environmental degradation and soil erosion
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Weak watershed management systems
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Limited rural infrastructure
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Gender inequality and protection risks
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Exposure to erratic rainfall and drought
WFP’s Seasonal Livelihoods Programming assessment identified critical gaps in water access, gender equality, and natural resource governance, increasing vulnerability among smallholder farmers.
Partnership Model and Key Actors
WFP Zimbabwe
WFP provides strategic oversight, funding, technical standards, and monitoring aligned with resilience-building and food security frameworks.
Hamara
Hamara is a private sector company specializing in:
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Contract farming
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Poultry value chain development
Hamara’s ecosystem supports farmers through:
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Input supply
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Extension services
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Microfinance
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Market access
However, the model requires complementary investments in water infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and gender-responsive programming.
Consortium Partner
The selected partner will:
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Coordinate implementation
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Work with local government structures
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Strengthen community institutions
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Deliver integrated interventions across sectors
Programme Components
1. Livelihoods and Agricultural Market Support
Focus Areas:
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Animal production systems (especially poultry)
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Smallholder agricultural market integration
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Climate-resilient production practices
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Income diversification
Objective: Improve productivity and reduce vulnerability to climate shocks.
2. WASH and Climate Resilience
Planned interventions:
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Rehabilitation and upgrading of boreholes
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Development or rehabilitation of water harvesting systems
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Water infrastructure near Hamara-supported farmers
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Integration of WASH facilities in schools and community sites
Expected Outcomes:
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Improved access to safe water
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Reduced climate vulnerability
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Better hygiene and public health
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Increased agricultural sustainability
3. Environmental Management and Natural Resource Governance
Activities include:
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Soil and water conservation measures
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Watershed management plan development
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Afforestation initiatives
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Land reclamation of degraded areas
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Community-led conservation works
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Biodiversity conservation
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Ecosystem service restoration
Objective: Restore ecological balance and ensure long-term agricultural productivity.
4. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
The partnership will prioritize:
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Leadership training for women farmers
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Joint household decision-making promotion
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Gender-based violence prevention campaigns
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Youth entrepreneurship initiatives
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Peacebuilding and conflict management training
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Social cohesion strengthening
Objective: Ensure inclusive and equitable resilience gains.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants should be experienced organizations capable of leading or participating in a consortium.
Typical eligible entities include:
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National NGOs
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International NGOs
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Civil society organizations
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Organizations with demonstrated experience in rural resilience programming
Applicants must demonstrate:
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Strong WASH implementation capacity
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Environmental restoration expertise
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Gender mainstreaming and protection programming experience
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Capacity for multi-stakeholder coordination
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Results-based management and reporting capability
How the Partnership Works
Step 1: Consortium Formation
An experienced lead organization establishes or leads a consortium structure if required.
Step 2: Coordination Framework
The partner collaborates with WFP, Hamara, and local government authorities.
Step 3: Integrated Implementation
Activities are rolled out across:
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Poultry production zones
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Community sites
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Schools
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Watershed and conservation areas
Step 4: Monitoring and Accountability
The partner aligns with WFP standards for:
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Results-based management
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Environmental safeguards
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Protection mainstreaming
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Community accountability mechanisms
Key Concepts Explained
Food Systems Resilience
The capacity of agricultural and market systems to absorb climate shocks and continue functioning effectively.
WASH
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene interventions that improve health and reduce environmental stress.
Watershed Management
Sustainable planning and conservation of land and water resources within a drainage basin.
Gender-Responsive Programming
Designing interventions that address gender inequalities and promote equal participation and benefits.
Ecosystem Service Restoration
Rehabilitation of natural systems that support agriculture, water supply, and biodiversity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
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Proposing single-sector interventions without integration
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Weak environmental sustainability strategies
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Superficial gender mainstreaming approaches
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Poor coordination plans with Hamara and local authorities
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Limited climate risk analysis
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Underdeveloped community engagement strategies
Strong proposals must demonstrate systemic thinking and cross-sector integration.
Why This Initiative Matters
This initiative matters because it:
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Strengthens climate adaptation in semi-arid zones
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Enhances sustainable poultry value chains
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Improves water security and public health
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Restores degraded ecosystems
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Promotes inclusive economic growth
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Advances gender equality and social protection
It represents a scalable public-private partnership model linking agribusiness with resilience investments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the total budget for this partnership?
The indicative budget is USD 499,999.
2. Where will the project be implemented?
The project will be implemented in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe.
3. What sectors are prioritized?
Livelihoods (animal production and market support), WASH, environmental management, biodiversity conservation, and gender-based protection.
4. Who is Hamara in this initiative?
Hamara is a Zimbabwe-based private sector company specializing in contract farming and poultry value chain development.
5. What is the main goal of the initiative?
To strengthen resilience and food systems through integrated climate-adaptive, gender-responsive, and environmentally sustainable interventions.
6. What type of organizations should apply?
Organizations with expertise in rural development, WASH, environmental restoration, and gender-responsive programming.
7. Is gender equality a core component?
Yes. Gender-based violence prevention, women’s leadership, and social inclusion are central to the programme design.
Conclusion
The WFP Zimbabwe consortium partnership in Matobo District is a comprehensive resilience-building initiative integrating livelihoods, climate adaptation, water security, ecosystem restoration, and gender equality.
By complementing Hamara’s poultry value chain model with environmental and social investments, the programme aims to create a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient rural economy.
Experienced organizations with strong multi-sectoral expertise have an opportunity to contribute to long-term food security and sustainable development in Zimbabwe.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.