Terms Of Reference for a Baseline Survey for Strengthening Environmental Accountability and Climate Action Project in Amudat and Nakapiripirit Districts

1. 1. Introduction

   The "Strengthening Environmental Accountability and Climate Action in West Nile" project is a 41-month initiative (August 2024 – December 2027) implemented in the districts of Zombo, Madi Okollo, Obongi, and Adjumani. Effective September 2025, the project expanded to include Amudat and Nakapiripirit districts in the Karamoja region.

   Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) through Danida, the project is implemented by a consortium of four national organizations: 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). A baseline survey has already been conducted in the four West Nile districts. The consortium is now seeking a consultant to conduct a baseline survey in the new scale-up districts of Amudat and Nakapiripirit in the Karamoja Region.

   2. Project Background

   The West Nile and Karamoja sub-regions face significant environmental degradation, which negatively impacts the livelihoods and survival of both host communities and refugees. High-value forest reserves, such as Zoka Forest in Adjumani, are being rapidly degraded by illegal logging and unsustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, Karamoja region is home to approximately 1.2 million people, most of whom rely on pastoralism, artisanal mining, charcoal burning, and subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods (UBOS, 2023). This has led to a loss of biodiversity and changes in weather patterns, exacerbating the climate crisis. The consequences are evident in rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall and increased drought, which have caused food scarcity and inflated food prices over the past two decades.

   The goal of the "Strengthening Environmental Accountability and Climate Action in West Nile" Project is "Improved protection and sustainable utilization of natural resources among the communities in the West Nile Sub-Region." This will be achieved through three interrelated outcomes.

   • Increased community awareness and action on environmental protection.
   • Strengthened implementation of national and district-level policies, ordinances, and regulatory frameworks for environmental protection and climate action.
   • Increased opportunities for alternative livelihoods to reduce dependence on natural resources.
     
     

   The project will directly reach 78,800 natural resource-dependent community members (51,940 in West Nile and 26,860 in Karamoja), including women, men, youth and Persons With Disabilities. This reach will be achieved through several key activities, namely: facilitating alternative livelihood opportunities for 3,600 women, youth and PWDs; running community awareness campaigns and advocacy events; engaging in research with Muni University on climate change's effects on human rights; empowering 230 Climate Action Champions (200 in West Nile, 30 in Karamoja) as advocates; and holding forums for women and youth to identify barriers. Furthermore, the project will build the capacity of 210 higher and local government officials on regulatory frameworks, monitor adherence to these frameworks and disseminate relevant policies.

   The project consortium will collaborate closely with Ministries, Departments, Agencies and local government authorities at the sub-county and district levels to ensure effective implementation and sustainability. These include the Ministry of Water and Environment, National Environmental Management Authority, the Departments of Natural Resources and Community Development, the Environmental Police, and the National Forestry Authority (NFA), among others. Specifically, the Private Sector, CSOs, Government and other NGOs will support Outcome 3, while the Ministries, Regional Police, and District Natural Resources Department will support Outcome 2 and contribute to Outcome 3 activities.

   3. Purpose of the Baseline Survey

   The specific objectives of the baseline survey are:

   • To assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) in line with the target beneficiaries' environmental protection and climate change, which will be used to refine implementation strategies in Amudat and Nakapiripirit districts.
   • Assess the existing institutional capacity of local government institutions and other relevant stakeholders to enforce environmental regulations and support sustainable resource management.
   • Establish Karamoja-specific baseline values of key indicators in the log frame to determine the project's impact at the end.
   • To identify opportunities and strengths that the project can leverage to achieve its intended outcomes in the Karamoja region.
     
     
   4. Scope of the Baseline Survey

   The SEA-WN Project baseline study will be conducted in the Districts of Amudat and Nakapiripirit within 11 sub-counties. The Consultant will be expected to collect data from randomly selected respondents sampled to be representative of the population that is targeted by the Project. 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 direct beneficiaries, local authorities and climate action groups as defined in the target group and beneficiaries.

