- 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.
- Rationale of the assignment
The districts of Madi-Okollo, Terego, and Yumbe host large refugees and host populations. However, district budgets and sector allocations (Agriculture, Water, Health, Environment) often inadequately integrate clean energy solutions such as:
- Solar-powered irrigation
- Solar refrigeration (PUE cold chain solutions)
- Clean cooking technologies
- Other climate change adaptation and mitigation priorities
Similarly, at the national level, sector ministries including Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), play a critical role in setting budget priorities that influence district planning and implementation. There is limited consolidated evidence documenting how national and district budgets prioritize clean energy and Productive Use of Energy (PUE), particularly in displacement-affected regions. This assignment seeks to generate evidence to inform policy dialogue and strengthen budget advocacy. The policy briefs aim to provide evidence-based budget analysis and information for strengthening advocacy efforts in national and district planning toward sustainable and renewable energy public financing and investments.
Purpose and Objectives of the assignment
- Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive budget analysis at both national and district levels to assess allocations, priorities, and performance related to clean energy and climate change interventions, and to produce three district-specific policy briefs to support evidence-based advocacy
Objectives of the assignment
Overall Objective
To undertake a critical analysis of budget allocations and performance at national and district levels and develop district-specific policy briefs to strengthen public financing and investment in clean energy and PUE technologies in West Nile.
Specific Objectives
District-Level Budget Analysis
- Analyze budget allocations and performance (FY 2024/25–FY 2025/26) for Madi-Okollo, Terego, and Yumbe districts.
- Assess integration of solar-powered irrigation, solar refrigeration (PUE), clean cooking, and other climate priorities in district Budget Framework Papers (BFPs), approved budgets, and performance reports.
- Identify funding gaps, trends, and alignment with district development plans.
- National-Level Budget Analysis
- Review budget allocations and priorities of MEMD, MoWE, and MAAIF related to renewable energy, climate change adaptation, and PUE.
- Assess the extent to which national budget priorities translate into sub-national resource flows and guidance.
- Document intergovernmental fiscal linkages influencing clean energy public financing and investments in West Nile.
Policy and Institutional Analysis
- Identify fiscal, institutional, and regulatory barriers limiting integration of clean energy technologies into local service delivery frameworks.
- Assess opportunities for leveraging public finance, climate finance, and carbon mechanisms to improve clean energy access.
Policy Brief Development
Produce three district-specific policy briefs (one per district) highlighting:
- District budget priorities and gaps
- Relevant national budget priorities
- Practical recommendations for strengthening clean energy investments
- Advocacy messages tailored for district councils, CSOs, and national platforms
4. Scope of Work
4.1 Content Scope of the assignment:
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
- Desk Review
- Review district BFPs, approved budgets, work plans, and performance reports (FY 2024/25–2025/26).
- Review national budget documents, ministerial policy statements, and sector performance reports for MEMD, MoWE, and MAAIF.
- Identify allocations for renewable energy, solar irrigation, solar refrigeration (PUE), clean cooking, and climate change interventions.
- Field Consultations
- Conduct Key Informant Interviews with:
- District Finance, Planning, Production, Water, and Environment officials.
- National-level technical officers (where feasible).
- Conduct consultations with:
- DLGs, Central government, Farmer groups, Women and youth entrepreneurs, Energy service companies (ESCOs) and Civil society actors
- Budget and Policy Analysis
- Conduct trend and comparative analysis of allocations across sectors and years.
- Map budget allocations against identified needs in displacement-affected communities.
- Analyze vertical (national–district) fiscal linkages.
- Identify budget lines that can be restructured or expanded to accommodate PUE investments.
4.2 Geographical scope
The clean energy budget policy brief will be conducted in Madi-okollo, Terego and Yumbe districts in West Nile Region (Rhino Camp, Bidi-Bidi Refugee Settlement and host communities in key sub-counties)
4.3 Time scope
The assignment will be conducted in approximately 22 days.
4.4 Key points for consideration
- The budget policy brief is strategically positioned to inform the wider consortium (Mercy Corps and Care International) about budget allocations and priorities for renewable energy interventions
- Empower the community to understand and advocate for their energy needs and budget allocations.
- The budget policy brief is also intended to provide evidence-based decision-making for SUSTAINED II project implementation.
- The timeline for the delivery of the budget policy brief is critical for achieving the project goal.
- Study Methodology
The consultant will use a participatory, evidence-led approach combining desk review, stakeholder engagement, and data analysis. This includes reviewing district plans and budgets (FY 2024/25-2025/26), conducting Key Informant Interviews with district officials and PUE suppliers, and Focus Group Discussions with local entrepreneurs and Youth Accountability Advocates. The data will be synthesized to map PUE gaps against fiscal allocations, identifying funding vs. need gaps.
- Study Outputs/Deliverables
- An inception report detailing how the assignment will be executed, including the methodology and work plan.
- A draft policy brief on fiscal strategies for scaling Productive Use of Energy (PUE) in Madi-Okollo, Yumbe & Terego (West Nile region), presented to Oxfam.
- The final policy brief report incorporating feedback and comments from the validation process.
- Final report for the assignment
NB: All clean dataset(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.
6. Timeframe and estimated working days
The consultancy timeline is estimated for 22 days from the date of contract signing.
7. Qualification and experience of the consultant/team
- Master’s in economics, Public Policy, Development Studies, or related field
- Atleast five years of experience in budget analysis, policy development, or related work in Uganda's energy or development sector/ Previous experience in policy development, formulation, analysis, and advocacy, particularly in planning and budgeting, is necessary.
- A thorough knowledge of the planning and budgeting cycle and processes for Uganda especially energy sector, and local government systems is vital
- Strong research and analytical skills, as well as excellent writing and communication skills, are expected.
- Familiarity with Madi-okollo Terego and Yumbe's context or similar regions
- Proficiency in English, with ability to communicate complex concepts simply
Supervision/management of the assignment
The consultant shall be technically supervised by the Energy and Extractives Industries Coordinator and coordinated by the MEAL person. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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 22 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 25th April 2026 to ugandalogistics@oxfam.org