INVITATION FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON CULTURAL NORMS AND IDIOMS – UNDER BUILDING CULTURAL ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM UPSCALING PROJECT.

BACKGROUND

The Healing Balm Foundation a recognized civil society organization founded in 2021,with our Headquarters in Livingstone,Southern Province.

We aim to empower citizens and amplify their voices in public resource management, bridging the poverty gap through empowerment initiatives. We prioritize climate justice and advocate for household interventions to address human activities impacting the environment. Additionally, we are committed to deliberate disability inclusion, ensuring that all individuals have equal opportunities and representation.

Leadership within our organization is characterized by a diverse and skilled board of trustees, representing both Zambia and the UK. Their collective expertise spans across education, healthcare, environmental stewardship, disability inclusion, and governance, ensuring a comprehensive approach to our mission.Our team continues to expand, enabling us to develop, fund-raise, market, deliver, and monitor impactful initiatives across all our operational areas. As we strive for continual growth, we have established branches in Gweembe District and have a dedicated presence in Kazungula, focusing particularly on the Mukuni and Musokotwane chiefdoms. This strategic expansion allows us to extend our reach and deepen our impact, advancing our vision of a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

The Healing Balm Foundation is currently implementing a project dubbed Building Cultural Accountability Mechanisms- Up-scaling. This project funded by GIZ Zambia and Co funded by the European Union under the Enabling Access to Justice, Civil Society Participation and Transparency (EnACT) programme, aims to build on gains made in its predecessor project, “Building Cultural Accountability,” by leveraging the capacity built in traditional leaders to ignite the demand for accountability among ordinary citizens. The project aims to strengthen cultural systems and empower vulnerable groups, such as women and youth, to demand accountability in public service delivery. It will continue to use the education sector as an entry point to activate dialogue between citizens, traditional leaders, and duty bearers, ensuring the progressive realization of citizens’ rights. Additionally, it will strengthen platforms within traditional systems to encourage women’s participation.

To support the achievement of the above, the Healing Balm Foundation seeks a consultant/s to conduct a study on cultural norms and idioms in Mukuni and Musokotwane chiefdoms.

CONSULTANCY OBJECTIVES:

The primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct a study and document progressive cultural norms and idioms that promote transparency, integrity, and inclusion. The study will also highlight examples of individuals who faced legal consequences as a result of such practices. The Healing Balm Foundation shall hire the contractor for the anticipated contract term from 24th February to 8th March 2025.

TIMELINE

The consultancy must be completed within 15 working days from the contract signing date with The Healing Balm Foundation as detailed below:

DELIVERABLES-DEADLINE-NUMBER OF EXPERT DAYS

1)Inception Report Detailing Study Methodology-6th March 2025-Upto 2 days

2)Collection of Idioms and Cultural Norms-Between 13th March 2025 and 27th March 2025-Upto 10 days (5 days in each chiefdom)

3)Draft Report Development-3rd April 2025-Upto 2 days

4)Final Report Submission-17th April 2025-Upto 1 day

TOTAL=15 Days

TASK AS PER DELIVERABLE:

1) Inception Report Detailing Study Methodology

The consultant will prepare and submit a comprehensive inception report outlining the methodology to be employed in the study. This report should include:

· Detailed sampling techniques and sample size.

· A clear approach to identifying and documenting progressive cultural norms and idioms.

· Desk research findings on the legal consequences that negative norms and idioms have had, particularly instances where traditional leaders faced legal challenges. This analysis should encompass areas such as transparency, corruption, accountability, and inclusion.

· Detailed documentary ( video etc for references )

2) Collection of Idioms and Cultural Norms

In close collaboration with the M&E Officer, the consultant will finalize a list of traditional leaders to be interviewed and develop data collection plan. The consultant will ensure data collection includes:

· Recorded audio narratives from traditional leaders detailing the idioms.

· Secure informed consent for the use of the recorded idioms in the study.

· Translation and interpretation of relevant idioms.

· Linguistic annotations

The collected idioms should emphasize themes of integrity, transparency, inclusion, and accountability.

3) Draft Report Development

The consultant will compile and submit a draft report that synthesizes the findings and insights gathered during the study. The report will also include detailed recommendations identifying progressive cultural norms and strategies to leverage these norms to enhance transparency, accountability, and inclusion.

4) Final Report Submission

The consultant will refine the draft report based on feedback and submit a final version that comprehensively addresses all aspects of the study.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Ø Education/training: Degree in Social Sciences, Cultural Studies or any other related field

Ø General professional experience: Minimum of 3 -5 years of professional experience in research.

Ø Specific professional experience: 3-5 years of experience in mixed method research, qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills

Ø Languages: Excellent English (both written and oral).Toka Leya and Tonga is an added advantage

Ø Excellent research and writing skills

Ø Candidates from Zimba, Livingstone or Kazungula districts are highly encouraged to apply

Bid document should include:

1. Individual/Company profile
2. Tpin Certificate
3. Copy of certificate of registration / Incorporation
4. Tax clearance certificate
5. Traceable references from at least 3 existing clients
6. Technical and financial proposal describing how they intend to undertake the assignment and the associated costs
7. Samples of previous work done (max two samples).

Reporting: The selected consultant will report to Executive Director. .

Interested eligible bidders should submit all the above stated documents by the 14th of February 2025 to info@thehealingbalmfoundation.org or thehealingbalmfoundation@gmal.com

Please note: the study will be conducted in Mukuni and Musokotwane Chiefdoms.