Request for Bids – Legal Services – EVIDENCE ACTION
Job Description
EVIDENCE ACTION- ZAMBIA OFFICE
Evidence Action is an American non-profit organization founded in 2013 that scales cost-effective development interventions with rigorous evidence supporting their efficacy. The organization operates four main programs: the Deworm the World Initiative, Safe Water Now, Equal Vitamin Access, and Syphilis-Free Start.
SCOPE OF WORK FOR LEGAL SERVICES
Retainer / Ongoing Implementation Scope of Work
Objective:
To provide legal advice on issues affecting Evidence Action’s ongoing operations in Zambia, including but not limited to, contract law, fiscal law, tax law, property law, intellectual property, labor law and data security law, commercial contracts, and corporate records management. The provider will also assist Evidence Action in identifying and analyzing legal issues, negotiating and drafting key documents, presenting recommendations, and assuring legal and corporate compliance. This may include, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Principal Inclusions (Work to be covered under this Agreement)
Legal advice services to be offered:
Assist EVIDENCE ACTION in interpreting, and advice on, any laws, regulations, and policies of Zambia relevant to or affecting (or likely to affect) EVIDENCE ACTION’S operations in Zambia.
Proactively update on legislative changes that may affect EVIDENCE ACTION activities, stakeholders or beneficiaries through a quarterly summary report on legislative changes and developments in Zambia.
Fulfillment of regular organizational registration and renewal requirements in Zambia. This will include providing advice on requirements, submitting documentation and liaising on behalf of EVIDENCE ACTION as required, including without limitation, with respect to registration and filing requirements for PACRA, the NGO Board, ZRA, and other regulatory ministries or departments related to EVIDENCE ACTION’S registrations and organizational structure in Zambia
Support procurement/processing of visa, immigration documents and work permits.
Provide an annual statement on EVIDENCE ACTION legal status as part of audit requirements.
Conduct legal review of memorandum of understandings, contract templates and final contracts or purchase orders for procurement, works, services, sub grants, human resources and others as required.
Review policies and procedures for legal compliance and advise on standard and best practice.
Advice on employment-related issues under applicable employment and labor laws in Zambia, including without limitation reviewing employment contracts and advising on recruitment, hiring, and termination requirements and practices in Zambia.
Advise on all aspects of tax requirements in Zambia, including but not limited to PAYE, NAPSA, NHIMA, WHT and VAT for international and nationals’ staff and transactions.
Advise on all aspects of intellectual property law and data privacy and protection laws (or any similar issues/areas of law) in Zambia implicated by Evidence Actions activities and operations.
Advise on property rights under Zambia law, including land acquisition, conveyancing and related matters.
Court filings, advise on responses to subpoenas, court orders, and requests for information from third parties.
Negotiate and reply to legal notices and help EVIDENCE ACTION address issues out of court(s).
Support due diligence checks of partners or contractors as requested and appropriate.
Any other legal task as requested by EVIDENCE ACTION.
2. Deliverables
At the end of every Quarter the firm shall provide Evidence Action with a status report on each and every matter that would have been submitted for its attention along the following terms or reference:
a. Legal compliance issues affecting Evidence Action if any and ways by which it can improve compliance;
b. Quantification of the exposure arising as a result of non-compliance where possible and suggestions as to how the exposure can be minimized or eliminated;
c. Tax and legal health check (to be completed annually)
d. Areas where evidence action can obtain legal advantages and suggestions as to how you can obtain these.
e. Specific advice on the appropriateness of the manner in which issues that arose in the course of the month were addressed; and
f. where necessary, the appropriate in-house courses for your staff on legal procedures. However, this is not included in the scope and fees
The firm shall also participate in telephone conferences from time to time in connection with assigned legal tasks. In addition, at least three times per year the firm will participate in review meetings with EVIDENCE ACTION staff to discuss key anticipated issues for the coming months/quarter.
Other deliverables may be required in connection with specific legal tasks assigned based on the scope above (e.g, legal opinions or memoranda).
Please ensure to send this information by or before 15th June, 2024 at 17:00hrs.
For any clarifications, kindly call +260 966 679245 0r +260 966293091.
