- Background about Oxfam in Uganda
Oxfam is a global movement for change that empowers people to create a secure future, just and free from poverty. We believe that everyone has a right to safety, security, a livelihood, and a say in decisions that affect them. In Uganda, our Vision is to see Uganda free of inequality and Injustice: A society where people, particularly women and young people, claim and exercise their rights and responsibilities and influence decisions that affect their lives. Our work is guided by the Country Strategic Framework (CSF) (2021-2030), organized around four themes: Governance and Accountability, Resilient Livelihoods, Humanitarian preparedness and response and Gender Justice and Women's Rights. All the themes work towards influencing policy and practice, youth and women empowerment, inclusive participation in decision-making at various levels, and capacity strengthening of national and local actors.
- Information about the Project
Mercy Corps, CARE, Oxfam, CECI, AYAN, and ICAN South Sudan – together with 10 private sector actors (PSAs), UNEP CCC and the SOLCO partnership – have joined forces to deliver the second phase of the SUpporting STronger Access to INnovative Energy Solutions in Displacement Settings (SUSTAINED) programme. This 12-month intervention strengthens the foundational work led in Bidi-Bidi, and expands it to Rhino Camp – continuing adopting a Market Systems Development (MSD) and ecosystem approach, while deepening its gender integration and policy influence work.
The SUSTAINED II programme will continue responding to the clear need for linkages to facilitate the entry end expansion of quality private sector actors into displacement settings, whilst ensuring that vulnerable populations can access quality products and services, in a safe, supportive environment.
SUSTAINED II will deliver integrated interventions across three pillars:
- Demand activation, led by CARE and Oxfam, focuses on shifting behaviors through tailored community engagement and awareness campaigns, the promotion of climate-smart agriculture linked to solar water pumps, and a new hybrid compensation model that transitions sales agents into private sector-led operations.
- Supply-side strengthening, led by Mercy Corps, provides technical assistance to both new and established private actors, expands the range of supported technologies—including solar refrigeration, clean cooking, and SHS for enterprises—and pilots financial innovations such as a carbon aggregator, concessional lending through Humenergi Uganda Limited, and access to global climate finance to improve affordability. In addition, SUSTAINED II will collaborate with GIZ and IOM to strengthen e-waste management systems in Rhino, linking private sector actors to existing recycling infrastructure while running behavior change campaigns to improve environmental outcomes.
- Enabling environment development, led by CARE with support from all partners, leverages new partnerships with UNEP CCC and SOLCO to amplify national advocacy efforts, strengthen coordination with government actors, and position SUSTAINED II at the forefront of Uganda’s energy policy dialogues through active engagement in major national platforms
Expected impact:
- 250,000 individuals reached through CCS and PUE awareness campaigns.
- 113 groups (60% women-led) strengthened in Rhino Camp and Bidi-Bidi.
- 30+ technicians and sales agents trained and integrated into ESCO operations.
- €250,000+ in loans disbursed through Humenergi Uganda Ltd to ESCOs and distributors.
- Gender transformation: women and youth trained and supported as energy entrepreneurs, peer educators, and advocates.
- Policy influence through national platforms, SOLCO and UNEP CCC partnerships.
- Environmental benefits through carbon finance and e-waste management integration.
- Purpose and Objectives of the Study
a) Purpose of the study
To effectively implement SUSTAINED Project interventions, Oxfam will identify savings groups, cooperatives, and farmer groups, giving preference to those with 60% or more women members and women in leadership roles, and assess their capacity to determine any gaps and opportunities for collaboration or support. Since savings groups play a key role in providing financial services to the targeted communities, it is important that SUSTAINED works with already established groups such as VSLAs and strengthen them to raise their capacity to support their members with affordable and inclusive financial services that can support the purchase of PUE solutions and increase productivity.
Therefore, with the SUSTAINED II project funding, Oxfam in Uganda seeks to conduct a mapping and assessment of savings groups, farmer groups, and individuals including women and youth within Rhino Camp refugee settlement and assess their capacity and knowledge of Productive Use of Energy (PUE) as well as other renewable energy technologies.
b) Objectives of the study
- To map and assess savings groups, farmer groups, and individuals including women and youth regarding utilisation of Productive Use of Energy (PUE) and other renewable technologies.
