TERMS OF REFERENCE
CONSULTANCY TO CONDUCT A BASELINE STUDY TO ASSESS CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION’S CAPACITY, CIVIC PARTICIPATION LEVELS, AND VOTER AWARENESS IN FOUR (4) DISTRICTS OF EASTERN AND MUCHINGA PROVINCES.
The Alliance for Community Action (ACA) is a Non-Governmental Organization established in 2013, dedicated to ensuring that all citizens of Zambia enjoy the full and equitable benefits of the nation’s resources. The ACA focuses on fostering a routine and systematic demand for public resource accountability in Zambia, particularly by strengthening this demand within the general public. As a Civil Society Organization (CSO) in Zambia exclusively focused on public resource accountability, the ACA employs innovative strategies grounded in the Rights-Based Systems Approach to Public Resource Management (PRM) monitoring, developed by the Rhodes University Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM). By using constituencies as entry points, the ACA implements in-depth initiatives in targeted areas to generate insights for national-level advocacy on public resource management and service delivery accountability.
2. BACKGROUND TO THE CONSULTANCY
Rural Zambia faces challenges related to weak civil society capacity, underrepresented youth and women, and insufficient electoral accountability and dialogue. Despite Zambia’s recognition as an emerging democracy, urban populations tend to be more engaged and informed, while rural and marginalized communities face systemic challenges that limit their participation in democratic processes and their ability to hold public officials accountable.
The weak capacity of CSOs in rural Zambia exacerbates these challenges. Many organizations lack the necessary skills and resources to effectively advocate for their communities, leading to poor governance and inadequate public service delivery. Additionally, rural populations, particularly women and youth, are significantly underrepresented in decision-making beyond the electoral process and are vulnerable to electoral manipulation. There is therefore, a critical need to empower these communities to participate actively in Zambia’s democratic processes.
The ACA now seeks to commission a baseline study to assess CSO capacity, civic participation levels, and voter awareness in Mambwe and Chipangali districts in Eastern Province, Isoka and Kanchibiya districts in Muchinga Provinces. The findings from this study will inform future activities and interventions aimed at strengthening civil society, increasing civic engagement, and promoting electoral accountability.
3. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The primary objective of this consultancy is to assess the capacity of civil society organizations, the level of civic participation, and voter awareness in the above mentioned 4 districts in Eastern and Muchinga Provinces to inform targeted interventions aimed at strengthening governance, accountability, and inclusive democratic participation.
4. SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant will be responsible for:
- Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the capacity of CSOs operating in Eastern and Muchinga Provinces.
- Analysing the levels of civic participation, particularly among women and youth.
- Evaluating the level of voter awareness and electoral accountability in the target provinces.
- Identifying key challenges and opportunities in enhancing civic engagement and public accountability.
- Providing actionable recommendations to improve CSO effectiveness, civic engagement, and electoral participation.
5. METHODOLOGY
The consultant is expected to propose a robust methodology that ensures accuracy, reliability, and inclusivity in data collection and analysis.
6. KEY OUTPUTS
The consultant is expected to deliver the following:
- Baseline Report – A detailed report presenting findings, analysis, and recommendations.
- PowerPoint Presentation – A summary presentation highlighting key findings and recommendations.
7. QUALITY AND ETHICAL STANDARDS
The consultant must adhere to ethical standards that ensure respect for the rights and welfare of individuals and communities. The consultant is also expected to uphold ACA’s core values of transparency, accountability, excellence, and stewardship throughout the assignment.
8. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
The ideal consultant/firm should have:
- Demonstratable expertise in a relevant field such as Public Policy, Development Studies, Law, or equivalent.
- At least 10 years of experience in conducting similar assessments or studies.
- Strong knowledge of civic engagement, human rights, elections, and resource governance in Zambia.
- Good understanding of civic legal frameworks in Zambia.
- Proven experience working within Zambian governance and electoral systems.
9. PAYMENT TERMS
Payment will be made in two instalments as follows:
- 40% advance payment upon contract signing (processed within 5 working days).
- 60% final payment upon submission and acceptance of all deliverables (processed within 5 working days).
Additional requirements:
- The consultant/firm must be legally registered and possess a valid tax clearance certificate.
- A 15% Withholding Tax will be deducted from the total consultancy fees in accordance with Zambian tax regulations.
10. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Interested consultants/firms must submit a technical and financial proposal outlining their approach, methodology, timeline, and budget for completing the assignment. Submissions should be sent via email by Monday, 10th March 2025, to:
Email: applications@acazambia.org
11. TIMELINE
The assignment is expected to be completed within 4 weeks from the date of contract signing.