Support to the Audit of Large Scale Based Investments (LSLBI), tenure and land use, and development of cadastral maps & attribute database

Job description

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR NON-KEY EXPERT

Title of assignment

Support to the audit of Large-Scale Land-Based Investments (LSLBI) tenure and land use, and development of cadastral map and attribute database

Expert Category

Senior Non-Key Expert

Relevant project activity #

Output 2.2: Audit of Large-Scale Land-Based Investments (LSLBI) on tenure status and land use
Output 1.3: Development of cadastral map of LSLBI and attribute database on agreed variables

Audit question

What is the tenure status of LSLBI parcels?

Is there compliance between leasehold conditions and current land use?

What are the effective and informal land uses within LSLBI parcels?

Location

Lusaka with selected field missions to provinces (e.g., Central, Northern, Western)

Duration

64 working days

Expected start date

August 1, 2025

Expected end date

December 15, 2025

I. Background

The EU support to the National Land Audit (NLA) project aims to improve land administration and management in Zambia. It focuses on enhancing the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), producing national land cover and land use maps, and compiling thematic datasets including for LSLBI. LSLBI refers to leasehold parcels larger than 250 hectares, including farm blocks, industrial and mining areas. Six main categories of Large-Scale Land-Based Investments (LSLBI) have been identified. The table below highlights their characteristics, examples, and key risks or challenges associated with each.

Category Key Characteristics Example(s) Risks & Challenges
Farm Blocks – State-initiated zones (>100,000 ha each)
– Core venture + small/medium farms
– Agro-processing & infrastructure planned Nansanga, Shikabeta, Kalumwange, Luena – Underdevelopment of allocated land
– Low uptake by investors
– Lease non-compliance
Private Commercial Farms – Acquired by local/foreign investors
– Often converted from customary land Amatheon (Mumbwa) – Displacement of communities
– Fragmented records and tenure conflicts
Industrial Parks & Economic Zones – Led by IDC/ZDA or foreign entities
– Linked to agro or light manufacturing Luswishi Agri Zone, Kalumbwishi, Kasama – Lack of basic infrastructure
– Slow progress on investor commitments
Mining Concessions – Licensed exploration and extraction zones
– Granted by Ministry of Mines FQM (Solwezi), KML – Environmental impact
– Weak local participation and resettlement plans
Tourism & Conservation Areas – Long-term leases in GMAs or parks
– Often eco-tourism or mixed conservation projects Lower Zambezi GMA – Restricted access for local communities
– Overlaps with customary tenure
Solar & Infrastructure Sites – Energy farms (solar, hydro), logistics hubs
– Often facilitated by IDC or PPPs IDC Solar sites – Fragmented spatial data
– Land use monitoring gaps
Urban Expansion & Housing Schemes – Peri-urban leaseholds for estates or housing
– Customary land converted for private sale Lusaka peri-urban developments – Informal subdivision and resale
– Planning law non-compliance

This activity is crucial to inform national land governance policy, improve land administration, support responsible investment, and enhance data systems.

II. Objectives of the Assignment
GENERAL OBJECTIVES

To support the assessment and documentation of tenure and land use status of LSLBI parcels and assist in producing a comprehensive cadastral map and attribute database.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Conduct field-level verification of tenure status and land use of LSLBI parcels.

Collect and validate attribute data as per agreed variables.

Contribute to vectorization, digitization, and data harmonization efforts.

Support the preparation of audit report, database, and mapping products.

III. Scope of Work
TARGET GROUPS

Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR)

Zambia Development Agency (ZDA)

Ministry of Agriculture

District Councils and Provincial Planning Offices

Customary Authorities (as needed)

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES Under Activity A.2.2.2:

Review existing documentation and audit manuals relevant to LSLBI parcels

Participate in design and pretesting of data collection tools (interview checklists, site visit forms)

Conduct interviews and consultations with key stakeholders including MLNR, ZDA, IDC, MoA, MoMMD, and provincial authorities

Conduct field inspections and site verification visits to selected LSLBI locations across three provinces

Assess compliance with leasehold conditions, identify informal and unregulated land uses

Record evidence of underuse, abandonment, or unauthorized subdivision

Under Activity A.1.3.3 and A.1.3.5:

Support compilation of spatial data from MLNR, district, and provincial databases

