1.0           INTRODUCTION/ BACKGROUND

The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) is a coalition of 93 civil society organisations (CSOs) working in the education sector. The mandate of ZANEC is to conduct research and advocate for the provision of quality and inclusive education for all at the national level through various platforms, including the Local Education Groups (LEG), Africa Network Campaign on Education for All (ANCEFA), and the Global Campaign for Education (GCE). ZANEC has, since its establishment in 2002, been advocating for the provision of quality and inclusive education for all Zambians. ZANEC’s scope of work covers various aspects of education, including access to education, quality of teaching and learning, education financing, policy formulation, and implementation monitoring.

The coalition engages in advocacy campaigns, policy analysis, research, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at addressing systemic challenges within the education sector. ZANEC’s work is divided into five different education sub-sectors: The Early Childhood and Development sub-sector, the Basic Education Sub-sector, the Skills and Tertiary Sub-sector, the Youth and Adult Literacy sub-sector and the Gender and Equity sub-sector. ZANEC has the following vision and mission:-

Vision: “A sustainable and inclusive education system that responds to national aspirations and fosters an environment for self-fulfilment”

Mission: “To promote quality and inclusive education for all, through influencing policy, building consensus, holding duty bearers accountable, and strengthening the capacities of stakeholders in the education sector”

a)    ZANEC 2021-2025 Strategic Plan (SP)

In 2021, ZANEC embarked on the implementation of the new 2021-2025 Strategic Plan after successfully implementing the previous SP, which ended in 2020. The current SP, which started running from 2021-2025, focused on Promoting Quality Education for Every Zambian. The implementation of CSP is done through the development and implementation of Annual Work Plans and Budgets guided by the monitoring, evaluation and learning framework. The year 2025 is the final year of the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan implementation anchored on six Strategic Objectives, namely:

Strategic Outcome 1: By the end of 2025, ZANEC will have influenced the government to implement identified policy provisions with an impact on equitable access to quality education and training for all.

Strategic Outcome 2: By the end of 2025, selected ECE Centres deliver comprehensive early childhood development in line with the Nurturing Care Framework.

Strategic Outcome 3: By the end of 2025, the Coalition will base its responses and provision of advisory services to duty-bearers in the education sector on professionally researched and documented information.

Strategic Outcome 4: By the end of 2025, the Coalition will have promoted the integration of Social Accountability in the Education Sector at the Provincial, district and school levels.

Strategic Outcome 5: By the end of 2025, the Coalition, with its Secretariat, will be working collectively towards enhanced performance and achievement of the goal of this strategic plan.

Strategic Outcome 6: By the end of 2025, ZANEC will have broadened its income base and increased general funding from 2% to 15% of total income.

b)    ZANEC’s Main Focus of Work

The coalition engages in advocacy campaigns, policy analysis, research, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at addressing systemic challenges within the education sector. ZANEC’s main areas of activity include:-

1.     Lobbying and Advocacy: ZANEC actively engages with government authorities and policymakers to advocate for policies that promote inclusive and quality education. This involves lobbying for increased budget allocations to education, reforms in curriculum development, teacher training, and infrastructure development. ZANEC is highly recognised in the education sector and is frequently called upon by the Ministry of Education as a CSO’s representation at important national forums. ZANEC also frequently makes submissions to parliament to advocate for policy changes or amendments.

2.     Research and Policy Analysis: ZANEC conducts research and policy analysis to identify key issues affecting the education sector and to provide evidence-based recommendations for policy formulation and implementation. ZANEC’s flagship research is the annual status of education report, which researches emerging issues in the education sector to inform its evidence-based advocacy

3.     Capacity Building: ZANEC provides training and capacity-building workshops for education stakeholders, including teachers, students, community leaders, and policymakers. These initiatives aim to enhance the skills and knowledge of stakeholders in areas such as advocacy, monitoring, and evaluation to promote grassroots-level advocacy.

4.     Social Accountability and Transparency: Promoting transparency and accountability in the utilisation of public education resources through the social accountability initiative that utilises two social accountability tools: the child-friendly scorecard and notice board initiatives.

2.0 OVERVIEW OF THE 2026-2030 STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT
ZANEC is seeking the services of a qualified person(s) or firm to support the development of the “Gender Responsive 2026-2030 Strategic Plan” through a consultative process with CSOs, government ministries, ZANEC Member Organisations (MOs) and using the recommendations from End-Term Evaluation from the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.

Find the link to the detailed ToRS here.