UNICEF Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Consultant, Zimbabwe – 4.5 Months Remote | Apply by 2 October 2026
Table of Contents
UNICEF has opened applications for an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Consultant under the WASH Section in Harare, Zimbabwe. The consultancy focuses on environmental and social impact assessment and associated management plans for a sustainable energy and waste management project in Zimbabwe.
This UNICEF consultancy in Zimbabwe is particularly relevant to experienced environmental and social safeguards professionals with strong ESIA, stakeholder engagement, project management and sustainable energy or waste management expertise.
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UNICEF Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Consultant 2026
Organization: UNICEF
Position: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Consultant
Job Number: 595860
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Work Arrangement: Remote
Contract Type: Consultancy
Duration: 4.5 months
Functional Area: WASH – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Deadline: 2 October 2026
Level: Consultancy
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to protect children’s rights, support their development and improve the lives of children and communities.
The organization works across areas including health, education, child protection, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, emergency response and social policy.
This UNICEF Zimbabwe consultancy is situated within the WASH Section and involves specialist environmental and social assessment work connected to sustainable energy and waste management.
About the UNICEF Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Consultancy
UNICEF Zimbabwe is seeking a consultant to carry out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and associated management plans for the project titled “Mitigation through Sustainable Energy and Waste Management in Zimbabwe.”
The consultant will bring specialist environmental and social safeguards expertise to the assignment, working with government officials, technical specialists, clients’ staff and other relevant stakeholders.
The assignment requires substantial professional experience in complex environmental and social assessments, particularly for projects of significant size and complexity.
Who Can Apply for the UNICEF ESIA Consultant Job?
The UNICEF ESIA Consultant job is designed for experienced professionals in fields such as:
- Environmental science
- Environmental assessment
- Environmental engineering
- Natural resources management
- Social development
- Social safeguards
- Water, sanitation and hygiene
- Sustainable energy
- Waste management
- Environmental and social inclusion
Applicants should have significant experience managing environmental and social assessments and coordinating multidisciplinary professionals.
Educational Qualifications
Applicants should hold at least an MSc in a relevant field.
Relevant qualifications include:
- MSc in Environmental Science
- MSc in Environmental Studies
- MSc in Environmental Engineering
- MSc in Natural Resources Management
- Relevant qualifications in social development and safeguards
The position requires a strong technical background relevant to environmental and social impact assessment.
Work Experience Requirements
Experience is a major requirement for this UNICEF consultancy in Harare.
Candidates should have:
- At least 7 years of experience undertaking complex ESIAs and stakeholder engagement plans.
- At least 10 years of professional experience in environmental and/or social assessment of projects.
- Experience with projects of similar size and complexity.
- Experience working with government officials and technical specialists.
- Experience managing and coordinating multidisciplinary professionals.
- Experience with environmental and social assessments for large-scale projects.
- Experience in the water and sanitation sector.
- Experience with donor-funded projects.
- Experience with large-scale infrastructure projects in Africa.
Experience with AfDB-funded projects is preferred, while previous experience with UNICEF or another UN organization is an asset.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Expertise
The successful consultant should demonstrate expertise in several areas, including:
Environmental and Social Assessment
Applicants should have practical experience conducting ESIAs and preparing associated environmental and social management plans.
Sustainable Energy and Waste Management
Experience in sustainable energy and waste management projects is important because these areas are directly connected to the consultancy assignment.
Social Safeguards and Inclusion
The consultant should understand social safeguards, inclusion and stakeholder considerations associated with major development projects.
Occupational Health and Safety
Knowledge of occupational health and safety requirements is also expected.
Stakeholder Engagement
Strong stakeholder engagement skills are required, including the ability to work effectively with government representatives, technical specialists, project teams and other stakeholders.
Professional Skills Required
The UNICEF Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Consultant should demonstrate strong:
- Project management and leadership skills
- Analytical skills
- Stakeholder engagement skills
- Reporting and documentation skills
- Environmental and social safeguards expertise
- Multidisciplinary coordination skills
- Communication skills
- Technical writing skills
Zimbabwe EMA Registration Requirement
An important requirement for applicants is registration with Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
Professionals interested in this UNICEF Zimbabwe ESIA consultancy should ensure that their professional registration and supporting documentation are up to date before applying.
Language Requirements
The consultant is expected to be fluent in English and capable of working closely with clients’ staff and relevant third parties.
All documentation is expected to be prepared in English.
The source vacancy states that the work is expected to be completed within three months of signing, while the advertised consultancy is listed as 4.5 months.
Technical Proposal Requirements
Applicants are required to submit a technical proposal of no more than 10 pages.
The proposal should demonstrate relevant experience and explain the applicant’s ability to deliver the assignment.
Applicants must also provide one writing sample of no more than 10 pages.
The writing sample should:
- Be authored or co-authored by the applicant.
- Demonstrate relevant professional experience.
- Be relevant to the consultancy assignment.
- Align with the expected deliverables.
- Demonstrate technical and analytical writing ability.
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Documents Required to Apply
Qualified applicants should submit the required information through UNICEF’s online recruitment system.
