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 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.

Introduction about the ‘Early Warning, Early Action: Strengthening Multi-hazard Disaster Preparedness in Mt. Elgon sub-region’ Project 

Oxfam in Consortium with Uganda Red Cross Society and Caritas Tororo have secured a project “Early Warning, Early Action: Strengthening Multi-hazard Disaster Preparedness in Mt. Elgon sub-region” to be implemented in Mt Elgon region in Eastern Uganda funded by ECHO. This action is aimed at building on ongoing government efforts, existing local structures and previous experiences of other actors in the country, through this action, Oxfam, Caritas Tororo and the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) will reach at least 120,283 direct beneficiaries in 7 target districts (Bududa, Butaleja, Mbale, Namisindwa, and Sironko and Bulambuli and Mbale City) in the Mount Elgon region in Eastern Uganda, through interventions designed to strengthen multi-hazard disaster preparedness in Mt. Elgon sub-region. It will build effective linkages between early warning and early action and support gender-sensitive district contingency planning in highly vulnerable or exposed districts. The project is as a result of the increased extreme events leading to disasters in Uganda affecting people’s lives and livelihoods. The principal objective of the project is to enhance community resilience to shocks and stresses in Mt. Elgon sub-region through effective and participatory multi-hazard anticipatory action (AA) and preparedness measures. Specifically, the project will support vulnerable households, communities and institutions at the local level to develop and implement appropriate anticipatory action and preparedness measures and enhance linkages between local and national policy, and practice for disaster risk reduction (DRR) including climate change adaptation (CCA). To enable timely response, Oxfam and consortium partners will support in provision of in-kind NFI’s as an emergency relief stock via a regional warehouse in Mbale and will be supported to deliver timely responses through activation of a Crisis Modifier. Oxfam and partners will focus on localizing the responses by strengthening the capacities of the District Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs) and District Emergency Coordination Centers (DECOCs), Sub County Disaster management committees (SCDMC) and Village Disaster management committees (VDMC) as well as creating ownership and long-term resilience of affected communities facilitating a shift towards more sustainable responses beyond reliance on donor and emergency funding.

The rationale of reviewing and updating the Waste Management Plan for Mbale City

Mbale city is experiencing rapid population growth, urbanization and industrialization which has significantly impacted on environment as a result of huge generation and improper disposal of waste within the city and other peri urban town with inadequate infrastructure including waste collection, transportation and disposal facilities as well as poor segregation and recycling techniques. The current waste management practices in Mbale city creates environmental hazards such as floods, health, and social problems, including pollution, disease outbreaks, and community dissatisfaction. Despite environmental and waste management being a critical component in ensuring a sustainable future, effective waste management practices not only help in reducing environmental hazards such as floods and pollution but also conserve natural resources, mitigate climate change, and promote public health. These challenges continued to have significant impact on people within the city with many communities struggling with floods because of the filled up water channels and dumping of waste in rivers causing siltation. The communities are struggling to cope with the mounting waste around the market dumping sites and its adverse effects thus becoming a source of disaster in the cities causing floods and epidemics.

To address these issues, the city and peri urban centers require a comprehensive waste management plan and strategy that prioritizes sustainability, efficiency, and community engagement. Mbale city currently has a draft waste management plan/strategy that runs from 2021-2025. With population growth, continuous development and urbanization, there is need to consciously update and review the existing management plan to fit in the current context of waste management plan. 
Therefore, Oxfam is planning to review and update the waste management plan and strategy for the city to address the issues and create a healthier, and more resilient environment. These plans will be used as an advocacy tool for Mbale city to address issues around environmental management and climate financing.

Objectives of the Updating and Reviewing the City’s Waste management plan

The main objective of this ToR is to engage a consultant firm to support in reviewing and updating the waste management plan and strategy for Mbale city that is aimed at:

1. Strengthening and improving on solid waste planning and financing.
2. Strengthening legislation and enforce regulations and policy implementation that support sustainable waste management practices in Mbale city.
3. Improving and promoting effective, efficient, economical and sustainable waste management practices in handling and processing of solid waste service delivery mechanisms that will include waste reduction, recycling, composting, and disposal including waste to value.
4. Strengthening community engagement, raise awareness to educate the public on the importance of waste management and their role in reducing waste as well as community involvement in the planning and implementation process.
5. Identifying the current waste management challenges, opportunities and sets clear goals and objectives for waste management.

