External Project Mid-Term Evaluation Consultancy Opportunity – Apply Now

Context of the Evaluation

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Zimbabwe invites qualified consultants to undertake a mid-term evaluation of its reintegration project, which supports peaceful, safe, and sustainable reintegration for returning migrants and host communities affected by the evolving Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) policy in South Africa.

Project Title: Supporting Peaceful, Safe, and Sustainable Reintegration for Returning Migrants and Host Communities in Zimbabwe Impacted by the Non-Renewal of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP)
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

About IOM Zimbabwe

IOM has been operational in Zimbabwe since 1985, delivering technical support and capacity building to government bodies and local authorities on a range of migration-related matters. The mission prioritizes the protection and sustainable reintegration of vulnerable populations, including displaced persons, returnees, and mobile communities. It also promotes safe migration, counter-trafficking, migration health management, and voluntary return initiatives.

Project Background

The Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) was introduced by the South African government to regularize the status of Zimbabwean nationals. Initially meant as a temporary relief measure, the permit has undergone several extensions. As of November 2024, the South African government extended the ZEP’s validity to 28 November 2025 to comply with judicial requirements and allow further stakeholder consultations.

Despite this extension, the uncertainty around ZEP has significant implications for Zimbabwe. An estimated 178,000 permit holders and potentially over one million undocumented Zimbabwean migrants could face forced return, raising concerns about xenophobic violence, humanitarian needs at border points, and integration challenges within communities.

In anticipation of these developments, IOM Zimbabwe launched a reintegration project focused on four high-return areas: Epworth (Harare), Mberengwa (Midlands), Buhera (Manicaland), and Goromonzi (Mashonaland East). The initiative targets both returnees and host communities, aiming to build local resilience, foster peaceful coexistence, and provide socio-economic support.

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Mid-Term Evaluation: Purpose and Objectives

This evaluation seeks to assess project progress from 17 October 2023 to mid-2025, measuring how well the activities and outcomes align with the initial project design and identifying early results, implementation challenges, and areas for improvement.

The key users of this evaluation include:

Project Team: To improve performance and make evidence-based adjustments.
Project Partners: To ensure relevance, collaboration, and accountability.
Donors: To assess resource use, impact, and strategic alignment.
Senior Management: To inform policy and decision-making.
Beneficiaries: To reflect their experiences and promote accountability.

Evaluation Scope

The scope includes activities and outputs delivered to both returnees and host community members in the target provinces. The evaluation will address the project’s cross-cutting priorities of gender equality, disability inclusion, and human rights, and provide practical and actionable recommendations.

Evaluation Criteria and Key Questions

Following the OECD/DAC evaluation framework, the evaluation will focus on:

Relevance: Are the project’s design and activities well-suited to Zimbabwe’s migration context?
Coherence: How well does the project align with national policies, the UNSDCF, and IOM strategies?
Effectiveness: Are outcomes being achieved, and how are beneficiaries responding?
Efficiency: Is the project being implemented cost-effectively and on time?
Sustainability: Are mechanisms in place to ensure continued impact after the project ends?

Methodology

The evaluator will propose a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative tools and incorporating participatory techniques where possible. Methodological triangulation will be essential to ensure the reliability and depth of findings.

Ethical Considerations

The evaluation will adhere to the UNEG Norms and Standards, UNEG Ethical Guidelines, and IOM Data Protection Principles. Evaluators must demonstrate experience in conducting evaluations within these frameworks.

Deliverables

Inception Report (30% payment)
Presentation of Initial Findings
Draft Evaluation Report
Final Mid-Term Evaluation Report
Evaluation Brief
Final Presentation
Preliminary Management Response Matrix (Final 70% payment)

Eligibility and Application

IOM Zimbabwe seeks experienced evaluation professionals with:

Demonstrated expertise in project evaluations, especially in migration, reintegration, or humanitarian contexts.
Proficiency in applying the OECD/DAC criteria and rights-based evaluation frameworks.
Strong understanding of the Zimbabwean socio-political landscape and migration dynamics.
Ability to integrate gender, disability, and human rights perspectives into evaluations.

Apply Now

Be among the first to express interest in this impactful opportunity. If you are passionate about migration governance, reintegration, and community development and have a proven record in delivering robust evaluations we welcome your application.

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