Call for Applications: Consultancy Services

by | Oct 9, 2025 | News

Consultancy to Conduct a Situational Analysis of the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls World Heritage Site

  1. Background

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) was established in 2006 to support the effective conservation and protection of Africa’s natural and cultural heritage of outstanding universal value. The Fund emerged from collaborative efforts by African UNESCO Member States and the African Union (AU) to address challenges in implementing the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

In 2010, AWHF became a Category II Centre under the auspices of UNESCO, officially partnering with UNESCO to support African World Heritage priorities.

AWHF is mandated to strengthen the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention in Africa by:

  • Supporting the identification and inscription of African heritage properties on the World Heritage List;
  • Assisting with the conservation and management of inscribed heritage properties;
  • Supporting the rehabilitation of sites listed as World Heritage in Danger;
  • Providing ongoing capacity-building for heritage experts and site managers; and
  • Ensuring community engagement in heritage decisions and that tangible benefits accrue to local communities.

In partnership with stakeholders, including the Zambezi River Authority, AWHF seeks to strengthen the conservation and sustainable development of the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls World Heritage Site (Zambia and Zimbabwe). To support this, AWHF intends to commission a detailed situational analysis of the site. The analysis will provide a foundation for interventions addressing governance, conservation, socio-economic linkages, and policy frameworks affecting the site.

  1. Objectives of the Consultancy

Overall Objective:

To undertake a comprehensive situational analysis to establish baselines and identify needs, challenges, and opportunities related to the conservation and sustainable development of Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls WHS.

Specific objectives are to:

  • Review the current governance and institutional arrangements for site management.
  • Assess key conservation challenges and risks affecting the site.
  • Examine socio-economic linkages, including community engagement, tourism, and livelihoods.
  • Analyse policy and legal frameworks relevant to the site’s conservation and sustainable development.
  • Identify opportunities for enhancing conservation, resilience, and sustainable development practices.
  1. Scope of Work

The consultant will be expected to:

  1. Undertake a desk review of existing literature, reports, policies, and site management documents.
  2. Collect and analyse data on governance structures, conservation status, and socio-economic dimensions.
  3. Conduct stakeholder consultations with key actors, including site managers, government institutions, local communities, private sector, and development partners.
  4. Identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities in governance, conservation, and sustainable use of the site.
  5. Develop a comprehensive situational analysis report with evidence-based findings and recommendations.
  6. Facilitate a validation workshop with stakeholders and incorporate feedback into the final report.
  1. Expected Deliverables
  • Inception report with detailed methodology and workplan.
  • Draft situational analysis report covering governance, conservation challenges, socio-economic linkages, and policy frameworks.
  • Presentation of findings at a stakeholder validation workshop.
  • Final validated situational analysis report

 5. Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy is expected to be undertaken over a period of [6–8 weeks], commencing in October 2025. A detailed timeline will be agreed upon with the selected consultant.

  1. Qualifications and Experience

The consultant/firm should possess the following:

  • Relevant postgraduate university degree in cultural or natural heritage, social sciences, conservation and environmental sciences or other related fields.
  • At least 5 years of professional experience in heritage conservation, sustainable development, or related fields.
  • Proven experience in conducting situational analyses, research studies, or policy reviews in the context of World Heritage or protected areas.
  • Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement and facilitation.
  • Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.
  1. Application Requirements

Interested consultants are invited to submit:

  • A maximum 5 paged technical proposal outlining understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and workplan.
  • A financial proposal (budget in USD).
  • CV(s) of the consultant(s) with evidence of relevant experience.
  • At least two samples of similar work conducted.

8. Submission Details

Application Deadline:  17 October 2025

Interested applicants should submit their applications through this link:

https://forms.gle/VwTzFRhZdyMNYjJS7 

For any questions, please reach out to info@awhf.net

 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.