Digitize and vectorize additional LSLBI parcels using QGIS

Validate and standardize attribute data including tenure status (titled, surveyed, informal), land use classification, and infrastructure development

Facilitate inter-agency data harmonization and consolidation

The breakdown of activities is shown below:
Output, Work Plan Activity Location Nb of w/days
1 Briefing with EUD and MLNR Lusaka 1
2 Review of background documentation and audit manuals Lusaka 5
3 Development of data collection tools Lusaka 5
4 Digitization and vectorization of LSLBI parcels Lusaka 10
5 Collection and harmonization of tenure records and datasets Lusaka 6
6 Field inspection visits to selected LSLBI locations Field (3 provinces) 15
7 Interviews with plot holders and leaseholders Field 5
8 Validation of attribute database (tenure and land use) Lusaka 5
9 Stakeholder consultations on data discrepancies Lusaka 3
10 Drafting audit report and restitution map outputs Lusaka 4
11 Finalization of outputs and presentation to stakeholders Lusaka 2
12 Debriefing with EUD and MLNR Lusaka 1
13 Reporting Lusaka 2

Total number of working days: 64

The Senior NKE will perform the tasks through regular inputs, whereby the number of days per month may vary according to the amount of activity in the project which require reporting on or communicating. Exact timing and number will be defined in the assignment work plan.

IV. Deliverables and Reporting Requirements
FORMAL DELIVERABLES

The working language of the assignment will be English.
An electronic copy of each of the below-mentioned deliverables should be submitted first to the Team Leader and KE3 within the respective timeframe specified for each deliverable. The Team Leader will submit the electronic version of the deliverable to the Contracting Authority and MLNR for further feedback.

Objective Specific Deliverables Deadline
1 Work plan and methodology note, inception meeting within first 5 days
2 Draft attribute database and LSLBI map due by day 45
3 Draft audit report of tenure and land use due by day 50
4 Final report and database due by day 60
ADMINISTRATIVE OUTPUTS

Monthly Time Sheets according to the template provided at the beginning of the mission, which includes a brief description of task(s), conducted each day signed and submitted to Team Leader for revision and approval. Holidays, weekends, and working days outside Zambia cannot be included in the Time Sheet as working days unless there is a prior written approval from the contracting authority.

Monthly report according to the template provided at the beginning of the mission accompanying each Monthly Time Sheet and submitted to Team Leader for revision and approval, which describes activities, outputs, indicators achieved, etc. completed during the month with reference to coded project activities.

V. Supervision and Backstopping

Under the supervision of the TA Team Leader and KE2, the NKE will carry out services and produce outputs listed in section VI. The NKE will propose a work plan for all tasks of the assignment and their duration. The plan will include regular meetings with the Team Leader, Key Experts, and Zambian stakeholders.

The Project Office Manager based in Lusaka, Zambia, will support the NKE with arranging meetings, transportation, coordination of timesheets, and other administrative matters as needed. The NKE should contact the Team Leader prior to commencing the input to confirm the specific start date and arrange a briefing meeting to be held upon arrival.

The Project Manager and Project Director from the Contractor based in Headquarters will review all formal deliverables prior to their submission to the Contracting Authority.

VI. Candidate Selection Criteria
Qualifications and Skills

Degree in land administration, GIS, geography, urban/rural planning or related field

Familiarity with leasehold systems and LSLBI context in Zambia

Strong GIS/data management skills

Excellent English skills (spoken/written)

General Professional Experience

Minimum 7 years in land administration, land use planning or auditing

Specific Professional Experience

Minimum 5 years in field data collection, cadastral surveying or GIS database work

Experience with LSLBI or similar investment-related land assessments

Knowledge of Zambian context and experience in communications with Zambian government officials and other stakeholders is considered an advantage.

VII. Logistics and Timetable

Office-based work will be conducted in Lusaka. The NKE will undertake 2 field missions of approximately 5–6 days each, subject to prior notification and approval from the Contracting Authority.

The assignment should start based on Contracting Authority approval date (indicative start date August 1, 2025) and continue for a duration of 5 months (indicative end date 15 December 2025).

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications (cover letter and CV) to Ms. Daisy L. Mwila at Daisy_Mwila@dai.com, with a copy to Gabriela_Georgieva@dai.com by 14-06-2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.