CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANCY TO POPULARISE THE NATIONAL DECENTRALIZATION POLICY AND THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY STANDING ORDERS

1. Background

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The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) is a civil society network that has been building the voice for the poor in the fight against poverty. It was established in 2000, primarily to ensure that civil society effectively and meaningfully participates in the design, formulation and implementation of the National Development Plans (NDP) and further monitor the NDPs to ensure government provides a means by which Zambia can effectively strategize on reducing the escalating levels of poverty. Since the third quarter of 2000, and in response to an invitation from the Zambian Government, the civil society in Zambia has been participating in the process of formulating and monitoring the NDP for the country, and hence sought the need to form a network that would enhance the effectiveness of this participation.

CSPR and BBC Media Action are co-implementing a project; “Citizens’ Voice” which seeks to increase transparency and accountability of the National Assembly of Zambia (NAZ). The project is supported by the European Union with the goal to improve citizens’ understanding of how to effectively engage in parliamentary processes from the ward to the national level. The action is also aimed at supporting citizens to apply this knowledge by strengthening the platforms for legislators to connect with citizens and CSOs. This will, in turn, help to ensure that legislators hear citizens’ voices.

2. Rationale For Engaging A Consultant

Most citizens lack the adequate knowledge and information on how they can participate in governance processes through National Assembly of Zambia and other local level governance structures. One of the barriers to participation is lack of easy-to-understand information which legally guarantees citizens their rights and entitlements as well as the obligations of state institutions when it comes to participation. Two (2) key documents that are key for citizen participation in governance processes in Zambia are;

i) The National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders of 2021,
ii) and the National Decentralization Policy (recently revised in 2023).

Both documents provide an avenue for citizens to directly engage in democratic processes that are key for inclusive and transparent decision making. To enhance access, there is need to ensure that every citizen understands and is able to claim their entitlement in these documents. It is with this background that CSPR is seeking a consultant to simplify the Decentralization Policy and the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders and create pocket booklets in local languages to support citizens’ understanding and participation in governance processes. The simplified versions will also be used for ongoing trainings at community level and will be distributed through constituency offices. Additionally, BBC Media Action will work with Parliament media to develop more engaging and relevant media outputs for citizens using the Booklets.

3. Scope

CSPR is therefore seeking the services of a consultant to simplify and popularize the National Decentralisation Policy and the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders into pocket booklets.

4. Objectives of the Assignment

This assignment aims to enhance participation of citizens in parliamentary processes at both National Assembly, constituency and ward level through enhanced access to information on their freedoms and entitlements as enshrined in the National Decentralized Policy and the National Assembly of Zambia standing orders.

5. General Tasks

This is primarily a desk-based assignment to simplify the National Decentralization Policy and selected sections of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders. The Consultant is therefore expected to:

5.1 Develop a framework and approach for the simplification process.
5.2 Review and simplify the 2023 National Decentralization Policy into pocket booklets which is easy to read..
5.3 Review the 2021 National Assembly Standing Orders, select sections of the National Assembly Standing Orders which relate to citizen participation and simplify them into easy pocket booklets.
5.4 Interview with relevant MPSAs to interpret some of provisions of the documents to be simplified.
5.5 Convene relevant government departments, National Assembly of Zambia, governance experts, youth and women to review and validate the draft simplified documents.
5.6 Translate (into Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi, and Kaonde) the simplified text of the:
i. National Decentralization policy of 2023.
ii. National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders of 2021
6. Design the simplified documents into booklets in English, Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi and Kaonde simplified.

7. Deliverables

i. Inception Report (Simplification Approach and methodology)
ii. Decentralization Policy and NAZ Standing Orders, ready for Print Booklets in;
a) English
b) Bemba
c) Kaonde
d) Nyanja
e) Lozi

8. Timelines

The work/assignment is expected to take a total of 20 working days from the date of signing the contract. There will be no time extension for the work due to time limitations. The total number of days for the assignment includes the validation meeting and final report submission.

9. Qualifications of the Lead consultant

I. Must be in possession of a Political Science/Law Degree (or equivalent) as a minimum academic qualification.
II. Experience in simplification of Technical Public Policy Documents
III. Basic Policy analysis skills/training will be essential for this assignment.
IV. Must be a very good facilitator and communicator with excellent writing skills
V. Should be able to demonstrate competency and experience in production of at least three projects of similar work.

10. Requirements & Application process

Interested and eligible consultant/s can apply for the assignment by submitting their Expression of Interest (with financial proposal), Resume and at least three samples electronically to cspr@csprzambia.org putting in copy patrick.malekani@csprzambia.org .

Application (in the main body of the email) should also include the following statement from the consultant:

Certification:
I, the undersigned, certify that,
a) To the best of my knowledge and understanding, this resume correctly describes me, my qualifications and my experience.
b) I accept that any false data or omission that may be contained in this resume and its annexes may be a justifiable element for disqualification.
c) Supporting documentation of the accreditations.

11. Deadline for submission

The deadline for submission of the application will be on 19th July 2023.

Disclaimer

The Citizen’s Voice Project is being implemented in partnership with BBC Media Action with financial support from the European Union and its sponsors. The European Union is not liable for any legal action resulting from executing this project.

CSPR practices zero tolerance to bribery and corruption as guided by its Anti-Corruption Policy. We therefore expect all applicants to comply with all anti- corruption laws