The application should include:
- An updated UNICEF Talent Management System profile and CV.
- A cover letter.
- A separate financial proposal using the required template.
- A detailed technical proposal of maximum 10 pages.
- A relevant writing sample of maximum 10 pages.
Applicants should carefully review the Terms of Reference and financial proposal requirements before submitting their application.
UNICEF Consultant Benefits and Compensation
The vacancy information provided does not state a specific consultancy fee or salary.
Applicants should therefore review the financial proposal requirements and Terms of Reference for the applicable financial submission instructions.
Because this is a consultancy position rather than a regular UNICEF staff position, applicants should not assume that standard employee benefits or a fixed salary package apply.
Is This UNICEF Job Remote?
Yes. The vacancy title identifies the position as a 4.5-month remote consultancy, with Harare, Zimbabwe listed as the duty station.
The assignment involves collaboration with clients’ staff, government officials, technical specialists and other stakeholders, so applicants should be prepared to work effectively with multiple parties throughout the consultancy.
Who Is Suitable for This UNICEF Consultancy?
This UNICEF ESIA Consultant job may be suitable for professionals who have:
- An MSc in a relevant environmental or natural resources field.
- Extensive ESIA experience.
- At least 7 years of relevant ESIA experience.
- Around 10 years or more of broader environmental/social assessment experience.
- Water and sanitation sector experience.
- Large infrastructure project experience.
- African project experience.
- Donor-funded project experience.
- Sustainable energy and waste management expertise.
- Strong stakeholder engagement experience.
- Zimbabwe EMA registration.
- Strong technical writing and reporting skills.
How Competitive Is the UNICEF ESIA Consultant Position?
This consultancy requires a specialized combination of qualifications and professional experience.
Candidates will need to demonstrate their experience with complex ESIAs, donor-funded projects, infrastructure projects, WASH, stakeholder engagement, environmental and social safeguards and multidisciplinary project management.
The technical proposal and writing sample are also important components of the application because they provide an opportunity to demonstrate relevant professional experience and technical writing ability.
How to Prepare Your CV for the UNICEF Consultant Job
Applicants should tailor their CV specifically to the UNICEF Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Consultant assignment.
Highlight:
- ESIA projects completed
- Number of years of ESIA experience
- WASH-sector experience
- Large infrastructure projects
- Sustainable energy projects
- Waste management projects
- Donor-funded projects
- AfDB project experience, where applicable
- Environmental and social safeguards
- Stakeholder engagement
- Government engagement
- Project management
- Multidisciplinary team leadership
- EMA registration
- Relevant technical reports and studies
Where possible, quantify your professional experience by stating the project size, location, duration, role and responsibilities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting a generic CV and technical proposal.
Common issues to avoid include:
- Failing to demonstrate the required years of ESIA experience.
- Not clearly showing WASH-sector experience.
- Omitting Zimbabwe EMA registration information.
- Submitting a technical proposal exceeding the stated page limit.
- Providing an irrelevant writing sample.
- Failing to explain experience with donor-funded projects.
- Ignoring sustainable energy and waste management experience.
- Submitting an incomplete financial proposal.
- Waiting until the final day to submit the application.
Career Opportunities After an ESIA Consultancy
Experience from a consultancy such as this can contribute to professional development in areas including:
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
- Environmental safeguards
- Social safeguards
- WASH programmes
- Sustainable infrastructure
- Waste management
- Sustainable energy
- Development consulting
- Donor-funded projects
- Environmental project management
- International development
- UN and NGO consultancy work
UNICEF Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Consultant – Key Details
| Job Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | UNICEF |
| Position | Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Consultant |
| Job No. | 595860 |
| Location | Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Work Arrangement | Remote |
| Contract | Consultancy |
| Duration | 4.5 months |
| Sector | WASH |
| Minimum Degree | MSc |
| ESIA Experience | 7+ years |
| Broader Environmental/Social Assessment | 10+ years |
| Professional Registration | Zimbabwe EMA |
| Language | English |
| Deadline | 2 October 2026 |
How to Apply for the UNICEF ESIA Consultant Job
Applications should be submitted through the official UNICEF recruitment system.
Before applying, candidates should carefully review the Terms of Reference, prepare the required technical proposal and writing sample, complete the financial proposal using the specified format, and ensure that their CV and cover letter demonstrate directly relevant experience.
Job Number: 595860
Position: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Consultant
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Deadline: 2 October 2026
The vacancy was advertised on 22 September 2026.
Final Thoughts
The UNICEF Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Consultant job in Zimbabwe is a specialized consultancy for experienced environmental and social assessment professionals. The assignment combines ESIA, WASH, sustainable energy, waste management, social safeguards, stakeholder engagement and project management.
Professionals considering this UNICEF consultancy in Harare should carefully match their CV and technical proposal to the stated requirements and provide strong evidence of relevant ESIA and multidisciplinary project experience.
Applicants should also remember that UNICEF does not charge application or recruitment fees. Candidates should use the official UNICEF recruitment system and follow the stated application requirements.
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