Background

Established in 2005, the Southern Africa Trust (The Trust) is a regional non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating poverty and inequality across sixteen Southern African countries. Serving as both a regranting and implementing entity, we collaborate closely with civil society organizations to foster partnerships that promote pro-poor policies and practices. Our mission is to amplify the voices and agency of marginalized populations, with a specific focus on women, LGBTQIA+ communities, and youth. Our key thematic focus is on economic justice, climate justice and natural resource governance, and gender justice. Central to our work are feminist and intersectional approaches, ensuring that gender considerations are embedded in allour initiatives.

The Trust’s strategy, Seriti, underscores that policies alone are insufficient without the necessary social and physical infrastructure. We firmly believe that the quality of life for marginalized communities can only be improved and transformed through advocacy for and investment in such infrastructure.

Background and Context

Social and public infrastructure is essential for promoting equitable economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving quality of life. However, in Southern Africa, persistent underinvestment in infrastructure has disproportionately impacted marginalized communities, deepening inequality and restricting access to essential services such as healthcare, education, water, and energy. This lack of investment also exacerbates the burden of unpaid care work, which primarily falls on women. In the absence of adequate public services and support systems, women are left to fill these gaps, limiting their economic opportunities and reinforcing gender inequalities. Recognizing the intersection between infrastructure, economic justice, and gender equality, this paper is part of the Southern Africa Trust’s broader gender justice work. It aims to strengthen knowledge, skills, and strategies to mobilize, protect, and advocate for the necessary infrastructure investments and related rights, with a particular focus on reducing gender disparities.

As a key advocate for social justice and sustainable development, the Trust seeks to stimulate a thought leadership position on the urgent need for increased public and social infrastructure investments. This research/position paper will serve as a strategic tool to drive policy change, mobilize resources, and engage stakeholders in meaningful dialogue on the transformative impact of investing in social and public infrastructure—particularly in advancing gender equality and alleviating the disproportionate burden on women.

Objectives

The primary objectives of this research/position paper are:

a) To provide a comprehensive analysis of the current state of social and public infrastructure investments in Southern Africa.

b) To highlight the socio-economic impact of underinvestment in infrastructure, particularly on vulnerable groups and marginalized communities.

c) To outline evidence-based recommendations for increasing and optimizing infrastructure investments to address inequality and support sustainable development.

c). To position the Trust as a thought leader in advocating for equitable and transformative infrastructure investment.

Scope of Work

The consultant/researcher will undertake the following tasks:

a) Literature Review

• Review existing reports, academic studies, policy documents on public and social infrastructure investment in the region SADC infrastructure development plans and all relevant documents.
• Analyze regional trends and international best practices in infrastructure development.

b) Stakeholder Engagement

• Conduct interviews or focus group discussions with key stakeholders, including policymakers, community representatives, development partners, and private sector actors.
• Gather perspectives on challenges, opportunities, and priority areas for infrastructure investment.

c) Data Analysis

• Assess the socio-economic impacts of underinvestment in infrastructure using quantitative and qualitative data.
• Highlight specific case studies or examples to illustrate the impacts on marginalized communities.

d) Develop Recommendations

• Propose actionable, evidence-based recommendations for policy and investment strategies.
• Identify opportunities for public-private partnerships and innovative financing models.

e) Draft and Finalize the Position Paper:

• Produce a draft position paper for review by the Trust.
• Incorporate feedback to finalize the paper, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and alignment with organizational priorities.

Deliverables

The consultant/researcher will be expected to produce the following deliverables:

Milestone/ deliverable	Timeline
Inception Report- an outline of the methodology, work plan, and timeline for the assignment.	1 week after contract signing
Draft Research/Position Paper– a comprehensive draft for review, including analysis, findings, and recommendations.	5 weeks after contract signing
Final Research/Position Paper- a polished and professionally formatted document ready for dissemination.	7 weeks after contract signing
Presentation– a PowerPoint summary of the research findings and recommendations for internal and external stakeholders.	7 weeks after contract signing

Expertise and Qualifications

The ideal consultant/researcher should possess the following:

• Advanced degree in economics, social sciences, development studies, or a related field.
• Proven experience in conducting research and drafting high-quality reports/position papers.
• Expertise in public infrastructure investment, social development, or related areas.
• Strong knowledge of the Southern African context, particularly the challenges and opportunities in infrastructure development.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.

Reporting and Coordination

The consultant/researcher will report to the Trust, which will provide overall guidance and oversight throughout the assignment. Regular check-ins will be scheduled to monitor progress and provide feedback.

Budget and Payment Terms

A competitive budget will be allocated for this assignment.

Application Process

Interested consultants/researchers should submit the following by 07 February 2025:

• A brief proposal (max. 3 pages) outlining their approach to the assignment, including methodology and timeline.
• CV(s) highlighting relevant experience and expertise.
• A sample of similar work previously conducted.
• A financial proposal detailing the consultancy fee.

Applications should be submitted to lmasingi@southernafricatrust.org with the subject line: “Consultancy: Position Paper on Social and Public Infrastructure Investments”.

The Southern Africa Trust is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Women and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.