Afrobarometer is inviting bids from organisations interested in serving as the National Partner (NP) for Tanzania. Under the direction of Afrobarometer, the selected NP will conduct a nationally representative sample survey of the adult population in Tanzania. In addition to conducting an Afrobarometer survey, the successful bidder will act as the representative of Afrobarometer in Tanzania for the duration of the partnership and will be eligible to participate in Afrobarometer meetings, workshops, and other capacity-building and management activities.
Background
Afrobarometer conducts a comparative series of public attitude surveys covering approximately 40 countries,each two-year “round”. Round 11 will take place in 2026/2027. Based on representative national samples, the surveys measure citizen attitudes to democracy and governance, corruption, and a range of related topics. The surveys are repeated on a regular basis to allow comparisons over time and across space.
Afrobarometer is dedicated to three main objectives:
● To produce scientifically reliable data on public attitudes in Africa.
● To build institutional capacity for survey research in Africa.
● To broadly disseminate and apply survey results.
Afrobarometer is implemented by the Afrobarometer Network, a consortium of independent survey research institutions based mainly in Africa, comprising:
● Core Partners that provide leadership to the Network and technical assistance to NPs on survey management, research design, fundraising, publication, and the dissemination of survey results.
● National Partners in each participating country, who are responsible for survey fieldwork and dissemination of survey results at the country level.
● Support Units that provide technical and capacity-building support to the Network.
The results of Afrobarometer surveys are directly incorporated into the policy process to inform public debate on democracy, governance, and other policy and development issues. We aim to reach diverse audiences, including decision-makers in governments and parliaments, policy advocates and civic educators, journalists, researchers, donor agencies, investors, and African citizens who wish to become better informed.
Purpose of this request for bids
Afrobarometer is currently seeking a National Partner in Tanzania to implement the Round 11 survey with a sample size of n=1,200 in the country in 2026/2027. Afrobarometer reserves the right to renew this partnership for up to two additional rounds, contingent upon a formal assessment of the National Partner’s performance in this current round and the availability of funds for supplementary surveys.
Successful applicants will enjoy the benefits of a partnership with a network that is recognised as a premier provider of public attitude data in Africa. Membership in the Afrobarometer Network provides opportunities to forge new alliances with like-minded organisations across the continent, facilitating the dissemination of findings and analyses on national and global platforms, and gaining access to training programs designed to enhance skills in survey design, quantitative analysis, communication, and related areas.All Afrobarometer surveys are implemented strictly in accordance with the protocols outlined in the latest version of the Afrobarometer Survey Manual, available at http://www.afrobarometer.org/surveys-and-methods.Interested organisations are advised to carefully review the Afrobarometer Survey Manual prior to submitting their bids, as it outlines the full scope of our protocols, practices, and expectations for partner organisations. In particular, this includes protocols regarding:
● Sample design
● Questionnaire development and translation
● Fieldworker recruitment
● Fieldworker training and questionnaire pre-testing
● Data collection and fieldwork quality control
● Data cleaning and management
● Analysis and dissemination of results
National Partner responsibilities
In close consultation with the supervising Afrobarometer Core Partner at every stage and in accordance with the Network’s protocols, the successful Afrobarometer National Partner will be expected to conduct a nationally representative survey in Tanzania with a sample size of n = 1,200. This will include performing the following duties:
1. Identify and access census databases required for designing a nationally representative sample, and work in conjunction with the Afrobarometer Sampling Specialist and the national statistics office to draw the sample and to procure maps and other materials necessary for implementation of the survey.
2. Indigenise the generic Afrobarometer questionnaire to suit local settings, work with Afrobarometer surveys and communications teams to develop country-specific questions to be included in the questionnaire and translate the questionnaire into relevant local language(s) according to Afrobarometer protocols.
3. Solicit a sufficient number of tablets for fieldwork that satisfy the specifications outlined in the Afrobarometer Survey Manual.
4. Recruit fieldworkers with the required qualifications and appropriate language and fieldwork skills,and train them to collect data from households using tablets.
5. Select and train field supervisors to monitor fieldwork and oversee fieldwork quality control.
6. Pre-test and make agreed modifications to the questionnaire.
7. Develop a survey logistics plan.
8. Manage all aspects of fieldwork in strict adherence to a timetable developed in consultation with Afrobarometer.
9. Ensure quality control of data collection in the field.
10. Prepare reports on sampling and fieldwork methodology.
11. Contribute to the preparation of a Summary of Results in conjunction with Afrobarometer technical advisers.
12. Prepare basic analyses of key findings.
13. 
Plan and execute, with Network technical support, an effective communications program that includes stakeholder analysis, public dissemination events, published papers, press releases, dispatch and social media support to disseminate survey findings to the media, the NGO community, government officials, legislators, the donor community, and other identified stakeholders. Bids
Bids should include the following:
1. A description of the personnel to be used on the survey. Please list the qualifications and experience of each class of personnel and provide the curriculum vitae of the principal investigator and any other senior management personnel, including the person(s) responsible for sampling and data management. Also include the planned number and qualifications of field interviewers and field supervisors.
2. A detailed description of the survey experience (with supporting documentation) of the designated lead researchers within the organisation, particularly in conducting surveys involving nationally representative samples.
3. A description of proposed approaches for a) fieldwork training, and b) fieldwork implementation and supervision, including quality control measures to be implemented at each stage.
4. An estimated budget showing costs for each of the following elements:
a. Personnel: name, position, number of days and daily rates (for principal investigator, field supervisors, fieldworkers, drivers, and any other specialists, such as translators, samplers, to mention just a few)
b. Travel: vehicle rental (cost per day), air, bus or boat tickets (where applicable), fuel (estimated mileage), lodging (number of days and daily rates), meals/per diem (number of days and rate), insurance (required).
c. Supplies & services: printing, office supplies, field supplies, etc.
d. Other direct costs: training, maps, venue hire, translations, etc.
5. Demonstration (with evidence) of the analytical and writing skills of the researcher(s) who will contribute to the development of publications from survey findings is required.
6. Demonstration of the organisation’s communications capacity, including its ability to engage with media, the public, and other stakeholders and potential users of the data and to coordinate and host effective public dissemination events.
7. Demonstration of the organisation’s language capacity, including its ability to speak and write inEnglish.
Submission of bids
The deadline for submission of bids is the close of business on October 31, 2025.
Bids should be delivered by e-mail to:
Samuel Balongo, Afrobarometer Project Manager (East Africa), Institute for Development Studies (IDS), University of Nairobi
e-mail: [email protected]
and
Anne Okello, Afrobarometer Assistant Project Manager (East Africa), Institute for Development Studies (IDS), University of Nairobie-mail: [email protected]
Questions and requests for additional information should be directed to Samuel Balongo by October 20, 2025.
Applicants can also visit www.afrobarometer.org for more information.