   5. Methodology

   A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is recommended for the survey, including key informant interviews, focus group discussions, household surveys and observations, 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 the SEA-WN consortium team members to ensure quality. The Consultant will lead key informant interviews and focus group discussions, oversee enumerators’ training and supervision to ensure data collection aligns with the work plan and ultimately prepare the final baseline survey reports for review by SEA-WN consortium partners.

   6. 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:

   #	Deliverable	Description	Timing	Responsibilities
   1	Baseline Inception Report	Comprising the finalized detailed methodology and work plan, proposed tools, and demonstrating understanding of the assignment, sampling criteria, and sample size. This report is submitted in advance to ACEMP and RICE West Nile.	21st November 2025	Consultant
   2	Presentation	Presentation shall be done in a meeting with the management of ACEMP and RICE West Nile, together with heads of consortium member organizations.	24th November 2025	Consultant
   3	Draft Baseline Report	This will include the analysis of the data given the log frame indicators. Two hard copies and a soft copy are required.	19th December 2025	Consultant
   4	Validation meeting	Presentation in PowerPoint to the SEA-WN consortium partners and stakeholders in the four districts.	22nd December 2025	Consultant and ACEMP
   5	Final Baseline Report	This will be produced after incorporating comments from stakeholders, ACEMP, and RICE West Nile and consortium partners. Six (6) hard copies of the final report and a soft copy for dissemination will be shared via email and electronic media (storage devices, preferably flash disk). The report format will be agreed upon during the inception report dissemination meeting.	30th December 2025	Consultant

   Note: All raw data shall be shared by the Consultant in a format agreed upon by the Consultant and the SEA-WN consortium team.

1. • Academic qualifications: The consultant should have a minimum of master’s degree in environmental science, ecology, natural resource management, social studies, or related fields.
   • Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in conducting environmental and social baseline 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, monitoring and evaluation principles, and best practices, alongside knowledge of climate change science and its impacts. This foundation should be coupled with familiarity with relevant environmental and social safeguards frameworks. Finally, experience working with local communities and stakeholders.
   • Data analysis skills: Proficiency in data analysis software and statistical tools for analyzing and interpreting the data collected during the study.
   • 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 the SEA WN consortium 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. Payment Specifications.

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

   9. 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. Communication with the assigned team must remain open at all times.

   10. Period and Estimated Number of days for the study.

   The baseline study is planned to start on 20^th November 2025, and the final report will be submitted by 30^th December 2025. The maximum number of billable days for the assignment is 20.

   11. Criteria for Evaluation of Proposal:

   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.

   Qualified Individual Consultant is expected to submit both the Technical and Financial Proposals. Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on Cumulative Analysis as per the following scenario:

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

   Evaluation Criteria		Weight	Max. Point
   Technical Competence (based on CV, Proposal, and interview (if required)		70%	100
   Understanding the Scope of Work; comprehensiveness of the methodology/approach, and organization & completeness of the proposal			30
   Minimum academic qualification.			5
   Minimum years of experience & previous experience in similar assignments			30
   Additional competences			5
   Financial (Lower Offer/Offer X100)		30%	30
   Total Score	Technical Score * 70% + Financial Score *30%

    

   12. Application Process.

   Consultant(s) who meet the criteria are invited to submit technical and financial proposals to procurements@acemp.org  no later than 14^th November 2025.

   The proposal should clearly articulate the consultant’s understanding of the terms of reference, methodology for executing the work, experience in conducting baseline studies, CVs of the proposed team, work plan, and budget, among others. The Consultant should indicate the subject as “SEA WN Project Scale Up Baseline Survey”.

   Only applicants who pass the evaluation stage will be contacted.

   13. Confidentiality:
   The Individual Consultant shall not, either during the term or after termination of the assignment, disclose any proprietary or confidential information related to the consultancy service without prior written consent. Proprietary interests in all materials and documents prepared by the consultants under the assignment shall become and remain the property of ACEMP and RICE West Nile.