Consultancy - Livelihoods and Markets Assessment - Ugandan Firms/Nationals Only - Uganda

Adjumani / Pakelle

Organization: NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council
Location: Adjumani / Pakelle
Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Emergency Aid and Response
- Humanitarian Operations
Closing Date: Closed

Consultancy: Livelihoods and Markets Assessment.

Project Number: UGFM 1701

Location:

Imvepi Settlement, Arua District, Uganda

Title: Education, Food security, WASH and ICLA services to refugees in West Nile

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization with 60 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced people, as well as their host communities. NRC advocates for the rights of displacement-affected populations and offers assistance within the shelter, education, food security, legal assistance, and water, sanitation and hygiene sectors.

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been implementing working in Northern Uganda, West Nile and South Western regions particularly, since 1997. Having phased-out by end of August 2014 in the North, NRC reopened from September 2014, to complement efforts of the Government of Uganda and UNHCR in supporting the South Sudanese Refugees. This caseload is currently settled in the districts of Adjumani, Yumbe, Moyo and Arua in West Nile.

Since 8 July 2016, Uganda has received over 900,000 refugees from South Sudan displaced by the violence in the world’s newest country. The majority are settled in Bidi bidi settlement in Yumbe district and in Imvepi settlement in Arua district. The influx has put a strain on basic services including food and livelihoods, for the refugees as well as the resident host communities. In light of emergency and humanitarian response, NRC Uganda has received funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA) to provide Education, WASH, Food Security and Livelihoods services to the South Sudanese refugees and host communities Yumbe and Arua districts.

NRC intends to expand its provision of Food Security and Livelihoods support to refugees and host communities in the new Imvepi settlement, through the provision of training and cash grants for business startup, seeds, agro-inputs and agronomic trainings. The overall aim is to improve household food security, income and resilience.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The primary objective of the assignment is to identify and recommend livelihood interventions, which NRC can consider supporting, in order to ensure that NRC support is informed by quality data on current and anticipated future opportunities within the market in and around Imvepi. It is important to identify the main businesses, opportunities, ideas, markets, goods /service providers and gaps and what types of activities are needed for livelihood support to the different categories of people. In carrying out the assessment, gender, age, environment and protection analysis is to be applied throughout.

The consultancy should answer the following key questions:

What are the main livelihood groups with the target population (i.e., their habitual livelhoood strategies at home)?
What are the livelihood activities that refugees and host communities are undertaking in Uganda currently?
What are the refugees’ aspirations and expectations regarding livelihoods and income generation options?
What are the main value chains in the targeted areas and which are key areas of need / opportunity for NRC or others to invest in?
What types of activities are needed for livelihood support to the different categories of Refugees? Are there any policies and practices relating to employment, enterprise development, access to land etc., that affect livelihood opportunities in the area?
What are the catalysers and barriers in pursuing the proposed business and employment opportunities for the different gender and age groups?
Identify potential marketing outlets?
What mechanism need to be put in place to support refugee livelihoods?
What are the main sources of employment in the targeted areas in general?
What are the opportunities and capacities for livelihood recovery within the local economy?
What are the most suitable assistances services and support required for the different types of livelihood/business opportunities?

Cash programming market assessment

· What is the capacity of the existing markets to absorb higher quantities of cash amongst the population?

· Which financial service providers exist (including mobile money services) and what is their coverage/reach? Are there areas that are not covered by any?

· How do people currently pay for goods and services?

· How do people currently access, store and manage cash?

Scope of Consultancy

The consultant shall provide:

Assessment procedures and tools developed in collaboration with NRC food security staff taking the target groups’ perspective and knowledge into consideration
Comprehensive livelihoods and market study report
One-day workshop showing findings of the survey

Methodology

A mix of both quantitative and qualitative methodology is recommended. The researcher will submit a detailed inception report proposing tools, sampling criteria, and sample size and detailed methodology.

Interviews / discussions should be held with NRC staff, UNHCR, OPM, traders / business owners, financial and mobile money service providers, customers, NRC and other agency (eg LWF) livelihoods beneficiaries, community leaders, and any other relevant stakeholders.

Output and Deliverables

The following deliverables will be provided in English. The successful individual consultant is expected to submit all interim reports, data collection tools, QA materials, draft and final reports in soft copy.

· An inception report comprising of the finalized detailed work plan, sampling methods based on agreed sampling approach and method of analysis.

· A draft report of the study

· A final report after incorporating comments

· Final presentation to NRC and invited stakeholders- soft copy of presentation and handouts.

Content of Consultancy Proposals

Interested and qualified individual consultants are invited to submit not more than 4 pages combined technical and financial proposal. Subsequent interviews may be held with shortlisted individuals for clarification and seek further assurance of their capability.

A detailed methodology for the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the assignment.
A detailed work plan including dates for submission of the draft and final Report
Evidence of availability of appropriate qualifications, and key staff that will constitute the team.
Budget for the proposal
CVs of the assigned team member(s) detailing relevant experience.
The financial proposal should contain the consultant fee for the assignment.

Qualification and experience of the consultant(s)

Advanced university degree with strong emphasis on monitoring and evaluation, development studies, Project Management and Social sciences.
Have proven experiences in conducting project baselines, assessments, evaluations in which monitoring and evaluation was a core component.
Be able to demonstrate understanding of data collection sensitivities and associated risk management
Expert experience in conducting similar type of evaluations knowledge about Food Security and Livelihoods interventions with national/international organization and (or) interventions with reputable organizations.
Proven skills and experiences on statistical tools/methods and analysis.
Evidence based expert reporting and documentation skills.
Demonstrate adequate capacities to organize and complete the assignment within the time frame specified
Familiar with the contexts of Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan