Context
Uganda is endowed with different energy sources including hydro, geothermal, biomass, wind, solar and more recently, fossil (petroleum) fuels. These sources can be broadly classified into three groups: traditional (biomass), commercial (non-biomass) and alternative energy sources. Traditional energy includes fuelwood and agricultural residues for domestic use. Commercial energy comprises electricity and petroleum products, while alternative sources include renewable energy such as biogas and solar energy. Biogas energy, a clean and renewable form of energy, could augment conventional energy sources because of its environment friendliness allowing for efficient waste utilization and nutrient recycling. Generally, biogas digesters have come to symbolize access to modern energy services in rural areas and are slated to considerably improve health and sanitation, and to yield significant socioeconomic and environmental benefits. It is a versatile source of energy which meets several end uses, including cooking, lighting and motive power generation. When used as a cooking fuel, it provides for better combustion than the less efficient cooking fuels like fuel wood. It is comparatively clean and hygienic because bacteria and other pathogens are destroyed through anaerobic treatment. By substantially reducing drudgery for women and indoor smoke and resultant ocular and respiratory infections, biogas digesters contribute to improved health and reduction in medical expenditure.
Information about the Project
Oxfam as the lead partner has implemented this Action with two local partners as Co-Applicants: Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) and Joint Efforts to Save the Environment (JESE). Oxfam is the WASH Consortium lead for ECHO and UNHCR IP for WASH respectively. The actions was built on the ongoing ECHO and UNHCR WASH and Environment actions with protection and gender mainstreamed. The overall objective of the action is to reduce the potential negative environmental and socio-economic impact on local systems of the current and future displacements in south west Uganda. Specifically this project seeks to strengthen local preparedness and resilience of refugees and host communities through improved natural resources management, disaster risk mitigation and early warning systems in the two refugee hosting districts of Kyegegwa and Isingiro. This has been achieved by reducing forest exploitation, restoration and natural resource management activities. The action has also improved environmental governance through advocacy, environmental education and influencing. Building on current ongoing waste to value innovations projects this action will further provide sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources from human faeces to make fuel briquettes and biogas generation. As of today, with support from the EUTF project twelve (12) biogas facility has been fully constructed serving 36 households in Nakivale refugee settlement. Lastly the actions has built Capacity of local actors and district staff which has led to improved planning, awareness and adjusted plans incorporating disaster risk mechanisms resulting into sustainable programs
Objectives of the market assessments.
The main objective of this study is to evaluate the socio-economic viability of biogas production and utilization in Nakivale refugee and its hosting communities.
Specific objectives
- To analyse the key socio-economic factors influencing biogas energy production and utilization from family sized digesters in Nakivale refugee settlement and its hosting communities.
- To assess key household user perceptions of and preferences for biogas energy within the settlement and its hosting communities.
- To determine which biogas technology design is economically viable as an alternative energy source for cooking and lighting for households in Nakivale refugee settlement and its hosting communities.
- To estimate the potential biogas energy generated from animal waste in Isingiro and its neighbouring districts.
- Analyse options for packaging of biogas and market for sales.
Justification of the study
Biogas technology potentially represents one of the household and/or community-level technologies that offer the possibility of more decentralized approaches to sustainable development. However, large-scale investment in biogas energy technology requires first an assessment of its socio-economic viability as an alternative source of energy. Also note that the development and management of biogas technology are far from a pure technical question but rather relate to economic and social problems with human behavior. Socio-economic appraisal of the technology is required to quantify the significant benefits and costs accruing to biogas energy production and utilization and identify critical factors affecting wider use of the technology.
Sometimes because of the lack of awareness regarding just the selection of a suitable model and size of biogas plant, the full potential of the biogas producing material is not harnessed, and the economic viability of the technology is rendered doubtful. Therefore, in order to promote the diffusion of biogas technology, it is necessary that the viability of these systems be established. Inadequate information about the economic viability of biogas energy production systems could be a hindrance to potential investment in this sector accounting for its dismal performance in Uganda. Socio-economic appraisal of the biogas technology needs to be undertaken to determine its adoptability, functionality and potential.
To obtain an appropriate strategy to overcome the barriers and the problems in the adoption of biogas technologies, the current situation of household energy perceptions and preferences needs to be investigated because any attempt to shift households to better quality fuels requires an understanding of the factors determining the current choice of fuels. Thus, a greater understanding of why households have not sufficiently explored biogas energy source option is crucial. This is because unless the energy option is well accepted by society, it has little chance of successful implementation regardless of its technical and economic merits. Economic incentives (or disincentives), although important, are not the only driving force behind adoption of a given technology.
Household fuel choice also depends on other factors, which makes knowledge of other determinants of households’ choice of fuel important. An assessment of energy use perceptions and preferences of households in Nakivale and its hosting communities could help to explain why the biogas technology has taken long to be adopted. Thus, the perceptions of households involved in the decision process need to be well understood in order to come up with a policy-mix for sustainable production and utilization of biogas in Isingiro and its neighbouring districts
Study Methodology
This section should outline how the assignment will be conducted. Make suggestions on the potential research design and approaches to apply. Include justification for the study design.
The study methods you prefer should be sensitive to the target population (unit of analysis), and robust enough to provide adequate responses to the stated study questions/research hypotheses. Overall, the methodology section should cover details of study design and approaches, sampling, sample size determination, data collection methods/instruments, data analysis techniques, plan for dissemination of study findings and a statement on quality assurance and ethical considerations during the study. The section should focus on how the study will be conducted. The expected approach should be described in enough detail to ensure that the study can easily be replicated by any other researcher in case of need.
