Context

DAI Global Belgium is currently implementing the EU-funded Support to the National Land Audit in Zambia. As part of its mandate, the project aims to improve land administration and management in Zambia. The issue of revenue generation in the Zambian land sector is a key barrier to enhanced land governance.

However, Zambia’s current legal and administrative framework imposes a critical constraint: only properties with formal plot numbers—those officially planned and surveyed—are eligible for registration and taxation. This requirement systematically excludes significant portions of unplanned urban development, despite their proximity to taxable properties and their potential contribution to the local revenue base. The result is a fragmented and incomplete valuation roll, which undermines both revenue generation and horizontal equity.

In this context, the National Land Audit project seeks a consultant to contribute to the ongoing land governance reforms by engaging in an in-depth research on revenue generation from the land sector in Zambia, specifically focusing on revenue from land administration services (administrative processes and fees) and land taxes (ground rents, land rates and occupancy license payment) in line with the National Land Policy´s basic principles.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The consultant (SNKE in Revenue Generation in Zambia Land Sector) will conduct a research study to assess the current revenue systems on land administration services and their linkage to the National Land Policy's basic principles. The specific objectives of the study will be to:

• Establish the status of current revenue systems on land administration and their linkage to National Land Policy basic principles.
• Assess the land use dynamics and how that impacts the collection of taxes, ground rent and rates.
• Examine how the various institutions can interface to streamline land transactions.
• Develop practical recommendations that will inform a legal and policy reform agenda.

The work is expected to be carried out on-site with the expert being based in Lusaka for the duration of the assignment with travel within Zambia as required. The contract is expected to commence in May 2026 and continue for a period of 5 months up to September 2026 (indicatively).

Tasks

• Establishment of the research plan, specifying research priorities and design the detailed methodology for the research process.
• Literature search on land surface rights vs mining rights
• Formulation of research topics and detailed planning
• Briefing with the EUD and with the MLNR
• Production of a provisional list of questions, define objectives and scope of research and plan the relevant activities.
• Consolidation of scope and structure of research and validation of their proposed methodology.
• Preparation of research protocols/data collection instruments.
• Field visits and survey to identified target sample of selected 3 provinces.
• Data analysis, assessments, and preparation of research findings.
• Preparation of a draft research report to inform policy reform.
• Debriefing with the EUD and MLNR
• Presentation of the research findings, recommendations, and inputs to policy reform during the restitution workshop

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum master’s degree level in Land Governance, Law, Economics, Taxation Geographical Studies, or Social Sciences related areas relevant to this research specific assignment
• Minimum 8 years of general professional experience related to land tenure, land governance, and policy reform processes.
• Proven experience working on property taxation and revenue collection with relevant government authorities.
• Prior experience with Zambia’s property tax system is an advantage.

• Establishment of the research plan, specifying research priorities and design the detailed methodology for the research process.
• Literature search on land surface rights vs mining rights
• Formulation of research topics and detailed planning
• Briefing with the EUD and with the MLNR
• Production of a provisional list of questions, define objectives and scope of research and plan the relevant activities.
• Consolidation of scope and structure of research and validation of their proposed methodology.
• Preparation of research protocols/data collection instruments.
• Field visits and survey to identified target sample of selected 3 provinces.
• Data analysis, assessments, and preparation of research findings.
• Preparation of a draft research report to inform policy reform.
• Debriefing with the EUD and MLNR
• Presentation of the research findings, recommendations, and inputs to policy reform during the restitution workshop

• Minimum master’s degree level in Land Governance, Law, Economics, Taxation Geographical Studies, or Social Sciences related areas relevant to this research specific assignment
• Minimum 8 years of general professional experience related to land tenure, land governance, and policy reform processes.
• Proven experience working on property taxation and revenue collection with relevant government authorities.
• Prior experience with Zambia’s property tax system is an advantage.