Job description

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Climate Innovation Hackathon Expert: Facilitators & Mentors

Organization: Skills2Live Zambia

Contract Type: Short-Term Consultancy

Duty Station: In-Person (Lusaka, Zambia)

Duration: Hackathon Period (including preparation and reporting)

Application Deadline: 23rd May, 2026

Reporting To: Zambia Greening Coordinator

1. Background

Skills2Live Zambia is committed to empowering young people through vocational skills development, employment support, and environmental sustainability initiatives. Climate change continues to significantly impact communities across Zambia, affecting agriculture, water availability, forest resources, energy access, waste systems, and livelihoods. To strengthen youth leadership and innovation in climate action, Skills2Live Zambia will host a Climate Innovation Hackathon. The hackathon will provide an intensive, hands-on platform where young people:

• Learn about climate change and its impact on their communities
• Develop innovative, practical solutions for mitigation and adaptation
• Strengthen entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills
• Pitch viable climate-positive innovations

To ensure high-quality learning, mentorship, and technical support, Skills2Live Zambia seeks to engage qualified climate change experts, facilitators and mentors.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to design and facilitate technical sessions, mentor youth teams, and support the development of innovative climate solutions during the hackathon.

Experts will guide participants through:

• Understanding climate change causes and impacts
• Identifying community-based climate challenges
• Designing feasible, scalable, and sustainable solutions
• Preparing and delivering final innovation pitches

3. Scope of Work & Key Responsibilities

The selected consultants will:

A. Preparation Phase

• Submit an inception report detailing training methodology and session plans
• Develop context-specific training materials relevant to Zambia
• Attend one preparatory briefing session

B. Facilitation & Mentorship Phase

• Facilitate thematic and technical sessions
• Provide mentorship to teams during idea development
• Support participants in assessing feasibility, scalability, and impact
• Provide continuous technical guidance and feedback

C. Pitch & Evaluation Phase

• Facilitate pitch preparation sessions
• Provide structured feedback on innovation proposals
• Serve as a judge during the final pitching session

D. Reporting Phase

Submit a final facilitation report outlining:

• Activities conducted
• Key outcomes
• Innovations developed
• Recommendations for future hackathons

4. Thematic Areas of Expertise

Skills2Live Zambia welcomes experts with experience in one or more of the following:

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Climate-smart agriculture and food systems
• Circular economy and waste management
• Forestry and ecosystem restoration
• Water resource management
• Climate finance and green investment
• Climate data, digital innovation, AI
• Policy, governance, and climate regulation
• Entrepreneurship and startup scaling

Payments will be made upon satisfactory delivery and approval of outputs.

6. Duration & Duty Station

The consultancy will cover:

• Preparation(1 day) 8th June 2026
• Active participation during the hackathon-Four (4) days (09 – 12 June 2026 from 08:00-16:30)
• Reporting period(A short report to be submitted within a week after the Hackathon)

The assignment will be conducted in person at the designated hackathon venue in Lusaka, Zambia.

7. Qualifications & Experience

Applicants must have:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, Sustainability, or related field
• Minimum 5 years relevant professional experience
• Demonstrated expertise in climate-related or innovation ecosystems
• Experience facilitating workshops, mentoring, or training (preferred)
• Experience working with youth or community programs
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

8. Time Commitment

Selected experts must be available for:

• One preparatory session
• Full participation during the hackathon(08:00-16:30)
• Post-hackathon knowledge-sharing session

9. Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit:

• Technical and financial Proposal
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Short statement outlining relevant expertise and motivation
• Examples of previous relevant work (if available)
• Reference letter

Applications should be sent to: s2lzambia@youngafrica.org

Deadline: 22 May 2026. We will review applications as they are received and may close the advert once suitable candidates are identified. Subject of your email should be Hackathon Facilitator and which thematic area of expertise mentioned in D. above e.g Hackathon facilitator- Renewable energy.