Scope of Work for the assignment:
The scope of work for these assignments for the review and update of the waste management plan will include:

• Review of Existing Plans and Strategies: Review the city's existing waste management plans and strategies, including the current waste management system, infrastructure, and services.
• Waste Characterization Study: Conducting a waste characterization assessment to determine the types and quantities of waste generated in the city.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and community groups, to understand their needs and concerns related to waste management.
• Update of Existing Plans and Strategies: Update the city's existing waste management plan and strategies to reflect the findings of the waste characterization study and stakeholder engagement.
• Review of Waste Management Infrastructure: Review the city's waste management infrastructure, including waste collection vehicles, transfer stations, and disposal facilities.
• Identification of Areas for Improvement: Identify areas for improvement in the city's waste management practices and provide recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the waste management system.
• Development of Implementation Plan: Develop an implementation plan that outlines the steps necessary to implement the recommended changes to the waste management system.
• Develop training and capacity Building plan: Develop training and capacity building programs for city staff and stakeholders on the new waste management plans and strategies.
• Developing a strategy for engaging stakeholders and the community in the planning and implementation process, including public outreach and education programs, Stakeholder meetings and workshops, Community-based waste management initiatives.
• Generate a comprehensive report following the activity that can be shared with stakeholders for future reference.

Study Methodology:
The methodology for reviewing and updating the plan and strategy will include:
•    Literature review and desktop research.
•    Stakeholder interviews through KII and dialogue meetings.
•    Field observations and site visits to waste management facilities/infrastructures.
•    Community surveys and focus groups.
•    Data analysis and modelling.
•    Development of a draft reviewed and updated waste management plan and strategy.
•    Review and presentation of the draft plan and strategy as well as dissemination. 

Expected deliverables:
The expected deliverable during these engagements includes:

• Detailed inception report that outlines the workplan, any training plan, and means of executing the consultancy work.
• Comprehensive Waste Management Plan: A comprehensive waste management plan that includes waste reduction and recycling strategies, waste collection and transportation systems, waste disposal and treatment options, public education and awareness programs, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Final comprehensive report for the assignment shares a comprehensive report on the assignment including recommendations for improvement.

Timeline:
The assignment is expected to be completed within 1.5 months from 10th March 2025 to 30th April 2025. The following milestones are expected to be achieved:

• Week 1-2: Review of existing plans and strategies, waste characterization study, and stakeholder engagement.
• Week 3 Development of comprehensive waste management plan and updated waste management strategies.
• Week 4-5: Review of waste management infrastructure and identification of areas for improvement.
• Week 6: Finalization of deliverables and submission of final report.

Consultant Qualifications:

• The consultant should have the following qualifications:
• Experience: At least 5 years of experience in waste management planning and strategy development.
• Education: A degree in environmental science, engineering, or a related field
• Skills: Excellent communication and project management skills.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of waste management principles, practices, and technologies.

Evaluation Criteria:
The consultant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Technical Expertise: The consultant's technical expertise in waste management planning and strategy development.
• Experience: The consultant's experience in waste management planning and strategy development.
• Communication Skills: The consultant's communication skills, including the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders and communicate complex technical information.
• Project Management Skills: The consultant's project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Value for Money: The consultant's ability to provide value for money, including the ability to deliver high-quality services at a competitive price.

Supervision/management of the assignment:

The Consultant will work under the supervision of Oxfam in Uganda and will specifically be under the direct supervision of the Consortium Manager/Area Manager. All reporting and will be directed to the consortium Manager. The consultant will be expected to work closely with and interact all Oxfam staff especially the Public Health Engineering Team Leader and other team in the Elgon region including Monitoring and Evaluation team.

Payment terms:

The consultant will be paid maximum 20% upon submission of acceptable Inception Report and 80% upon submission of approved final report and any agreed upon products of the study. The professional fees applicable will be subject to statutory 6% withholding Tax.  

Submission Deadlines:
Submissions should be made to ugandalogistics@oxfam.org by Monday,13th March, 2025.