Ongoing Recruitment at ActionAid Zambia

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST OF SHRINKING POLITICAL AND CIVIL SPACE

Terms of Reference

IMPACT OF SHRINKING POLITICAL AND CIVIC SPACE ON OPERATION’S OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN ZAMBIA

Introduction

ActionAid Zambia (AAZ) is a member of the ActionAid International Federation and its vision is to see a just and poverty free Zambia in which every person enjoys the right to a life of dignity. In trying to realize its vision, AAZ works with poor and excluded people to end poverty and injustice.

Background

It has been globally and regionally recognized that civic and political space has been shrinking. This has been attributed to a number of factors that have continued to undermine the existence of independent watchdog institutions coupled with the rise in right-wing governments and emerging economical models such as the neo-liberalism models, which glorify goods and services at the expense of human rights.

Therefore, AAZ wishes to engage a Consultant to establish the impact of shrinking space on the operations of human rights activists in Zambia.

The purpose of this analysis is to provide a benchmark for assessment and adaptation of AAZ engagement strategies with political and civil structures across all operational priorities and areas, especially under our work on the promotion of civic participation and state accountability. The survey will provide reliable and useful information on the current status quo of the political environment for areas in which we implement; geographic and thematic. The findings of this research will also help the organization to assess the political environment and develop sound engagement strategies likely to ensure program success with the lowest risk and cost.

General Objective

To understand the impact of shrinking political and civic space on the operations of Human Rights Activists in Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western, Copperbelt, Southern and Lusaka provinces

Specific Objectives

The consultant is expected to highlight the impact of shrinking political and civic space on operations of human rights activists, CSOs in Zambia in the following areas below in Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western, Copperbelt, Southern and Lusaka province.

• To establish age and gender-sensitive quantitative and qualitative data and information on participation in the civic and political spaces for human rights activists;
• To evaluate the extent to which shrinking political and civic space is affecting the operation of human rights activities in Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western, Copperbelt, Southern and Lusaka provinces.
• Identify and explain the structures/ways or processes in which shrinking political and civic space is taking place.
• To review the current engagement strategies with civil and political structures by human rights activists and CSOs and advise on the best adaptation mechanisms given the current civic and political environment; and
• To identify key opportunities, constraints and other needs relevant to the success of engagement efforts by AAZ and partners.
• Provide recommendations on how Human Rights Activists can operate in the context of shrinking political and civic space.
• Analyse the various pieces of legislation that have an impact on CSOs political and civic engagement processes.

5. Process

The Consultant will visit the respective provinces to collect primary data and engage relevant key stakeholders, such as Media, politicians, government departments and CSOs to validate the findings.  Thereafter, the Consultant will be expected to address all the comments from the validation process.  A final validation meeting will be held and the final report submitted.

6. Deliverables

• First draft report submitted and to ActionAid for comments by 20th  October  2018
• Second draft (revised) report submitted and final validation meeting held
• Final report submitted (detailed report and summarized report)

7. Time schedule

The consultancy is expected to be undertaken for a period of one month inclusive of validation of draft reports and submission of the final report.  Therefore, the Consultancy period will take place from 1st October 2018 to 30th October 2018.

8. Bid Submission

Prospective consultants should submit a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) with evidence of past experience in similar field.

9. Qualifications and Competencies

The consultant should have the following qualifications:

a) Postgraduate degree in Law, Political Science or any other related field.

b) Demonstrated knowledge of Policy development and analysis highly recommended.

c) Sound relationship with key role players

d) Demonstrated ability to prepare deliverables of good quality on time.

e) Experience in undertaking similar assignments with reputable institutions.

f) Good report writing skills

10. How to apply

Closing date for receipt of bids is 29th September, 2018:  Clearly marked as follows: “Research, analysis, validation of information for preparation of reports in the provinces Lusaka, Western and Muchinga province,”

Applications should be emailed to [email protected], [email protected] or delivered to 38G, Kabulonga Rd, Ibex Hill, P.O. Box 51407, Lusaka