Consultant (Bilingual EN–FR) – Battery Mineral Supply Chains in Africa

Background

(Location is flexible, see guidelines below)

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank that delivers the knowledge to act. Our mission is to promote human development and environmental sustainability. Our big-picture view allows us to address the root causes of some of the greatest challenges facing our planet today—ecological destruction, social exclusion, unfair laws and economic rules, and a changing climate. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, Toronto, and New York, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries.

IISD serves as the Secretariat for the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF). The IGF works with governments to advance their sustainable development goals with effective laws, policies, and regulations for the mining sector. It supports governments to take action to develop inclusive and gender-equitable practices, optimize financial benefits, support livelihoods, and safeguard the environment. Its work covers the full mining life cycle, from exploration to mine closure, and projects of all sizes, from artisanal mining to large-scale operations. The IGF serves as a unique global venue for dialogue between its 86-member country governments and mining companies, industry associations, and civil society.

1.  Background

The IGF is supporting an initiative to analyze and strengthen the emerging regional battery supply chain between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia. This initiative builds on regional commitments to establish a regional hub for midstream and downstream processing, centred around special economic zones (SEZs) and trade corridors.

While national efforts in Zambia and the DRC are underway, there is a need to assess the enabling environment, regional cooperation frameworks, and investment strategies to ensure the sustainability and inclusivity of the battery value chain. The IGF aims to provide policy guidance and capacity support to help both countries leverage their mineral resources for economic transformation and secure their place in global energy transition supply chains.

We are currently looking for a bilingual (English-French) consultant to undertake a study to inform this initiative.

2.  Objectives of the Assignment

​​The objective of this consultancy is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the battery supply chain initiative between DRC and Zambia, with a focus on the business and investment environment in SEZs, enabling policy and regulatory frameworks, infrastructure networks, and regional cooperation mechanisms. This consultancy aims to 

• ​Review evidence and stakeholder experience on what works in developing the target industrial ecosystem;


• Identify gaps, bottlenecks, and opportunities to improve the business climate and improve coordinated actions;

• ​Recommend pathways to improve the current business and investment environmental to enable value addition, attract responsible investment, and promote inclusive supply chains. 

​3.  Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the IGF Secretariat, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Research and drafting of a report on the plans to develop an industrial ecosystem in the SEZs associated with the regional hub for battery supply chains in the DRC and Zambia

I.  Conduct stakeholder consultations:

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  • Identify relevant stakeholders to interview for the purposes of data collection for this study;
  
  
  • Conduct virtual and/or in-person consultations with key stakeholders in Zambia and the DRC, including Ministries of Mining, Finance, Trade, SEZ authorities, private sector actors, regional organizations, and the Congolese Battery Council.
  
  
  
  

II.  Using stakeholder interviews and other sources of information as appropriate, draft a report that covers the following points:

A. Contextual Analysis

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  • Map the current state of the battery mineral value chain between Zambia and the DRC, from extraction to midstream and downstream processing.
  
  
  • Assess the legal, policy, and institutional frameworks governing SEZs in both countries, particularly those focused on battery value chains.
  
  
  • Analyze trade, industrial, and investment frameworks at the national and regional level (e.g., AfCFTA, SADC, COMESA) relevant to battery supply chain integration.
  
  
  • Identify physical and institutional infrastructure (e.g., transport corridors, energy access, logistics, skills, innovation ecosystems) critical to operationalizing SEZs.
  
  
  • Analyze impacts of partnerships (such as the Lobito corridor, memoranda of understanding with global partners, role of China) on the likely success of the regional SEZs, and prospects for involvement of other countries in the region in the battery supply chain.
    
    
  
  
  
  

B. Business and investment climate

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  • Assess the effectiveness of the business environment within SEZs (e.g., fiscal incentives, permitting processes, investment regimes, regulatory efficiency, etc.) for attracting investment and for linking with industries elsewhere in the region, taking into account the specifics of the industrial ecosystem that the two countries aim to develop in these zones.
  
  
  • Identify risks and barriers to attracting investments and building resilient supply chains within SEZs.
  
  
  • Assess the potential of spillovers across industries around SEZs.
  
  
  • Benchmark against international practices (e.g., in Asia or in other African countries) where policy frameworks supported successful value chains within the framework of SEZs (or similar vehicles).
  
  
  
  

C. Policy Recommendations

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  • Develop options and practical policy recommendations to:
  
  
  
  

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    • Improve the investment and business climate for battery supply chains.
    
    
    • Leverage SEZs as hubs for innovation, research and development, and industrial development.
    
    
    • Strengthen regional cooperation to enable cross-border value chains.
    
    
    • Leverage memoranda of understanding and strategic partnerships to align domestic and regional value chains initiatives with global supply chain opportunities.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

4.  Outputs and Deliverables

1.  Inception report (within 2 weeks of contract signature) outlining methodology, data needs, work plan, and stakeholder engagement plan.

2.  Draft study report, including analysis, key findings, and preliminary recommendations.

3.  Final report incorporating feedback, with actionable policy recommendations. The final report will be between 30 pages (excluding annexes).

4.  Presentation deck to be used by IGF for high-level engagement.

5.  Inputs for regional event to support IGF in preparing background materials and messages for a regional convening on the DRC–Zambia battery hub.

6.  1-page written proposal for technical assistance that IGF could provide to the Congolese and Zambian authorities.

5.  Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in economics, development economics, business, international trade, political economy, public policy (with a focus on economic policy-making) or operational research; or an advanced degree in any discipline if the candidate can demonstrate in-depth knowledge of battery value chains and the determinants of investment decisions within those value chains. 

• Minimum 10 years of experience in economic policy analysis, of which at least 2 years each should have been spent working on mineral value chains, international trade, and industrial policies.

• Demonstrated experience with SEZ development, supply chain integration, or the battery/electric vehicles sectors is a strong asset.

• Knowledge of African regional trade frameworks (e.g., AfCFTA, SADC) and familiarity with DRC and Zambia’s political economy.


• Proven track record in delivering high-quality policy research and advisory outputs for governments or international organizations.


• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

• Fluency in English and French. The candidate must master the key vocabulary related to this consultancy in both languages.  
  
  

6.  Management and Reporting

The consultant will report to the IGF Secretariat and work in close collaboration with IGF staff responsible for trade and industrial policy and mineral supply chains. IGF will facilitate access to relevant stakeholders and convene review meetings at key milestones.

7.  Location

Remote. IISD will not be applying for residency and work permits for this position on behalf of the applicant.

8.  Duration

• Start Date: Immediately.


• End Date: Completion by January 23, 2026.  

9.  Application Deadline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

10.  Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for the location of work.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR.

Please include the following:

• A CV (no longer than two pages)


• A cover letter (one page)


• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)


• Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants' advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.

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