Scope
Oxfam is seeking to hire a consultant to carry out a Biogas research study in Nakivale refugee settlement implemented in south west region of Uganda. The study will focus particularly on the target refugees and host community in Isingiro Districts. Five (5) key stakeholders will be targeted with the proposed activities as listed below;
- District Local Governments hosting refugees of Isingiro districts
- Local government leadership at host population bordering Sub Counties including their LCs and RWC
- Local actors. Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) and Joint Effort to Save the Environment (JESE) Local
- Private companies/ Entities dealing in biogas equipment and supplies
- Refugees and host Community in the two districts Isingiro and Kyegegwa
Deliverables
The following are the key deliverables for the market assessment;
- Inception report
- Detailed framework/design and implementation plan agreed with the Oxfam Country/field Office.
- Design data collection tools
- Provide a detailed sampling framework
- Draft research study report
- Power point presentation of findings
- Final Research Study report (The report should have the following specifications; standard cover sheet, table of content; executive summary; description of objectives, methods and limitations; study findings, conclusions and recommendations
- Three hard copies of the final report and a soft copy to Oxfam office report.
Timeframe and estimated working days
The proposed study timeframe is 27 working days between 24th April 2023 to 28th May 2023
- Contract Signing- 1 day
- Travel to Isingiro- 1 day
- Review of documents and development of study tools- 2 days
- Training of data collectors and pre-testing of study tools- 2 days
- Primary data collection ( field work)- 10 days
- Data analysis and report writing- 7 days
- Presentation of preliminary findings to staff & partners- 1 day
- Incorporating comments on draft report /finalisation of report- 3 days
* The schedule may change due to weather and security reasons.
Qualification and experience of the consultant/team
The consultant (s) or consultancy team will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Understanding of the assignment and quality of the expression of interest and work plan.
- At least 5 years of experience in management/ assessment of livelihood programme and sound knowledge of urban market system.
- Consultant/ Key team member/s of consultancy firm to hold a bachelor’s degree (Masters preferred) in related disciplines and preferable technical knowledge around Renewable Energy.
- Experience working for INGOs, multilateral and bilateral and NGOs, clients, in particular the EUTF
- Familiarity with the involvement of private sector in Renewable Energy Sector in
- general and biodigester sector in particular in Uganda.
- Demonstrated experience of having undertaken at least two similar services in the recent
- past; preferably in Uganda.
- Demonstrated evidence of clients served (businesses that benefited from the provision of your last assignments of this nature whom Oxfam can obtain further references)
- Experience in managing and coordinating evaluation / research exercises, delivering agreed outputs on time and on budget.
- Experience in data collection and analysis using participatory methodologies.
- Excellent and demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in research.
- Ability to work with communities in relevant local languages would be an advantage.
- The consultant is expected to demonstrate excellent communication skills (verbal and in writing) in English.
Proposal study Criteria
The technical proposal will be evaluated based on the Quality Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) Criteria:
- The individual general reliability as well as experience and capacity in the carrying out the assignment (25%).
- The approach in responding to the TOR and detailed work Oxfam in Uganda (50%).
- The qualifications and competencies of the proposed personnel for the assignment (25%).
Proposals obtaining more than 70% of the technical points will be considered technically suitable and qualify for financial assessment.
Supervision/ management of the assignment
Oxfam Uganda will supervise the process. Specifically, the consultant will report to Humanitarian Program Manager at Kampala level. The consultant will be expected to work closely with, and interact a lot with Humanitarian MEAL Coordinator, DRM coordinator and DRM Officer for the response in southwest who will provide stakeholder coordination support, organise the community groups and provide all the necessary documentation associated with the project.
Payment
• Professional fee: Though the interested consultant/s are expected to provide a budget for the exercise, Oxfam will consider proposals that are within the available budget and approved rates as per its policy on professional fees.
• Tax and insurance: The consultant/s shall be responsible for his/her income tax and/or insurance during the assignment
• Code of conduct: Oxfam work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Oxfam Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to. The consultant is bound by the principles and conditions of Oxfam Code of Conduct.
A contract will be signed by the consultant upon commencement of the assessment which will detail additional terms and conditions of service, aspects on inputs and deliverables
Submission of Technical and Financial Proposal
Interested individuals/organisations are requested to submit their Application Letters clearly demonstrating their relevant skills and experience for the tasks mentioned as supported by copies of CVs. The Application Letters should be accompanied by; (i) Technical Proposal and (ii) Financial Proposal.
The Technical Proposal should explain your skills and past relevant experience, understanding of the scope of the overall assignment and each of the tasks, a description of the overall approach, including the methodology and tools for each task, as well as the scheduling and details for three references Oxfam can contact.
The Financial Proposal should indicate both professional and re-imbursable costs separately, as well as a statement on VAT or Withholding Tax.
Applications should be submitted electronically or hand delivered to the following address with the subject line “Bio gas research study under the EUTF Project” by 5.00 pm 13th April, 2023.
Procurement Committee, Oxfam Uganda
P.O Box 6228 Kampala, Uganda
Plot 3459, Tank Hill Road, Muyenga
Email: Ugandalogistics@oxfam.org