Policy and GESI Barrier Analysis Consultant Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (YEE) Phase II Project in Zambia

Job description

Policy and GESI barrier analysis Consultant

Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (YEE) Phase II Project in Zambia

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises. With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Background

SNV Zambia, with funding support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and Irish Aid (IA) is implementing Phase II of the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship project (YEE) Project. The project aims to support the employment and entrepreneurship of 20,100 youths across the Eastern, Southern, Central, Northern, and Northwestern provinces, (at least 50% of whom are young women) by promoting green employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in agri-food systems, renewable energy, and other emerging sectors.

The YEE project adopts a Pull-Match-Push-Enable framework, strategically integrating private sector actors, service providers, and public institutions to promote sustainable youth employment pathways. Despite progress, youth unemployment and underemployment remain significant challenges, especially for young women who face intersecting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) barriers. While national and local policies exist to address these issues, the effectiveness, uptake, and implementation at the local level remain uneven. SNV therefore, seek to engage one (1) Policy and GESI Barriers Analysis consultant to conduct a comprehensive policy (both national and localized) and barrier analysis across 5 provinces, identifying actionable policy entry pathways and institutional gaps for more inclusive youth economic empowerment.

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to: –

a) Identify and analyze national and sub-national policies, strategies, and legal frameworks relevant to youth employment, entrepreneurship, and women’s economic empowerment.

b) Assess the effectiveness and implementation of these policies at the local level, with a focus on awareness, resourcing, institutional responsibility, and local adaptations.

c) Map and evaluate GESI-related barriers, including socio-cultural norms that inhibit inclusive participation in economic opportunities.

d) Analyze policy uptake and localization across 5 targeted local authorities/provinces.

e) Provide recommendations for entry points and interventions to amplify youth voice and understanding of policies related to Youth Empowerment, Employment and Entrepreneurship

Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following core tasks.

Task 1: Desk review and policy mapping (national and 5 provinces overview, sampled districts from a total of 22)

Review and synthesize relevant national and local policy documents, including legislation, strategies, regulations, and programs.
Map institutional frameworks and actors involved in policy implementation.
Identify specific provisions that promote youth and women’s economic empowerment.
Identify specific clauses and mandates that offer entry points for advocacy or institutional accountability.

Task 2: Policy provisions and YEE policy entry points mapping

Identify entry points for youth economic empowerment in each of the YEE 5 provinces by analyzing existing by-laws, mandates, development frameworks, empowerment policies, incentives and commitments (budgetary provisions).

Task 3: GESI barriers analysis for each of the 5 provinces (sampled districts from a total of 22)

Investigate structural, systemic, and socio-cultural barriers affecting youth and women’s economic participation.
Pay particular attention to gender norms and discrimination, age-based exclusion, and equity in service delivery

Task 4: Local policy uptake and GESI barrier Analysis (5 provinces, sampled districts from a total of 22)

Engage with Local government officials; Youth and women representatives and Civil society and community leaders to: –

Assess levels of policy awareness, uptake, and practical implementation.

Compare and contrast uptake and trends across districts of around policy awareness and GESI barriers by youth

Deliverables

Deliverable
Description

5 Provinces policy factsheets for youth employment & entrepreneurship promotion
Localized policy entry points and opportunities for youth economic empowerment and employment. Highlights of achievements and gaps in localized policy implementation. Factsheets should be in both English and vernacular language of that district

5 Provinces GESI factsheets with highlights and entry points for youth employment & entrepreneurship

Localized policy entry points and opportunities for youth economic empowerment and employment. Highlights of achievements and gaps in localized policy implementation. Factsheets should be in both English and vernacular language of that district

5 Provinces policy factsheets
Localised analysis of policy environment, uptake, gaps, and opportunities. To be summarised in English for community-level feedback.

Consolidated Final Report

A synthesis of findings, trends, comparative insights, and recommendations across all 5 provinces and national level outlook for youth employment and entrepreneurship entry points.
Tentative Timeline (8 Weeks Total)

Activity: Timeline

Inception Meeting & Desk Review
Week 1

Fieldwork & Data Collection
Weeks 2–4

Data Analysis & Draft Report Writing
Weeks 5–6

Final Report Submission
Weeks 6-7

Consultant Profile

Advanced degree in public policy, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field.
Proven experience in:
Policy and legislative analysis
Youth employment and entrepreneurship programming
Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) frameworks
Demonstrated experience working with Zambia’s national and local governance systems.
Strong stakeholder networks and relationships at national and sub-national levels
Strong facilitation, data analysis, and reporting skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English- knowledge of local languages is an added advantage.
Ability to work independently and travel within assigned regions as required.

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria: Maximum score

1. Bidder profile – Past performance, references for the work performed in the last five years, capacity, and experience of the proposed team. 20%

2. Technical proposal – reflecting the understanding of the ToR, relevance of the proposed methodology in relation to the ToR objectives and youth employment and entrepreneurship issues, agriculture and renewable energy sectors, and proposed approach to the inclusion of marginalized groups. 30%

3. Financial proposal – relevance of proposed costs in relation to the technical proposal and level of experience/qualifications of the bidder. 20%

4. Past performance with samples of previous works in the mentioned areas completed within the last five years – Three samples of similar assignments implemented in the past five years (reports developed). 30%

Documents to be submitted as part of the Consultants application:

1. Bidder Profile

1.1 Document summarizing the bidder’s background, qualifications and experience

1.2 If a team of individuals/consultancy firm, all the CVs of the proposed individuals by the firm to work on the assignment

The submission requirements

Interested consultants or firms should submit the documents specified below to zambiaprocurement@snv.org  by close of business on 26-06-2025.

1. A detailed proposal outlining the approach, methodology and the timeline for the study

2. A budget breakdown including fees or any other costs

3. CVs of the key team members and relevant work experience

4. Examples of similar work previous conducted

2. Past Performance

2.1. Include three references related to similar assignments within the past five years (max), attaching contact details and evidence of the work produced

3. Mandatory Requirements

5.1 For Zambian national individual consultants: copies of Tax Registration certificate and the most recent tax clearance certificate.

5.2 For a firm registration document: Business license/Certificate of Registration for all, Tax Registration, Current Tax Clearance Certificate and VAT if applicable

Failure to provide a full package of documents listed above them will result in disqualification of the whole bid. Only Shortlisted Candidates will be contacted.

Application Criteria:

Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
Submission should be made through zambiaprocurement@snv.org not later than 08:00AM, 26th June 2025.
For any clarifications, contact zambiaprocurement@snv.org.

Note: SNV Zambia may request for necessary and/or more information during the evaluation. SNV will only contact the successful bidder (s) within the period of 2 weeks from the closing date of submission.