1. About FIAN Zambia

FIAN Zambia is a human rights organisation advancing the right to food in Zambia. FIAN is
an affiliate of FIAN International, a global human rights organisation for the right to food since
1986. Since our establishment we have been advocating for the right to food and nutrition. We
support grassroots communities and movements in their struggles against right to food
violations.

2. Background

FIAN Zambia is currently implementing a project titled Stronger Together: Supporting Civil
Society to Advance the Right to Food for all individuals, households, and communities in
Zambia. The project is being supported by the Swedish International Development Corporation
Agency (SIDA) through We Effect Zambia.
To enhance interactions and knowledge sharing on the right to with general citizenry, civil
society organisations, and other actors, FIAN Zambia plans to develop an application to be
used on  IOS, Android, and Microsoft. The application will be used to provide information and
receive information on the right to food in Zambia.

3. Objective of the Consultancy

We therefore seek expressions of interest from qualified firms, individuals, or organisations to
design and develop a secure, accessible, and sustainable mobile application with the following
functions:

• Legal and policy information on the right to food in Zambia.
• Updates on the situational context of the right to food in Zambia.
• Directory of relevant stakeholders and agencies working on the right to food.
• Secure reporting mechanisms for users to document violations (including photo/video/audio uploads, geolocation, and incident descriptions).
• Automated periodic reports on user engagement and violations.
• USSD shortcode service for users without  smartphones to access key information (legal/policy updates) and report violations via SMS-style menus
• Educational resources (e.g., explainer videos, FAQs) for target users, including rural communities, activists, and policymakers.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will:

a) Needs Assessment

• Conduct consultations with target users (e.g., rural communities, CSOs, government
  agencies) to identify needs.
• Review existing legal frameworks, NGO reports, and global best practices (e.g., UN
  Right to Food Guidelines).
• Benchmark against similar apps (e.g., FAO’s mobile tools) to avoid duplication

b) App Development

• Design and develop an Android/iOS-compatible app with:
  • Multilingual support (English + 2 local languages, e.g., Bemba, Nyanja).
  • Offline functionality for low-connectivity areas.
  • WCAG 2.1 compliance for accessibility (e.g., screen-reader compatibility).
  • End-to-end encryption (AES-256) for user data, compliant with Zambia’s Data
    Protection Act.
• USSD Integration
  • Develop a USSD shortcode with the following functions:
  • Menu-driven access to summarized legal/policy information on the right to food.
  • Text-based reporting of violations (with geolocation auto-capture via network towers).
  • SMS confirmations for submitted reports.
  • Ensure USSD works on all mobile networks (MTN, Airtel, Zamtel) without internet.
  • Sync USSD-reported data with the mobile app’s backend database in real time.
• Reporting features must include:
  • Mandatory fields (e.g., incident type, location, description).
  • Automated verification prompts (e.g., “Is this report urgent? Y/N”).

c) Protocols Development

Draft guidelines for:

• Users: How to report violations (max 500 characters, required fields).
• FIAN Zambia: How to escalate verified reports to authorities.

d) Testing & Deployment

• Beta testing: 4-week cycle with 200+ target users; refine based on feedback.
• Deploy on Google Play/App Store, covering associated fees.
• Training: 2 workshops for FIAN staff and stakeholders on app usage/moderation.
• Rigorous USSD testing across devices, networks, and rural/low-literacy user groups.

e) Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

Quantitative tracking:

• Google Analytics/Firebase for usage metrics (e.g., active users, report types).
  Qualitative feedback:
• Bi-annual user surveys (embedded in-app).
  Impact metrics:
• % of reports leading to policy action/response.
  Track USSD vs. app usage rates to assess accessibility reach.
• Report to asses accessibility

f) Sustainability & Risk Management

Post-launch support: 6 months of bug-fixing/updates (included in contract).
Risk mitigation:
Low engagement → Awareness campaigns via radio/CSO networks.
IP Ownership: FIAN Zambia retains full rights to the app and data.

5. Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver:
Inception Phase

• Inception Report (methodology, stakeholder list, risks).
• Competitive Analysis Report (benchmarking of similar apps).
• USSD Feasibility Report

Design & Development

• Approved app prototype (wireframes/mockups).
• Fully functional mobile app (Android/iOS) with:
• Multilingual, offline, and secure reporting features.
• Technical documentation (source code, security protocols).
• Functional USSD code (e.g., *123#) with:
  • Menu-driven access to food rights info (condensed from app content).
  • Text-based violation reporting (auto-captured geolocation via network towers).
  • SMS confirmations for submitted reports.
• Backend integration to sync USSD reports with the app database.

Testing & Training

• Beta Testing Report (user feedback + improvements).
• Training materials (manuals, workshop recordings).
• Results from testing across devices/networks and with low-literacy users.
• Protocol for USSD moderation (e.g., handling duplicate/false reports)

Deployment & M&E

• Deployed app on Google Play/App Store.
• Telecom provider agreements and compliance documentation.
• User guide for USSD (distributable via radio/community networks).
• Track USSD vs. app usage metrics
• M&E Framework (dashboard, survey templates).
• Final Project Report (KPIs, recommendations)

4. Duration and Timeline

The consultancy is expected to last 12 weeks.

5. Qualifications and Experience The ideal consultant should possess:

– Bachelor’s degree in  Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology or a related field.
– A master’s degree in the above fields or additional certifications in mobile application development, user interface design, or related areas will be preferred.
– Expertise in mobile app development (iOS and Android platforms).
– Knowledge of software development methodologies and frameworks.
– Understanding of data privacy, security protocols, and relevant legal regulations in Zambia.
– Training or certification in human rights, social sciences, or a related discipline is an
added advantage, especially to integrate the thematic content of the app effectively.
– Experience in projects related to citizen engagement, education, or advocacy.
– Proven experience in  mobile app development, particularly in advocacy or educational contexts.
– Strong understanding of human rights issues, particularly the right to food.
– Expertise in integrating reporting tools for documenting incidents within mobile applications.
– Excellent skills in stakeholder engagement and user-centred design.
– Experience in developing multilingual and offline-capable applications.

6. Application Process

Interested consultants are invited to submit:

• A technical proposal outlining the approach and methodology.
• A financial proposal with a detailed budget.
• CVs of the lead consultant and team members.
• Portfolio of relevant past projects.

Applications should be sent to fianzambia@fian.org.zm by 18 June 2025, with the subject line
“Consultancy: Mobile App Development—Right to Food.”

7. Payment Terms

Payments will be made in installments based on the achievement of agreed-upon milestones:
– 30% upon signing the contract.
– 40% upon delivery of the beta version of the app.
– 30% upon approval of the final app and protocols.

8. Contact Information

For enquiries, please contact:

Vladimir Chilinya,
Country Coordinator,
FIAN Zambia No. 2B
Zimbabwe road,
Rhodespark, Lusaka.
Phone: 0777 505 228 / 0972 004 700

Email: fianzambia@fian.org.zm