Request For Proposals

Date of publication:                                       15^th April 2026
Location:                                                        Nakapiripirit and Amudat Districts
Description of the assignment:                     Individual Consultant to undertake a study to document the role of indigenous communities in natural resource management in Karamoja.
Type of Contract:                                                Individual Consultant/National
Applicable Language:                                    English
Starting date:                                                 Upon signing contract
Expected Duration of Assignment:               30 non-consecutive working days spread across contract period
Closing Date:                                                  27^th April 2026

Terms Of Reference For A Study On The Role Of Indigenous Communities In Natural Resource Management In Karamoja.

• INTRODUCTION

The Africa Centre for Energy and Mineral Policy (ACEMP), RICE-West Nile and Partners^[1] are implementing a project titled “ Strengthening Environmental Accountability and Climate Action in West Nile and Karamoja(SEA-WNK) Project”. The 4-year project is funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) through Danida, and covers the districts of Zombo, Madi Okollo, Obongi, and Adjumani in West Nile, as well as Amudat and Nakapiripirit in the Karamoja Region.

The project aims at improving protection and sustainable utilization of natural resources by increasing community awareness to stimulate action on environmental protection. ACEMP intends to use part of the project funds to generate information, raise awareness and strengthen the capacity of indigenous communities to participate in environmental governance.

ACEMP is thus seeking for the services of a competent consultant to carry out a study on the role of indigenous communities in natural resource management in Karamoja. The study will generate information, empower local communities and provide for integration of indigenous knowledge into ongoing conservation strategies, leading to more sustainable outcomes for natural resources management and climate change mitigation.

2.0  BACKGROUND

The role of indigenous people and recognition of Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) in    biodiversity conservation has continued to increase in global science-policy arenas^[2],^[3].Like in many other African countries, the forests, rangelands, grass lands, peatlands, which serve as hotspots for biodiversity conservation have historically been maintained by indigenous knowledge and belief systems. However, the emerging pressures from land conversion for agricultural purposes, urban planning infrastructure, economic development, and climate stress threaten the preservation of sacred forests and the related cultural ecosystem services.

Indigenous communities have for long been custodians of biodiversity conservation and environmental governance and cultural heritage^[4]. For generations, local communities have developed knowledge on forest conservation, resource rotation, and customary enforcement mechanisms. These approaches are relevant, particularly in the context where conventional conservation methods have failed in enabling the effective conservation of natural resources.

There is already evidence that most biodiverse forests overlap with the lands of culturally distinct indigenous communities. The lands on which they live and the natural resources on which they depend are inseparably linked to their identities, cultures and livelihoods. Therefore, even small changes in their environment can have dramatic impacts on their lives. With the increasing pressure of global development, many countries are conserving these rich forest areas to protect their nature and biodiversity.

While Government of Uganda has embraced modern environmental governance and conventional top-down conservation approaches^[5], experience from such interventions highlights some limitations mostly due to less involvement of indigenous communities in decision making. For example, while creation of protected areas can increase biodiversity and benefit the ecosystem at the national or global level, at the local level, conservation can come at a cost to indigenous peoples’ physical and spiritual well-being^[6]. This has proven to be a root cause of many conflicts over conservation objectives because when indigenous communities are overlooked in development plans, the related infrastructure may fail, as previously reported in some communities^[7]. Several examples across Uganda already show that conflicts with indigenous groups challenge the sustainability of conservation programs^[8].

In Karamoja Region there are already tensions arising from National Forestry Authority (NFA), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and local communities over environmental conservation programs. In Nakapiripirit and Nabilatuk districts, the indigenous communities have conflicted over UWAs proposal to upgrade Pian-Upe Game Reserve into a National Park. This proposal has since been suspended due  to failure for UWA to carry out adequate prior consultations with indigenous communities who have been living in the area for generations, over land use rights. This is an example that suggests the need for conservation strategies that better integrate the role and priorities of indigenous communities.

While local context and perceptions of indigenous people may change from area to area, there is evidence that focusing on the perceived local needs, such as food security, and indigenous priorities is a universally helpful way to inform conservation strategies. The findings of this study will thus help in designing national biodiversity policies that balance human needs with conservation objectives by taking the perspectives of indigenous peoples into account. This helps in establishing shared rules between indigenous people and governments on what activities should be permitted, restricted or prohibited, and leads to more equitable, more successful, conservation programs.

3.0 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study aims at achieving the following objectives; -

1. Carry out research, document and generate information on the various historical indigenous environmental conservation practices in the two project districts of Amudat and Nakapiripirit.
2. Carry out an analysis of the indigenous practices, compare them with current natural resource management practices and recommend the best practices for integration in the current environment protection and conservation models.
3. Develop a policy brief on indigenous community environmental management proposals and present them to policy makers at the different dialogues planned under this project to influence change of environmental protection/conservation policies and guidelines.

• SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study will be conducted in Amudat and Nakapiripirit districts. The Consultant will be expected to collect data from purposively selected respondents sampled to be representative of the communities adjacent to key ecological resources. He/She will be required to present a methodology for collecting, analyzing and presenting the data, details of which should be in the inception report. The sampled representatives will be drawn from a population of forest/Protected Area adjacent communities, key ecological resources, cultural groups and institutions, local authorities and relevant environmental governance practitioners.

