1. INTRODUCTION

The NGO WASH Forum (hereafter referred to as “the Forum”) is dedicated to enhancing the capacity of its member organisations to effectively engage with and influence government budget processes in Zambia. This engagement is crucial for advancing the vision of universal access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). Public budgets are the primary instruments through which government priorities are funded and implemented. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) play an essential role in promoting transparency, participation, and accountability within these budgetary processes.

Building on its previous work in budget reviews and national budget advocacy, the Forum recognises the need to deepen budget literacy among its members. Equipping WASH CSOs with practical skills will empower them to contribute meaningfully to budget formulation, execution, and oversight at both national and local levels, ultimately advocating for pro-poor WASH policies and improved resource allocation.

To achieve this, the NGO WASH Forum Secretariat seeks to engage a qualified consultant to develop a comprehensive and user-friendly Budget Analysis Handbook tailored to the needs of its members and the Zambian context.

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2. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this consultancy are to:

MAIN OBJECTIVE:  To develop a practical, user-friendly handbook that equips NGO WASH Forum members with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to conduct effective budget analysis, monitoring, and advocacy related to the WASH sector in Zambia.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

a)    To produce a handbook that clearly explains the Zambian national planning and budgeting framework (guided by the National Planning and Budgeting Act No. 1 of 2020) and its specific relevance to the WASH sector. Develop a standardised framework, with the different budget classification, for conducting budget analysis, budget tracking including social audits, at the local and central government levels, aligned with the current Zambian budget system prescribed in the National Planning and Budgeting Act No1. Of 2020.

b)    To provide a standardised framework and practical methodologies within the handbook for analysing WASH-related budget allocations and expenditures, tracking budget execution (including social audits), applicable at both central and local government levels.

c)    To strengthen the capacity of Forum members (through the handbook’s content and accompanying training outline) to interpret budget documents, monitor resource flows, and utilise evidence-based advocacy to influence WASH financing and policy throughout the Zambian budget cycle.

3. SCOPE OF WORK:

The consultant will be responsible for the following:

3.1. Needs Assessment and context review

Conduct a rapid assessment to identify specific budget analysis needs and   existing   capacity gaps among NGO WASH Forum members. This will include a review the Budget submissions made by the NGO-WASH Forum between 2022 and 2025 and make recommendations to enhance their adoption by government. Analyse the extent of their adoption by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MoFNP) and Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation (MWDS) and the National Assembly. This review should inform recommendations integrated into the handbook.

Develop a comprehensive handbook covering, at minimum the following areas:

3.1.2         Create a standardised framework in the handbook outlining an overview of the Zambian public finance management landscape, including the national planning and budgeting cycle, key legislation (especially Budgeting and Planning Act No. 1 of 2020), and institutional roles relevant to WASH.

3.1.3        Guidance on interpreting budget documents and reports (e.g., Yellow Book, Budget Speech, Financial Reports), including understanding different budget classifications (administrative, economic, functional, programmatic) used for WASH.

3.1.4     Practical approaches, techniques, and tools for analysing budget allocations and expenditure trends in the WASH sector (e.g., adequacy, efficiency, equity analysis).

3.1.5     Methodologies and tools for monitoring budget execution and tracking resource flows at both central and sub-national levels, including guidance on conducting social audits for WASH projects/programs.

3.1.6     Strategies and entry points for evidence-based advocacy to influence budget priorities, allocations, and execution for improved WASH outcomes at different stages of the budget cycle

3.2     Quality and Accessibility:  Ensure the handbook is written in clear, concise, and accessible language, suitable for users with varying levels of prior budget knowledge. Incorporate appropriate visual aids (charts, graphs, infographics) to enhance understanding and engagement.

3.2.1     Facilitate a validation workshop with key stakeholders (including selected NGO WASH Forum members and potentially relevant government officials) to present the draft handbook and gather feedback for refinement.

3.3     Finalisation and Dissemination Support: Finalise the handbook based on feedback received, delivering it in both editable electronic format (e.g., MS Word) and print-ready PDF format.

3.3.1     Provide recommendations for the effective dissemination and utilisation of the handbook among Forum members.

3.4     Training Outline Development:  Develop a detailed training outline based on the handbook’s content, designed to guide future capacity-building sessions for Forum members on WASH budget analysis and advocacy.

3.4.1   Formats/templates for NGO WASH Forum Budget submissions to Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation and National Assembly of Zambia based on the required specifications from these institutions.

3.4.2     Ensure the handbook is written in clear, concise language and is accessible to users with varying levels of budget expertise.

3.4.3     Incorporate visual aids, such as charts and graphs, to enhance understanding.

3.5 Provide steps or recommendations on how the Forum can establish a feedback mechanism for users of the handbook to ensure continuous improvement

4. DELIVERABLES- The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

4.1. An Inception Report outlining the consultant’s understanding of the ToR, detailed methodology, work plan, and timeline.

4.2. A concise Needs Assessment and Budget Submission Review Report.

4.3. A complete Draft Budget Analysis Handbook for review and validation.

4.4. A Validation Workshop Report summarising proceedings and feedback received. 4.5. A Final Budget Analysis Handbook (in editable electronic and print-ready PDF formats).

4.6. A detailed WASH Budget Analysis and Advocacy Training Outline.

5. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

The ideal consultant or (team) should possess:

• Advanced degree (Masters or PHD) in Economics, Public Finance, Development Finance, Development Studies, Public Policy or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of proven professional experience in public finance management, budget analysis, expenditure tracking, and/or social audits, with specific experience in the Zambian context being a strong asset.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting budget analysis and social audits, preferably in the Zambian context.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Zambian national budget process, PFM reforms, relevant legal frameworks (including the Planning and Budgeting Act, 2020), and the WASH sector context.
• Experience working with or building the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on budget advocacy and participatory budgeting.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality, well-written, and user-friendly reports, manuals, or handbooks in English.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, including experience conducting workshops.
• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines

6. TIMEFRAME:

The consultancy is expected to be completed within 20 working days from the date of contract signing.

7. REPORTING AND SUPERVISION:

The consultant will report to the NGO WASH Forum Secretariat and will report directly to the Forum Coordinator.

8. EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Consultant’s Profile and Experience (40%): Qualifications, relevant experience in budget analysis (especially in Zambia/WASH), experience with CSOs, and quality of previous work samples.
Technical Approach and Methodology (30%): Understanding of the ToR, clarity and appropriateness of the proposed methodology, realism of the work plan within the proposed timeframe.
Financial Proposal (30%): Reasonableness and competitiveness of the budget, clarity of cost breakdown.

9. APPLICATION PROCESS AND SUBMISSION

Interested consultants or firms should submit their Expression of Interest including the following:

Technical Proposal (max 10 pages): Demonstrating a clear understanding of the ToR, outlining the proposed methodology, activities, a detailed work plan with timelines corresponding to the deliverables, and brief profiles/CVs of the proposed consultant(s) highlighting relevant experience
Financial Proposal: A detailed budget breakdown in Zambian Kwacha (ZMW), including daily consultancy fees, workshop costs (if applicable, specify assumptions), and any other anticipated costs. The proposal should present a total lump sum cost.
CVs: Detailed Curriculum Vitae for the lead consultant and any team members.
References: Contact details for at least two references for similar assignments conducted recently.
Sample of Previous Work: At least one example of a similar handbook, manual, or analytical report produced by the applicant.
Technical and Financial proposals must be submitted as separate documents.

Proposal should be submitted electronically by emailing with subject “EOI for Development of a Budget Analysis Handbook”  by 7th April 2025 to admin@ngowashforum.co.zm or washforum2024@gmail.com