Terms of reference for development of a toolkit to guide CAF on social enterprises establishment in Uganda tender job at CRESS Africa Foundation (CAF)

Introduction:
CRESS Africa Foundation (CAF) is an indigenous NGO registered with the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organizations in Uganda on the 27^th September 2024. Its mission is to educate and train displaced people with the knowledge and skills to empower them to establish self-sustaining communities. CAF envisions holistically transformed communities living self-sufficient lives. CAF implements its programs in the West Nile region of Uganda from its Head office in Arua City. CAF is currently running active interventions in the sectors of Livelihoods & Environment, Health, Education and Faith Development in the project areas of Imvepi Refugee Settlement, Rhino Camp Refugee settlement and Kerwa and Wandi sub counties in Yumbe District.

Background:
In recent years, social entrepreneurship has emerged as a critical approach to solving social, economic, and environmental challenges in Uganda. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Uganda are increasingly adopting social enterprise models to ensure sustainability and create greater impact. However, there is limited practical guidance tailored to the Ugandan context on how organizations like CAF can legally, sustainably, and effectively operate social enterprises in compliance with existing laws such as the NGO Act (2016), the Companies Act, and relevant tax regulations.

To bridge this gap, CRESS Africa Foundation (CAF) seeks a consultant who will develop a toolkit to guide CAF as they intend to establish two pilot social enterprises.

Objectives of the consultancy:
The main objective is to design and develop a user-friendly, context-specific toolkit that provides practical, legal, financial, and strategic guidance to CAF that intends to operate two pilot social enterprises in Uganda.

Specifically, the consultancy will seek to:

• Clearly explain the concept of social enterprises in the Ugandan context.
• Outline the legal and regulatory framework governing NGOs and social enterprises.
• Provide step-by-step guidance on how to set up and manage a social enterprise within CAF.
• Clarify compliance with tax obligations of organizations with social enterprises and NGO Bureau requirements.
• Document the models and strategies used by NGOs to implement social enterprises.
• Review current CAF operations, programs and capacity and provide recommendations for sustainable realignment.
• Design two viable social enterprises identified from the study that CAF can Pilot

Scope of Work
The Consultant will be expected to:

• Conduct a desk review of existing literature, policies, laws, reports, and toolkits
• Identify legal frameworks applicable to NGOs and social enterprises in Uganda (e.g., NGO Act, Companies Act, Income Tax Act).
• Hold consultations with key stakeholders (NGO Bureau, URSB, URA, social enterprises, legal experts, successful NGOs running social enterprises).
• Draft the Toolkit structure with user-friendly language and get feedback before full development.
• Facilitate a validation workshop with stakeholders and revise the toolkit accordingly.
• Submit the final toolkit (in PDF and editable Word format) ready for publication.
• Draft two social enterprise business plans and get feedback before full development
• Submit the final two business plans (in PDF and editable Word format)

Methodology
The consultant(s) is expected to propose a robust methodology that includes:

• Desk review of relevant literature, reports, and policies.
• Mapping exercise to identify NGOs engaged in social entrepreneurship.
• Field data collection, including:
• Key informant interviews with NGO leaders, beneficiaries, and government stakeholders.
• Case studies of successful and unsuccessful NGO-led social enterprises.
• Data analysis using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods.

Deliverables
The consultant(s) shall deliver the following:

• Inception Report outlining detailed methodology/approach to the assignment and work plan. (within 5 days of signing a contract)
• Draft toolkit outline/structure with proposed sections and content types. (within 15 days of inception report approval)
• Facilitation of validation meeting for the toolkit (presentation, feedback collection).
• Final toolkit incorporating stakeholder input. (Within 10 days of validation)
• Draft business plan outline/structure with proposed sections and content types. (within 15 days of the final toolkit submission)
• Facilitation of validation meeting for business plans (presentation, feedback collection).
• Final business plans for the two social enterprises incorporating stakeholder input. (Within 10 days of validation)

Duration and Timeline
The study is expected to be conducted over a period of 55 days.

Required Qualifications
The consultant(s) should possess the following qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Law, Development Studies, Business Administration, or related fields.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the NGO Policy and the NGO Act
• Proven experience in research on social entrepreneurship, NGOs, or related fields.
• Familiarity with Uganda’s NGO and development context.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to deliver high-quality outputs within tight timelines.

Reporting and Supervision
The selected consultant will report to the Executive Director and the CEO CRESS UK and provide regular updates on the process to the ED and the program team.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Interested candidates should submit detailed technical and financial proposals to the Executive Director, by email to cafsupply@cressuk.org

Interested consultants or firms should submit:

• A detailed technical proposal detailing understanding of the ToR, the proposed methodology and a clear work plan.
• A financial proposal providing a breakdown of the total costs as per person day rates, and any other costs anticipated in undertaking the process of the assignment.
• Detailed CV of the consultant with a full description of the profile and experience.
• Contact details of at least two independent referees with in-depth and proven knowledge of the applicant’s expertise and relevant work experience.
• A cover letter outlining the suitability of the consultant, motivation, and summarizing relevant experience.

Deadline for submissions: Friday, 7^th January 2026