Terms of Reference

PIP implementation study (BRIGHT & CommonGround projects)

1. Introduction and Background

1.1. About the BRIGHT project

Building Resilience and Inclusive Growth of Highland farming systems for rural Transformation (BRIGHT) is a four-year project, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) through the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project is being implemented by IFDC, in collaboration with Agriterra, the Uganda Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), district local governments, and private sector actors.

The vision of the BRIGHT project is to promote inclusive economic growth and rural transformation through equitable integration into value chains. BRIGHT aims to build the resilience of 106,560 highland farm households in Kigezi, Mt. Elgon, and Rwenzori regions by improving the food and nutrition security and incomes of farmers, and transitioning subsistence-oriented farm households to a more market-oriented approach. This is achieved by supporting them in integrated farm planning and inclusive decision-making, by introducing appropriate climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies to strengthen local farming systems, and by developing strategic value chains.

1.2. About the CommonGround project

The CommonGround project is a four-year project funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) through the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project is implemented by Wageningen Environment Research (WENR) in partnership with Integrated Seed and Sector Development (ISSD) Uganda.

CommonGround aims to restore the resilience of farming communities in the watersheds of the highlands of Rwenzori, Elgon, and Kigezi, which are undergoing degradation threats. The goal of the CommonGround project is "to build resilient farming communities and ecosystems in the highlands of Uganda, based on sustainable farming systems, restored watersheds, and improved marketing opportunities".

The project will facilitate integrated household and community actions toward enhancing resilience, restoring degraded hotspots in the watershed, and improving market access. The project targets 150,000 farming households in Kigezi, Elgon, and Rwenzori regions.

1.3. Position Summary

The Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) approach is central to the BRIGHT and CommonGround projects. The approach empowers farm households to develop actionable visions for household development based on internal household aspirations, strengths, opportunities, and available resources and guides the household in inclusive decision-making.

However, during the Peer Monitoring field visit, it was revealed that the two projects differ in their implementation of the PIP approach. To better understand these differences and their effects, IFDC and ISSD are seeking a consultant or firm to undertake a quick comparison study for the two projects.

This study will use a mixed-methods approach with both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis, engaging representatives of all major project stakeholders. The study will be conducted in Rwenzori region in two districts, covering a total of 4 villages. This Terms of Reference (ToR) outlines the scope of the assignment.

1.4. How to Apply

Please find the respective detailed terms of reference on the ISSD Uganda website via: www.issduganda.org.

Individual consultants meeting all the above requirements are invited to submit detailed proposals outlining the approach, methodology, and cost breakdown and clearly highlighting how the assignment will be undertaken to deliver the outputs of the task.

Proposals should be sent to hr@issduganda.org no later than Friday 10th January 2025.