Consultancy Service to Analyse the 2024 Proposed NGO Bill, ATI Law and Bill 7 in Relations to Child Rights Advocacy

Job description

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToRs) FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICE TO ANALYSE THE 2024 PROPOSED NGO BILL, ATI LAW AND BILL 7 IN RELATION TO CHILD RIGHTS ADVOCACY

1. INTRODUCTION

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) is a national network of 104 local civil society actors who are united in the fight against poverty in Zambia. Established in the year 2000 in response to the call by government for CSO voice in the formulation of the poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSPs), CSPR works to amplify the voice of marginalized and underrepresented groups in society and strengthens their civic engagement capacities to inform pro-poor national development planning and policy reform processes. facilitates their inclusion that has been building the voices for pro-poor policies in the fight against poverty in Zambia. CSPR draws its membership across 19 districts in Zambia in 6 provinces namely: Lusaka, Southern, North-Western, Western, Eastern and Luapula. Thematically, CSPR works across the following themes using a rights-based approach:

I. Economic governance,

II. Climate and environment Justice,

III. Social security and justice,

IV. Civic engagement and decentralization

V. Networking and coalition building.

VI. Youth and women economic empowerment

2. BACKGROUND

In line with its strategic objectives to promote inclusive governance and human rights, CSPR intends to strengthen legal literacy and engagement around laws that impact child rights advocacy. Recent developments, including the enactment of the Access to Information (ATI) Law and ongoing concerns regarding the proposed 2024 NGO bill as well as bill 7 necessitate a legal review to assess provisions that may hinder the operational space for child rights defenders, civil society actors and children themselves.

To this end, CSPR seeks the services of a qualified consultant /expert to conduct an analysis of the three legal instruments, identify restrictive provisions, and produce a simplified advocacy message targeting legislators and policy makers.

3. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

To critically analyse the 2024 NGO Bill, ATI Law and Bill 7 from a child rights and advocacy perspective, and to develop a simplified, user-friendly document that communicates the legal implications to non-legal actors, especially children, youth advocates, and community-based stakeholders.

4. SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will be expected to:

Conduct an assessment and legal review of the ATI Law, 2024 NGO proposed bill and constitutional amendment bill as well as the extent to which they promote child rights advocacy.
Identify and analyze specific legal provisions that may restrict, complicate, or limit child rights advocacy by CSOs, youth groups, or children.
Contextualise findings within Zambia’s human rights commitments, including the Children’s Code Act, UNCRC, African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and other relevant instruments.
Draft a simplified, visually engaging and child-friendly legal education booklet that can be used for awareness-raising and training.
Present key findings and recommendations in a PowerPoint presentation to the CSPR team and stakeholders.
Incorporate feedback from CSPR and relevant partners into the final outputs through a validation exercise.

5. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

Inception Report: Detailing methodology, timelines, report outline and key focus areas (within 3 days of contract signing).
Legal Analysis Report: In-depth review of the proposed 2024 NGO Bill, Bill 7 and ATI Law with commentary and interpretation.
Draft Simplified Legal Booklet: Developed in child-friendly language with visuals where necessary.
Final Booklet: Refined based on stakeholder feedback, suitable for printing and public dissemination.
PowerPoint Presentation: Summarising key legal findings, challenges, and recommendations.

6. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The consultancy is expected to be completed within 10 working days from the signing of the contract. The consultant is expected to adhere strictly to the proposed work plan unless otherwise agreed upon or negotiated

7. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

A bachelor’s degree in law, Human Rights, or Child Rights or its equivalent (Master’s degree preferred).
Minimum 5 years of experience in legal research, analysis, and public interest advocacy.
Demonstrated experience in child rights programming and policy analysis.
Experience developing simplified or child-friendly legal materials is essential.
Familiarity with Zambian legal and policy frameworks, civil society regulations, and child rights laws.

8. APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested consultants are invited to submit:

A cover letter expressing interest and summarizing relevant expertise.
A technical and financial proposal, inclusive of a detailed work plan.
A sample of a similar legal or simplified document developed in the past.
Curriculum Vitae.
Contact details for three (3) professional referees.

Applications should be sent via email to cspr@csprzambia.org and copied to mildred.muleya@csprzambia.org with the subject line:

“Application – Legal Analysis Consultancy on Proposed 2024 NGO Bill, Bill 7 and ATI Law.”

9. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION

The deadline for submission of applications is on or before midnight of 16th June 2025.