Citizens In Action Southern Africa (CIASA)

DUE: 20 JUN 2025

Terms of Reference (ToR) for a Legal Expert – Development of Legal Land Rights Toolkit
Position Title: Legal Consultant – Land Rights Toolkit Development
Project: Chilonga Community Resilience Project
Location: Chilonga, Chiredzi District, Zimbabwe
Duration: 7 working days
Reports to: Project Manager – Citizens In Action Southern Africa (CIASA)
Languages Required: English and Local Language (Chilonga dialect – Shangani)

Background
The Chilonga Community Resilience Project seeks to empower indigenous communities in Chiredzi to assert their land rights in the face of displacement and marginalization. A key component involves Legal Clinics supported by a localized and culturally relevant Legal Land Rights Toolkit.

Purpose of the Assignment
To develop a comprehensive Legal Land Rights Toolkit/manual and translate it into the Chilonga local language. The toolkit will be used during legal clinics to build community awareness and advocacy capacity around land rights, displacement laws, and customary land tenure.

Scope of Work

Conduct a legal landscape analysis on land rights, customary tenure, and displacement laws in Zimbabwe.
Develop a user-friendly and practical Legal Land Rights Toolkit/manual with a focus on:
o Customary vs. statutory land tenure
o Rights of Indigenous Peoples
o Legal remedies and redress mechanisms
o Community land mapping and registration
Translate the finalized toolkit into the Chilonga local language.
Provide CIASA with both hard and soft editable and print-ready copies of the toolkit in both English and the local language.

Deliverables

Inception report with methodology and work plan.
Draft Legal Land Rights Toolkit in English.
Final Toolkit incorporating feedback from stakeholders.
Translated version of the Toolkit in Chilonga local language.
Facilitate legal Clinics in Chilonga utilising the same toolkit.
Provide a comprehensive report for the legal clinics

Qualifications

LLB or equivalent legal qualification with specialization in land rights, human rights, or indigenous rights.
At least 5 years’ experience in legal aid, public interest litigation, or policy advocacy.
Familiarity with Zimbabwean land tenure systems and customary law.
Strong writing, translation, and community engagement skills.
Ability to communicate fluently in English and the Chilonga local language is an added advantage.
Must have a recommendation from the Chilonga community with a long history of previous work in support of the community initiatives in defending their land rights.

TO APPLY
Send an email with your cover letter and profile to [email protected] on or before 20 June 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further processes.