• METHODOLOGY

This study cuts across several disciplines; culture, conservation and environmental governance, and therefore requires triangulation of research methods. It is a qualitative study but also numeric figures may be used to describe some findings. The consultant is thus expected to employ a combination of Participatory Rural Appraisal approaches, participatory action research and case studies to gather data. The Consultant will be responsible for developing an inception report detailing the methodology, sampling criteria, sample size, data collection tools and work plan in collaboration with ACEMP to ensure quality.

6.0 DELIVERABLES (OUTPUT)
The successful Consultant is expected to submit all interim reports, data collection tools, draft reports and final reports in both soft copy (Word or Excel) and hard copy. These deliverables will be provided in English.  The Consultant will produce the following deliverables:

1. Inception report outlining the Methodology and Tools
2. A draft report for the Study with various historical indigenous environmental conservation practices, an analysis of the indigenous practices, and current natural resource management practices, recommendations on the best practices for integration in the current environment protection and conservation models.
3. A final study report
4. Community environmental management guidelines
5. A policy brief with recommendations on the best practices for integration in the current environment protection and conservation models, relevant to Karamoja.

7.0 QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE OF THE CONSULTANT

• Academic qualifications: A minimum of master’s degree in environmental related sciences, ecology, natural resource management, social studies, or related fields.
• Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in conducting environment and social governance studies, working on climate change adaptation or mitigation projects, and experience in the Karamoja region ecosystem. This could include working for relevant organizations such as NGOs, government agencies, or research institutions.
• Technical Knowledge: The consultant should possess a comprehensive understanding of environmental protection principles, laws, regulations and best practices, on the subject. This foundation should be coupled with familiarity with relevant environmental and social safeguards frameworks. Finally, experience working with local, indigenous communities and stakeholders.
• Communication skills: Effective communication skills for presenting findings, recommendations and reports to stakeholders clearly and concisely.
• Cultural sensitivity: The consultant needs to have cultural sensitivity and an understanding of the local context where the study is being conducted.
• Reputation: As a strong advocate for child protection and safeguarding, ACEMP and partners expect the consultant to have a strong track record in these areas. The Consultant must not be a barred party as scanned by Bridger Check.
• Compliance: The consultant should have a strong track record of compliance with regulatory authorities.

8.0 PAYMENT SPECIFICATIONS.

Payments will be made in two instalments. First, (40%) on request after approval of the inception report, and the second instalment (60%) upon the submission and approval of the final report. All costs will be subject to a 6% withholding tax.

9.0 MANAGEMENT

For quality assurance, the consultant will work closely with the ACEMP Programs Director, who will be supported by the SEA-WN Consortium Project Manager and RICE West Nile MEAL Coordinator.

10. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF DAYS FOR THE STUDY
The study is planned to take a maximum of 30 billable days.

11. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS
12. Only those applications that are responsive and compliant will be evaluated.  Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method. The applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score that has also accepted the General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.

Evaluation will be based on Cumulative Analysis as per the following scenario:

• Technical Criteria weight is 70%
• Financial Criteria weight is 30%

12.APPLICATION PROCESS.
Interested and qualified Consultants should submit their proposals to procurements@acemp.org together with the following documents:

• An expression of interest for the assignment, including a detailed technical and financial proposal (one document), duly signed by the applicant. The financial proposal should indicate the daily rate of the Consultant including transport costs for upcountry travel.
• Electronic links or soft copies of at least two pieces of recent similar work done by the Consultant.
• CV demonstrating relevant skills and experience.
• All documents should be in English.

Deadline for submissions is Monday 27^th April 2026 at 17:00 Hrs.  Only applicants who pass the evaluation stage will be contacted.

^[1] RICE West Nile (lead implementer), Friends of Zoka, Sustainable Plan and Action for Community Empowerment (SPACE), and Africa Center for Energy and Mineral Policy (ACEMP).

^[2]  Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

^[3]  Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in 2019IPBES (2019): Global   Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. E. S. Brondizio, J. Settele, S. Díaz, and H. T. Ngo (editors). IPBES secretariat, Bonn. 1,148 pages. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3831673.

^[4]  Claudia Sobrevila 2008. The Role of Indigenous Peoples in Biodiversity Conservation. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / THE WORLD BANK 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A

^[5] Musinguzi James and Muzaale Tonny 2022; Local Community Participation and Wildlife Conservation in Uganda: A Case of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kasese District Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

^[6] Claudia Sobrevila 2008. The Role of Indigenous Peoples in Biodiversity Conservation. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / THE WORLD BANK 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A

^[7] https://www.ncronline.org/news/benin-voodoos-birthplace-believers-bemoan-steady-shrinkage-forests-they-revere-sacred#:~:text=Voodoo%20worshippers%20carry%20a%20sacrifice,AP/Sunday%20Alamba)

^[8] Ministry of Water and Environment National Forestry Authority Uganda Wildlife Authority Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development Project Social and Conflict Analysis May 2023