- To establish the need, ability to pay and factors hindering access including affordability and gender considerations for renewable energy technologies.
To determine the current adoption rate, challenges, and opportunities related to renewable energy technologies.
- Scope of Work
4.1 Content Scope of the assignment:
The consultant will be required to carry out the following activities/tasks:
- Identify/map savings groups, farmer groups, and individuals including women and youth with potential of uptalking PUE.
- Analyse the internal and external contexts of renewable energy technologies in refugee context especially Productive Use of Energy (PUE) perspective.
- Internal assessment of existing PUE interventions linked program work with a focus on current and ended projects, across different partners (CARE, Oxfam and Marcy Corps) in Rhino Camp settlement.
- Identify groups with access to water sources for irrigation.
- Identify and assess gaps in financing, affordability, knowledge and awareness, ability to pay and availability of condusive environment for PUE.
- Mapping financial services supporting renewable energy access for refugees and host communities
- Conduct a stakeholder analysis and SWOT analysis regarding PUE in refugee settlements.
- Conduct comprehensive consultations with relevant stakeholders as identified together with Oxfam and partners to triangulate the desk review and assessment results.
- Identify PUE uptake indicators and systematically analyse how to achieve indicators.
- Propose innovations, new ideas, and innovative ways to increase uptake of PUE by farmer groups, savings groups, individuals including men and, women and youth.
4.2 Geographical scope
The mapping and assessment will be conducted in Rhino Camp settlement and host communities in key sub-counties. The consultant will work with Oxfam and Consortium partners to agree on the focus sub-counties that are accommodated by sampling methods of choice and focus areas.
4.3 Time scope
The assignment will be conducted in approximately 30 days.
4.4 Key points for consideration
- Mapping and assessment report is also strategically positioned to complement the wider consortium (Mercy Corps and Care International) in determining the need, available initiatives and gaps regarding PUE and other renewable energy technologies.
- The Mapping and assessment report is intended to act as a source of baseline information that support adequate planning and implementation of interventions regarding PUE in Bidibidi refugee settlement.
Timeline for delivery of the mapping and assessment report is strictly 30 days
- Study Methodology
The consultant should explore both qualitative and quantitative approaches in delivering this assignment. The consultant should propose applicable methodology for this assignment to ensure that the right savings groups, farmer groups, and individuals including women and youth are identified.
- Study Outputs/Deliverables
- Inception report
- Draft mapping and assessment report for validation with stakeholders.
- A cleaned list of groups (savings groups, farmer groups, and individuals including women and youth)
- Final mapping and assessment report
NB: All clean data set(s) and other study materials MUST be handed over to Oxfam in Uganda at the end of the assignment.
Summary reports should also be prepared and packaged in respect to the intended audience.
- Timeframe and estimated working days
The consultancy timeline is estimated for 30 days from the date of contract signing.
- Qualification and experience of the consultant/team
Oxfam is looking for a qualified consultant, or team of consultants with a background in Energy Economics, Statistics, Education, social sciences among others, including experience in renewable energy and demonstrated capacity to undertake the type of services sought within the indicated timeline and available budget. A master’s degree in the fields mentioned is preferred for this assignment.
- Supervision/management of the assignment
The consultant shall be coordinated by MEAL person with the technical support from the Energy and Extractives Industries Coordinator. Email contacts: david.noahbwana@oxfam.org and siraji.magaraluyima@oxfam.org respectively. The consultant shall report to the Energy and Extractives Industries Coordinator who directs the exercise in terms of information requirements, backstopping and corrective actions during this consultancy.
- Payment
The consultant/team will be paid in accordance with Oxfam consulting policy which stipulates 20% upon submission and approval of the inception report and 80% upon successful completion and acceptance of the final deliverables. The professional fee shall be subject to a 6% withholding Tax deduction for local consultancies.
- Submission of Technical and Financial Proposal:
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following application documents:
- A technical proposal detailing:
- Their understanding of the ToR and how they plan to execute the assignment
- Their availability to start and finalize the assignment within 30 days.
- Financial proposal.
- Your financial considerations to execute the assignment.
- A copy of the CV/s of the consultant/s bidding to conduct the work.
Please send your applications by 5th January 2025 to ugandalogistics@oxfam.org