TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR A CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP A SHORT POCKET GUIDE ON GENDER TRANSFORMATIVE BUDGETING FOR WARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES (WDCs) AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS (CSOs)

1. Background

Gender Transformative Budgeting (GTB) is a critical approach to ensuring that public resources are allocated and utilized in ways that promote gender equality and address the specific needs of women, men, girls, and boys. Despite increasing recognition of Gender Responsive Budgeting in Zambia, there remains limited practical guidance tailored for grassroots structures such as Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

WDCs and CSOs play a vital role in local development planning, budgeting, and monitoring processes. However, their ability to influence gender-responsive and transformative resource allocation is constrained by limited access to simplified, practical tools and knowledge products.

To address this gap, NGOCC seeks to engage a qualified consultant to develop a concise, user-friendly pocket guide on Gender Transformative Budgeting that can be easily used by WDCs and CSOs at community level.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to develop a simplified, practical, and accessible pocket guide on Gender Transformative Budgeting that will strengthen the capacity of WDCs and CSOs to effectively integrate gender considerations into local planning and budgeting processes.

3. Objectives of the Assignment

The specific objectives are to:

●       Simplify key concepts of Gender Transformative Budgeting for non-technical audiences

●       Provide practical steps for integrating gender into planning and budgeting processes at ward level

●       Develop user-friendly tools, checklists, and examples relevant to local contexts

●       Strengthen the capacity of WDCs and CSOs to advocate for equitable resource allocation

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Literature Review

• Review existing materials on Gender Responsive and Transformative Budgeting
• Analyse national policies, frameworks, and guidelines relevant to gender and public finance in Zambia

1. Stakeholder Consultations

• Engage selected WDC members, CSOs, and key stakeholders to understand knowledge gaps and practical needs

1. Content Development

• Develop a draft pocket guide covering:

▪         Key concepts of gender, gender equality, and GTB

▪         Differences between Gender Responsive and Gender Transformative Budgeting

▪         Step-by-step guidance on applying GTB in ward planning and budgeting

▪         Practical tools (checklists, templates, guiding questions)

▪         Case examples relevant to Zambia/local government systems

1. Design and Simplification

• Ensure content is concise, easy to understand, and suitable for grassroots users
• Use simple language, visuals, and illustrations where necessary

1. Validation

• Facilitate a validation process/workshop with stakeholders
• Incorporate feedback into the final document

1. Finalisation

• Submit a final, banded, print-ready and digital version of the pocket guide

5. Key Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver:

●       Inception Report with methodology and work plan

●       Draft Pocket Guide on Gender Transformative Budgeting

●       Validation Workshop Report

●       Final Pocket Guide (print-ready and digital formats)

6. Duration of the Assignment

The assignment is expected to be completed within 20 days working days from the date of contract signing.

7. Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should have:

●       A degree in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Economics, Public Finance, or related field (Master’s degree is an added advantage)

●       Proven experience in gender analysis, gender budgeting, or public finance

●       Demonstrated experience in developing training manuals or simplified knowledge products

●       Strong understanding of Zambia’s local governance and decentralisation structures

●       Excellent writing and communication skills

8. Reporting and Supervision

The consultant will report to Programme Manager at NGOCC. Regular progress updates will be required throughout the assignment.

9. Payment Schedule

Payment will be made based on deliverables as follows:

●        30% upon submission and approval of the Inception Report

●        40% upon submission of the Draft Pocket Guide

●       30% upon submission and approval of the Final Pocket Guide

10. Application Requirements

Interested consultants should submit:

●       Technical proposal outlining understanding of the assignment and methodology

●       Financial proposal (detailed budget)

●       Updated CV

●       Samples of similar work undertaken

11. Confidentiality

All documents, data, and information obtained during the assignment shall remain the property of NGOCC and shall not be shared without prior authorization.

NGOCC reserves the right to accept or reject any application.