RESEARCH CONSULTANT

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – CONSULTANCY TO PRODUCE ANALYTICAL REPORT

About MISA Zambia

MISA Zambia, established in 1995, is a membership-based organization that promotes media freedom, freedom of expression, and ethical journalism in Zambia. Governed through a democratic structure comprising the AGM, National Governing Council, and Secretariat, it works with media, communities and various partners to advance its vision and mission. As part of the regional MISA network across 11 SADC countries, it aligns with the regional vision of a pluralistic and free media. Its 2025–2029 strategy is guided by the core values of Virtue, Innovation, Transparency, Adaptability and Objectivity -VITAO.

Our Vision

An ecosystem that supports resilient media and robust freedom of expression in Zambia.

Our Mission Statement

“To promote an ecosystem that supports resilient media and freedom of expression in the face of high paced technological advancement through research, capacity building and advocacy in the interest of strengthening democracy, good governance and development that leaves no one behind in Zambia.’’

Our Development Goal

Strengthened democratic governance and inclusive development in Zambia through empowered media and community-driven communication.

Background

MISA Zambia is implementing a Project called “Empowering Voices and Advancing Freedom of Expression” whose objective was “To protect the rights of association, assembly and freedom of expression during the 2026 general elections”. Activities on this project included monitoring incidents that were impacting the above stated rights and engaging appropriate state entities to seek improved upholding of the stated rights. Whilst the interventions were informed by incidents we recorded on a daily basis, our broader knowledge of the patterns of incidents and regions and nature of incidents has to be studied further and documented in a more analytical manner that aids in policy development that can address some of the incidents which were recorded.

To this effect, we seek to engage a consultant to produce an analytical report that will analyse the environment for media freedom, freedom of expression, access to information, freedom of association and assembly pre campaign and during campaign period, during poll and post poll day. The incidents which were recorded should also be documented to fully inform the analysis.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The main purpose of the consultancy is to:

• Produce an analytical report assessing the environment for the enjoyment of the rights of media freedom, freedom of expression, rights to association and assembly and access to information before and during campaign period, during and after poll day.
• Devise the appropriate methodology for conducting the research to produce the above stated report.
• Examine the nature, causes, patterns and impact of political, electoral and media-related violations to a free and fair election and towards facilitating voters’ choice.
• Compare the 2026 electoral environment with the 2015, 2016 and 2021 elections.
• Assess how institutions responded to reported violations that impacted the above stated rights.
• Identify weaknesses in prevention, reporting, investigation, accountability and redress of violations.
• Develop practical recommendations for preventing political and electoral violence and protecting the above stated rights and freedoms.
• Present the final report to national and international stakeholders during a launch.

Deliverables

At the end of the consultancy, MISA Zambia expects to have:

• A comprehensive report analysing the level of enjoyment of the above stated rights in the stated period.
• Methodology for conducting the research.
• Power-point presentation of the report to be presented to the stakeholder meeting.

Submission of Applications

Applications should be submitted to: